Carrying in a 1911 Shoulder Holster: What to Know

Leather shoulder holsters have been immortalized by fictional lawmen, but as we all know, the inspiration of the big screen is very different when tempered against the unforgiving demands of reality.

Therefore, let’s take a closer look at 1911 shoulder holsters, what they offer, as well as some considerations you’ll have to make if you decide to shoulder carry.

About Carrying in a Leather Shoulder Holster

As with any type of 1911 holster, there are some advantages and disadvantages to shoulder holsters. Here are some of the main ones.

• 1911 shoulder holsters distribute weight more evenly and support the gun better. An original 1911 pistol is a big, heavy gun. Pistols like these, with steel frames, don’t always carry comfortably on the hip. A 1911 shoulder holster will better distribute and support the weight of the gun, which most users report is much more comfortable than carrying on the hip. By the way, this holds true for any full-sized handgun, not just for 1911 pistols.
  
  
• Leather shoulder holsters eliminate most concerns associated with printing. If you carry a large handgun, it’s much more likely to print on your hip, regardless of whether you carry IWB or OWB, than a gun shoulder carried.
  
  
• They are also better with larger, heavier handguns. As stated, leather shoulder holsters are better for any large-framed handgun, or any that has a steel frame and is very dense, because they will support the gun much better than a hip holster.
  
  
• A 1911 shoulder holster is also better when seated. If you spend a lot of time seated at a desk, or even driving around, it’s likely you’ll find a leather shoulder holster not just more comfortable, but more practical. Most who carry report that it is easier to access a gun carried in a shoulder holster while seated than it is to draw from the hip.
  
  
• It will be difficult to draw if you are facing a wall or against the ground. There are some that argue that shoulder carry is not practical because if you are pressed up against a wall, or on your chest on the ground, it will be effectively impossible for you to draw. There is some truth to this. It is also the case that there is a higher risk of disarmament if someone grapples with you.
  
  
• You will have to train so as not to unintentionally muzzle yourself when you draw. There is one big safety concern with leather shoulder holsters (well, actually, with shoulder carry in general) and it is that you must train because if you don’t, it is very easy to unintentionally muzzle yourself, or some other unintended target, when you draw. This is much less likely when drawing from the hip but you will have to guard against it when you shoulder carry. One way to avoid muzzling yourself is to train by touching the base of your neck with your non-dominant hand as you draw. This will help prevent you from muzzling your own arm as you draw, as it will raise your other arm up and out of the way of the gun’s path.
  
  
• Shoulder rigs sometimes have space for spare mags. With a 1911 shoulder holster, there is a better chance that the rig has space for some spare mags, which wouldn’t be the case with most hip holsters. Also, where they are present, mag carriers are also located on the shoulder rig on the side opposite the gun, which helps counterweight the gun, reducing printing.
  
  
• It might be better in the winter. Some have observed that in very cold areas of the country, in which you might be wearing an overcoat in the winter, getting your clothing out of the way to draw from a hip holster can be quite difficult. By contrast, undoing a button or two and reaching inside your coat may be much easier and faster.

Ultimately, it may be that you don’t consider shoulder carry to be the best for EDC, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t scenarios in which it is the best option. As has been illustrated here, there are some situations in which it is definitely better than carrying on the hip, provided you train appropriately.

Explore Leather Shoulder Holsters (and Other 1911 Holsters) Here

At the end of the day, it’s not that leather shoulder holsters are better than other types of 1911 holsters. It’s that they offer a range of unique advantages and disadvantages that you should consider before making a choice one way or the other.

Regardless of what you determine ultimately works for you, explore our collection of 1911 shoulder holsters here (and other 1911 holsters) and find one that’s perfect for your gun, lifestyle, and other unique needs.