Shoulder Holsters
A shoulder holster carries the gun under your arm or across your chest, which keeps it off your belt, clear of a pack's hip belt and easy to reach when you are sitting. That makes it a favorite for hunters with long-barrel revolvers and for anyone who drives or sits for most of the day. For belt carry, see OWB holsters, or browse the full gun holster collection.
Shop more holsters
- All gun holsters, the full collection
- Revolver holsters for J, K, L and N frames and single actions
- Glock 19 holsters in IWB, OWB, optics-ready and light-bearing cuts
- IWB holsters, inside the waistband and appendix
- OWB holsters: belt, paddle and scabbard
- Leather holsters from DeSantis and 1791 Gunleather
- Ankle holsters for backup and deep concealment
- Women's holsters, belly bands and off-body carry
- Holsters for big dudes, comfortable carry on a bigger build
- Holsters for guns with lights or lasers
Michaels V-shoulder holsters
The V-shoulder is a nylon harness and holster sized by number. Smaller sizes fit 2 to 3 inch double action revolvers and 3 to 4 inch medium autos. Mid sizes take large autos with 3.75 to 5 inch barrels and revolvers with 3 to 4 or 5 to 6.5 inch barrels. The largest fits medium and large double action revolvers with 7 to 8.5 inch barrels. The harness is built for freedom of movement, and the larger auto sizes use a safety strap that rotates to secure the gun.
Bandolier holsters
Bulldog's bandolier holsters ride across the chest on an adjustable shoulder strap with a quick-release buckle and an adjustable thumb break. They are sized for revolvers with 5 to 6.5 inch and 6.5 to 8 3/8 inch barrels. A chest rig like this sits above a pack's hip belt and stays reachable in a stand or a blind.
Why hunters use shoulder holsters
An OWB hip holster fights everything else you wear in the woods: the pack belt, the harness, the seat. A shoulder or chest rig keeps the gun on your torso, where it is out of the way of all of it and still reachable with either hand. For long barrels, it is also the only comfortable way to carry. Shoulder rigs are a favorite with bigger shooters too; see holsters for big dudes.
Fitting a shoulder holster
Adjust the harness so the holster rides just under your armpit and does not swing when you lean forward. Most shoulder holsters here are made for a right-handed shooter, with the gun under the left arm. Check the product details for hand orientation. For concealed carry without a jacket, IWB holsters and ankle holsters are easier to hide.
Frequently asked questions
Are shoulder holsters comfortable for all-day carry?
Yes, once adjusted, because the weight sits on your shoulders instead of your belt. Heavier guns benefit most.
Can a shoulder holster be concealed?
Under a jacket, vest or open overshirt, yes. It needs an outer layer at all times, so it suits cooler weather best. Leather holsters and women's holsters cover warmer-weather options.
Which barrel lengths fit?
The holsters here run from 2-inch snub revolvers up to revolvers with 8.5 inch barrels. Match your barrel length to the size in the product details.