S.O.B.s !!!

[DoctorDawg]

(Small-Of-Back holsters, that is, for the XD-9 Service).

Any recommendations? Our use is not for concealment, but rather when horse riding, open-carry, so I don't care whether it prints or not. Major considerations are:

• Holds onto the gun good in thickets an' such-like
• I kinda tend to favor a holster that is closed on the muzzle end; keeps dust outta the barrel.

Would enjoy hearing what folks who own 'em think. Thanks!

[Headhunter13]

The one big negative I keep hearing about SOB's is that if you fall on your back, you could do some real damage. I guess if your were thrown from a horse it could be worse.

[arolfsen]

while i find sob carry to be the most comfortable and concealable, i don't do it. there is to much to mess up if you get taken down before drawing, trip, fall, whatever. all the experts say not to carry in the sob, i understand the reasoning, so there for i don't. i carry anywhere from 2-5 oclock position

[Terry1810]

Sorry I can't help with a view about using or owning one. I agree with what's said here: http://www.thegunzone.com/sob_is_bad.html

- Terry

[DoctorDawg]

Originally Posted by Headhunter13

The one big negative I keep hearing about SOB's is that if you fall on your back, you could do some real damage. I guess if your were thrown from a horse it could be worse.

Point very well taken. We have been having quite a debate on this very topic around my house...it turns out there is surprisingly little published info available on the correct way to fall off a horse while wearing a gun . The potential for spinal injury if you fall on an SOB is pretty obvious. But then again, if you wear on your hip, and fall on that hip, you may well break your pelvis...and at our relatively advanced ages that can quite often be (slowly) fatal, too. The major difference is that a hip carry presents something for a rein, a rope, or a latigo to get tangled in, thus hanging you up. In SOB carry, this seems much less likely. So it seems like you're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't.

I read about a lot of people carrying in fanny-packs. I'm not sure this is much different from SOB in terms of potential injury. Just a thought for you fanny-packers out there.

I suppose our absolute best solution would be an ankle carry, under long pants. But I'd hate to have to give up cowboy boots.... Maybe Tony Lama or somebody makes a custom cowboy boot with a built-in holster . You can't tell me that wouldn't be cool!

[Headhunter13]

Seeing how I mostly wear Nacona boots that would be cool. How about a shoulder rig while riding?

[mtcraigco]

Originally Posted by DoctorDawg

Point very well taken. We have been having quite a debate on this very topic around my house...it turns out there is surprisingly little published info available on the correct way to fall off a horse while wearing a gun . The potential for spinal injury if you fall on an SOB is pretty obvious. But then again, if you wear on your hip, and fall on that hip, you may well break your pelvis...and at our relatively advanced ages that can quite often be (slowly) fatal, too. The major difference is that a hip carry presents something for a rein, a rope, or a latigo to get tangled in, thus hanging you up. In SOB carry, this seems much less likely. So it seems like you're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't.

I read about a lot of people carrying in fanny-packs. I'm not sure this is much different from SOB in terms of potential injury. Just a thought for you fanny-packers out there.

I suppose our absolute best solution would be an ankle carry, under long pants. But I'd hate to have to give up cowboy boots.... Maybe Tony Lama or somebody makes a custom cowboy boot with a built-in holster . You can't tell me that wouldn't be cool!

With that said,

I'm not going to go on my usual rant about the SOB-spine-shattering-urban-legend.

I will simply say your are more likely to fall on a rock when tossed from a horse or killed or injured in a car wreck than you are to ever suffer any negative consequences from carrying SOB.

The originator of the SOB is Andy Artoonian, a holstermaker in england, he is still in business and here is a link to his rig. It's worth reading for a very balanced point of view on the SOB issue. And some good reasons FOR wearing one. It might also be just what you are looking for.

http://www.holsters.org/sob2-holster.htm

There are others out there and I could also fashion one on a custom basis. I've been doing some custom kydex and leather work of late for specific requirements.

No offense at all to anyone, but I am just very weary of the SOBs-are-evil-under-all-circumstances stuff. They do have thier place, and their limitations, but they are the best answer in some circumstances.

thanks

[Windaria]

You know... you mention that a boot holster would be cool, why not just go with a horseback shotgun type holster, and carry something with a bit more punch? I mean, being horeseback and all, it is a lot more comfortable to carry one than just walking around.

[The Knight Of Light]

They call them SOB's for a reason!

[CyberOtaku]

I can see a few reasons for dislikeing SOB carry, but I find it interesting that everyone seems to focus of the spinal injury point. After doing a few searches for injuries caused by SOB carry I have not managed to find any case on this issue. Nor have I seen any of the many statements against SOB actually cite an incident like this. It certainly sounds like a good theory, but one would think that if SOB was the immense risk so many claim it is, there would be some documented incidences. While there are points against SOB, I would not dismiss it when it could be the best option in a given situation.

How are you more likely to fall off a horse? Straight back or off to the side? I'm not being rhetorical, I just don't know jack about horse riding.