davegran
Regular Member
I've been meaning to try a shoulder holster with my XDs but didn't want to lay out $100 or more for something I might not like. Last week my searches led me onto eBay and a seller called Outbags USA. In looking through the holster descriptions I found one for the Bursa Thunder here. Model # OB-29SH. The dimensions listed were almost exactly the size of the XDs! It was 600 denier nylon with a double mag pouch that fits both the 5 and 7 round mags, and an adjustable thumb break for $19.99! Free shipping and it's made in the USA.
It came on Saturday and I verified that the workmanship was very nice and the holster fit was tight, but acceptable. I wrapped the gun in a plastic bag and left it holstered overnight. On Sunday the draw and reholster were much better so I adjusted the gun and mag positions, plus the hold down straps and the thumb break to my liking and wore it all day around the house with my unloaded XDs. Very comfortable.
There are more pictures of it on the eBay page.
"Why carry unloaded?", you ask. I've never owned a shoulder holster with thumb break before so I knew it would take some practice to develop the muscle memory to draw my XDs quickly and safely. Snap caps are my friend.
The holster appears to be well made of a material that isn't quite as thin and concealable as a leather type; but for a minimal outlay of cash I will be able to find out if this method of carry is something I want to adopt, and I have given a small American company some business.
It came on Saturday and I verified that the workmanship was very nice and the holster fit was tight, but acceptable. I wrapped the gun in a plastic bag and left it holstered overnight. On Sunday the draw and reholster were much better so I adjusted the gun and mag positions, plus the hold down straps and the thumb break to my liking and wore it all day around the house with my unloaded XDs. Very comfortable.
There are more pictures of it on the eBay page.
"Why carry unloaded?", you ask. I've never owned a shoulder holster with thumb break before so I knew it would take some practice to develop the muscle memory to draw my XDs quickly and safely. Snap caps are my friend.
Warning!
The tendency when drawing from a shoulder holster is to sweep your own weak side arm... not good. The technique most recommended is to put your weak side hand on the opposite shoulder and lift up your elbow until the muzzle clears your arm at which time your weak side hand comes down to complete the two handed grip. There is an illustrated article on the Cornered Cat website which shows how to start out with your arms crossed in a seemingly innocent gesture which puts you at an advantage over the bad guy; very cool. You have been warned; if you shoot your arm off and bleed out, it's your fault, not mine.
The holster appears to be well made of a material that isn't quite as thin and concealable as a leather type; but for a minimal outlay of cash I will be able to find out if this method of carry is something I want to adopt, and I have given a small American company some business.