Chest holster

[wiiawiwb]

I am looking at a chest holster for a Ruger SRH revolver. It will be worn when I hike/backpack below a Hill People Gear Original Kit Bag. That means the chest holster I get will be worn a little lower than normal.

The two I've looked at are a leather one from Diamond D and a kydex/webbing one from GunfighterINC. I prefer the look of leather but guess the webbing might be able to be cinched down for a tighter and more secure fit than the leather..

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

http://gunfightersinc.com/?page_id=251

http://www.hillpeoplegear.com/Products/tabid/762/ProductID/1/Default.aspx
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Gordon]

I have used one of these chest holster with an S&W .44 Mountain gun for 5 years and it works well
http://www.survivalsheath.com/holsters/index.htm

But not near as well as my new Kenai Chast rig from Gunfighters. I have the Glock 21 and an S&W N frame holsters for the rig. It is by far the best chest rig ever, without a Molle vest that is. The heavy strapping of the Kenai is a breeze to put on and off and is elastic which is a big plus. It is wide enough to support big guns and does not have to be cinched up real tight to work. I use it on ATVs, Motorcycles and Horseback . https://www.amazon.com/Kenai-Holster-Revolvers-N-Frame-Coyote/dp/B00TQ7JTWS

In the dim past I carried big S&Ws in shoulder rigs from Jack Ass Holsters which was bought by Galco years ago. They work well too, but the Kenai Chest rig is much better on a vehicle or horse, or even hiking thru brush.
https://www.galcogunleather.com/vhs-shoulder-system_8_2_1334.html

Edit add: I have heard the Alaskan Guide holster is very nice but kinda bulky. I personally prefer Kydex to leather in the wet places I wear a chest holster .

 

[red rick]

I have a Diamond D chest holster for my Redhawk . It is a very adjustable holster and well made . It came as the tightest fitting holster that I have ever bought , I don't think you will need any other retention with the weight of your revolver and the tight fit . As it gets older you might need a thumb strap and it doesn't cost much to add . I got mine without and feel I don't need it , but I am not riding or climbing mountains . Mine fit so tight I thought I receive the wrong holster , then I went to their website and read how to break-in your holster and saw how they holster a revolver in their new holster .

 

[wiiawiwb]

The Kenai chest rig has three points of adjustment which, I think, would allow you to get a custom fit. The Diamond D, which my heart wants, looks to have two fixed points and one adjustable? It doesn't seem you could get the same custom fit you could get with the three buckle adjustments.

By the way, do the buckles ever dig into your body as you move throughout the day?

 

[Gordon]

No buckle dig , that is why they are big and rounded.

 

[jeepnik]

Take a look at the Simply Rugged Chesty Puller http://www.simplyrugged.com/ecommerce/Chesty-Puller-Suspension-System.cfm?item_id=160&parent=672

 

[CraigC]

I have chest rigs from Diamond D and 7X Leather. The Diamond D is excellent and it is fully adjustable, not just one point. Has both a hammer thong and tension screw retention. The 7X is even better and of exceptional quality. Its construction is more robust but they are made to order and might take longer. The maker is a member here and goes by Freedom475. Both rigs are very comfortable and come with five or six round cartridge slides.

The 7X.




The Diamond D. I'll be carrying my $5000 custom .500JRH in this rig but would never even consider that with Kydex or nylon.


This is why I'll choose leather over any synthetic any day of the week. A good friend was carrying his Ruger Bisley .45 in this holster when it failed, in the field, where it counts most. Good thing I had made him a new holster so that it wasn't his $4000 Bowen .500 that hit the dirt.

 

[johnandersonoutdoors]

This is great stuff. I hope to get to work on a kydex style chest holster over the winter for my full size m&p 9.

I would also be interested in a trying to make a "micro" version to be worn under dress clothes. Thinking about getting a Kahr CM9 for that job.