The 7075 – Safariland Has a Shoulder Rig

Did you know Safariland makes a shoulder holster? I had no earthly idea. I’ve always known Safariland as the go-to duty holster option who recently broke into the world of AIWB holsters with the IncogX. The Safariland shoulder rig, also known as the 7075 7TS ALS shoulder holster, provides the modern Safariland design with classic shoulder rig features. It also has that classic too-long-to-pronounce-and-type Safariland name, so let’s call it the 7075. Shoulder rigs are a bit of a controversial subject, and admittedly, I’ve been a big fan of the Galco series of leather shoulder holsters.

I’ve found that Galco’s shoulder rigs, specifically the Miami Classic models, are very comfortable and easy to operate, conceal, and adjust. The Galco rigs are still quite nice, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the Safariland 7075 and its performance. While the Miami Classic relies on a proven leather design, the Safariland model uses more modern materials instead. Will it replace my Miami Classic for those long road trips?

Let’s see.

Breaking Down the Safariland 7075

Let’s start with the holster portion. It’s the standard Safariland Seven material. This is a polymer material used on Safariland’s many, many duty rigs. The benefit of polymer is the fact it’s completely weatherproof. It can get wet, cold, hot, and more. The polymer won’t stretch, fold, or tear without some real effort applied.

The 7075 uses the ALS retention mechanism. This is a single-stage retention mechanism that uses a thumb-activated device. When you grip your firearm, the thumb rests naturally on the ALS device. When you press the ALS lever downward, the gun releases, and you can freely draw it. This creates a very quick but also super-secure option for retention. Shoulder holsters require active retention due to the orientation in which they are carried.

As we drift away from the holster and arrive at the shoulder cuff, we see the soft, thick cuff that provides support to the gun. The two straps that connect the holster to the shoulder rig are adjustable. They are hook and loop-secured and allow you to adjust the height and even the cant of the holster itself. This allows you to adjust the cant to push the gun downward or upward to assist your draw.

From the cuff, we get this elastic loop that attaches to the other arm. When I first saw this elastic loop, I thought that would be a pinch point. A cause of pain, and eventually the fail point of this super simple holster. The elastic band hooks over your dominant arms and acts as the second point of control for the holster. Overall, it’s a very simple holster.

Strapping on the Safariland 7075

I adjusted the holster to bring it upward and under my arm. Locking the gun under my arm helps with concealment, and I prefer a tighter, high-rise with the 7075. It tends to keep the gun from swinging or bouncing when you move. My 7075 is designed to work with the Glock 19 and a compact weapon light. That’s not a super small platform, but it tucks under the arm nicely.

The elastic strap, the pinch and pull point I dreaded oh so much, turned out not to be bad at all. The band stretches a fair bit, and even across my broad shoulders, it fits quite well and doesn’t seem to pull, pinch, or cause any pain. The 7075 doesn’t offer much adjustment, but the elastic band makes it a one-size-fits-most design.

The thicker, softer shoulder cuff does a great job of supporting the Glock 19. It’s soft enough to prevent digging into the shoulder and provides a stable enough cuff to prevent swinging. It comes together to be quite comfortable. The elastic band of the 7075 and the simple cuff design make it a lower profile than most other options.

Under a light shirt or jacket, the shoulder holster disappears quite well. It doesn’t print, and the straps aren’t obvious unless the cover garment is overly thin. The cuff might show, but it’s not the same telltale sign of a dual cuff, thick strap design. In terms of comfort, it scores high while also being quite concealable.

Drawing, Training, and Shooting

Anytime you adopt a new holster to your carry routine, it’s smart to hit the range and make sure it all works correctly. At first, I was a bit nervous in my dry fire draws. The ALS mechanism was super tight and required a ton of force to defeat and draw. Too much force, to be honest. However, within about a dozen draws, something clicked, and the amount of force required to release the gun lightened up a fair bit.

It became the ALS system I’m familiar with. I’m not sure what caused the initial tightness, but the problem solved itself. With the ALS working correctly, it revealed itself to be the fastest way to deploy the gun from a shoulder rig. It’s faster than the numerous thumb snaps I’m primarily used to. The ALS device just needs to be driven down, and the gun can be drawn.

A proper shoulder holster draw involves throwing your nondominant arm and elbow upward to avoid flagging yourself. The cuff doesn’t restrict the movement, and you can throw the arm up, grab the gun, and get it into action. The gun can be easily accessed in the standing and kneeling positions. One of the big benefits of shoulder rigs is the ability to easily access the gun when seated.

Drilling the Holster

With that in mind, I plopped my butt down and shot a few drills from the sitting position. Namely the 10-10-10 drill, the Failure to Stop drill, and even a Bill Drill. Sitting and shooting is a new experience for me, but it’s not overly difficult, and I added some spice to drills I shoot fairly often anyway. The 7075 made it easy to do and kept my handgun accessible and easy to draw in nearly any position.

Unholster – Show Clear

The Safariland 7075 was a nice surprise and a welcome one, to be sure. It’s a modern rig for a modern era. As much as I love leather, I can see the benefits of a polymer design. I was surprised by its comfort and function and the fact it can be viable without tie-downs. It’s not for everyone or every situation, but if you’re well-trained with the ALS mechanism, this is a natural option for you. It’s perfect for long road trips, days where you’re stuck in a chair, or just want something off your waist.