But what about shoulder holsters today?
Definitely not as trendy, but surely useful.
Slip on a light jacket or similar garment to ensure your defensive gun is neatly concealed from view.
Do you know how to safely draw from a shoulder holster? Massad Ayoob explains the best way to do it. Image: Gail Pepin
This not only balanced the load but allowed one to shrug on everything one needed in a single movement.
[For additional equipment tips, also check outHome Defense Kit: Gear You Need.]
They will be required to blade their holster side toward the target.
The author’s Springfield Armory Hellcat 9mm rides here in a horizontal Galco shoulder system. Image: Gail Pepin
There is also a danger of the muzzle crossing the wearers own support arm on the draw.
This risk is exacerbated by horizontal holster orientation.
Some subtleties should be addressed.
Shown is the author’sAlien Gear ShapeShifter rigwith his Springfield Armory Hellcat and the latest edition of the “Gun Digest Book of Concealed Carry”. Image: Gail Pepin
Straight across the chest brings it to retention positionorline of sight very quickly.
However, it generally requires a thumb-break safety strap which can eat up that time saving.
The support arm elbow comes up head high and forward, also a good blocking position.
When drawing from a horizontal shoulder holster, step back with gun-hand-side leg to blade body. The support arm rises in Najolia block as straight fingers knife in under the cover garment to grab pistol. Image: Gail Pepin
[Dont miss Ayoobs article ondrawing with your support hand.]
The pistol comes straight across chest, then the gun hand punches Hellcat straight toward the target as the support hand comes down behind the muzzle to take a two-hand grasp. Image: Gail Pepin
This draw puts the shooter in a bladed position, making theWeaver stancethe fastest to assume. Image: Gail Pepin
The authordoes notrecommend using the support hand to move the cover garment when drawing from a vertical shoulder holster. Shown is a Bianchi X15 with a dummy training gun. Image: Gail Pepin
When drawing from a vertical shoulder holster, blade the body to the target by dropping gun-hand-side leg to the rear. Raise the support elbow chest high and horizontal as shown while your gun hand knifes under garment to grasp your pistol. Image: Gail Pepin
Bring the defensive handgun straight across your torso instead of pulling down. Your support hand is in position for a defensive block if needed. Image: Gail Pepin
Once the muzzle passes below the support arm, you can bring the support hand in behind the muzzle to take a two-hand grasp. Image: Gail Pepin
The author has found that this vertical shoulder holster draw technique achieves maximum speed while maintaining safety. Image: Gail Pepin
