The Best Shoulder Holsters for Concealed Carry

Simply put, this is the best CCW shoulder rig on the market today. It’s not cheap, so buy once cry once. This is the quintessential shoulder holster. A vertical magazine carrier is also available as the original Classic if you prefer.  Once this holster is broken in, you can expect years of daily comfort and reliability. It has excellent Galco build quality and off side double magazine carrier for balance and capacity. The swivel point harness adds tot he comfort level and tie downs  are available for a tailored fit.
This is one of those sweet rigs that once broken in, will last for years thanks to excellent contoured leather retention. The standard rig comes with a horizontal magazine carrier.

Cons

Price, this holster quality comes at a $260  price tag
Full grain leather takes longer break in
Not suitable for most electronic sighting systems
A bit thicker than kydex

In my opinion, this holster has it all. The right balance of comfort, capacity, and Galco quality, all at an affordable price. It has a double mag pouch for capacity and balance and the thinner leather conceals easier and takes less break in time, which is a big plus. There are swivel points for movement and comfort and tie downs are available to keep things settled. It is also available for a great price for a Galco all leather holster. I like this one a lot and think you will too. A jack of all trades but master of none, this holster has an excellent combination of comfort,  quality, and price, but lacks positive retention and full grain leather durability.

The trade off is  it has thinner leather than the Classic and so it does not offer the same level of durability. It also only comes with vertical mag carrier, and I feel there is less positive gun retention when compared to Kydex or contoured, full-grain leather. It also may not fit every body type.

The Aker is a good middle of the road option for contoured full grain leather. It has an upward pistol angle that may provide extra comfort and concealment for certain pistol and body types. There is a double mag pouch for capacity and balance, something I prefer in a shoulder rig. There are swivel points for movement and comfort and a big plus are the adjustable mag pouch tension screws, so you can dial the mag pouches to your taste.

One drawback is that there is a thicker under arm than Kydex or the Galco Classic Lite 2.0 and I think the strap leather may wear faster than other brands. Still, this is a great mid-level shoulder holster for concealed carry.

The Galco Parabellum offers the benefits of Kydex in a hybrid under arm rig. It is thinner and lighter than leather and may fit and conceal better for certain body types. Kydex offers excellent durability and the quality retention you’d expect. A big plus here is that it may fit electronic sights better, which are becoming more and more popular. Kydex may have a harsher feel under arm.
It is also nearly the cost of the Classic even with Kydex. Overall, though, this may be the best option for red dot/reflex sights in a love it or hate it package. The Galco Parabellum offers a thinner lighter holster at a cheaper price than the Classic, but the underarm feel of kydex might not be for everyone, comfort can be clothing dependent.

For those that like vertical carry option at a competitive price the X15 is a great option. It is made from durable full-grain leather and is one of my favorite options for carrying wheel guns. It is a different harness style than most, and it could be the fit you’ve been looking for. The sized universal holster fits multiple guns and it comes with a belt loop tie down  as standard. Universal fit not as snug a retention method as contoured leather or Kydex, so know that before you buy. Full grain leather means full break in required, too. The unique harness style may not be for everyone and the fabric strap can stretch over time. There’s no mag pouch, either.  The bottom line is quality holster with a comfortable fit. If you tried but didn’t like a different shoulder holster style before, try the X15, it’s a unique fit that can offer all day comfort.

The Galco VHS 4.0 has all the goods of the Miami Classic, for those who prefer a vertical orientation. That means excellent Galco build quality with outstanding contoured leather retention. There is a double magazine carrier for balance and capacity, a swivel point harness and a built-in belt tie down. It’s pricey, but it is a premium product so you would expect a premium price point. Like the Miami, full break in required to reach maximum comfort. It also fits a smaller selection of guns. It’s a Galco, but vertical. Quality and durability of this holster is second to none for vertical carry.