Need some holster help

[Bill in Oregon]

I have looked at a lot of Web sites and forums for information on good chest holster designs and I always seem to have an objection to the suspension systems. I have worn chest holsters off and on over the years, slinging everything from a SS Redhawk in grizz country to a scoped T/C Contender in .30 Herrett. While I loved the hands-free and accessible carry, the rub is usually that the harness systems, particularly the band that goes around the chest, cuts off circulation of air underneath my shirt and or jacket and I am a heavy sweater. I am trying to come up with an idea for some kind of webbing that would have an extremely open weave that would be less circulation restrictive. I am probably not being clear enough, and should probably visit an upholstery supply shop. They might have a material that would suit, perhaps bonded dacron with sewn-on edges. But if anyone here has any thoughts, please feel free to share.

[octagon]

Bill you might try our own 7.62 precision. He's in Alaska, Google his website, a good guy.

[Bill in Oregon]

Octagon, I checked his site and didn't see quite what I wanted. Plus, I enjoy making my own holsters out of wet-molded and hand-stitched oak-tanned leather.

[Blaine]

I always envisioned a bandoleer kind of setup that went on my left shoulder. Not really sure how to keep it in place, though....

[Rusty]

Simply Rugged makes a Chesty Puller.

El Passo Saddlery has several, the first thing that comes to mind is a WWII style Tanker.

[Pete44ru]

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Bill, My Safariland/ Bianchi Ranger H.U.S.H. (HUnting Shoulder Holster Model 4100/4101 is never was tight enough across my chest for any kind of restriction.

It's available for many, many handguns/barrel lengths.

The Model 4100 is for un-scoped handguns:

https://www.safariland.com/shoulder/mod ... 10825.html

The Model 4101 is for scoped handguns:

http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/172340 ... fgodjRMFkQ

The Cordua Nylon (black or camo) holster's bandolier (3" wide) strap lies atop the Right (or Left) shoulder, then diagonally down across the chest & back.

The chest portion of the strap goes down across the chest until it attaches to the holster, which is positioned in front of the right(or left) lower chest/back, a little above belt level.

The back portion of the strap goes down across the back, to the right (or left) side of the torso, where it attaches to the top of the holster's muzzle end.

The setup has a small strap at the tip of the holster that can be attached to a waist belt, and the holster comes with a pistol retainer strap - or an optional hood/flap.

I never bothered with the waist/belt anchor, since I like to hunt with the handgun in my hands, and so simply push the empty holster far enough past the underarm position to lie on the back of my torso/shoulder.

Another thing I like about it, is (unlike leather)) that the Cordua nylon has never made an inopportune noise (like a "creak") in those quiet times when game is nearby.



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[Bill in Oregon]

Pete, I remember Dick Metcalf writing those up for Shooting Times many years ago. Will consider one.
Here's a simple way to get around the airflow restriction issue:

http://www.amazon.com/Vent-A-Vest-Body- ... t+holsters

[marlinman93]

Bill, I think you'll find that regardless of material, if the gun and holster sit close to your body, you'll still perspire on that area. The only real option is getting it away from your body, which might be cumbersome to wear. I also sweat a lot when climbing hills while hunting, and carrying a handgun is something I always do. I don't like a handgun on either hip, as it dings up my rifle's stock. I have gone to a crossdraw holster that sits in front, so it's out of the rifle's way, and doesn't create a hot spot on my chest either.

[Griff]

+1 on the x-draw.

[Old Ironsights]

There's (was?) a really nice rig at the LGS last time I was in. I'll get the Maker and some pics...

[Bill in Oregon]

Rusty, I was looking at that tanker again. Not a bad design and easily fabricated.

[JohndeFresno]

Bill, if 7.62 precision can't help you, try http://www.LoneStarHolsters.com

I capitalized the words only for clarity; as you probably know, the Internet addresses work whether you use capital letters or not.

They make natural and black leather holsters and slings of all types.

I recently needed a concealment holster that was not available any standard supplier (Safariland, Galco, Hulme) including some of the premium ones like Alessi, DeSantis, Fobus and the like. The holster needed was a fairly standard concealment type, but my particular model handgun is no longer made and it didn't quite fit the holster that I first purchased from one of the mainstream companies.

Lone Star accepted my order, with the proviso that it will take 6-8 weeks to deliver the goods. Fair enough, for a well made, custom leather concealment type holster.

They might come up with some type of liner where the rig rubs against you. Lone Star Holsters makes up each holster on special order for a price that is very close to the ones off the rack - including hunting chest holsters.

If you want, they can even make it with purty carving, for an additional cost.

[Bill in Oregon]

John, I was unaware of Lone Star. Thanks for that link.

[Greg S in AK]

Also check out Barranti Leather, the NW Hunter chest rig. Can be worn with and without cross chest strap. Just finished making one simular for myself. Another popular rig up here is the Double D but, it has a quick adjustable nylon web chest strap. I've got one for my woods Glock 20. They are light and really easy to adjust positions for clearance of rifle slings, pack straps or waders.

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