Galco Shoulder Rig for XD

[GlockConvert]

I've been using a Galco should rig the last week with my XD compact. The 2 mags on the off side balance it pretty well. Its a pretty decent, adjustable should rig. Not cheap, by any stretch, but its not liek there is long list to choose from.

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[Niner4Tango]

Good to hear! Miami Classic? I just ordered one this week, should be here next week.

I figure it'll be good in the car or the airplane and hoping it'll be a good general concealment holster.

[deepdiver]

I'm just not sure I want to carry in a shoulder rig. I have been eyeing Lee's Blackhawk shoulder platform for nearly a week now and seriously considering it. Any issues you run into in a shoulder carry?

[GlockConvert]

I live in the pacific north west so we generally wear a lot of layers. I'm also pretty broad shouldered, so the shoulder holster hides well.

Pros:
Excellent or driving.
Excellent for carrying lots of weight. 2 mags and a loaded XD pulls my pants down.
You can go to the bathroom in a public restroom without hassling with a holster.
It has CDI factor. (actually my wife things I'm a don johnson want to be).
With practice you can draw the gun with either hand. Even if your strong side hand is damaged you can draw it left handed. I can't do that very well with a strong side holster.

Cons:
It can be hard to conceal.
Its probably slower then a good strong side holster
Practice is critical. you have to figure out what you are going to do with your other arm. If you don't get it out of the way, you end up painting your body with the muzzle on the draw.
Hard to practice on a range with because of safety issues.

I generally like mine quite a bit, but I've been carrying guns in them quite some time.

[XD45ACP]

Speaking of cons, there is one major con that has kept me from getting a shoulder rig. When you unholster, you are forced to sweep the end of the gun in an arc from your side to your intended target. This violates one of the major safety rules. Never point the gun at anything you don't wish to destroy. If someone is standing next to you, you just pointed your gun at them while unholstering. Holsters that allow you to pull from your belt keep the end of the gun towards the ground until you point it at your target.

[WestTx]

Originally Posted by XD45ACP

Speaking of cons, there is one major con that has kept me from getting a shoulder rig. When you unholster, you are forced to sweep the end of the gun in an arc from your side to your intended target. This violates one of the major safety rules. Never point the gun at anything you don't wish to destroy. If someone is standing next to you, you just pointed your gun at them while unholstering. Holsters that allow you to pull from your belt keep the end of the gun towards the ground until you point it at your target.

This is an old, old argument of belt versus shoulder holster and really doesn't hold water. You don't draw from anything unless you are practicing on a firing range or intending to kill someone.
I have carried Browning High Powers, H&K's and now the XD45 Tactical 5" in Galco Miami Classics for the last 30+ years. The idea is that the weapon is concealed. If you are involuntarily going into a situation where the arena is hostile, normally one would switch to a "mexican" carry. If it is for everyday CCW and you are not LEO, the shoulder holster serves two functions: makes the weapon semi-invisible; makes you think about whether drawing it is necessary.

[XDADDICT]

Tex is right, practice carrying a weapon, it is for your protection, if you draw it your life is in jeopardy, and so is the guys your pulling the gun on. Carrying a weapon in an IWB or paddle is no safer than a shoulder rig in my opinion.

[XD45ACP]

Originally Posted by WestTx

This is an old, old argument of belt versus shoulder holster and really doesn't hold water. You don't draw from anything unless you are practicing on a firing range or intending to kill someone.
I have carried Browning High Powers, H&K's and now the XD45 Tactical 5" in Galco Miami Classics for the last 30+ years. The idea is that the weapon is concealed. If you are involuntarily going into a situation where the arena is hostile, normally one would switch to a "mexican" carry. If it is for everyday CCW and you are not LEO, the shoulder holster serves two functions: makes the weapon semi-invisible; makes you think about whether drawing it is necessary.

Originally Posted by XDADDICT

Tex is right, practice carrying a weapon, it is for your protection, if you draw it your life is in jeopardy, and so is the guys your pulling the gun on. Carrying a weapon in an IWB or paddle is no safer than a shoulder rig in my opinion.

You are entitled to your opinions. I simply disagree.

I'll stick with my belt holster. For me it's faster to draw from, easier to conceal and safer. No matter how you look at it or what excuses you come up with, you are still forced to point your gun in an unsafe direction when upholstering from a shoulder rig. If you are willing to do that, please make sure I'm not next to you.

[metaljacket]

I use an old Bianchi vertical shoulder holster for my mdl. 29 during hunting season and I love it. It carries the weight well, conceals well under anything, and is alot better while driving than a belt holster (mine has the 6 7/8' bbl).

I don't have one for the xd yet, but I am sure I will end up with one.