Wear a Shoulder Holster
A shoulder holster conceals a firearm and extra magazines under a jacket or a shirt. It's useful in situations where wearing a waistband holster isn't practical or comfortable, such as when you aren't wearing a belt or spending a lot of time sitting in a car or at a desk. Properly adjusted, wearing a shoulder holster is very comfortable. However, it's often not worn correctly, which causes problems in concealing and drawing your weapon.
Steps
- Put your empty weapon in the holster. Put the magazines in the magazine carrier, if you have one. If your shoulder holster is designed to carry 2 firearms, put both in the holster.
- Put on the holster so your weapon is under your arm. It should be under your left arm if you are a right-handed shooter, your right arm for left-handed shooters, or both arms for double carry.
- Ensure that the point where the straps cross in back is centered high on your back, just below the back of your shirt collar. Make sure the straps aren't twisted.
- If your shoulder holster has shoulder pads connected with a strap in back, adjust it so the pads are placed high on your shoulder, near your neck, and not over the shoulder joint. Make sure they're even and centered back-to-front.
- Adjust the holster the straps.
- The holster should hold the weapon horizontally with the muzzle pointed behind you. The handgrip should protrude 2 inches (5 cm) in front on your left arm when it's relaxed at your side. This forward position makes it easier to draw you firearm, and prevents the muzzle from printing (showing an outline) on the back on your jacket.
- If you're carrying your firearm vertically, the handgrip should still be forward of your arm. Weapons with long barrels should be carried vertically so the muzzle points at the ground.
- Check to see if your magazine carrier is under your right arm (left arm for left-handed shooters) and that you can easily unsnap it and remove the magazines. If you can't, readjust the straps until you can.
- You may find you can reach the magazine carrier more easily if you adjust it so it's forward of your arm and tipped up slightly.
- Attach the tie-downs to your belt, if you usually wear a belt. Adjust the straps to keep your weapon and magazines snug against your sides without pulling on your shoulders. Tie-downs are optional.
- Put on a jacket and practice drawing your weapon and removing your magazines. Make sure you can do this smoothly and quickly. If you can't, make further adjustments.
- Consider cutting the strap ends after the final adjustment if they are long enough to get in the way when you're drawing your weapon.
Warnings
- Always use an empty weapon to practice drawing your weapon from a shoulder holster.
- Do not use a shoulder holster unless you have a concealed carry permit.
Things You'll Need
- Shoulder holster
- Firearm
- Magazines
- Knife or scissors
