Shoulder Holsters - Leather
CUSTOM LEATHER SHOULDER HOLSTER FOR PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS
Let's start talking about the leather shoulder holsters. The first thing that comes to my mind is a picture of a tall figure of Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, or Columbo looming over a dusty desk. He wears a smart hat and a signature long cloak. There is no question to what interconnects them. The cold revolver in a leather shoulder rig concealed under the coat. But that's me, the bookworm who loves classics.
Other people may imagine the 1920s-30s gangsters. They carry the shiny black full grain Italian leather shoulder rig matched to their belts and custom leather shoes. Looking so classy in the custom shoulder harness, everybody thought the shoulder carry originated in this era. The fact is, it only became more popular and visible then.
These folks mostly went for open carry (at least in the movies). It is believed that the rig was actually a creation of the Old West. The new underarm carry position allowed better concealment of the firearm. Also, it gave the shooter a strategic advantage. Cowboys were the first ones to prove leather shoulder holster for revolvers is good for concealed carry.
Leather shoulder gun holsters for concealed carry
Let´s move from revolver leather shoulder holsters to the more contemporary leather pistol holster shoulder. The Western shoulder rig looked different from the Galco Miami Classic ii. A leather harness of professionals from C15- Bodie, Doyle, and Cowley is a legend. Everyone remembers what actors like Clint Eastwood, Steve McQueen, or Bruce Willis used.
The law enforcement officers and federal detectives are often shown with leather shoulder holsters for pistols over their dress shirts. Classy right? But the truth is, most law enforcement agencies do not use shoulder carry nowadays. They moved to the safer and more practical carry options.
Does anyone use leather gun shoulder holsters anymore?
Yes! A considerable number of gun enthusiasts still use their favorite leather shoulder holsters for everyday carry. The holsters offer reliable stability of the firearm, outstanding comfort, and versatility. Most of all, this carry style will make you feel like a hero. It's your childhood memories and we believe it is worth it!
You will want to show your custom leather gun holster every day. But there are times when open gun carry is not an option. Is it difficult to conceal a leather shoulder holster? It may be challenging. But with the right choice of clothes and a well-fitted custom shoulder harness, you can conceal a leather shoulder holster very easily.
In fact, this may be the only option to carry and conceal full size firearms. All handguns such as Desert Eagle, or large-frame revolvers such as Taurus Judge. Custom leather 1911 shoulder holsters are the best way to conceal your Colt or Kimber.
Everyone who carries a 1911 pistol every day can tell one thing. The extra weight compared to the polymer frames can wear you down. The best thing about the leather shoulder holsters for 1911 is the weight. They distribute the weight of the firearm, and the extra magazines on your harness evenly. This simply makes your life more enjoyable, and your posture better. Bonus? Your back pain will decrease.
You will find the leather rigs perfect for special occasions. Imagine pairing anything else than your shoulder holster with suit. Well, it is convenient for the formal men-wear. But can you pair a harness with ladies' dress? Certainly not. It does not mean that there are no women leather shoulder rigs. These simply match other occasions. Ladies can use it for bike riding. As a woman, I love shoulder carry while hiking. Just admit it. There is nothing more epic and adventurous than a woman shoulder holster. Take a look at Lara Croft rocking her double pistol leather shoulder harness holster!
If you love the style, be aware that we are custom leather shoulder holster makers. We can make leather holsters for pretty much anything. Some of our custom projects include leather shoulder carry systems for iPhones or knives. We even crafted a hand-made double whiskey bottle leather holster for partners!
THE BEST LEATHER SHOULDER HOLSTER GUN POSITION
There are two main types of revolver or pistol leather shoulder holsters - horizontal and vertical. Most firearm instructors hate the horizontal shoulder rigs. There is one simple reason. Your handgun is flagging anyone behind you when holstered. We believe this should not be an issue with a well-trained experienced shooter. The horizontal leather shoulder holsters have their place in the world. They offer a more efficient underarm gun draw. It is important to ensure your firearm is well secured. We want to minimize the chance of accidental discharge. If you are new to gun carry and you have doubts, it is always best to go for the vertical leather shoulder holster. Even better. You do not need to compromise. Our leather ROTO shoulder holster is the perfect solution for you. The #1 selling item across all of our online stores. It gives you the benefit of the vertical carry method on one hand and the smooth and efficient horizontal draw on the other hand. Our customers simply love the design. And we believe it is the most practical leather shoulder holster on the market. Its only downsize may be that it is not compatible with weapon-mounted lights and lasers. The leather ROTO system allows the holster to unfold. Once the safety strap is released by your forefinger, you're ready to draw.
The complete leather shoulder system comes in a package of 4 components. The gun-specific leather holster, and counterbalance- speedloader pouch or a magazine pouch. Fully adjustable leather shoulder strap plus the tie-down leather adjustable straps. You will never run out of extra ammunition again. The counterbalance sits under your shooting hand. The leather gun holster under the opposite arm. This makes the firearm accessible to your strong hand.
You can play around with the attachment. Create a double leather holster shoulder harness with one right-handed and one left-handed leather holster attached on each side. The last but not least, each leather shoulder set includes tie-down straps. these secure both, the holster and the counterbalance to your belt. This is a very important part. The strap truly does the trick when adjusted.
All of our leather counterbalances, holsters, and harnesses use the same attachments. It makes them completely interchangeable. This way you can get an extra compatible part if needed. No need to invest in a complete rig again. Imagine. You recently bought a laser/light for your firearm. You do not need to buy the whole set. Just get a light-bearing holster and attach it to the harness and magazine pouch you already have.
PREMIUM SHOULDER HOLSTERS MADE FROM FULL GRAIN LEATHER
When the first guns emerged, so were the first holsters created – leather ones. Since the formation of the first holsters, cowhide has been the primary material for their production. In those days it was the only material suitable for holster production add remains in high demand until today. Leather as a material has excellent properties and ensures high comfort and durability. An undeniable pro is leather’s aesthetics, offering a wide range of options from contrast stitching, initials embossing, or coloring even the edges.
A common feature is an added Suede under layer that increases the level of gun protection. Practically any holster design can be found in a leather form. The production process is overall demanding since it consists of several phases such as cutting the cowhide, molding, drying, tanning, setting out, and finishing. This is the reason behind its longer production terms. Of course, not every leather is equal and today there are 4 main leather types commonly used for holster production:
Basic Leather Shoulder Holster
Holsters are made from hard leather, which is usually available only in black color. These holsters are made for those, who are looking for a cheap, yet functional holster. This holster type has only a basic construction requirement.
Soft Leather Shoulder Holster from suede
Suede shoulder holsters are made from nice soft natural leather in combination with hard leather mainly for reinforcing the most important parts such as holster security straps, belt loops, and the opening of a holster. This kind of leather is comfortable to carry and brings a very nice appearance.
Classic Leather Shoulder Holster
Classic Leather shoulder holsters are made from first-class leather. Usually, this leather is pre-tanned and lacquered in the tannery, so the holster producers just hand mold and sew. These holsters offer a reasonable price/quality ratio.
Premium Leather Shoulder Holster
Some producers use the term “premium” leather. With the premium leather holster, the whole production process lies in the hands of a custom leather holster producer. The supplied natural full grain leather is in premium quality and untanned. The manufacturer hand colors, oils, treats, and fat liquors the leather. The result is a holster with its characteristic smell and details. For example, Falco Holsters uses 0.11”-0.12” thick full grain cowhide (only 1 out of 4 cowhides fits this requirement)
With the right usage and care, the lifespan of a leather holster Is equal to that of a gun itself.
Why Breaking in the leather is Important
Brand new leather can be hard to work with because it’s so tight, but when it comes to your handgun that can affect your draw. It can also make it difficult to holster your pistol since it won’t accept the frame as easily as non-leather.
Whether you’re part of law enforcement, concealing, or competitive shooting, a clean draw is imperative. It can be the difference between life and death or a victory, so breaking in a leather holster should be near the top of the to-do list. Find the directions in our Break-in Guide
