Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Duty Belt vs Chest Rig for Heavy Pistols

GTS9, Chest rig. I carried a 629 (8 3/8") for years in a shoulder rig. Used to carry a 4" N Frame on a belt rig, Chest carry much better. Now, toting an X Frame and couldn't even consider a belt rig for extensive carry. memtb

in another life in the dark ages i carried a K frame model 19 with all the doo dads on a leather rig with keepers to hold on to my pants belt. I really got tired after ten hours of that of keep pulling my pants up. And I kind of liked the idea of shoulder holsters, and still do, or chest rigs. I have several of the simply rugged sourdoughs mainly for ruger redhawks, which are boat anchors, or N frame smiths. I leave them in the scabbard in the truck, but if i have to leave the truck it's easy to snap on the "chesty puller" rig simply rugged sells. Pretty good system.
I think Dflave has posted some pictures of some leather made by a guy up in montana that while i have not bought it, looked pretty good to me too.

Chest holsters. Com makes a heck of a nice kydex rig for not a lot of money. Really like mine

The Guides choice holster is the way to go. I carry my N Framed S&W revolvers in one and I like it a lot!

http://www.montanaholster.com/

Don't own one but have visited with the fella at gun shows.
Am seriously considering one with shoulder belt for my 1911.

Alukban,
I wouldn't mind seeing a picture of your DIY chest rig being worn if possible. I am thinking of making one for a j-frame

I love my HPG Kit Bags, but a 6" N-frame won't fit.

I'd take a serious look at an El Paso Saddlery Tanker.

Yep. Just tried a 6.5" N-frame and you are correct, big negatory on the HPG.

Do you have a Ruger Bisley 5.5" you could try in it? I'm thinking of a kit bag for carrying my 45 Colt Bisley this year.

I don't. If it did fit, it would be tight.

Thanks, may have to stick with the tried and true El Paso Tanker.

I've got two 5.5" Bisleys, the Old Model in .45 Colt and the New Model in .44Spl.

I'll dig 'em out and check after I get back from supper if you want.

I decided to give the crowd a head start at eating.

My 5.5" Bisley Vaquero barely fits. It would work as a last resort if you had the two zippers meet right at the heel of the grip frame. But for your purposes, I'd say stick with the Tanker.

Thanks, Tanker it is then.

HPG kit bag is THE answer, but not for a 6" gun. I vote for buying a kit bag and a gun that fits in it.

There are other makers of chest rigs like the ones from HPG.

The Kifaru Koalas are no longer made but they turn up on the second hand market. Mine will easily carry a large N frame.

It is a fairly simple matter to make your own larger chest pouch rig from the larger "admin pouches" that are available.

i have the diamond d guides choice and carry my 29 mountain gun all day and don't even know its there. i wear it under my coat with the gun off to the side sort of like a shoulder holster. i highly recommend them.

I bought a Simply Rugged chest rig for a Glock 40 10mm. I like it muchly!

Last night I found a El Paso Double Agent on my door step. I ordered it for a 3.5 pound Ruger Redhawk 5.5" 45 Colt. I was amazed at how comfortable it was in cross draw config on a decent belt. I wore it all evening and went out for dinner with it on under a jacket. It doesn't matter if you print in Iowa as long as your ccw is current. The double agent also will work as a strong side forward cant, but the cant on the cross draw is both agressive and perfect to keep the gun along the left side with the butt out for easy drawing whether standing or sitting. I'm liking this one muchly, too. I see it for my 66, too, and maybe the Bisley when I get around to placing another order.

GTS9,

Check out Ringler Custom Leather. I had him make me one of his Wyoming Combination Rigs for my Freedom Arms .454 Casull, and am very happy with the result.
It allows me to carry my Casull either at shoulder carry, strong side hip carry, or cross draw carry, all with the same rig. The workmanship is absolutely top drawer.

Another vote for the Guide's Choice. I carry a 4.2" Redhawk
with one speed loader and the cartridge carrier.