Double Shoulder Holster Rig

[Lobo]

Recently had a customer request a modification to my horizontal shoulder holster design to include two holsters rather than a holster and double mag pouch. This rig is for two S&W 3913-NL pistols. Done in horsehide, a good choice for shoulder holsters due to its reduced bulk and higher resistance to moisture-related problems than cowhide (shoulder holsters are always subjected to perspiration in use).

Personally, I haven't felt the need for two pistols since my days on a narcotics task force, back in the 70's. But the customer is always right, right? Maybe, I guess. Oh well. Kind of fun to have something different to do now and then.

[Dwight]

As usual, . . . excellent job, . . . would not have expected anything else.

I did a double a year or so ago for 1911's, . . . muzzle down, . . . it was fun too.

May God bless,

Dwight

[Josh Ashman]

Very nice Lobo, thanks for sharing!

[Haystacker]

Looks very good. I really like the finish on horse hide.

[LederRudi]

Appealing professionally executed work!

I’m thinking of making kind of a “traveler’s double shoulder holster” with two bags instead of the gun holsters to be worn while travelling and thrusting my way through crowded bazaars. The bags should contain passport, wallet, kindle reader, reading glasses and shades and may be some more small items.

I’d planned to do it the way Al Stohlman describes in “How to Make Holsters”. Your posting shows that the construction could be simplified considerably and basically consists of the back plate and four straps. May I ask the thickness of the leather you used?

[Lobo]

Appealing professionally executed work!

I’m thinking of making kind of a “traveler’s double shoulder holster” with two bags instead of the gun holsters to be worn while travelling and thrusting my way through crowded bazaars. The bags should contain passport, wallet, kindle reader, reading glasses and shades and may be some more small items.

I’d planned to do it the way Al Stohlman describes in “How to Make Holsters”. Your posting shows that the construction could be simplified considerably and basically consists of the back plate and four straps. May I ask the thickness of the leather you used?

Horsehide is considerably more dense than cowhide, so direct comparisons of leather "weight" are difficult. Being more dense horsehide provides equal strength with less bulk, and it is also more resistant to moisture (perspiration is always a factor with shoulder holsters and IWB-style holsters).

In terms of thickness the horsehide used on these holsters is similar to cowhide of about 5 oz. weight, which performs much like cowhide of around 7 oz. weight. The straps are made of slightly thinner horsehide, providing better flexibility. Strap length adjustment is provided by Chicago screws and multiple holes in the straps. The support pad is made of two layers of horsehide in the general shape of a butterfly to conform to the upper back and base of the neck where it rides, straps are connected using Chicago screws so that each strap is fully articulated and allowed to rotate freely at the connection point as the body moves. Strap connections at the holsters are done on D-rings, which also allows the strap connections to move with the body. The overall objective is to improve comfort in use by preventing chafing or kinking of the straps as the wearer engages in normal activities.

An added small benefit of this design is that it permits the use of one harness with any number of holsters and/or pouches. I have had quite a few customers order additional holster & pouch sets, saving the expense of a separate harness for each carry rig. Customers appreciate the modular approach for its economy, while I see it as providing additional profitability down the road.

[LederRudi]

Thank you, Lobo, for your informative reply!

Edited October 31, 2013 by LederRudi

[malabar]

Very nice work -- as always.

tk

[renegadelizard]

Awesome Rig Ray...i love the design of your harness..very ingenious..