SHOULDER HOLSTER—custom design by Tim Sundles
Key Takeaways
Transcript
The Sundles Ready Rig: My Shoulder Holster for Outdoor & Concealed Carry
Hi folks, Tim Sundles here in our African office, and today I’m going to talk about the shoulder holster I use—why I designed it the way I did and how it works.
I keep getting questions about what kind of shoulder holster I wear, so let me explain the history behind it.
The History of My Shoulder Holster Design
Over 40 years ago, I worked with Brian Doughty, a custom holster maker, to design a fast, secure, and stable shoulder holster that wouldn’t flop around—especially when riding a horse or a dirt bike with a heavy handgun.
Brian passed away years ago, but I wanted to keep the design alive, so I sent a few of my old holsters to Rob Leahy of Simply Rugged Holsters and asked him to replicate and refine the attachment system. The result is the Sundles Ready Rig, and Rob now makes them for any handgun model.
Why This Holster Works for Me
I currently have a model made for a 4-inch barrel X-Frame Smith & Wesson chambered in .500 S&W, but since that gun is still sitting in customs in Africa, I’ll demonstrate without it.
Fast Draw:
The snap is designed for your middle finger—you hit it, and your trigger finger naturally lands on the trigger guard as you pull the gun straight out the front.
This method is much faster than pulling the gun upward.
If you want to see how fast it is, check out my video on handguns for defense against animals.
Concealability:
With just a light overshirt or jacket, the rig disappears.
It works just as well for a semi-auto defensive pistol as it does for a big hunting revolver.
Comfort & Stability:
Adjustable shoulder straps (secured with Velcro) ensure a proper fit.
Unlike some other shoulder holsters, this one doesn’t flop around, even when running, riding, or moving aggressively.
Black leather helps with concealment—if your jacket blows open, black doesn’t stand out the way tan or brown leather does.
Compatibility with Gear:
Works with a backpack—the waist belt goes over the holster without interfering.
Works with binoculars in a bino harness, unlike some chest holsters that get in the way.
Chest Holster vs. Shoulder Holster
Chest holsters are a split second faster, but they interfere with binoculars and backpacks.
Shoulder holsters (like this one) are still plenty fast and much more practical when wearing other gear.
You can see me draw a Glock 21 from a chest holster in my EDC guns video.
Features & Tradeoffs of the Sundles Ready Rig
There’s a tradeoff with every holster design, but here’s what sets this one apart:
✅ Secure attachment—held in place by your belt, not just the shoulder harness.
✅ Ammo storage—for revolvers, it has cartridge loops; for semi-autos, it holds two spare magazines.
✅ Sight clearance—it has a cutout for adjustable sights to prevent rubbing.
✅ Comfortable for all-day wear—even when moving or sitting for long periods.
❌ Takes 20-30 seconds longer to put on than some other designs.
Where to Get One
Rob Leahy at Simply Rugged Holsters now makes this holster for any pistol model.
It’s called The Sundles Ready Rig—just call Rob and ask for it.
I don’t make a dime on this—it’s just a good holster option for those who ask what I use.
Final Thoughts
I hope this video has been informative and gives you some good leather and gun carry options.
God bless, and we’ll see you in the next video!
