ltwguns.com

I'll ask here cause you guys know holsters. I have a friend who is an Air Force C-17 pilot that just returned from the sandbox. He was using an inferior shoulder holster for his issued M9 and hated it.

He wants to step up to a custom leather shoulder rig with gun and 2 mag pouches to wear over body armor. Anyone have any insight to what has worked for other deployed troops, especially pilots?

I know most of the names (Alessi, Bulman, etc.) that are out there but are there any others and what would the best models be? Some have mentioned that a tanker holster is ideal but I'm not sure they are made. He doesn't have a need for concealment right now but someday he might.

Any help would be appreciated (pics would be great) so he can get on a maker's waiting list to hopefully get it before the next deployment.

Well you mention two premier makers. Josh Bulman is very very good....his Shoulder rig that you want is the HSH3...its about 350.00 and worth every penny.
Lou makes some of the best stuff around and his is the Bodyguard...both are horizontal setups which should be fine for the M9...its not as long as a 1911.
Check out both of their stuff........you very likely wont be disappointed.

Shoot well and god bless

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If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice....Rush.

I can reccomend two companies that have excellent "off the shelf" shoulder systems for your friend. And best of all, no wait time and most of them are under $100, which I know is a concern for our service members. Try Galco's excellent "Holsters for Heroes" program!!! When one holster is purchased, they will supply and additional 2 holsters to servicemen at no cost! You can read up on it at the link below. Their holsters are VERY good for "off the shelf" and in fact I spoke with some Marine V-22 Osprey Pilots last year at Ft. AP Hill on training and two of them were wearing these!!
Also try El Paso Saddlry in TX...they also make some excellent products and they still make an excellent version of the 1942 Tanker Holster, which would work very well for your friends purposes. I have an original Tanker from the Korean era and use it from time to time on my 4 wheeler..keeps the weapon secure and out of the way. Best wishes to you and your friend and THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR SERVICE!!! GOD BLESS YOU!--John

http://www.usgalco.com/Holster4Heroes.htm
http://www.epsaddlery.com/c-9-holsters.aspx

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"There is a true glory and a true honor, the glory of duty done, the honor of integrity and principle."--Gen. Robert Edward Lee

Just my two bits but being retired from the USAF I'm well aware of how cramped a cockpit can be and for this reason I'd recommend a rig with a vertical holster as they don't have the tendency to "pop out" the rear with a larger weapon like the Beretta and could even be worn underneath a flight suit comfortably and without much showing.

One of the nicest shoulder holsters is made by Ted Blocker. Its called the life line rig. I carried a Glock 19 in one for several years as a back up to my duty weapon. It is worth a look and Blocker doesn't have the long wait time as the others.

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Building Hand Crafted Leather for the 1911 Platform

A hundred years ago when I was flying Hueys, I had a holster that strapped across my chest, but didn't interfere with my strap in harness. Can't remember where I got it, but it was secure and didn't flop around like traditional shoulder holsters.

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