The shoulder holster isn't just for cinematic good and bad guys. It has a role in real life as these seven upper-body rigs prove.
A suppressor will make a .308 no louder than mouse flatulence, a hit from a .45 ACP will sweep a perpetrator off his feet, and you never have to reload a six-gun. If your gun education came from the warped lens of Hollywood, you’ll swear up and down these are 24-karat, chiseled-in-stone truths. Handled anything above and beyond a cap gun, you understand their veracity is the same caliber as pitch lines for X-ray specs and political promises.
One of the most enduring cinematic fantasies is that of the shoulder holster. Mobsters, undercover cops and PIs, by the big screen accounts the way every good and bad guy carries their heater. Except it isn’t. The belt holster has and does reign supreme, given its simplicity, versatility and comfort. But that doesn’t mean the usefulness of the shoulder holster is mere La-La Land fiction.
For particular individuals who face certain circumstances, the upper-body rig proves eminently advantageous. Drivers and those seated most of their day find shoulder holsters extremely convenient and fast on the draw. And there might not be a more efficient way to amble around with a hand cannon during hunting season. It sure make it simpler to scramble up a steep grade.
Whatever your case may be, there are plenty of solid shoulder holster options out there and we’re going to look at some of the best. So without further ado, here are some of the top shoulder holster choices that give the silver screen star a role in real life.
How We Made Our Picks:
There are a lot of holster companies these days, but comparatively few of them make shoulder holsters. Of those that do, there are even fewer worth considering. Given what's available, we weighed their features, construction qualities, fitment options and manufacturer reputations to see how they stacked up. The result is these seven picks, and we feel each one checks enough boxes to be worth considering. Whether you're looking for a classy leather rig for daily use or something basic for the occasional hunting expedition, one of these options should serve you well.
The Best Shoulder Holsters:
What Are Some Top Shoulder Holster Options:
Galco Classic Lite 2.0 Shoulder Holster
Specs
Material: Premium Center Cut Steerhide
Carry Angle: Horizontal
Spare Ammo Carrier: Double Mag Pouch
Hand: Left or Right
MSRP: $158
Website: galcogunleather.com
Pros
- Pliable, comfortable leather
- Affordable for Galco
- Good number of model fits to choose from
Cons
- Thin leather can make reholstering difficult
Galco knows how to get the most out of gun leather, which is obvious when you catch a glimpse of effective and budget-friendly shoulder system. Modeled after the company’s professional rigs, the Classic Lite 2.0 Shoulder Holster is streamlined to make it more conducive to armed citizens, without compromising performance. In particular, this is seen in Galco’s use of the same connectors and Flexalon swivel backplate that make the pro models move naturally with the body and adjust to any frame. To boot, the Classic Lite is about as comfortable as all-leather shoulders come. Thank center cut steerhide for this.
The shoulder holster system comes complete with holster, harness, and a magazine ammo carrier. The original model previously only had one magazine pouch, but since the introduction of the improved 2.0 model it now has two. It’s also available in right- and left-hand draw configurations. The holster proper features a level-2 retention system—a metal button thumb snap—which keeps your pistol secure until you need it. Carry angle is strictly horizontal, which conceals well and draws fast.
Gould & Goodrich Gold Line Shoulder Holster
Specs
Material: Genuine Leather
Carry Angle: Horizontal
Spare Ammo Carrier: Double Mag Pouch
Hand: Left or Right
MSRP: $187.99
Website: gould-goodrich.com
Pros
- Quality, durable leather
- Wide shoulder straps distribute weight well
Cons
- Limited number of gun model fit options
Gould & Goodrich is known for its duty-grade holsters and accessories. But if you’re aiming to go top-shelf with a shoulder holster and price isn’t a barrier, then it’s difficult to do better than the company’s Gold Line. The rig is the whole nine yards. Especially impressive is the quality of the leather. It's thick enough to stand up to any punishment you can dish out. But it doesn’t wear heavy, with ample shoulder straps distributing the system’s weight.
Designed to move with you, a four-point back swivel keeps the rig in place even if you happen to be moving at a full sprint. A thumb break retention system secures your handgun and dual magazine carrier keeps plenty of ammo on tap. About the only knock on the shoulder holster, it’s only available for a relatively small selection of handguns—Beretta, Glock, Sig Sauer and Smith & Wesson semi-automatics.
Bianchi Model X15 Vertical Shoulder Holster
Specs
Material: Full Grain Vegetable Tanned Cowhide
Carry Angle: Vertical
Spare Ammo Carrier: No
Hand: Left or Right
MSRP: $174
Website: bianchileather.com
Pros
- Perfect for larger hunting handguns
- Vertical angle helps conceal larger handguns under a jacket
Cons
- Can't accommodate scoped handguns
- Vertical angle means a slower draw than a horizontal model
Carry big iron? Bianchi has a shoulder holster to keep it in check. While there are configurations to handle more moderately sized handguns, the X15 is fully capable of tending up to an 8-inch barrel behemoth and competently so. In turn, the Bianchi shoulder rig makes an excellent choice for your next handgun hunting adventure.
Made from full-grain, vegetable-tanned cowhide, the rugged holster has a touch of elegance—nice since it’s the type you don’t need to keep undercover. A wide X-style harness does a solid job of distributing the weight of a heavy gun, making it overall easier to carry. And the shoulder holster keeps your gun where it needs to be, with a dual spring design. It also offers more security when needed with secondary retention strap. An amazingly consistent presentation, the X15 always puts your gun where you need it. However, it is strictly a vertical draw affair and doesn’t feature a configuration to handle scoped guns.
Uncle Mike's Sidekick Vertical Shoulder Holster
Specs
Material: Cordura Nylon
Carry Angle: Vertical
Spare Ammo Carrier: No
Hand: Right
MSRP: $45.95
Website: unclemikes.com
Pros
- Fits large hunting handguns
- Lighter than leather
- Very affordable
Cons
- Bulky, not great for concealment
- Right-hand draw model is only option
Rummage around the holster market for any amount of time, you soon learn nylon holsters are often suspect. The Sidekick is a decided exception. The rig is well built, gives you excellent access to your handgun and lightens your load. That last point, weight, is among its greatest benefits, given the shoulder holster is comparatively featherlight. Since it can handle some of the largest firearms on the market, the Sidekick is a top candidate to take on the hunt. It’s also extremely budget-friendly, so you won’t weep if you beat it up. The standard model cannot accommodate a scope, but Uncle Mike's has a variant for scoped handguns available as well.
The rig is completely adjustable to body-frame size and features belt anchorages, keeping the system tight as a drum. But it’s purely a vertical draw system and bulky. If you picked it for concealed carry, you might have difficulty keeping it from printing. Despite this, for a rough-and-tumble entry-level hunting rig, it’s among the tops.
Galco Miami Classic II Shoulder System
Specs
Material: Premium Steerhide
Carry Angle: Horizontal
Spare Ammo Carrier: Double Mag Pouch
Hand: Left or Right
MSRP: $329
Website: galcogunleather.com
Pros
- Excellent quality leather
- Spare mags are held by retention instead of straps allowing faster retrieval
Cons
- Expensive
It’s difficult to pick the Miami Classic II over the original—after all the earlier iteration is an absolute classic. But for the modern armed citizen, the new twist on the iconic system has a refinement that provides a major advantage—its magazine carrier. An open-front design, the carrier puts your spare magazines right at hand, picking up the pace of reloads. A good thing, indeed.
Practically everything else remains the same on the shoulder holster, including Galco’s top-end leather, dynamic spider harness and fully adjustable strap system. Like the Miami Classic, the II is a straight-up horizontal carry rig, which does an exceptional job concealing a firearm. But if you carry a full-sized firearm, and are smaller framed, it can prove ungainly.
DeSantis New York Undercover
Specs
Material: Top-grain Cowhide
Carry Angle: Horizontal
Spare Ammo Carrier: Double Mag Pouch
Hand: Left or Right
MSRP: $220.99
Website: desantisholsters.com
Pros
- Very adjustable system enables comfortable carry
- Holster placement allows for fast and intuitive draw
Cons
- Expensive
A true classic in every sense of the word, the New York Undercover shoulder holster has defined the style of carry since the 1970s. It looks the role and has only gotten better over the past four decades. Particularly in the comfort department. Wide shoulder straps on the DeSantis rig do an incredible job of distributing weight evenly, making it an ideal option for heavier handguns. At the same tick, the system offers full range of motion, making it an ideal holster for those on the move.
Equally as convenient is the NY Undercover’s adjustment system. All four straps are independently adjustable, allowing the shooter to tailor the fit exactly to their frame and the position of both gun and support-side equipment (mag or cuff holders available). Drawing is fast and intuitive as well. Horizontally situated, the premium saddle leather rig presents the butt for a perfect high grip and natural break of the retention strap. The only nit to pick on the DeSantis shoulder holster is its price tag. But it’s a time-tested system, quality made and worth every penny.
Versacarry Shoulder Holster Deluxe
Specs
Material: Vegetable-Tanned Water Buffalo Leather
Carry Angle: Horizontal
Spare Ammo Carrier: Double Mag Pouch
Hand: Right
MSRP: $357.99
Website: versacarry.com
Pros
- Only model on list that can accept pistols with red dot sights
- Water Buffalo hide resists moisture better than other leathers
Cons
- Only available for right-hand draw
- Expensive
Versacarry crashed the holster scene with some true head-turning hybrids some years back. Since it's turned its attention to building a better mousetrap when it comes to the good old shoulder holster. By all measures, the company has wildly succeeded with a rock-solid system that not only wears comfortably but also might be among the most attractive rig on the list.
Water buffalo hide is what Versacarry is known for, supple leather that nonetheless is tough as cut nails. It fairs well in a shoulder rig. Wide-cut straps disperse the weight of the system evenly over the shoulders and resist stretching over time while the Level 2 hanger doesn’t chafe under the arm. To boot, water buffalo hide does a good job resisting moisture, thus offers a level of protection to your firearm. The shoulder holster anchors firmly to the belt and comes with two magazine holders, compatible with both single- and double-stack magazines. The only knock, the holster is only available for right-hand draw.
| HOLSTER | MATERIAL | CARRY ANGLE | SPARE AMMO | HAND | MSRP |
| Galco Classic Lite 2.0 | Premium Center Cut Steerhide | Horizontal | Double Mag Pouch | Left or Right | $158 |
| Gould & Goodrich Gold Line | Genuine Leather | Horizontal | Double Mag Pouch | Left or Right | $187.99 |
| Bianchi Model X15 | Full Grain Vegetable Tanned Cowhide | Vertical | No | Left or Right | $174 |
| Uncle Mike's Sidekick | Cordura Nylon | Vertical | No | Right | $45.95 |
| Galco Miami Classic II | Premium Steerhide | Horizontal | Double Mag Pouch | Left or Right | $329 |
| DeSantis New York Undercover | Top-grain Cowhide | Horizontal | Double Mag Pouch | Left or Right | $220.99 |
| Versacarry Shoulder Holster Deluxe | Vegetable-Tanned Water Buffalo Leather | Horizontal | Double Mag Pouch | Right | $357.99 |
For more information on concealed carry holsters check out:
- Essential Gear: Best Concealed Carry Holsters
- Buckling Up The Basics Of Gun Belts
- Pocket Holster Options For Easy Everyday Carry
- The Shoulder Holster And Its Carry Angle
- Pros And Cons Of The Appendix Carry Holster
Editor's Note: Adam Borisenko contributed to this article.
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When clothing allow, my vertical shoulder holster is the most comfortable way to concealed carry my 4.25in. 629. Not one of my many inside the pants holsters can beat it in the comfort department.
I still have my shoulder holster from my government funded vacation to exotic South East Asia. We carried S&W Model 10 .38 cal revolvers mostly, although just about anything that would fit in the cockpit could also be found. Our excuse for the shoulder holster was that our harnesses (seat belts) and “bullet bouncers” (chest armor plates) got in the way of weapons in belt holsters. “Got in the way” meaning rendered the weapon totally inaccessible since it was in effect buried under all of the above. Followers of Don Johnson and those whose job keeps them mostly seated may still find them useful. Mine is hanging on my shop wall and serves as a conversation starter.