Looking for guidance on a chest holster for walking in the woods or tracking and while out hunting. I seem to wind up looking at double diamond they offer nylon and leather
Since I want a fitted holster I am going to have to make a choice on the gun I am more of a double action guy I have a 4in S&W 69 44mag or a 5.5 Ruger Blackhawk in 41 (one of my favs)
Last season I finished a friends deer with a 686 and I was underwhelmed with the results of a Corbon 357 so I want to up the caliber
I am also a bubba so need something that fits a bubba I had a quality bino pack and it seemed tight and felt were restricted


I am sure I will get good ideas

Hank

https://gunfightersinc.com/shop/ready-to-ship-kenai-chest-holsters/

Looks good I wonder if I could order a shell for both and carry whatever I want at that time?

Hank

Yes. I believe you can, Hank. Would give them a call. Friendly folks.

If you want versatility, look at Alien Gear too.

The quality and fit of my new Paradise Valley chest holster is excellent. I had one put up for my HK 45, but I believe I’ll also be ordering a couple of more for my GP 100 .357 and Glock 10 mm. I wanted leather and a thumb break and that is how these guys make them. It took around 5 weeks for me to receive my holster, and it was certainly worth the wait. This counts too-they are hand made in Montana…

https://paradisevalleyleather.com/leather-chest-holsters/

Judge for yourself…

I have come to abhor kydex holsters for hunting due to the noise they make. The racket from brush slapping on them is bad enough, but when you try to draw on a deer, the sound of the gun coming out of the holster puts them to flight. The Diamond D leather models are spendy but nice. Their nylon model is garbage: they fit the gun poorly (like a cheap uncle mikes nylon) and the retention strap is such that if you have to use your off hand to clear the strap in order to re-holster, otherwise it can snag the trigger and cause a negligent discharge. This leads to another problem, having to put your hand in front of the muzzle to holster the gun. No thanks.

The Diamond D harness system for their garbage holster is actually quite nice. I threw the garbage holster away and used the harness with a sourdough pancake holster to make a sweet chest rig. It worked so well that I used kydex, sliders, rivets, and nylon straps to make duplicate chest rigs for other guns. I basically saved over $100 each time I did this. The sourdough holsters are very high quality for a great price. I use a hair dryer to warm them up and soak in melted beeswax in order to waterproof them, a definite need in the rainy country I live in.

That paradise valley holster looks nice.

El Paso saddlery 1942 Tanker

It's not a true chest holster but my favorite is the Montana:
https://www.montanaholster.com/

We have several “gunfighter’s inc. holsters and like them. However, removing the handgun from the kydex is very noisy!

As handgun hunting is generally close range hunting…..I use “only” leather holsters for hunting. I use a Galco cross-chest rig for my hunting handgun……almost silent draw! memtb

Thanks for posting that. I had never heard of them.

The El Paso Saddlery Tanker rig works fine:

I’ll be the other guy.

Tried two Kenai holsters, and neither fit the G19 properly. Way too loose. Also, disappointingly, there was no adjustable retention.

Contacted company, and their reply was “just put it in the oven and refit it”

Nonstarter and unacceptable.

Went with a local supplier. They had a long lead time, but we’ll worth the wait. Much superior product.

https://dynamicdefensesolutionsak.com/holsters/

Their holsters can be mounted on chest rig, paddle, etc.

I’ll second the Montana rig , one belt and have four holsters from everything…….S&W shield , S&W686 scoped an non , TC Contender with 16” barrel .

Comfortable for a 300# barrel chested guy.

Norm will build what you need

Wow. That sucks. My guns snap right in.

Yeah, Greg. That’s what I expected based on how well they are reviewed. CS was disappointing as well.

Paddle and chest rigs from DDS snap nicely now.

For Gunfighters Inc to tell you to stick it in the oven and remold it yourself, that's just not acceptable

I ordered a Montana rig based upon deFlave's input.

Take a look at the HPG kit bag. It isn’t an external holster, but it’s plenty fast, sits a variety of guns, protects the gun, holds tons of extra gear, and is concealed. I wouldn’t be without mine, and I was a reluctant adopter of it at the beginning.

Check out Barranti Custom Leather, I have over a dozen of Mikes custom rigs, both belt rigs, cross draw & shoulder holsters & they are fully adjustable & very comfortable to wear, even with long barreled guns. This shoulder rig works for both my custom 8.5" bisley 45 & my FA 10" 41 magnum. Both are scoped.

Dick

I have the El Paso Tanker for my 6" Colt Anaconda. When I first got it, I took it up in the mtns when I went snowshoeing, carrying a 60lbs. pack. I couldn't tell it was even there. The holster made carrying that big revolver very easy. I got a Diamond D Alaskan for my Mod 29 because it holds it in a better position than the Alaskan for me. I haven't had much chance to carry it this way yet, but did buy one for a friend who seems to like it.

I went with the Uncle Mike's ballistic nylon versions. If I was still running up and down mountains, it might be different, but for the relatively flat midwest woods I haunt now, these work nicely. One of the holsters fits both of my scoped revolvers and the other is for my optics wearing semi-auto. Lot of nice options out there!

Diamond Custom Leather Alaskan:


OR EP Saddlery Tanker:

I have a few of Norm's holsters - ...



He can accomodate optics as well - 2nd from left is for a Buckmark w/ red dot and center is for a scoped FA 83. If he doesn't have a pattern, he will make one from your handgun. He used mine to make patterns for the Buckmark and FA 83, as well as my 6.5" Ruger Bisley 5 shot 480 (2nd from right).

For a chest holster (not shoulder) I recommend Diamond D. I have the leather one that is very well made. They make a synthetic one now that looks nice and a bit cheaper

This!! I just received my KCH for a 625 Mountain Gun and could not recommend it highly enough. I have leather chest holsters but the KCH is an all-weather piece of kit.

To quote their (veteran-owned) company website: The Kenai Chest Holster is the ultimate way to carry a firearm in the outdoors. Completely agree.

P.S. you can also order the Kydex shells for different handguns and used the same harness for just over 50% of the cost of the complete unit.

Another rig I run, besides the El Paso Saddlery Tanker rig is a Hill People Gear Recon bag.


My HPG Kit bag has Molle webbing on the front and I have attached both some blue force gear web pouches that I carry small items in, like a phone, 1911 mag, Tikka T3 magazine, but also an old M4 double mag pouch.

I use the M4 pouch as a holster for faster presentations in Grizzly country, as I tend to do a good bit of hiking there and have not been impressed with the speed at which I can make presentations from the zippered pouch.







Once I am off the trail or close to a trailhead or around the hipsters/liberals that are everywhere in Montana and other places in the West (the bears need to do a better job) I can just slide the gun back into the main zippered pouch and go on about my business, as it is not completely out of sight.

My Glock 21 with heavy 250 +Ps fits perfectly in the pouch as well.

+1 on the HPG kit bag

I got an email saying mine has shipped. I started with one holster for 6 1/2 N frame guns. It should fit several of my revolvers. I think I'll get a holster for glocks too, seems like a good way to carry while seated, on an atv, on a tractor etc...

Mac, I like the way you adapted your HPG kit. Being left handed, I have zero issues with straying from intended use. Been doing that all my life. Ever pick up a left handed power tool? Thought not.

That's an idea I will have to try to rig up with my hunting day pack. I've been wearing a kydex belt clip holster OWB cross-draw between my belt and pants, but it is not ideal. Thanks for sharing.

Do you use any kind of trigger guard protector (Zac, Boraii, etc.) while carrying your Glock in that? Thanks.

I have used a kydex trigger guard protector in the past, that had a short piece of stretchable 550 type cord attached to it, but I have found it really (for me) is not needed with the packs, or for the M4 pouch. For years guys ran 1911s and Glocks in M4 pouches in a similar manner. That said, it really depends on how the individual pistol fits in the pack.

For example, a large frame Glock 20/21 fits my old Paraclete brand pouch perfectly. With a smaller 9mm frame, I found it to be a bit loose. However with the addition of a weapons light, it fit like it was custom made for it. It really is a matter of determining what works with your gun and whatever brand of M4 pouch you have. I was simply using some old issued gear I had on hand.

Here is a pic of an individual from the Army's special mission unit, from early in the war with a 1911 in an M4 pouch. You can see it located just above the grip on his M4.



Another





The idea is hardly new and guys have been doing it for literally decades now. While we now have better gear, holsters, etc, every once in a while, an old school solution solves the problem quite easily.

Thanks, MS! I'll give it a try. Too bad there are only 3 more days left in archery season.

I have the same problem with the HPG Recon bag. Thanks for the tip!

It is actually an extremely fast presentation with just a little practice, and the ability to secure it simply by putting the pouch flap over it works quite well.

It is simple and practical.

Hill People Kit for me.

Here is why.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...04/hill-people-gear-s-w-m69#Post17407704

Diamond D Custom Leather Alaskan
Hands down the best holster for backpacking, trail riding, fishing, climbing treestand trees.

Easiest and quickest on and off and cinch up to accommodate layers of clothing.
Can be adjusted to almost should holster out of the way for drawing a bow, chopping or carrying wood or any outdoor activities.

Most secure carry with or without thumb strap but easily drawn when needed.
If you have a drawer full of holsters you’ve tried, this one won’t be in it as it’s a go to favorite.

Of course without saying built like iron, made in Alaska.
Ain’t cheap but you get what you pay for - YMMV

I have two Diamond D chest holsters. One for my 1911 and 1 for my Freedom Arms 83. Can wear all day without having to readjust. I have the removable flap to protect from snow. Light but extremely well made. Easy to draw quickly.

I have a gazillion chest holster rigs. Okay, that's hyperbole, but I bet I have 20.

Norm, from Montana Holster, is a great guy to talk with and makes a great product.

Matter of fact, I recently purchased a 10.5" 357 Maximum Ruger Blackhawk and needed a holster for an upcoming hunt. Norm didn't have any on his site, so I called him up and asked if he could make me one. Less than a week later it was at my door, with a note from Norm thanking me for the business.

Norm and his holsters are both 1st class.

If you are looking for leather, simply rugged out of Prescott arizona. I have their chest straps along with replaceable holsters for a couple different pistols.