Shoulder holsters are neither the finest nor the most popular holsters on the market, but they are quite effective for conceal carry, especially with heavier handguns. Many people tend to view them as old-fashioned and fail to see their upsides, comfort being the major one. It’s well suited for people who spend long periods of time sitting like drivers and desk jobs. Choosing a shoulder holster for concealed carry may prove complicated at first, that’s because most are anyway, but many come to love it with practice. There’s an ever-increasing number of licensed concealed carry gun owners who are opting for shoulder holsters for various reasons.

Any holster is only as good as the way it’s used. Hip holsters are the most popular and more accessible compared to shoulder holsters. You can get a Glock 19 hip holster at the Tulster. It’s important to have expertise in various types of holsters to have maximum defence in various situations, more so for concealed carry, especially if you have to carry a gun for your various day-to-day activities. We’ll delve more into the types of shoulder holsters and tips on how best to use them for concealed carry. Read on!

Shoulder Holster System Types

There are three types of shoulder holsters for concealed carry; horizontal, vertical, and angled. Each of them describes how the gun will position along the shoulder. Moreover, there are also many different types of material that holsters can be made from. Leather, nylon, and now Kydex holsters are a popular option - so make sure to consider this too by doing your research. Most of them incorporate an ambidextrous choice implementation, right and left use.

1. Vertical Shoulder Holster

The vertical shoulder holster type has the muzzle pointed down, and although you can use it to easily carry around a larger gun type, drawing it for use is a bit sluggish. You’ll have to quickly move away from the threat as you pull it out to secure a firm grasp.

2. Horizontal Shoulder Holster

The horizontal shoulder holster is faster to pull out as compared to the vertical one. However, it is limited to carrying guns with shorter barrels, although a person with a huge body type can use it to carry and effectively conceal a bigger barrel gun.

3. Angled Shoulder Holster

Angled shoulder holsters are also relatively faster to pull. However, extreme caution on the trigger must be observed when pulling it out in a hurry since the muzzle lies pointing slightly away from the armpit.

Using Concealed Carry Shoulder Holsters

After settling on a shoulder system type, it’s important to have some tips to deploy safely to reap maximum convenience benefits. Always take your time choosing a good-fit shoulder holster, as this will depend hugely on your body type. Women will generally have an easy time choosing shoulder holsters as it augurs well with their body types.

Tip 1: Get an Adjustable Shoulder Holster

You should feel at ease and comfortable enough after strapping on your shoulder holster. To attain this, settle for an adjustable holster and ensure you can set it up to your right comfort position. Having a comfortable and good-fit shoulder holster makes it way easier to draw and use.

Tip 2: Get a Shoulder Holster with Belt Hooks

This will bring in that extra comfort by ensuring that your shoulder holster is tighter on your body and help avoid possible waggling around as you walk by holding it in place. You can customize your holster by adding more belt hooks to hold your gun and magazine carriers tighter.

Tip 3: Wear a Suitable Cover Garment

You can choose a wide range of clothing as a cover garment for your shoulder holster; just ensure that it’s not anything tight-fit and is loose enough not to show your shoulder holster’s outline. A simple light jacket or a loose shirt can work fine.

Tip 4: Practice on how to Get a Solid Grip

Your efficiency and stealth matter a lot on how your gun is going to be useful when needed. Shoulder holsters are not an exception! You need to draw your gun without drawing attention, appear as if you are crossing your arms. This will take training or practice to enhance your speed and accuracy. Engaging in intensive live training with your preferred holster, gun, and ammunition is always the key to a journey of proficiency.

Also, note that your support arm needs to be away, so it doesn’t rub on the gun's nozzle as you are removing it. A way to effectively do this is by placing your support arm on the strong arm or place it behind your head. You can re-establish a strong two-handhold quickly after drawing.