1911 Holster

1911 Shoulder Holster

A 1911 shoulder holster is a leather or nylon carry system that suspends a 1911 pistol under the arm using a harness worn across both shoulders, with the holster on the support side and a magazine pouch on the strong side for counterbalance. There are 2 primary 1911 shoulder holster orientations: vertical shoulder holsters that position the pistol straight up with the muzzle pointing down, and horizontal shoulder holsters that position the pistol parallel to the ground with the muzzle pointing rearward. A 1911 shoulder holster distributes the weight of a full-size 1911 (39 ounces or 1,106 grams loaded in .45 Automatic Colt Pistol or ACP) across the shoulders instead of the hips, which benefits shooters with back problems, those wearing heavy winter clothing, and those who spend extended time seated or driving. This guide covers when to use a 1911 shoulder holster, vertical versus horizontal configurations, shoulder holster safety and draw technique, top 1911 shoulder holster brands and models with prices, and holster quality and materials.

When to Use a 1911 Shoulder Holster

A 1911 shoulder holster works best in 4 situations where a standard belt holster is less practical:

• Carrying a heavy full-size pistol: a 5-inch (127 mm) Government-model 1911 in .45 ACP weighs 39 ounces (1,106 g) loaded, and a shoulder holster transfers the weight from the hips to the shoulders for all-day comfort
• Seated or vehicle carry: drawing from a belt holster while seated requires lifting the body off the seat, and a shoulder holster allows a cross-draw without unbuckling or shifting body position
• Cold weather carry: heavy coats, suits, and layered clothing make belt holster access slow, and undoing 1 or 2 buttons on an overcoat gives fast access to a shoulder-holstered pistol
• Back or hip injuries: shooters with back problems, abdominal surgery recovery, or hip injuries find belt-mounted weight uncomfortable, and a shoulder harness eliminates pressure on the waist

A shoulder holster is not the best choice for Every Day Carry (EDC) in warm weather where a light shirt is the only covering garment. The shoulder holster harness straps print through thin shirts and T-shirts, and a belt holster conceals more effectively under a single layer. Weapon retention is harder with a shoulder holster in a physical struggle because the pistol sits under the arm where an attacker at close range can reach the grip.

Vertical vs. Horizontal 1911 Shoulder Holsters

Vertical 1911 shoulder holsters position the pistol straight up and down with the muzzle pointing at the ground and the grip angled forward for a cross-draw. Vertical holsters conceal a full-size 1911 better than horizontal holsters because the pistol hangs straight down against the torso and the barrel does not extend behind the body. Galco's Vertical Holster System (VHS) 4.0 ($379 for semi-automatics) and Jackass Rig Shoulder System ($298) both use a diagonal or vertical carry angle. Falco Holsters manufactures vertical leather shoulder holsters starting at $74.95 for the D105 Cougar and up to $329.95 for the D901 L hybrid roto light-bearing model.

Horizontal shoulder holsters position the pistol parallel to the ground with the muzzle pointing behind the shooter. Horizontal carry provides a faster draw for smaller pistols but creates concealment problems with full-size 1911s because the 5-inch (127 mm) barrel extends behind the body and prints under jackets. The Galco Miami Classic II Shoulder System ($361 for semi-automatics) is the most recognized horizontal shoulder holster and uses a horizontal scabbard with a spider-style harness. Galco's Classic Lite 2.0 Shoulder Rig ($158) offers horizontal carry at a lower price point.

1911 Shoulder Holster Safety and Draw Technique

Drawing from a 1911 shoulder holster requires specific technique to prevent the muzzle from crossing the support-side arm, other people nearby, or the shooter's own body during the draw stroke. There are 4 steps in a safe shoulder holster draw:

• Bring the support hand to the back of the neck to clear the support-side arm from the muzzle path
• Reach the strong hand across the body and knife under the covering garment to grip the pistol and release any retention device
• Lift the pistol up and out of the holster with the muzzle directed at the ground (vertical holster) or angle the body toward the target to prevent a muzzle sweep (horizontal holster)
• Bring the pistol to body centerline and complete the two-handed shooting grip

Many shooting ranges, training schools, and firearms instructors prohibit shoulder holster use because untrained shooters swing a wide arc during the draw and cover bystanders with the muzzle. Practice the shoulder holster draw with an unloaded pistol until the draw stroke keeps the muzzle directed at the ground or toward the target at every point during the movement. Keep the trigger finger straight and outside the trigger guard until the sights are on the target.

1911 Shoulder Holster Brands and Models

Galco Shoulder Holsters

Galco International manufactures 10 shoulder holster systems compatible with the 1911, ranging from $158 to $498:

• Classic Lite 2.0 Shoulder Rig ($158): a lightweight entry-level leather shoulder rig for semi-automatics
• Masterbilt Master Agent Rig ($280): a mid-range leather rig with magazine counterbalance
• Jackass Rig Shoulder System ($298): a diagonal-carry leather rig with premium steerhide, 1.5-inch (38 mm) wide harness straps, a Flexalon back plate, and a double magazine case
• Miami Classic II Shoulder System ($361): the horizontal-carry leather system with spider harness and double magazine pouch
• VHS 4.0 Vertical Holster System ($379): a vertical leather system with double magazine counterbalance
• Optic Solution Shoulder Rig ($389): designed for pistols with mounted red dot optics
• Yippy-Ki-Yay Die Hard Movie Rig ($489): a reproduction of the original Galco rig used in the 1988 film
• Masterbilt Slabside Perfection ($498): a premium leather rig for flat-sided 1911 pistols
• Masterbilt Dual Defense Rig ($498): a premium double-holster system
• Great Alaskan Chest Holster ($338): a chest-mounted holster for outdoor use in bear country

DeSantis Shoulder Holsters

DeSantis Holster manufactures the New York Undercover shoulder holster ($255.99), a top-grain leather vertical rig with a double magazine pouch that has been in production since the early 1970s. The New York Undercover has gone through multiple revisions and the current version features a reinforced harness, adjustable retention, and a thumb break retention strap.

Falco Shoulder Holsters

Falco Holsters manufactures handmade custom-fit leather and hybrid shoulder holsters for the 1911 in 12 models ranging from $74.95 to $329.95. Falco shoulder holsters are available in 3 material options: full leather, hybrid (leather and polymer), and nylon. The Falco D633 Johnson ($265.95) is a timeless roto-shoulder holster with a counterbalance system, and the D633 L Sherman ($275.95) adds a light-bearing holster body for 1911 pistols with weapon lights. Falco offers 4 retention styles: security strap, thumb break, open top, and open bottom.

1911 Shoulder Holster Quality and Materials

A quality 1911 shoulder holster uses premium steerhide or cowhide leather that molds to the pistol during a break-in period of 1 to 2 weeks and maintains retention for years. Avoid universal-fit nylon holsters that lack a molded pocket for the 1911 — nylon holsters allow the pistol to shift and rotate in the holster, which reduces retention and slows the draw. The 3 indicators of a quality shoulder holster are: a molded leather or Kydex holster pocket shaped to the specific 1911 frame size, stitched or riveted construction at all stress points, and a harness with wide straps (1.25 inches or 32 mm minimum) that distribute weight without digging into the shoulders.

The magazine pouch on the support side acts as a counterweight to the holstered pistol. Without a counterweight, the holster side pulls the jacket or covering garment to one side and reveals the holster. Carry at least one spare magazine in the counterweight pouch, even when the primary reason for the pouch is balance rather than spare ammunition.