When I was first contacted about running a ‘shoulder Holster’ my grey matter processed dozens of movies and images ranging from Vietnam and Dirty Harry through to Death Wish and the most iconic of images, Stallone in ‘Cobra’. However when it arrived and I put it on the picture of the Secret Service Agent from the failed assassination attempt of Ronald Regan was what stuck.
The Universal Covert Shoulder Rig from UK Tactical Manufacture ‘Intelligent Armour’ is a modern twist on that classic system. Still incorporating steel & leather but complimented with modern day materials like 1000D cordura, HK Hooks and MOLLE.
There are two versions available from Intelligent Armour; the one pictured which can support most submachine guns (as I understand it was originally designed for the British Police & Royal Protection Teams so the G36, MP5 & MP7 being the primary) and one specifically designated for the H&K KURTZ (see website for those details). I did run a G36 model but I also ran both the KRISS Vector as well as the ‘shotgun’ (as seen) and they all seemed to function within similar parameters.
As you can see the rig is a mixture of both texturized cordura & leather with the focus of comfort for the user including adjustability. They have incorporated a number of points on this rig to adjust to the user from the primary back strap, the weapon shoulder strap as well as the padded MOLLE panel.
The MOLLE panel is 3×4 and would allow for a variety of pouches to be affixed, user / role specific. It is also padded for that extra layer of comfort.
You will also find two Velcro attached belt loops attached at the rear of the panel, again allowing the user to adjust to their physical size while keeping a low profile and snug fit to your frame.
As you can see the sling attachment that comes with the rig looks long however it becomes evident once attaching different weapon platforms. I never used the full length version, I was more than happy to run the ‘shortest’ version.
The weapons are all secured to the straps via the HK Snap hook a military specified and worldwide recognised fastener from Heckler & Koch. There are a number of smaller things that became noticeable when examining this particular area. With the use of a tight elastic shroud on the HK hooks they have provided both additional security but also reduce the noise element.
They have also combated a free ‘swing’ of the weapon once attached by stamping a metal fast snap through the 1”nylon strap and the use of a plastic loop to reduce any noise that may be caused from the weapon moving while being concealed. This combination maintains the ‘weapon strap’ in a front-high mounted position where your principle hand will come to bare quite naturally on your weapon.
Overall the Covert Shoulder Rig does provide a light weight, low visibility, low noise-carry system that fits snuggly to the body and can be attached securely. It has a number of adjustable positions to fit a variety of different physical frames as well as accommodate a wide variety of ‘sub-machine gun’ sized weapons. It’s manufactured out of modern materials and the hardware has not been scrimped on, the construction is solid and it’s from a UK company.
I can easily see the benefit that this shoulder rig could provide to those in active service (police, Close Protection and other services that require a ‘covert’ weapons carry option). However I am not in a position to go into that. In Airsoft terms those who skirmish in a CQB environment, those who take a sniper role and have a need for a secondary platform and those that take on more of a CP load-out, this is for you. If you want to stand out on the skirmish field then this will certainly make that happen.
I would like to thank Intelligent Armour for providing this rig for review and you can see a wider range of their products on their website via >>> www.body-armour-protection.co.uk/
Photography – www.flare-photography.com
[ACE] Thanks to our reviewer Richard aka FireBase Alpha for the product test.
