Where can a guy get a high quality shoulder rig?

Go to eBay and do a search for Alessi. If you can find an Alessi shoulder rig that works with your Blackhawk Bisley 6'' you will be the envy of your shooting peers. Most of the American officers you see in Iran/Afganistan use one of Uncle Lou's rigs. Regards, Richard:)

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richardoldfield said:
Go to eBay and do a search for Alessi. If you can find an Alessi shoulder rig that works with your Blackhawk Bisley 6'' you will be the envy of your shooting peers. Most of the American officers you see in Iran/Afganistan use one of Uncle Lou's rigs. Regards, Richard:)

HolsterandPouch.jpg
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Unless it's a one-off custom rig, you wn't find an Alessi for a single action nor will you find a horizontal rig for a wheelgun that long. Additionally it would be impractical, uncomfortable and in all probability dangerous.

Lou Alessi has not been in good health recently and as a result his work is backlogged more than a year. There are relatively few of his sholder rigs floating around out there (not "few" but "relatively few" - in comparison to say Galco or Safariland or Bianchi). Most of the rigs that you see on deployed guys are either Galco or made by the hadji shops in-country. There are very few Alessi rigs there, as guys who know about such things have looked and they are scarce like rocking horse crap. They are certainly not in the majority...
 
I found that for me it was difficult to reach the gun in a shoulder holster if it was in the traditional under the armpit vertical position. I decided I would try the "Gambler" from Kirkpatrick as this put the gun farther forward and in more of a cross draw position. It is the holster worn by Val Kilmer in Tombstone. To make a long story short, it proved pretty much unsatisfactory for all day carry. The first hiccup was the fact that there was no hammer thong, which I improvised. After several weeks of adjusting the straps I finally had to conclude this wasn't a great choice and I gave up. Now I carry in a pancake belt holster from Simply Rugged in Alaska. This keeps the gun tight to my body in the hollow under my rib cage on the strong side and can also be used with a slant for cross draw. I know this isn't what you have in mind, but good luck with your search.
 
Boomer said:
I found that for me it was difficult to reach the gun in a shoulder holster if it was in the traditional under the armpit vertical position. I decided I would try the "Gambler" from Kirkpatrick as this put the gun farther forward and in more of a cross draw position. It is the holster worn by Val Kilmer in Tombstone. To make a long story short, it proved pretty much unsatisfactory for all day carry. The first hiccup was the fact that there was no hammer thong, which I improvised. After several weeks of adjusting the straps I finally had to conclude this wasn't a great choice and I gave up. Now I carry in a pancake belt holster from Simply Rugged in Alaska. This keeps the gun tight to my body in the hollow under my rib cage on the strong side and can also be used with a slant for cross draw. I know this isn't what you have in mind, but good luck with your search.
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Good to know boomer. Thing is I have to be wearing a cruiser's vest all day, so strong side belt carry is kind of out of the question. I think somthing like CC's chest rig, or even a slanter crossdraw further to the front would suit me better.
 
What I like best about the 2 holsters I use is that both hang/mount in almost exactly the same place the shoulder holster sits only about 2" higher than the belt holster.

Both have the identical thumb break release so my draw is almost exactly the same with either holster, I can also draw the handgun using either hand if needed.

Like Boomer stated I do not like the under arm shoulder holsters either or strong side carry I find my hand/wrist are constantly hitting the revolver/handgun and on days that I am jumping in and out of my pickup I am constantly adjusting the holster for comfort.

I have been legally carrying handguns for 7 years now and with a lot of trial and error I have found these are the best carry methods for me... :)
 
Alessi Holster is still in business, they're ONLY accepting orders by letters at this point. Even when Lou was still with us waiting times were often over a year.

I have their bodyguard holster for P7M8 and 1911 commander. They also make a vertical shoulder holster for revolvers too. Excellent holster, fits much better than the Galco Miami classic.
 
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