Shoulder holsters are also one of the stereotypical concealed carry holsters. They have been seen in almost every cop movie when the cops take their jackets off and have a leather shoulder holster exposed. They provide a great way to carry a concealed weapon and are one of the most comfortable holsters to wear. They allow for a full-size gun to be carried with relative ease, and the good ones, with proper adjusting, really distribute the weight around very nicely. They can only be worn with a jacket, but for many people, they are one of the best ways of concealing a weapon.
Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of using concealed carry shoulder holsters to carry a concealed weapon.
Pros
One of the biggest pros of shoulder holsters is the comfort of carrying. They are said to rival the comfort of a waist holster, all while being able to conceal a weapon well. The weight of a large gun and extra magazines is usually not an issue for shoulder holsters because they distribute the weight to your shoulders and back so well. They also allow you to carry a bigger weapon, which is a huge plus for many people.
Bigger guns are easier to shoot and aim, usually more comfortable in the average man’s hands than pocket pistols, and provide a higher capacity of larger caliber bullets. They also provide great access to your weapon, so the draw is extremely fast and in a natural shooting position if the jacket is open.
Cons
The shoulder holsters are a great option, but like everything, they have their disadvantages as well. The biggest disadvantage is that you have to be wearing a jacket or coat to really conceal the weapon well. You aren’t nearly able to wear a snug fitting shirt as well as a jacket, and if you do, the profile of the gun will obviously stick out and show everyone you have a weapon which is a big no-no in concealed carry. But if your situation does mandate that you have a jacket or coat often, this can be a great method.
Another main disadvantage is that your jacket has to be open for the gun to be easily accessed. If you have to unbutton or unzip it first, then your draw time is significantly increased. For me personally, this method also requires you to strap on a relatively large carry system if you want to carry, which makes it more burdensome compared to pocket pistols or other methods. For me, that would mean I wouldn’t carry as often out of laziness.
Bottom Line
The bottom line is that shoulder holsters are a great method of carrying a large concealed weapon very comfortably. It provides easy access to the gun and allows you to carry much more protection than a small pocket pistol. A jacket or coat is required to truly conceal this gun, so you will have to examine your individual situation to see if that will work for you.
