Given that my Smith & Wesson Model 57 has a 6 1/2” barrel I opted to carry it in a shoulder holster.
This is John Bianchi’s version of the Dirty Harry holster and he did a pretty good job designing it. High quality Mexican leather that isn’t urine tanned. Either that or they use something to hide the urine smell unlike El Paso Saddlery.
Gun retention is via a U shaped spring steel piece. It’s sandwiched between the two pieces that make up the holster. The shoulder strap is soft leather laced to holster itself.
There are no offside speed loader pouches, ammo carriers, or other pieces. The strong side shoulder, gun is on the support side, is encircled with an adjustable elastic strap. There’s a belt loop to attach the holster to your belt. This pulls the holster in to you to aid in concealment. It also helps to keep the holster in place when you draw.
Most folks think you have to “rip” the gun through the spring. Just draw the gun upward a couple inches and it will break free of the spring tension and give you a quiet, fairly quick, and safe draw.
Shoulder holsters aren’t the most inconspicuous in the summer but they do work well in the colder months. I’ll probably get an X15 for a 4” K frame and carry that under my shirt in the summer. A little less width in the gun and I think I can make it work for concealed carry. I don’t have to tuck my shirt in so it’s doable.
My back isn’t taking my wearing a gun on my belt anymore so I’m changing how I carry. The 5.11 Sling Bag is another good option.
Vince
This is John Bianchi’s version of the Dirty Harry holster and he did a pretty good job designing it. High quality Mexican leather that isn’t urine tanned. Either that or they use something to hide the urine smell unlike El Paso Saddlery.
Gun retention is via a U shaped spring steel piece. It’s sandwiched between the two pieces that make up the holster. The shoulder strap is soft leather laced to holster itself.
There are no offside speed loader pouches, ammo carriers, or other pieces. The strong side shoulder, gun is on the support side, is encircled with an adjustable elastic strap. There’s a belt loop to attach the holster to your belt. This pulls the holster in to you to aid in concealment. It also helps to keep the holster in place when you draw.
Most folks think you have to “rip” the gun through the spring. Just draw the gun upward a couple inches and it will break free of the spring tension and give you a quiet, fairly quick, and safe draw.
Shoulder holsters aren’t the most inconspicuous in the summer but they do work well in the colder months. I’ll probably get an X15 for a 4” K frame and carry that under my shirt in the summer. A little less width in the gun and I think I can make it work for concealed carry. I don’t have to tuck my shirt in so it’s doable.
My back isn’t taking my wearing a gun on my belt anymore so I’m changing how I carry. The 5.11 Sling Bag is another good option.
Vince
