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barres wrote:Would you want to stand behind someone, if you knew they were wearing a horizontal draw sholder holster?

That actually wasn't even a concern of mine. I wear an ankle rig from time to time and have no problem propping my feet up on a foot rest and letting people walk between me and the TV. I don't get nervous about that at all. I don't think I should get nervous about that either. Heck, I don't even get nervous when my kids latch on to my leg and want me to walk around with them wrapped around my ankle rig. I know the rig has the trigger covered and I know it won't go off unless the trigger is pulled. Maybe I am over confident though.

I was more interested in the comfort / concealability aspects of it. Thanks for the response though.

I want to try one out first, but I think I'm going to go with the Jackass. It looks like it has more adjustment. I like the downward canted diagonal draw. It feels more comfortable that straight horizontal or straight vertical to me. I've been playing with the holster I have and have about found a comfortable fit. I just need a good rig that will actually stay that way.

The Galco Miami Classic gets most of the popularity due to its television history but it's probably not the best choice. I always recommend the SSII. It's almost identical to the MC but it has a wider and much more comfortable harness. The modular nature of Galco's shoulder rigs allow you to choose the Miami Classic horizontal carry or an optional vertical carry. The vertical holster component was designed specifically for combat aircrew and I've sent a zillioon of those to A-stan and Iraq. The feedback is particularly good.

The vertical holster costs about $3 more and does not have provision for the optional and normally recommended tiedowns. I'd advise tiedowns whenever they can be used.

If you're going to use a shoulder rig, these are about as good as they get without having one custom built. I'm in the process, when I get off my butt, of putting one together for myself but I saved one of the no-longer-available EXP vertical holster components and that one does have a tiedown capability.




http://store.packinheatleather.com/ss212.html

Can you expand upon this post please?

1) Why have you sent the vertical holsters to military members?
2) What makes vertical more suited to aircrew use than horizontal?
3) Any idea why no tie downs for vertical holsters?


I'll probably have more questions later, but... Thanks!

I frequently use a Galco Jackass rig carrying a 4" 1911 in 9mm.

Now that i have made the final adjustments it is quite comfortable. It took about a month of tweaking to get it right.

I chose the Jackass due to the angle of carry. The slightly muzzle up angle makes for a very natural draw. This is most evident when needing to be ready to draw by gripping the gun with the thumb ready at the thumb break. Without a close inspection it looks like your arms are just crossed. It's just that one hand is inside your concealment garment and covered by the other forarm or elbow.

I only wish the mag carriers were horizontal instead of bottom opened. They seem combersom to obtain a mag. I also wish Galco made a tac light holster that was arranged with the mag carriers. This would help balance the load.

(I have found that load balance is the key to comfort either on the belt or in a shoulder rig.)

P12, I thought Galco does make a light holder for that rig. Get flintknapper in on that. I believe his Miami rig has one & that the parts will interchange w/ your jackass rig. He has been the shoulder holster authority on the board. For a long time he was the only one that carried that way on a regular basis. Some of the new folks are very sharp also.

P12 wrote: I only wish the mag carriers were horizontal instead of bottom opened. They seem combersom to obtain a mag. I also wish Galco made a tac light holster that was arranged with the mag carriers. This would help balance the load.

You're covered, Galco makes a horizontal mag carrier. In fact, they have not only the standard two mag. horizontal but also a "quad"...they also make a two mag. + flashlight holder. There is a flashlight only carrier, etc, etc...

Just pick what you want, its all available.

http://www.usgalco.com/WhatsNew.asp

barres wrote:

Kalrog wrote:About shoulder holsters specifically (the more traditional ones). Horizontal or vertical draw for a 1911 and why?

I have never owned a sholder holster, so take this with a Big grain of salt. Would you want to stand behind someone, if you knew they were wearing a horizontal draw sholder holster?

barres, this has been one of the arguments from those who oppose shoulder rigs. While holstered they are no different than any other rig. If shoulder rigs sweep every one behind you then Ankle rigs sweep every one setting beside you when you cross your legs. KB stated about proping up a foot & letting others walk between him & the TV. Small of the back holsters point the muzzle at the head of every 5 yr old that walks by you on the weak side. My strong side carry points at the head of my grandchildren every time the grab Papa by the leg for a hug. Canted cross draw sweeps every adults legs to the weak side.
Some say shoulder draw takes more practice to safely draw under stress. I did not find that to be so for me. If my daily carry, strong side IWB draw is sloppy & my finger is on the trigger, under stress I am VERY likely to shoot my self in the rear & worse case pelvis or hip joint. BAD BAD BAD. Likewise in any other carry position, if the draw is sloppy & finger is on the trigger, bad trouble is boiling in a big pot.
No matter where the holster is positioneed, at draw, getting distance between me & anyone around me is imperrative.
Now to answer you specific question. "Would I want to stand behind someone I knew was wearing a horizontal shoulder rig?" I will stand behind Flint any day. If trouble starts there is no one I know personally that I would rather have in front of me. I will not hesitate to walk between KBCraig & his TV, or stand to the weak side of tote 9 & his cross draw.
When & if trouble gets to the place where arms are folded under cover garment on a horizontal shoulder rig in front of me, I assure you; promice you; afirm loudly, that I am going to be more focused on the threat before us, & positioning self to address that threat, more than consiously worrying about whether I am going to be swept by a shoulder rig or any other carry position.

As I said, I have never owned a shoulder holster. I defer to the people who speak from experience. While holstered, I agree that any firearm in any holster that covers the trigger is safe. My concern is during the draw. But, as I said, I'm sure there are many here who know more about this sort of thing than I do.

My apologies if anything I said/typed stepped on anyone's toes.

All toes are fine sir. You have done well in addressing the Qs.

Just have to point out, it was Kalrog with the ankle rig, not me.

Kevin

...actually a really good discussion guys....I found it very informative in that never even considered a shoulder rig in the past. Thanks LT, Flint, barres, et al for sharing!

KBCraig wrote:Just have to point out, it was Kalrog with the ankle rig, not me.

Kevin

O well both of you are quality guys w/ good experience. Thanks for giving him credit after my

flintknapper wrote:

P12 wrote: I only wish the mag carriers were horizontal instead of bottom opened. They seem combersom to obtain a mag. I also wish Galco made a tac light holster that was arranged with the mag carriers. This would help balance the load.

You're covered, Galco makes a horizontal mag carrier. In fact, they have not only the standard two mag. horizontal but also a "quad"...they also make a two mag. + flashlight holder. There is a flashlight only carrier, etc, etc...

Just pick what you want, its all available.

http://www.usgalco.com/WhatsNew.asp

OK! You just made my day.

Kalrog wrote:Can you expand upon this post please?

1) Why have you sent the vertical holsters to military members?
2) What makes vertical more suited to aircrew use than horizontal?
3) Any idea why no tie downs for vertical holsters?


I'll probably have more questions later, but... Thanks!

1) They order them, we send what they order.

2) It is a reqirement for aircrew that the muzzle be pointed down, and not to the rear, for the safety of others.

3) Flight suits don't have a belt or convenient place to attach the tiedowns.