Anyone who knows me can tell you—I have a deep affinity for J-Frames. Currently, I own four different models. When someone claims to be a shooter but struggles to shoot a snubbie accurately, or they call themselves a firearms instructor yet don’t teach revolvers, I tell them they aren’t quite what they claim to be.
Truth be told, especially in the heat of North Texas, I carry a J-Frame with spare ammo more than any other handgun.
Shoulder Holsters: A Classic Carry Option
Some of the younger crowd might not be very familiar with shoulder holsters, but back in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, they were all the rage.
Top Reasons for Carrying with a Shoulder Holster:
- No Belt Required – If you’re wearing a belt, you don’t need to carry a gun on it. If you’re not, no problem. I often wear PT shorts, and a shoulder holster allows me to carry both my firearm and spare ammunition, easily concealed under a light vest or hoodie.
- Ideal for Vehicle Access – A shoulder rig makes drawing your firearm much easier while seated in a vehicle. I spend a lot of time driving, and this is a huge advantage.
- Grab-and-Go Convenience – With an integrated ammo pouch, you have everything you need in a single grab during an emergency. Minus a light of course.
- Natural Draw Stroke – Drawing from a shoulder rig mimics the familiar motion of retrieving something from the inside of your jacket. This might give you the seconds you need to get it out when faced with a threat.
- Even Weight Distribution – A properly adjusted shoulder holster distributes weight evenly, especially when counterbalanced with spare ammo. The Galco Classic Lite 2.0, for example, includes a dual-speed-loader pouch, making it a well-balanced setup.
My Introduction to Shoulder Holsters
My first experience with a shoulder rig—outside of movies and TV—was in 1992 when I was a young Military Policeman stationed at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland. A squadmate knew I wanted a shoulder rig for my 1911 and took me to the Cop Shop in Baltimore. The guy working there, a retired Baltimore copper, asked me, “How much do you want to spend?”
At the time, I had no real expenses, lived in the barracks, and whatever I didn’t spend would just go to beer money. So, I told him I wanted something nice. I walked out of that store a bit lighter in the wallet but the proud owner of a Galco Miami Classic—a rig I loved for many years. To this day, I have no idea what happened to it. That experience, however, was my first introduction to both Galco and quality holsters.
Finding the Right Shoulder Rig for 2024
Fast-forward to today, and I wanted a shoulder rig for my J-Frames. As I researched, I was reminded of something the old-timer at the Cop Shop told me decades ago: You can spend as much as you want.
There are plenty of custom shoulder rigs out there for J-Frames, but budget-friendly leather options are limited. Eventually, I stumbled across the Galco Classic Lite 2.0.
In my opinion, this rig is essentially a Miami Classic but with cost-saving adjustments that benefit the end user. Instead of finished leather, it uses center-cut steer hide in an attractive brown suede color. This not only reduces cost but also makes the rig lighter. When carrying lightweight revolvers like my S&W Model 642 and Model 37 (featured in this article), there’s no need for thick leather. Even my all-steel Model 60 carries well without any noticeable issues.
Comfort & Adjustability
The comfort of any shoulder rig comes down to two factors:
- The harness straps – This rig features Galco’s signature clover-shaped Flexalon swivel backplate, just like the Miami Classic I had back in the day. The straps are thin but don’t need to be wider.
- Proper adjustment – Taking time to adjust the rig correctly makes all the difference.
The holster itself features a metal-reinforced thumb break. While not molded, it holds the revolver securely without any excess movement. The offside dual-speed-loader pouch provides an additional 10 rounds of spare ammo, which initially seemed bulky but turned out to be quite comfortable.
Stability & Practicality
The rig includes loops at the bottom of the holster and ammo pouch for optional belt straps (not included). However, I don’t find them necessary. Being somewhat barrel-chested, I don’t use them on my DeSantis New York Undercover rig for my Glock 19 either—my build naturally keeps everything in place.
A key adjustment tip: Loosen the back strap slightly while tightening the front. This shifts the holster and pouches slightly forward on the chest rather than sitting directly under the arm, improving stability.
Beyond firearms training, I also train dogs for a living, which can be physically demanding. Even after significant movement and activity, I’ve never felt the need to readjust this rig.
Final Thoughts
At under $100, the Galco Classic Lite 2.0 is a well-executed rig with a proven track record, made from quality materials in the USA. The steer hide has a slightly abrasive texture, which actually helps keep it in place once adjusted properly.
J-Frames lend themselves to more carry options than any other handgun, in my opinion. Depending on my day, I might carry a J-Frame three different ways—cross-draw on a belt, ankle carry, and in this shoulder rig.
While the Classic Lite won’t win any beauty contests, who cares? It’s built for concealed carry.
So, if you’re a snubbie lover looking for a solid shoulder rig, this one is definitely worth considering.
