Top 4 Shoulder Holsters for Glocks [Buyer’s Guide + Best Choice]

Glocks are great guns for hunters, law enforcement, those of you needing self-defense or even beginners. You’ll need a proper way to carry it though, leaving you with shoulder holsters or hip holsters.

I found the shoulder holsters to be more useful for me, with the top pick being the Gould & Goodrich Gold Line Shoulder Holster. It’s made just for Glocks, so you can be sure it’ll fit whatever model you’ve got very securely, while saying comfortable on your body.

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A Brief Guide To Shoulder Holsters

Shoulder holsters are a popular carry method for handguns among police officers, active duty military and everyday citizens. They come in many different styles and types to fit your needs, but it’s not just their versatility that makes them popular.

There are a few reasons why they’re so preferred, and why you see them on just about every police show on television. The most obvious reason is due to the concealment provided.

You can draw the weapon without being too noticeable, so if there are any special conditions where you need to draw quickly, you’ll be able to.

Shoulder holsters are also practical, since any wearer can keep it on even while sitting. This is different from the belt holster that may make it difficult to remove your weapon if you’re seated or crouching down. All you have to do is reach back and aim, making them perfect for any situation.

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How To Wear A Shoulder Holster

People often have trouble making their shoulder holster feel comfortable, but this is mainly because it’s not adjusted or worn correctly. If you don’t want to compromise concealment or drawing speed, these steps will help you wear it right.

1. Put the Glock in. Start by putting the magazines in the magazine carrier, if there is one, and move on to place your Glock gun in either side of the holster.
2. Put on the Holster. Put on that holster so the Glock is under the opposite arm as your shooting hand. So if you’re left-handed, the Glock is on the right side. If you’ve got two guns, just put them both in there.
3. Back Straps. Make sure the place where the straps cross in the back is centered high, right below your collar and a little above the shoulder blades. Any holsters with pads should have the pads near the neck, not by the shoulders.
4. Adjust the Holster. The holster should hold your glock horizontally with the muzzle pointed behind you. The grip should stick out around 2 inches when your arm is straight. This will help you draw the Glock easier without showing an outline on your jacket.
5. Magazine Carrier. Make sure the magazines are right under your shooting arm and that you can easily un-strap and remove them. It might be easier to grab them if they’re tipped forward slightly.
6. Tie-Downs. Attach tie-downs to a belt to keep the holster snug against your sides. This is optional, but may feel more comfortable.
7. Practice. Finally, practice with a jacket. Make sure you can draw your weapon smoothly and if you can’t, make a few more adjustments.

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Advantages of Shoulder Holsters

There are many reasons to get yourself a shoulder holster when you’ve got a Glock, which I’ve listed here.

• Great for Glocks: Heavy handguns fit great, and the weight is more distributed than with a hip holster. Any gun can be carried even for days without discomfort.
• Long Barrels: If you’ve got long-barreled guns, shoulder holsters are your only real option for concealed carry. Shoulder holsters are great for concealment in general though.
• Perfect while sitting: Driving or sitting isn’t a problem when you need to hold onto your gun. If you’re working or crawling under things, it’ll stay on securely. Any movement at all is simplified with a shoulder holster.
• Movement: Even if you’re not crawling or moving under things, you’ll find that you can move around more easily. Your holster won’t get caught on anything and will lay flat against your body. This will keep it clean and less dusty too.
• Storage and Versatility: With a shoulder holster, you can keep the Glock and spare ammo close to you, which is ideal in an emergency situation. Regardless of what gun you have, you shouldn’t have any problem fitting in your holster.

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Best Shoulder Holsters for Glocks

This shoulder holster is made from durable and rugged nylon, so it’s built to last. It’s black, waterproof, lightweight and perfectly sized for both your Glocks and magazine pouches.

1. GOULD & GOODRICH GOLD LINE SHOULDER HOLSTER

This holster is made right in the USA with top grain vegetable tanned genuine leather. This holster adjusts fully for comfort with straps that lay flat, double ammunition, and non-glare leather.

Pros

• Easily adjustable and made from quality materials
• Holster hugs your Glock perfectly to keep it snug and secure
• Holds your Glock and ammo securely with no slippage
• The wide front strap section distributes the weight more firmly than other kinds of holsters
• Very comfortable and easy to adjust and pull from a sitting position

Cons

• You do need to buy the tie-down straps separately
• The leather straps are a little thin, and people question how long they will last
• The mag pouches are very solid and stiff, so you may need to adjust them a bit
• The barrel of the gun isn’t totally encased
• The leather is a little rougher than some buyers might light, and will take some time to break in

2. UNDER CONTROL TACTICAL SHOULDER HOLSTER FOR CONCEALED CARRY

Pros

• It’s fully adjustable, with a clip behind the shoulder pads to balance the weight and keep the holster from shifting
• Includes impact resistant plastic sliders and a quick release buckle that tailor it to individuals
• Shoulders are padded for comfort, but not puffy
• Reinforced corners
• Very high attention to detail
• It’s a vertical carry and can carry even weapons with larger muzzles with ease
• The included Velcro clips attach easily to your belt

Cons

• Not waterproof, although it is somewhat water resistant
• There aren’t included instructions on how to adjust the holster
• The double lock is a little bulky
• Some guns are too large to fit in the holster although it won’t happen with your Glock
• There isn’t a thumb break for one-handed retrieval of your gun

3. FEDERAL SHOULDER HOLSTERS FOR GLOCKS DOUBLE MAG POUCH HORIZONTAL CARRY

When you’re looking for comfort, the dual stay flat shoulder pads are sure to fit snugly. You can carry two magazines in the double magazine pouch, and the six way size adjustment is sure to fit anyone. Tie-down straps for your belt are even included.

Pros

• No problems adjusting straps to various specifications
• Very comfortable; can be worn all day without any issues
• The holster is easy to unsnap when drawing your Glock
• Magazine pouches and the Glock are securely put in place
• Remains close to the body; fits snugly
• The price is very cost effective
• You can reach both the glock and magazines with ease, and the actual holster is light and comfortable

Cons

• It is a little bulky when you actually wear it underneath a jacket
• Doesn’t seem to conceal as well if you have a more slender stature
• Takes time to break in and sit more comfortably
• The biggest consistent problem is with the quality more than anything else

4. GALCO JACKASS RIG SHOULDER SYSTEM FOR GLOCKS RIGHT HAND

Fit the Glock 17 or 31 in this Galco shoulder harness. It’s tested for durability and quality, with a horizontal holster that can be adjusted.

You’ll get the harness, an ammo carrier and a set of screws too.

Pros

• Very versatile with many adjustment possibilities and options, like having or not having a mag pouch, tie-downs, or higher or lower slung on your body
• The thumb break style makes sure it stays on securely
• You can conceal it in a wide variety of jackets or coats
• It’s very trim and not easily seen
• The angled holster makes it easy to conceal most glocks without them being obvious or getting in your way

Cons

• It does take a good amount of time to set up properly
• The holster is very tight until it’s broken in properly
• You do need to stretch the straps yourself over time if you want it to fit more comfortably
• The double mag pouch does seem a little large
• Thin straps can make it uncomfortable to wear
• The pricing may be high for some buyers

5. GALCO SHOULDER HOLSTER MIAMI CLASSIC

This classic Glock holster is perfect for any type of glock that you pick up.

The materials are top quality, so you can be sure they’ll last a while too. The leather straps keep it snug on your body and keep your weapon perfectly concealed.

Pros

• Doesn’t get in the way at all, and can be adjusted easily
• Holds Glocks easily with snugly fitting magazines
• Very high quality leather and comfortable to wear without any bulges

Cons

• It does take some time to really break it in and make it comfortable to wear
• It can be difficult to fit your Glocks in there initially before it’s broken in

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Final Thoughts

There are many reasons why you might want to purchase a great shoulder holster. Overall, the preferred choice seems to be the Gould & Goodrich Gold Line Shoulder Holster.

It fits easily and doesn’t take as much time to break in as some other holsters, although all of these top picks are great options too.