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I have a problem with my lower back and right hip. After seeing my doc about it yesterday, and him telling me to avoid anything that could irritate the Ciatic (sp?) nerve on my strong side (like a wallet in my right hip pocket), I know this means no strong-side IWB carry until all this clears up (if it ever does), and I suspect it will also mean no strong-side OWB carry, as well. I haven't felt like tempting fate by trying OWB, yet.

That leaves pocket carry, which I use on occasion, but doesn't always work well with my attire, and I prefer to carry a larger pistol than will fit in a pocket (my EDC is a Glock 23); SOB carry, which I'm not too fond of (hey, my back already hurts; I don't want to make it worse ); ankle carry (bending over is not a great idea for me right now, especially in a hurry); or some form of cross-draw carry.

Cross draw on the belt doesn't seem like a good solution for me, because I still have a bit too much belly to reach around and down to my waist (although I've got 40 pounds less belly to reach around than this time last year). That basically leaves shoulder holsters. So, what do I need to know about shoulder holsters? I'm 5' 10" and weigh about 250. I'm not huge, but I'd like to lose another 20 pounds. I generally wear XL shirts with 2XL cover garments. I wear 38 - 40" waist pants. I think I would probably prefer a horizontal shoulder holster, but I have no experience with any shoulder holster. Any advice is welcome.

How about something like the Smart Carry?

FYI, it's "Sciatic," with an "S."

Thanks; I knew I spelled Sciatic wrong, but I didn't know how to fix it.

I honestly hadn't really considered the Smart Carry. I don't think it would work for me with my G23, but it might with my Kel-Tec P11. I wear my pants around my hips, not around my true waist, which wouldn't leave much room for a pistol in a Smart Carry while seated. I also don't think I'd like wearing my belt loose enough to be able to draw from a SC. But thank you for helping me consider things I had overlooked. I may just have to find one I can try, so I'll know if it works for me.

I think my "Unused Holster Drawer" is soon to be much fuller.

Get a G 27 or 26.

Pocket holster.

Slow, but on you when you need it.

Is this going to be a more or less permanent condition? I ask because I have back issues myself (which is why I know how to spell "sciatic" ), including having had extensive surgery to fuse vertebrae, etc.

Your orginal post made me go put on my Fobus OWB just a minute ago and start carrying my USP Compact around, just to get the feel of it some more. I usually carry a 1911 IWB, and much prefer it, but I wanted to reacquaint myself with OWB carry. It is fairly comfortable and doesn't press on my side or hip at all, but it I am much more conscious of the bulk of the pistol on my hip that way. It feels heavier too. But wearing it under an untucked shirt with a light jacket on, you can't tell it is there to look at.

Would OWB carry be an option for you?

Edit: I saw your note about OWB... Still, try it for just a little while around the house and see if it really is an issue for you.

I am cramped for tiem right now so cannot respond much.
Do a search on shoulder carry here & you will learn a lot.
There are several of us that shoulder carry regularly. I sit here w/ mine on ready to take the wife out for the V-Day celebration. There are some pics in some of the shoulder carry discussions. I like mine & the older I get the more I reach for it.
Good searching & fun learning.
LT

I have to agree with LT on this. I had back surgury a little over a year ago and used shoulder carry a lot. Still use it quiet a bit.

Shoulder carry for the last 12 yrs. here.


But, get ready for lots of folks to fuss about it.

flintknapper wrote:Shoulder carry for the last 12 yrs. here.


But, get ready for lots of folks to fuss about it.

Why is that?

I have a smartcarry. It's a pain in the, err, yeah.
I didn't like it very much. It was very uncomfortable and printed quite a bit in an area that would draw some attention.

The Annoyed Man wrote:

flintknapper wrote:Shoulder carry for the last 12 yrs. here.


But, get ready for lots of folks to fuss about it.

Why is that?

Well....lets see if I can remember all the allegations.



1. Slow to draw from.
2. Your arm can be pinned against your body if you "crossdraw".
3. The weapon can be easily snatched.
4. Dangerous because the muzzle is always sweeping someone.
5. You can't draw your weapon without covering yourself.
6. Can't re-holster with just one hand.
7. Uncomfortable to wear.
8. Need constant readjustment.
9. Require much practice to smoothly/reliably draw from.
10. Draw stroke covers everyone within a 180 deg. arc.

Thats just for starters, but you get the idea.

Seems they are much maligned by those who have never worn one, or didn't take the time to learn how to wear and PROPERLY use one.

In my experience.... all of the above is either patently false, or easily remedied. But you'll never convince a lot of folks, believe me....I've tried.

Here's another suggestion, although it wouldn't be that pleasant during a hot summer day, but I ordered one of these concealed carry jackets from SigSauer.com today. Here's what it looks like:



The CCW pockets are ambidextrous, one on each side, and the jacket is also available in a short length at a slightly lower price.

I carry a Glock 27 in a Bianchi 100 Professional IWB style holster. I am right handed and carry it on my left side. This creates a cross draw situation and it is placed on the front left side of my body rather then on the side or rear. It is fast and still allows for you to wear a t-shirt. Here in Texas it fits fine. Just a thought.

I tried OWB carry for a few minutes the other night. After five minutes, I could feel the end of the slide pressing slightly on my hip. Five minutes after that, my Sciatic was starting to tune up. Five seconds after that, I was taking the OWB off and finding my Kel-Tec and pocket holster.

So now I'm looking even more into Shoulder carry, for at least a while. I almost hate to ask this, but I feel like we're all friends, here. Would anyone have a good shoulder rig that I could borrow for a little while to see if shoulder carry is "my cup of tea?" My usual carry pistol is a Glock 23, but I also have a 5" 1911. I am thinking of buying a Galco Miami Classic II, but want to at least try carrying in a shoulder holster for a little while before spending $150. The Alessi Bodyguard that Longtooth showed off recently looks like another nice rig, as does Andrews' Monarch, but, if I jump into shoulder carry, I will need to do so quickly. I only have pocket carry (when I have large pockets) available to me now. I can't wait several months or even years on a rig, unless I know I can go back to IWB or OWB carry, and I just don't know that, yet.

I guess it would also help if I let you folks know where I am... I live in Huntsville.