Chest Holsters

[Safari Dave]

Actually, I use a Marsupial Gear holster mounted under my binocular case when hunting in grizzly country to carry the Glock 20.

 

[Mully]

I would buy one. I need one for a S&W .22 for trapping.

 

[HankBuck]

I agree on the previous posts that mentioned "heavy activity", to include tractor and chainsaw and other work outdoors.

Do you know what I think would be really handy? This is still just a fetus of an idea, and I'm not sure it's really feasible, but a combined pistol/bear spray chest holster. I'd even be willing to go with a smaller pistol to make that work. Somewhat smaller: We're not talking PPK here, but maybe Glock 36 or H&K 45C smaller.

I guess there's just a difference between a hunting need, where I have both a rifle and a pistol from which to choose, and those times where I'm not carrying a rifle, and really need something that's both accessible, and not in the way for other things. There are also times where bear spray is a better choice, but that only works if it's accessible too.

@SaintPanzer - when I hiked remote trails in Glacier National Park I had my Wife carry Bear Spray and I carried a S&W .44mag w/4” barrel in a belt holster….it got heavier as the day wore on and especially climbing up a steep hill !
When alone I would only carry in Griz country and that would likely be only if I was not hunting (where I’d have a rifle anyway). I can’t imagine ever carrying Both Spray & a handgun - that’s a lot of crap just for a hike….I’d pick the revolver and maybe an extra pint of water or bigger sandwich !

 

[SaintPanzer]

@SaintPanzer - when I hiked remote trails in Glacier National Park I had my Wife carry Bear Spray and I carried a S&W .44mag w/4” barrel in a belt holster….it got heavier as the day wore on and especially climbing up a steep hill !
When alone I would only carry in Griz country and that would likely be only if I was not hunting (where I’d have a rifle anyway). I can’t imagine ever carrying Both Spray & a handgun - that’s a lot of crap just for a hike….I’d pick the revolver and maybe an extra pint of water or bigger sandwich !

For hiking, I'd probably agree with you. But right over there is a tree that needs to come down, and then bucked... I can get a sandwich later, and I don't need the water on my body for that. But for certain critters, some things need to be closer than an arm's length away...

 

[SaintPanzer]

Doing a bear spray combo would be easy… but… it would be something of a one-off since there is no industry standard on the dimensions of a can of spray… the holster would have to be made for a specific product.. (I’d be happy to do that for you)… the problem would be if you ever wanted to change product, or if your preferred spray changed can dimensions, the holster wouldn’t work anymore…

This all makes sense... and makes me question the feasibility of my half baked idea.

Then again, if you needed a new holster every time you changed a product, that would be something along the lines of planned obsolescence/company business security, right?

 

[Safari Dave]

A chest rig is definitely the way to go, especially if you are wearing a pack with a hip belt.

I don't really notice weight worn on my chest. On the belt, it becomes a problem.



When hunting grizzly country, things can happen fast.

If you are working up an elk, you will probably not have time to retrieve a rifle or a pistol, if it is not on your body.

As someone who lives over 1,800 miles from the closest wild grizzly, I know that I will not practice with bear spray and would probably not pay attention to wind direction at the moment that I need it. (Heck, I don't even know how to get it in Georgia, USA).


Bear spray didn't work out very well for the couple in B.C. last year...

https://www.npr.org/2023/10/06/1203928437/couple-grizzly-bear-attack-banff-sent-message

I don't have a Hickock45 setup in my back yard (I wish I did), but I do have a swinging steel target.

I practice with my pistols, but I've never even pressed the top of my wife's Mace.


Love the idea of a chest rig!


In some of my applications (bushhogging on the tractor), I would want it to be as light and unencumbering as possible (I carry a .22 revolver, in that situation - loaded with a combination of shotshells and regular bullets).

 

[HankBuck]

For hiking, I'd probably agree with you. But right over there is a tree that needs to come down, and then bucked... I can get a sandwich later, and I don't need the water on my body for that. But for certain critters, some things need to be closer than an arm's length away...

@SaintPanzer - has there ever been a person attacked by a Bear - WHEN THEY WERE CHAIN SAWING A TREE ? I do a lot of cutting on my properties with chainsaws and while I’m Not a professional Lumberjack — even my saw weighs 16 lbs, and I can’t imagine having a handgun in a chest holster or any other handgun on me while cutting (the chaps, shirt, helmet, boots & gloves are enough).
Plus, other then a Gun…a chainsaw would be my 2nd choice to face down a bear with !!

 

[Datchew]

So, what I would be interested in is an integrated bino pack/chest holster that is as slim as it could be but also very solid against my body.

This.
I wear my bino harness right on top of my kenai but it means 2 sets of straps on the left shoulder which gets old after a bit.

A combo unit would be a game changer.

 

[SaintPanzer]

Now we're just being silly. While actually bucking? Probably not. On the walk to the tree? Heck, I can probably find stories of a guy riding a mountain bike and bumping into a bear.

I've humped a lot of gear. Some necessary. Some not. I've carried a pistol in several places. I've actually found chest carry to be "least in the way" for other things. It sucked when I had to crawl, though. It didn't seem like a lot of weight, compared to, say, my SAPI plates. So I didn't really notice the extra weight at the time. The sandwich was left in the car.

There are times I want a pistol, but I want to have it where it doesn't interfere with other gear. There are other times I want bear spray... but again, it needs to be accessible, and not in the way of other gear.

Of course, I'm not smart enough to put myself in a position where I don't have to outrun the bear, I just have to outrun my wife, so what the hell do I know?

 

[BGGMKLR]

@mdwest - as a “Lefty” I am always looking over “scraps & crap” whenever I shop for a Holster and very use to seeing photos of great looking holsters followed by the words “Not available in LH”. SO, I would be interested in your NEW Shop if IF you make LH holsters of fine leather and light weight, comfortable, etc.. As afar as righties go - they have a lot to choose from and no idea what the market is for your product with “normal” people !! Best of Luck on your endeavor.

As a fellow "Lefty," that hasn't been my experience.
Although generally not readily available off the shelf, I've always found good quality southpaw holsters were readily available.
Granted, this was more likely than not, prior to chest holsters, Kydex, etc.
As an assistant Bear guide a lifetime ago I regularly carried either a 44 or 41...both with 8 3/8th inch tubes in a Bianchi shoulder rig
Given that....being a leftie...the struggle is real.
Best
Spike

 

[Boone66]

Actually, I use a Marsupial Gear holster mounted under my binocular case when hunting in grizzly country to carry the Glock 20.

View attachment 654141

This is kinda interesting, that's the main problem I have with the chest rig concept, is how the binos would work with it. What bino.rig is that. Also, I normally carry a old model Ruger Vaquaro in 45colt.

 

[WAB]

This is kinda interesting, that's the main problem I have with the chest rig concept, is how the binos would work with it. What bino.rig is that. Also, I normally carry a old model Ruger Vaquaro in 45colt.

I use a holster attached to the bottom of my Eberlestock recon. Works great.