Shoulder holsters are an oft-overlooked accessory for civilian concealed carriers. We often think of them in terms of undercover cops or Federal agents, but not for ourselves. But the venerable shoulder holster has some clear advantages over the traditional belt holster, providing a valuable tool to your concealed carry regimen.
Today, we’ll look at the Safariland 1051 ALS shoulder holster and what it brings to the table.
Safariland 1051 ALS Shoulder Holster Features
The Safariland 1051 ALS begins with the holster, though the shoulder rigging dictates how the holster is carried. So, we’ll look at each one separately, then bring them together for a philosophy of use section.
The ALS Holster System
ALS holsters, by themselves, are Level 1 Retention Holsters, meaning they require one distinct human action to clear the firearm. In this case, it’s pressing the ALS thumb release lever with your firing-hand thumb to release the pistol. It’s very intuitive.
Your thumb naturally rests on the lever as you grip the pistol. Depress it, and the pistol comes free. I have several ALS holsters, and it comes so naturally that I barely notice it. But it keeps my firearm locked in the holster and ensures that no unauthorized person gains access.
The 1051 ALS holster features SafariLaminate thermalformed construction, providing a perfectly formed holster which is rigid enough for drawing and reholstering with one hand. If you’ve carried a pistol for any length of time, you know that’s a big deal. It’s also adjustable for horizontal or vertical carry. That’s easily accomplished in a few minutes using an Allen wrench
The holster is compatible with numerous firearm models from Beretta, Glock, Heckler & Koch, Sig Sauer, Sphinx, and Springfield Armory. Mine is for my Beretta 92G. The 1051 ALS is also available in right and left-hand models. It is NOT, however, optic-compatible.
The Shoulder Harness
The fully-adjustable leather harness is light and strong. It also has just a little bit of give to allow easy movement while wearing it. The middle-of-the-back harness nexus provides maximum stability and balance. Large polymer rivets hold everything together and allow it to conform freely to your movements.
The harness also includes a vertically oriented leather dual magazine pouch on the off side. The magazines point downward and are held in by Velcro flaps, making for secure storage and easy deployment. Mine functions well with both 15 and 17-round magazines.
Three elastic anchor straps attach to the pants on either side and in the back. They stem from the holster attachment plate, the magazine holster, and the back nexus.
Wearing the Safariland 1051 ALS Shoulder Holster
The harness is quite comfortable once it’s properly adjusted. The anchor clips stay attached to my pants and are easily unlocked when I want to take off the holster. My pistol draws smoothly and reliably with easy reholstering. The ALS thumb lever is responsive and, as I said earlier, very intuitive. I like having that extra security combined with easy use.
The harness stays hidden under a jacket, and the anchor straps keep the gun and magazines secured at my sides. There’s no swinging or drooping when I bend over. The only giveaway might be the gun’s orientation—though while a trained eye might notice, most people won’t.
Speaking of orientation, I prefer the horizontal cant. I think it’s an easier and faster draw. But my Beretta is a big pistol, and it prints just a bit with lighter jackets when carried horizontally. That’s where the adjustable cant comes in.
I can change from horizontal to vertical based on attire or what I’m doing. Changing the cant on the go isn’t really practical, but a little planning can tell you when you need to go vertical. Of course, a smaller handgun would negate that need, and I may get one for a shorter gun at some point.
Why I Like a Shoulder Holster
I usually carry on my right hip at 4 o’clock. I don’t like appendix carry, though I can if I have to. But neither hip nor appendix carry are ideal for driving, or if I’m going someplace where I expect to be sitting a lot.
A shoulder holster is perfect for those scenarios. Especially for driving. Reaching for a gun on my right hip while wearing a seat belt is a real problem. Wearing a shoulder holster with a loose, unbuttoned shirt over it is easy. I like having that option if I want it.
Like anything else, being smooth with a shoulder holster requires practice. But you may need some extra planning to get that practice. Many ranges, including most indoor ranges, do not allow shoulder holsters because you almost inevitably flag other shooters when you draw. A right-handed shooter on the left end or a left-handed shooter on the right end are the only exceptions. So, you’ll need to check range rules or find a place where you can shoot safely.
Of course, practicing at home as part of a dry fire regimen will also build your skills.
Safariland 1051 ALS Shoulder Holster Final Thoughts
I like this holster a lot. It’s not an everyday item for me, but I love having the option. If I drove a lot or spent my days sitting in an office, I think I’d use it a lot. It’s comfortable, even with that big Beretta under my arm, and I like how the design keeps in it place with my normal movements.
I also like having Safariland quality. Yes, this is the Safariland blog, and you may think I’m expected to say that. That may be true, but not for the reasons you might think. If I’m expected to say such things, it’s because Safariland is confident that their products work, not because they tell me to say them.
This holster works, and it works well, as do other Safariland models. It’s obviously a quality product and I expect it to last for the rest of my life. I can’t always say that about products I test.
The only complaint I have about the 1051 ALS is that it’s not compatible with revolvers. At all. I’d love to carry my Colt Viper in this thing, and it would be perfect for a J-Frame. But maybe that’s just me. There, I said something negative. Sort of.
But there’s nothing negative about this holster’s performance. I love it, and I bet you will too.
