Upside Down Shoulder Rigs

semperfi.45 · January 19th, 2008, 11:15 PM

Anyone have any experience with upside down rigs. I've been toying with the idea of one for my 442 and I came across this one from Vega. I don't think I could bank on an elastic restraint.

I think a Null may be at the head of the pack for these rigs (either a SKR or an SMZ)

or I'll troll for a Bianchi 9R1 with a clamshell, but they seem bulky.

Any and all opinions welcome...

P95Carry · January 19th, 2008, 11:32 PM

I have a regular (right-way-up) Bianchi X-15 and the steel retention spring sandwiched inside of the leather would I am sure manage well with inverted use ... it holds well and the draw is easy - being in this case a fwd break deal.

I have a Ken Null inverted for my R9 and altho that requires some ''knack'' to use holds very well - perfectly reliable. The advantage I see in an inverted config' is the ability to probably not require a belt tie-down loop ....... but that said ... for me when I used the X-15, it was not a big deal once adjusted.

My main problem with the Bianchi is the strap that goes over the high area near my neck - and that tends to ride up a bit. The ''X'' rigs are better but it is said sometimes that this harness design can make for an easy grab by a BG ... that tho is rumor.

glock27mark · January 19th, 2008, 11:45 PM

looks like it might make for an ackward draw by looking at the pics.

nlax2011 · January 19th, 2008, 11:50 PM

Something about having it constantly pointing up at my shoulder and head.....

QKShooter · January 20th, 2008, 12:20 AM

For a revolver the size of a 442 I don't know why you would need a vertical rig.

I would go with an Alessi Pull Through Bodyguard.

LoveLeather · January 20th, 2008, 03:07 AM

With a 442 size gun, you can get away with having it at a 45 degree angle and not have the butt or the barrel stick out...upside down is okay, but it makes more sense for a bigger gun that is harder to conceal.....

F350 · January 20th, 2008, 05:46 AM

Before I went Auto (started with a 1911) I carried a 4" S&W 66 in a shoulder rig from Safariland very similar to the first photo from Vega, carried that rig for years. The elastic really does not hold the gun; the trigger guard is resting in a "pocket" in the holster, when the gun is in place there is little to no pressure on the elastic. I found it easy to conceal under a shirt 1 size bigger than I would normally wear and the draw once adjusted was really easy. If I were carrying a 4” revolver I would definitely have a shoulder rig like that again.

Beans · January 20th, 2008, 06:05 AM

I carried a simular Bianchi rig for several years off duty. (3 inch S&W model 36 )With a little practice you can draw with either hand.
I liked it and had no problems with it.

jarhead79 · January 20th, 2008, 09:13 AM

I have and have made the one with the elastic. It's actually surprisingly retentive.

The holster goes up under the trigger guard and that's what holds it in the holster. The elastic holds the molding of the leather around the cylinder which holds the trigger guard in place.

The elastic is also doubled up, so it is quite strong. It doesn't stretch more than 1/4 inch or so on the draw, so it isn't going to wear out either. I saw one used for over 25 years, and it was still perfect.

Nate

ispcapt · January 20th, 2008, 11:48 AM

I have used a Bianchi 209 since about 1980. During the winter months when I was in uniform I wore it under my uniform jacket with my 49 and then 649. Have also worn it some off duty. The elastic still holds well. It's not the typical Walmart fabric shop elastic. Holds it in very well. The elastic is under the front strap.

January 19th, 2008, 11:15 PM	#1
semperfi.45 VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Over here now! Posts: 3,333	Upside Down Shoulder Rigs Anyone have any experience with upside down rigs. I've been toying with the idea of one for my 442 and I came across this one from Vega. I don't think I could bank on an elastic restraint. I think a Null may be at the head of the pack for these rigs (either a SKR or an SMZ) or I'll troll for a Bianchi 9R1 with a clamshell, but they seem bulky. Any and all opinions welcome... __________________ My art is different from yours; it consists not in defeating others, but in not being defeated.

January 19th, 2008, 11:32 PM	#2
P95Carry Assistant Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West PA Posts: 25,468	I have a regular (right-way-up) Bianchi X-15 and the steel retention spring sandwiched inside of the leather would I am sure manage well with inverted use ... it holds well and the draw is easy - being in this case a fwd break deal. I have a Ken Null inverted for my R9 and altho that requires some ''knack'' to use holds very well - perfectly reliable. The advantage I see in an inverted config' is the ability to probably not require a belt tie-down loop ....... but that said ... for me when I used the X-15, it was not a big deal once adjusted. My main problem with the Bianchi is the strap that goes over the high area near my neck - and that tends to ride up a bit. The ''X'' rigs are better but it is said sometimes that this harness design can make for an easy grab by a BG ... that tho is rumor. __________________ Chris - P95 NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member. "To own a gun and assume that you are armed is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!." If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

January 19th, 2008, 11:45 PM	#3
glock27mark VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: s.e. mich Posts: 2,058	looks like it might make for an ackward draw by looking at the pics. __________________ {sheriff Buford T. Justice}what the h*** is the world coming too. NRA LIFE MEMBER

January 20th, 2008, 12:20 AM	#5
QKShooter Assistant Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Off Of The X Posts: 23,395	For a revolver the size of a 442 I don't know why you would need a vertical rig. I would go with an Alessi Pull Through Bodyguard. __________________ Liberty/Tyranny ___________________________ The Day The Moon Stood Still. Be Happy! *http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5lQDdegr2s*

January 20th, 2008, 09:13 AM	#9
jarhead79 Distinguished Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Stansbury Park, UT Posts: 1,296	I have and have made the one with the elastic. It's actually surprisingly retentive. The holster goes up under the trigger guard and that's what holds it in the holster. The elastic holds the molding of the leather around the cylinder which holds the trigger guard in place. The elastic is also doubled up, so it is quite strong. It doesn't stretch more than 1/4 inch or so on the draw, so it isn't going to wear out either. I saw one used for over 25 years, and it was still perfect. Nate __________________ Sig P239 9mm Bersa Thunder.45 Ruger SP101 .38 SPL Glock 36 (night sites) UBG Holsters current wait time as of 7-16-2009: 3-5 weeks.

January 19th, 2008, 11:50 PM	#4
nlax2011 Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: FL Posts: 156	Something about having it constantly pointing up at my shoulder and head.....

January 20th, 2008, 03:07 AM	#6
LoveLeather Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: SoCal Posts: 464	With a 442 size gun, you can get away with having it at a 45 degree angle and not have the butt or the barrel stick out...upside down is okay, but it makes more sense for a bigger gun that is harder to conceal.....

January 20th, 2008, 05:46 AM	#7
F350 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Al Taqaddum airbase, Iraq Posts: 689	Before I went Auto (started with a 1911) I carried a 4" S&W 66 in a shoulder rig from Safariland very similar to the first photo from Vega, carried that rig for years. The elastic really does not hold the gun; the trigger guard is resting in a "pocket" in the holster, when the gun is in place there is little to no pressure on the elastic. I found it easy to conceal under a shirt 1 size bigger than I would normally wear and the draw once adjusted was really easy. If I were carrying a 4” revolver I would definitely have a shoulder rig like that again.

January 20th, 2008, 06:05 AM	#8
Beans Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: AZ Territory, Border County Posts: 398	I carried a simular Bianchi rig for several years off duty. (3 inch S&W model 36 )With a little practice you can draw with either hand. I liked it and had no problems with it.

January 20th, 2008, 11:48 AM	#10
ispcapt Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: IL Posts: 258	I have used a Bianchi 209 since about 1980. During the winter months when I was in uniform I wore it under my uniform jacket with my 49 and then 649. Have also worn it some off duty. The elastic still holds well. It's not the typical Walmart fabric shop elastic. Holds it in very well. The elastic is under the front strap. __________________ 183 FBINA

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode