Q. re best SOB Holster

[frog130]

I would appreciate specific information and recommendations on selecting a high quality, comfortable and easy draw small of the back (SOB) holster.

I own a short barrell 1911A1 Para .45 Cal Concealed Carry weapon with under the barrel rail mounted laser.

I am permanently disabled and in a wheelchair. I've tried side holsterss but they get in the way and are too visible. Other options won't work as I live in N. FL where shorts and a shirt are the norm.

Due to the high humidity and heat the ability to handle mosture, sic sweat, is a must. Also its ability to NOT rub is also essential.

Any and all advice is much appreciated.

[RichL025]

Are you truly looking for a SOB holster? Or do you mean a hip holster that you will wear in your para-lumbar area (4 or 5 o'clock)?

Most of the SOB holsters I have seen hold the weapon in a near-horizontal orientation, requiring you to draw it out to your side somewhat. Unless your wheelchair had no side-rails I would expect that to be difficult to manage.

Holsters designed to be worn behind the strong-side hip are designed to have the weapon drawn more upright, where it seems to me you would be less encumbered by the constraints of your wheelchair.

How is your upper body mobility? Could you manage a lateral draw like a true SOB holster?

I am not an expert at this, just my random thoughts on the subject. If it's truly a 4 or 5 o'clock hip holster you are looking for I can tell you what _I_ like, but I have zero experience with true SOB holsters (other than being told to stay away from them for many other reasons as well)

[MR2]

I echo Rich's comments.

Have you considered one of the CC fanny pack solutions? They will easily handle your weapon and larger. Some of the belt mounted pouches might be too small for your Para, but an appropriate sized pouch could be mounted on the inside of the handrail. These pouches and packs use Velcro for quick access and usually bely their true purpose.

[frog130]

Thanks for the thoughtful input.

I hadn't thought about the back of the hip option. I have some concern re keeping my weapon concealed but it is an opption I want to pursue. Thankks for suggesting it.

My chair has veey low splash guards but doesn't have arm rests or other more typical items thT would interfer with my access.

My upper body mobility is at least a 3/5, some days even a 4/5. For a fat old man my upper body strength isna solid 4/5... maybe 5/5 if age adjusted. I do have serious nerve damage in my left hand so I'm limited to depending oon my right; whch is a damned good tbing as I'm naturally right handed. I'm still using my left hand for.both two hand and one handnshooting at the range with decent success - clearly not as good as my right. The real issue is I tend to drop things and cramp up with my left so can't depend on it for draw or first shot.

This is probably TMI, but perhaps helpful for further thought.

Again, thanks for your input.

Thankk you also for whT you're doing. I pray God wil watch over you, your team, and the rest of your BN.

Cork

Originally Posted by RichL025

Are you truly looking for a SOB holster? Or do you mean a hip holster that you will wear in your para-lumbar area (4 or 5 o'clock)?

Most of the SOB holsters I have seen hold the weapon in a near-horizontal orientation, requiring you to draw it out to your side somewhat. Unless your wheelchair had no side-rails I would expect that to be difficult to manage.

Holsters designed to be worn behind the strong-side hip are designed to have the weapon drawn more upright, where it seems to me you would be less encumbered by the constraints of your wheelchair.

How is your upper body mobility? Could you manage a lateral draw like a true SOB holster?

I am not an expert at this, just my random thoughts on the subject. If it's truly a 4 or 5 o'clock hip holster you are looking for I can tell you what _I_ like, but I have zero experience with true SOB holsters (other than being told to stay away from them for many other reasons as well)

[frog130]

Thanks, clearly I need to look at strong side holsters.

I have a fanny ack now but don't like it; beyond looking like a complete dork it is difficult and very slow to open. Just cumbersome no matter how I carry/hang it. My chair doesn't have arm rests so that's not an option.

I need to find a holster that will remain concealed, can be worn comfortably 12 to 18 hrs/day, and is easily accessable. (That's not too much to expect is it?)

Thanks again,

Cork

Originally Posted by MR2

I echo Rich's comments.

Have you considered one of the CC fanny pack solutions? They will easily handle your weapon and larger. Some of the belt mounted pouches might be too small for your Para, but an appropriate sized pouch could be mounted on the inside of the handrail. These pouches and packs use Velcro for quick access and usually bely their true purpose.

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by frog130

Thanks, clearly I need to look at strong side holsters.


Cork

Cork,
You might want to look at inside the waist band (IWB) holsters.

Kramer makes the best holsters in the world as far as I'm concerned.(I think I have six or seven ) You could do a IWB and just let your shirt hang over it.
TS

http://www.kramerleather.com/product...&categoryID=23

[Old Dog New Trick]

Have you considered the front as opposed to the back?

There are a few IWBs that are designed for wear upfront as well as the "Thunderware" stretch bands that securely hold the weapon in place near your groin/belly.

You would think these are or would be uncomfortable for sitting but I work with quite a few people who carry a medium sized semiautomatic and sit for hours sometimes more than 10-hours without complaints.

Just don't go off half-cocked, it might hurt.

[frog130]

Thanks! I haven't been oon Krammer'site before. The best site I've been on, very easy to go directly to what I'm looking for.

A few more questions:
1) I am intrigued by the IWB w/sheepskin on the inside. Do you have experience r thoughts on the pros and cons?

2) The other option is the IWB with the FBI angle. What are the pros and cons

Please include any other comments and/or suggestions.

Originally Posted by Team

Thanks "TS"

Cork

Sergeant;494892

Cork,
You might want to look at inside the waist band (IWB) holsters.

Kramer makes the best holsters in the world as far as I'm concerned.(I think I have six or seven ) You could do a IWB and just let your shirt hang over it.
TS

http://www.kramerleather.com/product...&categoryID=23

[frog130]

Old dog, tell me this is a joke!


I can't imagine placing my weapon in my groin except in a real emergency.

I'd like to say that's because there wouldn't be enough room... but that would be redundant! ( yea, right)

Seriously, I appreciate the suggestions. I will give it a try just to see if it's a viable option for me.


Cork






QUOTE=Old Dog New Trick;494902]Have you considered the front as opposed to the back?

There are a few IWBs that are designed for wear upfront as well as the "Thunderware" stretch bands that securely hold the weapon in place near your groin/belly.

You would think these are or would be uncomfortable for sitting but I work with quite a few people who carry a medium sized semiautomatic and sit for hours sometimes more than 10-hours without complaints.

Just don't go off half-cocked, it might hurt. [/QUOTE]

[JJ_BPK]

Originally Posted by Old Dog New Trick

Have you considered the front as opposed to the back?

There are a few IWBs that are designed for wear upfront as well as the "Thunderware" stretch bands that securely hold the weapon in place near your groin/belly.

Cork

Agreed on the thunder-ware,, The story line could go something like:

"Excuse me while I adjust my CATHETER BAG",,, POP POP..

I did a home made thunder-ware, using a velcro belt and an old slide style holster. Depending on the snugness, it can hold a J frame S&W thru a full size 1911..

Here is a picture of the belt slide holster I use. It came with the thumb snap, but I carved it off. The pistol is a S&W CS9,, a mini 3914..

For giggles, I tried a 5 inch 629 with shorts,, it worked,, but the girls kept staining..

[alelks]

I would think either a shoulder holster or a front holster like this one would work best. You don't want anything that attaches to the wheelchair because if you're ejected it would be useless.

http://shop.simplyrugged.com/ecommer...160&parent=672

[alelks]

Interesting post I just came across on another forum.

I apologize in advance for being very excited about this topic. I also know I'm very new to the forum (first post), but I have a little experience on the issue at hand.

I've been injured (L2 incomplete SCI) for 8 years using a manual wheelchair and religiously carrying a compact pistol concealed for about 3 years. I currently use a TiLite Aero Z ultralight chair with a Roho JetStream 10 inch backrest and an Amovida Motion Control hybrid gel/foam seat cushion. Although my primary carry firearm is a Ruger SR40c, I carried a Smith&Wesson M&P 9mm for a while in a Serpa CQC Level 2 Retention rig before I sold it.

I carry at 3:30 on my person in a few different forward-canted holsters and have even found it somewhat comfortable to use my DeSantis *******. rig, but it took some "trimming" of my spare foam back cushion to do so. Just like anyone carrying in the small of back, driving was undesirable, but sitting in my chair with it was very comfortable. It is sometimes hard to recommend a specific holster because many holster companies tend to make all of their holster models for the usual suspects (Glocks, j-frames, XDs, Sigs, M&Ps and 1911s) and only a few models for very specific firearms (Ruger SR40c, Baretta Nano, Chiappa Rhino, etc...) I have carried in a variety of holsters, both IWB and OWB from a few different brands (Galco, Uncle Mikes, Blackhawk, DeSantis, and off brands…), and have gotten away with it because I have good sensation and know when to adjust whatever rig being used so that I do not acquire any sores in sensitive areas. Through my trials and tribulations I found that paddle holsters are also unbearable. Another thing that helps when carrying this way is having little dump in the seating position (the height at the front of my cushion is less than 3 inches higher than the height of the rear portion of the cushion), this allows me to lean forward to present without laying my chest on my knees. I also am approximately 6 feet tall and only weigh around 165 pounds. Though I am fairly fit and thin, I have a very form fitting chair (only 15 inches wide) and have no problem clearing my cover garment and grabbing a firm fire-ready grasp of my firearm in the space between my person and the side-guards of my chair. Note: (side-guards are NOT arm-rests) I do not have handles or armrests on my chair.

I preface this next section as my very own personal opinion and not an attack at anyone for mentioning any similarly previously talked about topic/idea.... To each his own...

With all of that being said, I believe that we wheelchair users are no different than anyone else, in the sense that all of us are individuals with individual needs and abilities. What works for me may not work for you, but don’t write off a thought simply because someone without a disability or someone who spent 2 weeks in a chair says it’s hard to carry while permanently seated. Another big mistake is to make an immediate assumption that seated while driving is an analog for sitting all day in a wheelchair. I feel extremely comfortable sitting ALL day in my chair, and I would say that most, if not all able bodied folks, could not say that about sitting in a car/truck. They are two differently designed applications, that is all. Sometimes carrying in a chair can be more comfortable, for instance my back and side doesn’t hurt from the weight (strain) of carrying a full sized auto like a fully loaded CZ75. That is because the cushion bears the weight via the nose of the barrel while angling the firearm to be basically perpendicular with the ground. Also, I can present arms fairly comparably to my able bodied peers. As I lean forward to access my firearm, I end up in an optimal firing position so that I feel stable under quick groupings.

SHOULDER RIGS: I have a military issue universal large auto canvas shoulder rig and have had a hell of a time trying to get it adjusted to feel comfortable while still retaining stability of the firearm while repeatedly leaning back and forth to propel my chair around the range or in the desert plinking around. This caused the grip to bump up against my chest/side over-and-over again when pushing around and becomes more apparent when fully loaded.

PACKS/SATCHELS: I also find that me and most of my friends who use wheelchairs have plenty of packs and bags already in use to cart around supplies, medications, and various other must haves. Adding another, like a fanny pack or satchel, does NOT make sense to me.

CROSSDRAW HOLSTERS: Crossdraw holsters have my full support, if they work for you, use them! They have all of the same benefits that I talked about in the body of my response, and are even easier to acces while buckled-up in a vehicle. I just don't use them because I found I like drawing from about 3:30, and I don't feel it necessary to fix something that isn't broken.

I truly hope this helps someone, and if it doesn’t work for you I hope it inspires (after 8 years I hate that word!) you to try something for yourself. I have talked for a while with a few local gun shop employees on several accounts and they don’t seem to mind me taking the extra time it may take to test fit a holster on my person before walking out the door with it.

Try a holster on and move around a bit, if it doesn't work, then try another until one does. Stay safe and keep away from those two-legged critters….

Bonediggitty

[MR2]

Very informative alelks, thank you.

[Old Dog New Trick]

Originally Posted by frog130

Old dog, tell me this is a joke!

No joke Cork. While it's not for my personal taste, like I said, I work with at least a dozen professional UC/LEOs that carry a full size SIG in the front of their waistband and sit for hours at a time.

Drawing and presentation from a seated position is very natural from these rigs. So yeah, I'd only say look into it for your own decision making process.

Good luck.

[alelks]

This passed to me from a member here:

I carry a Springfield Champion in .45 quite often in a Bob Mernickle designed high rise holster. This type of holster allows for being seated for long periods of time without the barrel portion of the firearm sticking in the seat or sticking in the person carrying it. I'm at work right now and can't get to Bob's website, but if you Google his name you should be able to find it easily for the poster that asked. Bob and his wife are great people and he can call them and explain exactly what he needs. Prices are quite reasonable considering you are getting a custom product, wet molded to the exact model firearm.

MERNICKLE HOLSTERS

www.mernickleholsters.com/