******
First, determine the environ in which and activity for which your shoulder must serve. A long relation with the shoulder carry informs my polarized impression:
Horizontal carry* Works for less than strenuous activity.
* Works for light handguns, from snub nose .38’s to plastic and aluminum framed auto pistols with up to 4.25” barrel length.
* Is fast on the draw.
* Lacks security for strenuous physical activity, from swamp to mountain.
* Can be very comfortable for long periods with a lightweight pistol.
* Nearly impossible for the “average” shooter to draw without sweeping the muzzle in a 180-degree arc. For this reason, some ranges prohibit the horizontal draw shoulder holster.
* Depending on gun and personal physique, good concealment.
Vertical carry, spring-loaded opening* Examples includes 1920/1930’s models with spring clip around cylinder, and various wire-spring arrangements, such as Safariland and Bianchi X-15 types.
* Support magnum revolvers with up to 8-3/8” barrel.
* For trail use should have a safety strap.
* Marginal draw speed.
* Many make a “clap” sound as the gun clears, a no-no for hunting.
* Weight on the same-side shoulder with full size magnum becomes uncomfortable on a long trail.
* Marginal security on a boat or in the mountains.
* Impedes free use of arms for physical work.
* Depending on gun and personal physique, good concealment.
Bandoleer, vertical carry or slightly angled pouch* Best weight distribution to protect anatomy on long trail.
* Best support for a heavy handgun.
* Best support for scoped handgun.
* Best security on boat or mountain.
* Some models may be swung around back to facilitate climbing and work with chainsaw, etc.
* Quiet draw.
* Slow to draw when compared with hip or crossdraw.
* Concealment requires buttoned or zipped jacket.
* Urban carry precludes the bandoleer.
For a 1911 in the city, I prefer the X-15 type to a horizontal draw. For a shoulder holster to carry a SIG/Sauer P220, P229, etc., a horizontal draw by Lou Alessi or Gene DeSantis is hard to beat. But the 1911 is too long and weighs too much for these fine rigs.
Won’t get into shoulder vs hip for urban carry, as that isn’t your question. To throw a 1911 over my shoulder and go, I love the old M7 Tanker Holster. Again, not for urban carry. Nothing beats a good bandoleer rig for for grab-and-go. The two best snaps for safety straps come from Uncle Sugar: the post-type brass button made world famous on the original Army flap holster for the Model 1911, and the spring-loaded snap on brass or steel button, as seen on the M7 Tanker.
David Bradshaw
