Shoulder holster adjustments

9mm10mmamen · October 25th, 2009, 02:07 PM

I purchase a used Galco Miami Classic shoulder rig at a gun show yesterday for $95 (it looks brand new) and tried it on last night with my Glock 19 and two spare 17-round magazines on the opposite side. No matter what I wore over it, the bulge from the back of the receiver and slide was noticeable below and in front of my armpit.

Looking at the two leather straps that hold the gun holster, I see plenty of adjustment holes on the back strap, but the front strap is adjusted as high as the number of holes will allow. Am I right in assuming that as I get it adjusted higher and closer to my armpit that the printing will diminish? If so, should I just punch a couple new holes in that front strap so I can move the gun higher and still maintain the horizontal plane of the slide and barrel?

My goal is to use this on road trips as I approach retirement with my wife, under a long sleeve patterned shirt or light jacket. I like the gun a lot and also have a G26, which I suppose would print less if I bought one of these holsters cut for the G26, but that starts to get a little spendy.

Thanks for any insights from you Galco fans out there.

Ram Rod · October 25th, 2009, 03:09 PM

I can't help much here, but when I used shoulder holsters, they had tie downs on both sides. I always wore my pistol holster muzzle up at about a 30° angle which helped in concealing better and more natural access to the thumb snap, and a pull down draw. I still like the idea of the shoulder rigs, but they are sort of difficult to work with for me, and somewhat limited to wearing under heavier outerwear. These days, I like things that don't move around a lot when I do. The shoulder rig system will move with you, and you may find it difficult to deal with, and get things the way you'd like. IMO....you've got your work ahead of you. I don't think I could carry with a shoulder rig without tie downs. Those will hinder movement even more. Good luck with it.

QKShooter · October 25th, 2009, 03:50 PM

Get the gun up under the armpit and adjust it so that the gun is slightly canted muzzle up butt down.

You should not need a tie-down on the firearm side if you get it close up and an inch or so under your pit.

You may very well need to punch some additional holes. Galco straps are supplied extra long.

ripley16 · October 25th, 2009, 07:31 PM

Maybe you need to lower the holster a bit.

The two holsters I currently have and use are the Galco Miami Classic and Half Harness. I restrict my shoulder holster carry to small or compact frame sized guns only. The lighter the better.

I fit my shoulder holster in such a way as to have the grip at elbow height, as this is the most natural feeling "reach" for me. I hang the holster at a very slight downward Kant...again, I try to match the hand to the handle so that it feels natural and ergonomic.

Carrying high and tight has proven hard for me to conceal and just doesn't feel as good when drawing. Drawing by the way is best described as a smooth controlled "ripping the gun out" motion.

I also do use tie downs on the miami classic, mainly because I do not carry the double mag case. The Half Harness is already tied down by design.

Having someone assist you makes the fitting go better. Becoming comfortable may take weeks. If the first adjustment proves not to be ideal, spend the half hour it takes to make adjustments until it works for you, your clothes, your body style, etc. The Galcos are very adjustable and offer a wide variety of accessories to tailor to your needs.

Good luck.

automatic slim · October 25th, 2009, 08:06 PM

Actually shoulder holsters work best if the gun rides vertically in them.

9mm10mmamen · October 25th, 2009, 09:10 PM

Thanks everyone - I'll take it all under advisement and begin some tinkering. Hope it works because I want to get something from the investment.

QKShooter · October 25th, 2009, 09:35 PM

Yep. Just keep playing around with it and making adjustments until you get it right for yourself.

Once you do get it all set where you like it and have worn it that way for a while then feel free to cut all of that excess harness strap leather off.

Also remember that what might be very noticable for you since you are specifically looking for any sort of bulge will very likely not even be noticed by other people.

How many people did you come in contact with today?
What shoes were they wearing?
What color were their belt buckles...silver or gold?
How many men that you saw today had a wallet bulge in their back pocket as VS their front pocket?

F350 · October 26th, 2009, 05:39 AM

Everyone is different, I like my Jackass rig up high under my arm with the butt lower that the muzzle and the mag pouches bottom forward.

The Galcos are so adjustable you will probable spend a couple weeks finding what works for you, don't get frustrated after just a couple days. I have used my Jackass for nearly 20 years and is the ONLY holster I have had that long.

Goldy49 · October 27th, 2009, 09:19 PM

Where you carry ithe holster andgun depends a lot on how you are built. Under the armpit is ideal, but if you are barrel chested or thick in the "lats", the gun will print as if you were naked. If that is the case, wear the gun a little lower. Experiment like others have said. The butt of the gun should be lower then the barrel, but experiment. Mine seems to carry the best when it is parallel(sp) Once you find the position that is best for you, I think you will find the shoulder holster to be a great way to carry the gun.

Majorlk · October 28th, 2009, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by automatic slim

Actually shoulder holsters work best if the gun rides vertically in them.

Especially if it is a large frame gun - full size 1911s, full size Glocks, large revolvers. Even medium frames conceal better when carried vertically.

Ever try to carry a 6" M28 in a horizontal holster?

October 25th, 2009, 02:07 PM	#1
9mm10mmamen Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: North of everywhere Posts: 111	Shoulder holster adjustments I purchase a used Galco Miami Classic shoulder rig at a gun show yesterday for $95 (it looks brand new) and tried it on last night with my Glock 19 and two spare 17-round magazines on the opposite side. No matter what I wore over it, the bulge from the back of the receiver and slide was noticeable below and in front of my armpit. Looking at the two leather straps that hold the gun holster, I see plenty of adjustment holes on the back strap, but the front strap is adjusted as high as the number of holes will allow. Am I right in assuming that as I get it adjusted higher and closer to my armpit that the printing will diminish? If so, should I just punch a couple new holes in that front strap so I can move the gun higher and still maintain the horizontal plane of the slide and barrel? My goal is to use this on road trips as I approach retirement with my wife, under a long sleeve patterned shirt or light jacket. I like the gun a lot and also have a G26, which I suppose would print less if I bought one of these holsters cut for the G26, but that starts to get a little spendy. Thanks for any insights from you Galco fans out there. __________________ Sometimes a scream is better than a thesis - Ralph Waldo Emerson

October 25th, 2009, 03:09 PM	#2
Ram Rod VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: crawford county, arkansas Posts: 8,807	I can't help much here, but when I used shoulder holsters, they had tie downs on both sides. I always wore my pistol holster muzzle up at about a 30° angle which helped in concealing better and more natural access to the thumb snap, and a pull down draw. I still like the idea of the shoulder rigs, but they are sort of difficult to work with for me, and somewhat limited to wearing under heavier outerwear. These days, I like things that don't move around a lot when I do. The shoulder rig system will move with you, and you may find it difficult to deal with, and get things the way you'd like. IMO....you've got your work ahead of you. I don't think I could carry with a shoulder rig without tie downs. Those will hinder movement even more. Good luck with it. __________________ RamRod-----sans remords live, eat, breathe, sleep Glock

October 25th, 2009, 08:06 PM	#5
automatic slim Distinguished Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: The western edge of The Confederacy Posts: 1,222	Actually shoulder holsters work best if the gun rides vertically in them. __________________ "First gallant South Carolina nobly made the stand." Edge of Darkness

October 25th, 2009, 09:10 PM	#6
9mm10mmamen Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: North of everywhere Posts: 111	Thanks everyone - I'll take it all under advisement and begin some tinkering. Hope it works because I want to get something from the investment. __________________ Sometimes a scream is better than a thesis - Ralph Waldo Emerson

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October 25th, 2009, 03:50 PM	#3
QKShooter Assistant Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Off Of The X Posts: 23,473	Get the gun up under the armpit and adjust it so that the gun is slightly canted muzzle up butt down. You should not need a tie-down on the firearm side if you get it close up and an inch or so under your pit. You may very well need to punch some additional holes. Galco straps are supplied extra long.

October 25th, 2009, 07:31 PM	#4
ripley16 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Quantico area, Virginia Posts: 661	Maybe you need to lower the holster a bit. The two holsters I currently have and use are the Galco Miami Classic and Half Harness. I restrict my shoulder holster carry to small or compact frame sized guns only. The lighter the better. I fit my shoulder holster in such a way as to have the grip at elbow height, as this is the most natural feeling "reach" for me. I hang the holster at a very slight downward Kant...again, I try to match the hand to the handle so that it feels natural and ergonomic. Carrying high and tight has proven hard for me to conceal and just doesn't feel as good when drawing. Drawing by the way is best described as a smooth controlled "ripping the gun out" motion. I also do use tie downs on the miami classic, mainly because I do not carry the double mag case. The Half Harness is already tied down by design. Having someone assist you makes the fitting go better. Becoming comfortable may take weeks. If the first adjustment proves not to be ideal, spend the half hour it takes to make adjustments until it works for you, your clothes, your body style, etc. The Galcos are very adjustable and offer a wide variety of accessories to tailor to your needs. Good luck.

October 25th, 2009, 09:35 PM	#7
QKShooter Assistant Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Off Of The X Posts: 23,473	Yep. Just keep playing around with it and making adjustments until you get it right for yourself. Once you do get it all set where you like it and have worn it that way for a while then feel free to cut all of that excess harness strap leather off. Also remember that what might be very noticable for you since you are specifically looking for any sort of bulge will very likely not even be noticed by other people. How many people did you come in contact with today? What shoes were they wearing? What color were their belt buckles...silver or gold? How many men that you saw today had a wallet bulge in their back pocket as VS their front pocket?

October 26th, 2009, 05:39 AM	#8
F350 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Al Taqaddum airbase, Iraq Posts: 697	Everyone is different, I like my Jackass rig up high under my arm with the butt lower that the muzzle and the mag pouches bottom forward. The Galcos are so adjustable you will probable spend a couple weeks finding what works for you, don't get frustrated after just a couple days. I have used my Jackass for nearly 20 years and is the ONLY holster I have had that long.

October 27th, 2009, 09:19 PM	#9
Goldy49 Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Morristown, MN Posts: 40	Where you carry ithe holster andgun depends a lot on how you are built. Under the armpit is ideal, but if you are barrel chested or thick in the "lats", the gun will print as if you were naked. If that is the case, wear the gun a little lower. Experiment like others have said. The butt of the gun should be lower then the barrel, but experiment. Mine seems to carry the best when it is parallel(sp) Once you find the position that is best for you, I think you will find the shoulder holster to be a great way to carry the gun.