Considering a new way to CC

[Podmonkey]

I just noticed the poll above, was that always there? I don't think I'll be able to vote though as I think @Depick should do both.
I shoulder carry at work, which is 90% of my total carry time, but I also carry IWB and OWB in my off time. I also recently purchased the lightweight S&W 340pd revolver for pocket carry in a Mika holster. They all have their particular niche to fill and I don't think the OP should limit himself. Pocket carry is useful for a quick and easy carry method, particularly for very short trips and errands. I opted to procure a pocket option for carry on my morning runs, when I am not wearing a belt and also for those trips where I am not going far at all and it would be nice not having to bother with getting a belt holster on or picking out an appropriate cover garment for shoulder carry. Taking out the garbage or getting the mail for example, or a run to the corner store. For longer sojourns I'd prefer to have a larger, more capable gun so belt or shoulder carry is more appropriate.
Between pocket and shoulder carry I really don't think it is an either/or situation, both methods compliment each other.

 

[Podmonkey]

 

[Cooolone]

I don't know... Since breaking in my Sig (I mostly carry) and experiencing a few stove pipes (SiGs like a few hundred rounds to break-in)... And the years since! I've NEVER had an issue! Ever! So would absolutely consider it a 100% functional firearm and trust my life with it! Including my aim... Lol

 

[Depick]

I ordered the Galco holster recommend by @Deplorable Me. It should arrive this coming Tuesday.

 

[Podmonkey]

I ordered the Galco holster recommend by @Deplorable Me. It should arrive this coming Tuesday.

I think you will find the that holster to be satisfactory, I have worn mine near every day for the last two years and it has served me well.
I do have a modification for you, I will make a more detailed how-to in the morning when I get home.

*edit*

The holster will be very tight when new but will quickly stretch and mold itself to the gun with use. Once it does loosen up you may find that the pistol slips disconcertingly low on the thumb strap. I never had a issue with the pistol slipping out of the holster but I nevertheless came up with a fix:

Cut a thin, long strip from an adhesive back leather patch kit-

https://www.amazon.com/Leather-Self-Adhesive-Handbags-Furniture-Drivers/dp/B07TYBY89X/ref=mp_s_a_1_7_maf_1?crid=3FQK4503GS9BE&keywords=leather+patch&qid=1699616520&sprefix=leather+patc%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-7

And wind it around the portion of th holster that is below the trigger guard. This will support the trigger guard and will keep the gun from sagging. Basically the leather patch serves as a shim:

 

[Podmonkey]

Have you received your holster yet? Any thoughts?

 

[VietnamEraVet]

I think you will find the that holster to be satisfactory, I have worn mine near every day for the last two years and it has served me well.
I do have a modification for you, I will make a more detailed how-to in the morning when I get home.

*edit*

The holster will be very tight when new but will quickly stretch and mold itself to the gun with use. Once it does loosen up you may find that the pistol slips disconcertingly low on the thumb strap. I never had a issue with the pistol slipping out of the holster but I nevertheless came up with a fix:

Cut a thin, long strip from an adhesive back leather patch kit-

https://www.amazon.com/Leather-Self-Adhesive-Handbags-Furniture-Drivers/dp/B07TYBY89X/ref=mp_s_a_1_7_maf_1?crid=3FQK4503GS9BE&keywords=leather+patch&qid=1699616520&sprefix=leather+patc%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-7

And wind it around the portion of th holster that is below the trigger guard. This will support the trigger guard and will keep the gun from sagging. Basically the leather patch serves as a shim:

View attachment 214598 View attachment 214599

Interesting modification, although I have not had that potential issue with the Triple K Style 276 horizontal holsters I have for both my Shields and Glock's. They are molded for fit, and very, very stiff as received. I broke them in by covering my guns with a thick athletic sock, and holstering / reholstering them repeatedly, and keeping them a bit warm by wearing them (with the socks on). Very hard to holster them initially until the fit expanded just a little bit. After a couple of weeks, they all broke in nicely, - softened up slightly, but kept the molded fit, and now drawing is smooth and effortless.

 

[Podmonkey]

Interesting modification, although I have not had that potential issue with the Triple K Style 276 horizontal holsters I have for both my Shields and Glock's. They are molded for fit, and very, very stiff as received. I broke them in by covering my guns with a thick athletic sock, and holstering / reholstering them repeatedly, and keeping them a bit warm by wearing them (with the socks on). Very hard to holster them initially until the fit expanded just a little bit. After a couple of weeks, they all broke in nicely, - softened up slightly, but kept the molded fit, and now drawing is smooth and effortless.

View attachment 216079

Those look like really nice holsters, fairly slim and low profile. That said I am not a big fan of wide or flared straps which pinch my neck and are thus uncomfortable to me. The Miami Classic Lite is not a perfect holster but is a good lightweight, minimalist option.
If the Triple K has a narrow strap option however I'd definitely check them out.

 

[VietnamEraVet]

Those look like really nice holsters, fairly slim and low profile. That said I am not a big fan of wide or flared straps which pinch my neck and are thus uncomfortable to me. The Miami Classic Lite is not a perfect holster but is a good lightweight, minimalist option.
If the Triple K has a narrow strap option however I'd definitely check them out.

I think it is different for everybody. Other shoulder rigs I tried were uncomfortable for me. I’m a big guy (3XL shirt size), and I found the Triple K wider front straps are very comfortable for me. They don’t cut me at all. Actually, the wider part of the straps is made off center which angles the straps away from my neck, and makes them more concealed. Also, I found that the wider straps were more comfortable, - for me I barely even feel them. When I tried rigs with all narrow straps, they felt to me like they were cutting into my chest. Obviously, YMMV.

I have found Customer Service at Triple K to be very helpful. I would call or email them and ask. You could also look for a used one on EBay or elsewhere, and use straps from one rig to change out the wider straps by replacing the rivets in the back swivel connector block.

 

[Depick]

Have you received your holster yet? Any thoughts?

I got it the other day. There is a bit more assembly involved than I anticipated. I’m going to get it set up on Thursday when I have some time off.

 

[Podmonkey]

I got it the other day. There is a bit more assembly involved than I anticipated. I’m going to get it set up on Thursday when I have some time off.

If you had another person to help make adjustments before you lock everything down that would be helpful.


The Lite goes together the same way.

 

[Depick]

Well I set up my shoulder holster and my initial thoughts are as follows.

1.) The loaded pistol feels heavier than the two loaded mags making the whole setup feel unbalanced.

2.) The holster and thumb strap are very stiff and hard to operate. I’d imagine this will loosen up with time and use. Right now i can’t draw my pistol with one hand but find that if I unsnap with the left hand I can effectively draw my pistol with the right.

3.) The pistol and mag carrier conceal quite nicely under a coat but the shoulder straps are still visible under the coat. I’m sure any person familiar with CC would know. This setup is very comfortable when seated.

Overall I have mixed feelings but I’m going to make a few adjustments and give it a few weeks.

 

[Podmonkey]

Well I set up my shoulder holster and my initial thoughts are as follows.

1.) The loaded pistol feels heavier than the two loaded mags making the whole setup feel unbalanced.

2.) The holster and thumb strap are very stiff and hard to operate. I’d imagine this will loosen up with time and use. Right now i can’t draw my pistol with one hand but find that if I unsnap with the left hand I can effectively draw my pistol with the right.

3.) The pistol and mag carrier conceal quite nicely under a coat but the shoulder straps are still visible under the coat. I’m sure any person familiar with CC would know. This setup is very comfortable when seated.

Overall I have mixed feelings but I’m going to make a few adjustments and give it a few weeks.

1- The two offside magazines won't completely counter balance the weight of the gun but will be balanced enough to keep everything in place. Larger capacity magazines with ammo loaded can help. For example in my Shield rig I keep a 10 rounder in the gun and two 13 rounders in the pouches, it's balanced enough.

2- The holster will loosen up significantly with use, you will need to adjust the tensioner as the holster froms itself to your gum at which point you may need to make the modification I described above, or not, depends on how tight the fit is under the trigger guard, the guard of the Shield is thinner that that of a Glock so you might not have that issue.

3- Keep experimenting with your adjustments, wear it a couple days, make adjustments and wear it with those adjustments another couple days. It may be some weeks until you get it all just so, when you do it will be very comfortable and stable.
Two considerations:
a- make sure your adjustments as such that the swivel plate sits between your shoulder blades and off your neck.
The gun will naturally level itself out as you wear it so this is achieved by shortening the rear straps and lengthenimg the front straps, making the gun sit muzzle high essentially. As you move around the gun will level out bringing the swivel plate down on your back naturally.
b- you want to have the gun sitting up relatively high up, not up in your arm pits necessarily but up fairly high nonetheless.

3.5- regardingnthe straps, adjusted properly the straps should sit wide enough on your shoulders to not show.
also consider using a vest. Vests work extremely well as cover garments for the shoulder holster.
you could also try wearing the holster under a loose fitting button down shirt. Gor access you can leave the shirt partially unbuttoned, leave some of middle buttons undone (enough to fit your hand though) or you could select a shirt that has magnetic buttons.
I either use a vest when appropriate to to weather or I leave the shirt buttoned only halfway up which in my work environment does not look out of place.
Frankly in my line of work a collared shirt of any kind puts me ahead of most of my contemporaries. Or even just any shirt that isn't ripped, full of holes or stained puts me leagues ahead of some of these slovenly truckers. Admittedly I have considerably greater leeway in my manner of work dress than others might have.

Setting up a shoulder rig is more involved than other holster types but once you have it dialed in the effort will pay dividends.
Give it a chance, stat with it and I guarantee you will grow to love this method of carry.
I carry my Shield in that Miami Classic Lite every damn day for as much as 16 hours at a stretch and I am very satisfied with it.

 

[VietnamEraVet]

1- The two offside magazines won't completely counter balance the weight of the gun but will be balanced enough to keep everything in place. Larger capacity magazines with ammo loaded can help. For example in my Shield rig I keep a 10 rounder in the gun and two 13 rounders in the pouches, it's balanced enough.

2- The holster will loosen up significantly with use, you will need to adjust the tensioner as the holster froms itself to your gum at which point you may need to make the modification I described above, or not, depends on how tight the fit is under the trigger guard, the guard of the Shield is thinner that that of a Glock so you might not have that issue.

3- Keep experimenting with your adjustments, wear it a couple days, make adjustments and wear it with those adjustments another couple days. It may be some weeks until you get it all just so, when you do it will be very comfortable and stable.
Two considerations:
a- make sure your adjustments as such that the swivel plate sits between your shoulder blades and off your neck.
The gun will naturally level itself out as you wear it so this is achieved by shortening the rear straps and lengthenimg the front straps, making the gun sit muzzle high essentially. As you move around the gun will level out bringing the swivel plate down on your back naturally.
b- you want to have the gun sitting up relatively high up, not up in your arm pits necessarily but up fairly high nonetheless.

3.5- regardingnthe straps, adjusted properly the straps should sit wide enough on your shoulders to not show.
also consider using a vest. Vests work extremely well as cover garments for the shoulder holster.
you could also try wearing the holster under a loose fitting button down shirt. Gor access you can leave the shirt partially unbuttoned, leave some of middle buttons undone (enough to fit your hand though) or you could select a shirt that has magnetic buttons.
I either use a vest when appropriate to to weather or I leave the shirt buttoned only halfway up which in my work environment does not look out of place.
Frankly in my line of work a collared shirt of any kind puts me ahead of most of my contemporaries. Or even just any shirt that isn't ripped, full of holes or stained puts me leagues ahead of some of these slovenly truckers. Admittedly I have considerably greater leeway in my manner of work dress than others might have.

Setting up a shoulder rig is more involved than other holster types but once you have it dialed in the effort will pay dividends.
Give it a chance, stat with it and I guarantee you will grow to love this method of carry.
I carry my Shield in that Miami Classic Lite every damn day for as much as 16 hours at a stretch and I am very satisfied with it.

Good points all.

 

[Depick]

1- The two offside magazines won't completely counter balance the weight of the gun but will be balanced enough to keep everything in place. Larger capacity magazines with ammo loaded can help. For example in my Shield rig I keep a 10 rounder in the gun and two 13 rounders in the pouches, it's balanced enough.

2- The holster will loosen up significantly with use, you will need to adjust the tensioner as the holster froms itself to your gum at which point you may need to make the modification I described above, or not, depends on how tight the fit is under the trigger guard, the guard of the Shield is thinner that that of a Glock so you might not have that issue.

3- Keep experimenting with your adjustments, wear it a couple days, make adjustments and wear it with those adjustments another couple days. It may be some weeks until you get it all just so, when you do it will be very comfortable and stable.
Two considerations:
a- make sure your adjustments as such that the swivel plate sits between your shoulder blades and off your neck.
The gun will naturally level itself out as you wear it so this is achieved by shortening the rear straps and lengthenimg the front straps, making the gun sit muzzle high essentially. As you move around the gun will level out bringing the swivel plate down on your back naturally.
b- you want to have the gun sitting up relatively high up, not up in your arm pits necessarily but up fairly high nonetheless.

3.5- regardingnthe straps, adjusted properly the straps should sit wide enough on your shoulders to not show.
also consider using a vest. Vests work extremely well as cover garments for the shoulder holster.
you could also try wearing the holster under a loose fitting button down shirt. Gor access you can leave the shirt partially unbuttoned, leave some of middle buttons undone (enough to fit your hand though) or you could select a shirt that has magnetic buttons.
I either use a vest when appropriate to to weather or I leave the shirt buttoned only halfway up which in my work environment does not look out of place.
Frankly in my line of work a collared shirt of any kind puts me ahead of most of my contemporaries. Or even just any shirt that isn't ripped, full of holes or stained puts me leagues ahead of some of these slovenly truckers. Admittedly I have considerably greater leeway in my manner of work dress than others might have.

Setting up a shoulder rig is more involved than other holster types but once you have it dialed in the effort will pay dividends.
Give it a chance, stat with it and I guarantee you will grow to love this method of carry.
I carry my Shield in that Miami Classic Lite every damn day for as much as 16 hours at a stretch and I am very satisfied with it.

Thank you sir

 

[Podmonkey]

Thank you sir

Welcome to the underrated world of shoulder carry!

 

[Podmonkey]

Just curious as to how you have been getting along with your shoulder rig. I had gotten the impression you were somewhat disappointed with it and I am wondering if that had improved any with time.
For myself I have been pocket carrying my little J frame more often than I thought I would though at work the shoulder rig remains my everyday go to.

 

[Depick]

Just curious as to how you have been getting along with your shoulder rig. I had gotten the impression you were somewhat disappointed with it and I am wondering if that had improved any with time.
For myself I have been pocket carrying my little J frame more often than I thought I would though at work the shoulder rig remains my everyday go to.

I have been using it more and more lately. I have gotten used to it. I really like it while driving. I think I am going to invest in a pocket carry setup for the warmer weather seasons.

 

[Podmonkey]

I have been using it more and more lately. I have gotten used to it. I really like it while driving. I think I am going to invest in a pocket carry setup for the warmer weather seasons.

Pocket holsters are so cheap that if you already have a suitable gun there is little reason not to try it.

 

[Grimscale]

Pocket holsters are so cheap that if you already have a suitable gun there is little reason not to try it.

Being a "larger individual", I find the best pocket carry to be with cargo pants. However finding a decent set of denim cargo pants for one of my...stature...is difficult. The only thing I've found so far are thinner material.
Putting a gun in the regular pants pocket is not really an option, especially if I should have need of it in a hurry.

Does anyone have recommendations for denim material (jeans) cargo pants for us larger guys?

 

[VietnamEraVet]

Being a "larger individual", I find the best pocket carry to be with cargo pants. However finding a decent set of denim cargo pants for one of my...stature...is difficult. The only thing I've found so far are thinner material.
Putting a gun in the regular pants pocket is not really an option, especially if I should have need of it in a hurry.

Does anyone have recommendations for denim material (jeans) cargo pants for us larger guys?

My GF hates them, as she says they look “baggy”, but I wear Levi’s 550 style jeans in tall man sizes, and generally slightly oversized too. Makes drawing from a front pocket easier.

That said, if I am spending a bunch of time driving, I will look at using a single or dual shoulder rig from Triple K. Particularly in colder weather when I am wearing a jacket.

Recently, I added a magnetic mount to my vehicle’s lower dash as a driving option rather than drawing from a front pocket. And it holds two spare mags as well.


View attachment 222862

 

[GTN]

A used Triple K shoulder holster popped up on my fb marketplace for 40 bucks. she thought it was for a Glock 17 but wasn’t sure. I asked if I could bring my Glock 19 unloaded in a box to make sure it fit and was told no. She didn’t feel safe with me bringing a gun.

 

[Willyone]

A used Triple K shoulder holster popped up on my fb marketplace for 40 bucks. she thought it was for a Glock 17 but wasn’t sure. I asked if I could bring my Glock 19 unloaded in a box to make sure it fit and was told no. She didn’t feel safe with me bringing a gun.

Maybe ask her if she'd be willing to meet up at a local PD parking lot?
I would have said yes. But I can understand her saying no, considering the bad shit that's going on now daze.

 

[GTN]

Maybe ask her if she'd be willing to meet up at a local PD parking lot?
I would have said yes. But I can understand her saying no, considering the bad shit that's going on now daze.

It sold to someone else :-(

 

[VietnamEraVet]

Being a "larger individual", I find the best pocket carry to be with cargo pants. However finding a decent set of denim cargo pants for one of my...stature...is difficult. The only thing I've found so far are thinner material.
Putting a gun in the regular pants pocket is not really an option, especially if I should have need of it in a hurry.

Does anyone have recommendations for denim material (jeans) cargo pants for us larger guys?

My GF hates them, as she says they look “baggy”, but I wear Levi’s 550 Relaxed Fit style jeans in tall man sizes, and generally slightly oversized too. Makes drawing from a front pocket easier.

That said, if I am spending a bunch of time driving, I will look at using a single or dual shoulder rig from Triple K. Particularly in colder weather when I am wearing a jacket.

Recently, I added a magnetic mount to my vehicle’s lower dash as a driving option rather than drawing from a front pocket.


View attachment 222862

It sold to someone else :-(

Too bad,- the Triple K Style 276 holsters are great. Next time they come up, ask them for the full model numbers that are stamped on holster. The 276 holster that fits BOTH the Glock 17 & 19 is the Model 276-61. The last two numbers are specific to different gun models. And there is a cross reference included in their catalog on their website as well.