Chest Rigs

Hiker 1 · April 10, 2016, 08:07 PM

Anyone using one for a large caliber revolver? They look cool but are they practical and comfortable?

Thoughts?

ballardw · April 24, 2016, 01:59 AM

There are lots of folks that swear by shoulder holsters for big revolvers and Contenders. These are not the under the armpit concealment rigs though. The position might be considered a "chest rig" by some.

johnwilliamson062 · April 24, 2016, 03:18 AM

I have one for an Encore with 14"+ barrels. I don't use it much, only a few days a year hunting. It is as practical as anything I have tried. A sling is just a mess. Hip holsters are difficult with that length barrel.
With the law changes in Ohio I sold my last pistol barrel though. I could still put a long barrel on with a pistol grip, but doubt I ever will in the field.

I was hoping this was about actual chest packs. I tried one of my fly fishing chest packs this year as I didn't have a pack for my 45-70. Much better than the other packs I have carried. easy to access standing, in a chair, in a stand, comfortable when walking, etc.
I can't find any that aren't designed for fly fishing with a large portion of the bag designed to hold flies in a molded foam thing.
The best I've come up with are messenger bags worn backwards.

rfalcon · April 24, 2016, 07:42 AM

I have one for a .460 magnum 5" barrel I carry in big bear country. It works. Comfortable? Eh.

I also have a chest bag from bass pro designed for fishing tackle the firearm slides right into and is adjustable to be worn on the hip, chest or wherever. works great.

flnatv · May 19, 2016, 03:21 PM

Seems that all the front split chest rigs I find are built to accommodate large barrel chested guys. So someone of medium build such as myself has to adjust it to its tightest limit and sometimes even that's not enough for a "snug" fit. I have done a lot of searching and read multiple post from people with the same problem. I'm 5'7" 160lbs. Any suggestions? I am considering just buying an H-harness and rigging it to my duty belt. Not an ideal solution IMHO but one I could live with if need be.

Old Stony · May 19, 2016, 07:17 PM

I have one of the military type chest/shoulder holsters that I use with a 1911 when hog hunting. It is comfortable to wear and takes the pressure off of my hip when sitting and other activities. I'd love to have one that would fit my M&P Pro model S&W, but no such thing. I guess I'll have to build myself one.

Model12Win · May 19, 2016, 11:00 PM

Have you considered a Rhodesian rig? Here is mine:

Simple. Not as tacticool, but it's great for my 5' 7" 180 lb frame.

Roaddog · May 20, 2016, 06:25 AM

Pistol Packaging, INC pistlepackaging.com very well made,will fit anyone and you can get holsters to fit any revalver and swich them out on the same rig.

dahermit · May 20, 2016, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Have you considered a Rhodesian rig? Here is mine:

"...large framed revolver..."

bamaranger · May 22, 2016, 01:51 AM

I periodically carry a 4.5" Ruger B-hawk in a repro WWII "aviators holster", which places the gun slightly forward on the chest, vertically about at the breast pocket. It's not really a shoulder holster or the tanker holster from the same period.

Works for me. Keeps the gun away from the hip, no hassle with seatbelt, or clambering in and out of truck, ATV, etc. I suppose they'd work good on a horse, but I am not a cowboy. Chest and shoulder rigs seem a bit "hot" to me if the weather is warmer and one is active, but usually I am not plowing about on foot till cooler weather. In or on a conveyance, they seem to work very well.

Model12Win · May 23, 2016, 12:10 AM

Quote:

"...large framed revolver..."

What? Oh.

Get a Chesty Puller from Simply Rugged if you want to be difficult about it then.

redrick · May 23, 2016, 03:35 PM

I just got a Guides Choice chest rig from Diamond D out of Alaska . I use it to carry my .44mag Redhawk . It works much better than my OWB holster . It is very adjustable to fit most people . The only negative I give it is , price and it fits the gun almost to tight when it arrives . I have bought many holsters in the past , this is by far the tightest fitting one that I have ever received . I thought it was for a different gun until I watched his video .

April 10, 2016, 08:07 PM	#1
Hiker 1 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2011 Location: Colorado Posts: 596	Chest Rigs Anyone using one for a large caliber revolver? They look cool but are they practical and comfortable? Thoughts?

April 24, 2016, 01:59 AM	#2
ballardw Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 1,411	There are lots of folks that swear by shoulder holsters for big revolvers and Contenders. These are not the under the armpit concealment rigs though. The position might be considered a "chest rig" by some. __________________ -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ All data is flawed, some just less so.

May 19, 2016, 03:21 PM	#5
flnatv Junior Member Join Date: January 5, 2010 Posts: 1	Not a large Seems that all the front split chest rigs I find are built to accommodate large barrel chested guys. So someone of medium build such as myself has to adjust it to its tightest limit and sometimes even that's not enough for a "snug" fit. I have done a lot of searching and read multiple post from people with the same problem. I'm 5'7" 160lbs. Any suggestions? I am considering just buying an H-harness and rigging it to my duty belt. Not an ideal solution IMHO but one I could live with if need be.

May 22, 2016, 01:51 AM	#10
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,313	aviator holster I periodically carry a 4.5" Ruger B-hawk in a repro WWII "aviators holster", which places the gun slightly forward on the chest, vertically about at the breast pocket. It's not really a shoulder holster or the tanker holster from the same period. Works for me. Keeps the gun away from the hip, no hassle with seatbelt, or clambering in and out of truck, ATV, etc. I suppose they'd work good on a horse, but I am not a cowboy. Chest and shoulder rigs seem a bit "hot" to me if the weather is warmer and one is active, but usually I am not plowing about on foot till cooler weather. In or on a conveyance, they seem to work very well.

April 24, 2016, 03:18 AM	#3
johnwilliamson062 Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2008 Posts: 9,995	I have one for an Encore with 14"+ barrels. I don't use it much, only a few days a year hunting. It is as practical as anything I have tried. A sling is just a mess. Hip holsters are difficult with that length barrel. With the law changes in Ohio I sold my last pistol barrel though. I could still put a long barrel on with a pistol grip, but doubt I ever will in the field. I was hoping this was about actual chest packs. I tried one of my fly fishing chest packs this year as I didn't have a pack for my 45-70. Much better than the other packs I have carried. easy to access standing, in a chair, in a stand, comfortable when walking, etc. I can't find any that aren't designed for fly fishing with a large portion of the bag designed to hold flies in a molded foam thing. The best I've come up with are messenger bags worn backwards.

April 24, 2016, 07:42 AM	#4
rfalcon Member Join Date: April 19, 2016 Posts: 25	I have one for a .460 magnum 5" barrel I carry in big bear country. It works. Comfortable? Eh. I also have a chest bag from bass pro designed for fishing tackle the firearm slides right into and is adjustable to be worn on the hip, chest or wherever. works great.

May 19, 2016, 07:17 PM	#6
Old Stony Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2013 Location: East Texas Posts: 1,705	I have one of the military type chest/shoulder holsters that I use with a 1911 when hog hunting. It is comfortable to wear and takes the pressure off of my hip when sitting and other activities. I'd love to have one that would fit my M&P Pro model S&W, but no such thing. I guess I'll have to build myself one.

May 19, 2016, 11:00 PM	#7
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	Have you considered a Rhodesian rig? Here is mine: Simple. Not as tacticool, but it's great for my 5' 7" 180 lb frame.

May 20, 2016, 06:25 AM	#8
Roaddog Senior Member Join Date: July 16, 2010 Location: East central Minnesota Posts: 202	Pistol Packaging, INC pistlepackaging.com very well made,will fit anyone and you can get holsters to fit any revalver and swich them out on the same rig.

May 23, 2016, 03:35 PM	#12
redrick Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,041	I just got a Guides Choice chest rig from Diamond D out of Alaska . I use it to carry my .44mag Redhawk . It works much better than my OWB holster . It is very adjustable to fit most people . The only negative I give it is , price and it fits the gun almost to tight when it arrives . I have bought many holsters in the past , this is by far the tightest fitting one that I have ever received . I thought it was for a different gun until I watched his video .