Ten second round up of my " Experience "? First third of my life; TV taught me that cowboys wore guns, hung against their thigh, from a belt. Second taught me cops (Well, granted, Detectives) carried in shoulder holsters. Now? It seems like just about Everyone carries On / In the belt?

What's happened to the ~ seeming? ~ popularity of the under the arm / shoulder holster, please? Granted; I haven't stared into a TV for twenty odd years now. Perhaps people, on there, are still favouring them? But, listening to you guys - even watching chubes - I really am getting the impression a shoulder holster would now be about as common as a 'gun slingers' thigh pack?

Need a sport coat or suit coat to conceal the holster.

I used to wear a shoulder holster when I waded in Santee Cooper lake in SC, while bass fishing. Snakes and alligators were in the water with me.

Never been really comfortable for me - but that's me - others may like them just fine.

I think maybe because there are so many different type/styles of holsters out there today.

**Every Vote Counts.**

Another consideration is you are moving the muzzle across parts of your anatomy when you draw your pistola.
The arm that hangs from the shoulder that also hangs the holster for example. Drawing a pistola with your weak hand in the event your strong hand is incapacitated is also problematic. Try scratching your armpit with the hand on the same side.

Point, I s'pose. Yeppers. Now ye mention it? I do see a lot of your guys saying how a make / size / calibre / holster can be worn under a looser fitting tee shirt. Extremely good point.

I've not really left home, without a jacket, for a couple of decades now. So, it's probably, unconsciously, always auto adjusted my thinking, because; " But, I'd never be out without a jacket on. "

And, yeah; I've just always felt more comfortable, natural, reaching inside my jacket. I know there's a school of thought that supposes that reach takes a split second longer. Even telegraph's ones intention? That's fine. Maybe it's the cut and weight of my jacket ~ had it nearly twenty years ~ I'd feel easier reaching in.

Wading in rivers? That's real life, practical experience, right there! How I envy your 2nd!!!

when trapping i used to wear my single six in a uncle mike's hostler hangin on a belt over my left shoulder, kept the pistol high and dry and easy to get to.

On the trapline and hunting,I wear shoulder holsters almost exclusively.They are worn on the outside,except during inclement weather.I design and build my own so they are comfortable.I have never had trouble getting to the gun when I really needed it and at age 70,have never had an arm out of commission so don't anticipate that being a huge probability.If I were a law enforcement officer,I might feel differently about that aspect.

the shoulder thing sounds like a good idea but , have yet to find a really comfortable one most police shows are A just that police shows

Pros , maybe some one else has some?

Cons
they really don't conceal that well (not an issue for cops as they don't care)

can't draw from them on any range where anyone else is present because you muzzle sweep everyone so they are prohibited from all competitions

have to keep your cover garment on

they don't pull the gun close to the body well.

I do the same thing

I have a friend who prefers shoulder holsters especially when he's on his bike.

Me I'm not comfortable with cross draw. There are times when wearing a suit or sport coat that I'd prefer a shoulder holster.

I like wearing my shoulder holster comfortable for me.

I've thought about a shoulder holster for trapping out of chest waders, but I use my lil badger these days so I dont carry pistols anymore, well not trapline pistols.

They're popular in nudist colonies

So I've heard...

One thing and it may be the biggest... is that most of the detectives I know don't wear a sports coat as indicated above. the other thing is Everyone always use to carry a revolver not a pistol. When I was LEO (In plain Clothes) I carried snub 38, and carried in the back tucked in my trousers. Of course then I had a butt and no belly. Now if I tried that, I would have a weapon creeping down into my drawers.

Now as a CCW I carry either a 40 or 45 and usually have on a jacket of some type If I am carrying 45 it is under the arm in a shoulder holster and the 40 is either carried either way depending on my move. Which ever you chose it does take getting use to and you should make an effort to practice the dram from it,

Another difference might be people that carry Glocks and other weapon that don't have a manual safety don't trust their action to carry ina shoulder holster. I use a weapon with manual safety, but that is another story.

Garry-

I got used to the shoulder holster in the military but now ...for CCW...I use IWB.

I still use the shoulder holster on the trapline because I can keep the gun warm under my coat. It's a semi in 22LR and I don't want it to be recalcitrant when I need it.

The downside can be, if you are bending over a lot, it can be a bit 'floppy' if you don't attach the bottom of the holster to belt or something

a possibility of why cops don't carry much in shoulder holsters anymore besides most plan cloths I see were a polo shirt an Khakis, is because most departments require an approved holster with a minimum of level 2 retention

they also have to qualify from the holster they carry , that becomes a problem when you have to muzzle sweep the whole range at qualification.

they all also have to wear a minimum IIIA body armor any time they leave their desk body armor and a shoulder rig might be a little much to get under a jacket or shirt

The trusty Single Shot has to go somewhere

Now on a serious note:
My Ruger six also goes in an Uncle Mike ballistic nylon shoulder holster for wading. I had a shoulder holster made from a retired Milwaukee Detective that owns a holster business, he was big on some key features:
1) He expressed the comfort of leather over ballistic nylon (I'm sure more important when you're wearing it all day)
2) Balance was important, he likes to have speed loaders, mag light, multi-tool, magazine or something on the opposing side to balance the holster.
3) Safety was a huge factor on exposed hammers, he include a leather snap button that secured the hammer when carrying.

He also made a tactical holster for my Judge when I'm bear hunting, it sit's perfectly on top of my thigh in a tree stand. The Uncle Mike holsters are nice for a one size fits most but the companies that conform a holster to a blue gun are more costly than an Amazon purchase but well worth the price.

In a self defense situation and someone is charging you, your draw arm may be pinned against your body when trying to draw from a shoulder holster. If your piece is holstered on the same side as your draw arm, you can retain control of your arm when charged.