To answer #1, if you leave the top corner of the pistol compartment unzipped for an inch or two, its designed to rip open easily without having to unzip, and it works. Second, it has multiple compartments and can accommodate a pistol and binoculars. The other benefit of a chest pack is, when you take your backpack off, you still have your pistol with you; not so with anything that attaches to the pack belt. If that doesn't work, go for the Safepacker. Very unobtrusive.
