(Let me apologize for the cruddy picture quality; I'm due in six weeks, so the fact that I got this done at all is significant, lol!)
It's difficult to find a comfortable means of carrying when pregnant that is also readily accessible. Ankle holsters are challenging and awkward to reach quickly, waist holsters are uncomfortable, and I won't even go into compression concealment garments. Fortunately, shoulder holsters make a great solution. This is for my Kimber Ultra Carry II, 9mm.
I chose to make my own rig out of a Bianchi x-15 shoulder harness and a Galco Jackass holster component. I would have sprung for a Galco Miami Classic II, but chose this set up partially because of cost ($80 versus $150) and partially because the other rigs we were looking at had some "excess" I didn't want to have to try and conceal. Having mag holders flapping loose at my weak side didn't appeal to me, and any rig with a belt loop or belt clip gets rather irritating to deal with when you consider how frequently pregnant women need to visit the facilities.
One of the appealing factors of the Bianchi X-15 rig is that since it does not depend on being secured to my waist, I can wear dresses and still shoulder carry. Plus, most maternity pants have very stretchy material starting at the hips and generally covers the entire belly. It's not exactly a stable material to secure a holster to.
I did initially want a vertical holster, but the only ones we could find for my gun (Kimber 1911 Ultra Carry II) were the long kind that secured to the belt strong side. As it is, a horizontal draw is easier for me to access, since I have to reach across my belly. This is only speculation, as I haven't practiced with a vertical draw, but I imagine trying to draw vertically from an loose (unsecured) shoulder holster would probably bring the holster with the gun, at least for a few inches. With the horizontal draw, I just grab and pull forward.
There is the issue of muzzling, but guns do not generally go off by themselves, and the trigger guard is covered, so it's not possible for me to shoot while it's engaged in the holster. So, to me, the muzzling issue here is not the same as muzzling someone while the gun is in hand.
Another bonus to this set up is that I can adjust the cant of the holster, so it's tilted upwards rather than perfectly horizontal. This makes it slightly easier to conceal and easier to grip, when needed.
You can also see my other thread about concealed carry holsters/outfits for women here, for more ideas.
viewtopic.php?f=40&t=3281
It's difficult to find a comfortable means of carrying when pregnant that is also readily accessible. Ankle holsters are challenging and awkward to reach quickly, waist holsters are uncomfortable, and I won't even go into compression concealment garments. Fortunately, shoulder holsters make a great solution. This is for my Kimber Ultra Carry II, 9mm.
I chose to make my own rig out of a Bianchi x-15 shoulder harness and a Galco Jackass holster component. I would have sprung for a Galco Miami Classic II, but chose this set up partially because of cost ($80 versus $150) and partially because the other rigs we were looking at had some "excess" I didn't want to have to try and conceal. Having mag holders flapping loose at my weak side didn't appeal to me, and any rig with a belt loop or belt clip gets rather irritating to deal with when you consider how frequently pregnant women need to visit the facilities.
One of the appealing factors of the Bianchi X-15 rig is that since it does not depend on being secured to my waist, I can wear dresses and still shoulder carry. Plus, most maternity pants have very stretchy material starting at the hips and generally covers the entire belly. It's not exactly a stable material to secure a holster to.
I did initially want a vertical holster, but the only ones we could find for my gun (Kimber 1911 Ultra Carry II) were the long kind that secured to the belt strong side. As it is, a horizontal draw is easier for me to access, since I have to reach across my belly. This is only speculation, as I haven't practiced with a vertical draw, but I imagine trying to draw vertically from an loose (unsecured) shoulder holster would probably bring the holster with the gun, at least for a few inches. With the horizontal draw, I just grab and pull forward.
There is the issue of muzzling, but guns do not generally go off by themselves, and the trigger guard is covered, so it's not possible for me to shoot while it's engaged in the holster. So, to me, the muzzling issue here is not the same as muzzling someone while the gun is in hand.
Another bonus to this set up is that I can adjust the cant of the holster, so it's tilted upwards rather than perfectly horizontal. This makes it slightly easier to conceal and easier to grip, when needed.
You can also see my other thread about concealed carry holsters/outfits for women here, for more ideas.
viewtopic.php?f=40&t=3281
