My wife carries a j frame 38 on her walks with the dog. We live rural and at times she has a couple rounds of snake shot for a occasional rattle snake.
In the last few days there have been some Mountain lion sighting very close to our home. So I would like her to have the gun more accessible than in the belly bag she carries it in now. Although she does carry it over her shoulder its not very accessible in my opinion.
Any recommendations on a good chest rig? I would not mind one for a larger gun when hunting griz country.
I may have her try a few different options and actions but want her to be able to handle it in a stressful situation.

I’m not sure about exactly what you’re looking for but I’ve used an El Paso tanker for 6 or 8 years for carrying 1911s, especially in the woods, and I like it a lot.

"...but want her to be able to handle it in a stressful situation."


Gunfighters Inc.

Most any of the quality “tanker style” holsters! I see holsters for this type of service much like the old expression “ keep your cards close to your chest”. memtb

Alien Gear, you can always switch out the shell.

I have tried the kenai gunfighter and its OK, I mainly use it for hiking in the summer. When I bow hunt in grizz country I usually put my gun on my pack belt. I have a montana holster company chest rig that I use a lot because I can fit 90% of my revolvers in it and it works great on an ATV or vehicle.
If I want to be discreet while hiking I use a Hill People gear chest pack. They all have their good and bad, I guess if I was going to recommend one it would be the Montana Holster Co.

WHAT ABOUT A BELLY BAND HOLSTER? Lot's of different styles.

I have the chesty puller rig made by simply rugged holster. Nothing fancy, but nice and well made. I purchased this with holster for my J frame model 63.
Worth a look.

Thanks I will check these suggestions out
I like the kenai as a possibility for my self wonder how that would work with a binocular case on the chest?

I have an S&W L Comp that is my woods gun. I wear it in a Diamond D Guides Choice Chest holster. It is designed to be worn over jackets. When I wear Binos, I sling the strap over my right shoulder and under my left arm. Like a paperboy used to carry his papers. The holster is worn underneath and is not affected during the draw.

Nice rig.

I prefer a HPG kit bag. It's out of sight when you want it to be and, with practice, it's very quick on the draw. If you want it more readily accessible you can attach to the front PALS panel. Mackay_Sagebrush uses an M4 magazine pouch - I have one on the way to give it a try. Not sure how the mag pouch on front would work with a J-frame though.

I would recommend Diamond D customs chest holster, I have 2 of them for a, Glock G40 and a Ruger Redhawk 44 mag and waiting on one for a Kimber K6S Target.

https://www.diamonddcustomleather.com/products/guides-choice-chest-holster

I've been really pleased with The Chest Rig from Crossbreed Holsters. The quality is good & throwing it on is really easy. Once I got it adjusted, the fit is comfortable & it holds the pistol snug with a good draw. Basically everything I was looking for so I've been pleased with the purchase. Obviously a judgement call needs to be made on how well it would fit on a particular female.

I'm a broken record on the HPG. Kydex trigger guard tied to the tab with the lanyard length just enough so the grip sits at the end of bag allows you to leave the side unzipped for quick access. Not make/model specific, gun not exposed (if that's important), and handy for other little things as well. Just a super useful piece of gear.

Thanks for the additional info.
Question : do any use a chest rig and a bino case?
I have the Eberlestock bino case and wonder what would be a good combo?

Not exactly what you're asking, but I use the HPG with the Rick Young ultra-light bino harness and his neoprene cover when not using:

https://rickyoungoutdoors.com/basic-ultra-light-bino-harness/

https://rickyoungoutdoors.com/neoprene-binocular-cover/

They work well together on top of the HPG bag.

I carry several pistols in Simply Rugged chest rigs under a Badlands bino pack. Keep everything snug, fits fine. No problem drawing.

I have both Simply Rugged chest rigs and an Alien Gear chest rig. I like both, but would lean to Simply Rugged

I prefer the HPG Kit bag with the Molle front. Then attach an M4 mag pouch, which I slide my handgun into. This works very well for me. This last summer I Carried my Glock 22 .40 in there this way most the summer and it worked perfectly.




When I need it to be more secure, I simply put the flap over it. The pouch itself has an elastic band sewn around the middle that is designed to put tension on the M4 magazines when the flap is open. Works great for handguns too.

Works for various sized autos. I have used it for standard and large frame Glocks, 1911s and an HK USP primarily.

Another option is a Tanker style rig for your wife.

Here is one from El Paso Saddlery.






If I was worried about drawing extremely quickly I would make sure I used the bottom strap that is designed to be secured by your belt. That way the holster remains in place while you draw the handgun quickly.

I tend to wear mine over insulating layers but under my Goretex when hunting in very cold weather and it has worked well over the years. The main one I use is designed for large revolvers and is quite comfortable. I think it may be a good choice for the wife as it would allow her access and a wide range of adjustment to fit her body type.