chest holster or hip belt holster

[bowkill]

Does anyone want to share pros and cons on either one? I have used a hip belt holster but never used a chest holster. It seems like it might be a lot going on with a bino harness and pack shoulder straps. I do like the idea of always having it with you in case you drop your pack or something. Just wondering what peoples opinions were before trying the chest holster.

 

[Elk97]

Lots of threads about this. I carry a Ruger 44 mag and there's no way I want that much weight around my neck.

 

[TmarshIL]

I tried both. I couldn't get a hip holster positioned where I wanted it. Ended up using a holster that attaches to the bottom of my binocular harness. Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 10mm w/ a light.

 

[406flyfish]

I tried the chest holster and will be switching to bino harness attachment. I couldn’t stand having gun straps beneath my bino harness. Always found it uncomfortable.

 

[insanelupus]

Both have their place. Depends on the activity.

I love my Razco ROMR on my bino harness. Use it a lot. They have an option that allows the holster to be removed from the backer on the bino harness, to go on a belt and even just a chest harness.

But I also have many different set setups depending on the sidearm and activity.

Dog walking the neighborhood it may be a pocket carry. If I'm backpacking, it's always the bino harness rig. Close to the truck, fishing, trapping, traipsing, metal detecting, belt holster. Snowmobiling, four wheeling, etc., shoulder holster. All have their place and uses.

 

[R_W]

I have a gunfighter chest holster and there is a lot going on around your chest with the bino harness and straps from the backpack, but the gun is still accessible. The chest holster made more sense to me compared to putting it on the hip belt of the backpack, because the gun is always with you. I have wondered if the holster being attached to the bottom of the bino harness would be better.

 

[Able]

I just retired from the military, 22 years. I have used any holster configuration imaginable. There’s pro/cons to each.

A chest rig is easier to draw from in an emergency style situation. The shooter can usually see pistol grip in their peripheral vision while still keeping their eyes focused on the target. It’s also allows for a quick draw time from holster to full presentation. It can get crowded with holster and bino harness all next to each other.

A hip holster is usually more comfortable but not as feasible with a large backcountry pack kidney belt basically sitting on top of the holster. It just depends on how high the individual wears their pack. So a drop leg style holster is the other option. These style of holsters definitely take more time and precession to draw quickly and effectively . I have seen many individuals blotch a draw from a drop leg holster is a rushed scenario. Definitely not something you want to happen in an emergency style situation. They can also rub or chafe your leg if they aren’t adjusted properly.

Just my thoughts. I constantly used different setups to find what worked for me and weighed the pros and cons of each. I always used what was best for the situation. My recommendation would be to use what you can use most effectively in the situation where you have to draw quickly and put rounds on the target quickly in a life/death situation.

 

[D_wit22]

I have switched over from a hip holster to a chest holster. In my opinion, hip holsters are for dead guys! I’ll take a little bit of the uncomfortableness to have my side arm readily available that I can quickly draw.

 

[bowkill]

Both have their place. Depends on the activity.

I love my Razco ROMR on my bino harness. Use it a lot. They have an option that allows the holster to be removed from the backer on the bino harness, to go on a belt and even just a chest harness.

But I also have many different set setups depending on the sidearm and activity.

Dog walking the neighborhood it may be a pocket carry. If I'm backpacking, it's always the bino harness rig. Close to the truck, fishing, trapping, traipsing, metal detecting, belt holster. Snowmobiling, four wheeling, etc., shoulder holster. All have their place and uses.

I guess that's part of my problem. I just bought a 10mm basically to wear for hunting defense. I already have a 9mm for personal defense so I was hoping to not have to buy a whole bunch of different holsters for the 10mm. Just figure out which one I want for hunting and get that. Thanks for the response. I guess I'll have to do some more looking.

 

[insanelupus]

@bowkill

Take a look at the Razco ROMR system and options. It's the ready button, economical, and provides options. You may very well be satisfied with that.

 

[spike camp]

I use a Venandi holster, that attaches to my bino harness.
I don’t even notice my pistol.

 

[Bowehunter]

I never liked the idea of having my handgun under my bino harness. I put a FHF holster on one of the side molle spots of my bino harness and love it. It's always right where I need it. I've had buddies run hip holsters and while also convenient, if the holster isn't sitting right, it will rub and be very uncomfortable after some miles.

 

[HighUintas]

Does anyone want to share pros and cons on either one? I have used a hip belt holster but never used a chest holster. It seems like it might be a lot going on with a bino harness and pack shoulder straps. I do like the idea of always having it with you in case you drop your pack or something. Just wondering what peoples opinions were before trying the chest holster.

I just went through this decision for my first pistol, which I bought solely for the purpose of bear defense while hunting and hiking/ camping with my family. Here's my thoughts on it:

I want the gun to be with me 100% of the time no matter what I'm doing without having to think about it. The only time I want it coming off of my body is if I'm having to take clothes off.

I want to have only one drawing location to practice with. I want my draw to be 100% automatic and as fast as possible, which means I'm not going to use a holster where I move it from location or location, like the romr.

So I decided to go with a chest holster. I recommend looking at Wasatch holsters. They make one that is half the price of a Kenai, adjustable retention, and it is comfortable.

 

[rideold]

Razco on the bottom of my bino pack. I made that decision because the holster on my pack belt was a pain and I banged the crap out of my revolver a couple of times setting my pack down carelessly. I like having it on my person all the time regardless of where my pack is. I also like having it on my person while field dressing.

 

[Skerhunter]

I leave mine on my pack and only complaint is that it’s somewhat difficult to holster when pack belt is on tight, no issues drawing though. I don’t want more stuff in my torso getting in the way when I draw my bow and I don’t go anywhere without my pack. I would consider moving it if that wasn’t the case.

 

[Dirtydan]

Take a look at the HPG Kit Bag as a holster/bino pack/possibles pouch. Fits comfortable under my pack harness and is always with me even if I need to drop my pack. It definitely takes practice to draw your pistol but that is what evening TV time is for, Drawing and dry firing.

 

[bowkill]

I just went through this decision for my first pistol, which I bought solely for the purpose of bear defense while hunting and hiking/ camping with my family. Here's my thoughts on it:

I want the gun to be with me 100% of the time no matter what I'm doing without having to think about it. The only time I want it coming off of my body is if I'm having to take clothes off.

I want to have only one drawing location to practice with. I want my draw to be 100% automatic and as fast as possible, which means I'm not going to use a holster where I move it from location or location, like the romr.

So I decided to go with a chest holster. I recommend looking at Wasatch holsters. They make one that is half the price of a Kenai, adjustable retention, and it is comfortable.

View attachment 876352

Have you used it yet with a pack with weight in it? What type of bino harness do you use and do you find it to be comfortable with that and your pack on or do you have it below your binos?

 

[HighUintas]

Have you used it yet with a pack with weight in it? What type of bino harness do you use and do you find it to be comfortable with that and your pack on or do you have it below your binos?

https://rokslide.com/forums/threads...semi-auto-pistols.401481/page-30#post-4157801

There's a couple more pictures on the previous page of that thread.

I haven't hiked with it yet. I just picked it up earlier this week. I think I'll likely go with the high holster and low bino configuration. The bino harness is the XL kuiu size

 

[justinspicher]

If I take my pistol out to the woods while I’m wearing a pack, I wear it on the hip belt of my pack. It sits in the same IWB holster that I use everyday. I slip it between the belt and the strap on the belt. No isssues.

 

[LFaler]

Does anyone want to share pros and cons on either one? I have used a hip belt holster but never used a chest holster. It seems like it might be a lot going on with a bino harness and pack shoulder straps. I do like the idea of always having it with you in case you drop your pack or something. Just wondering what peoples opinions were before trying the chest holster.

I have a chest rig for fly fishing, but when hunting I prefer a cross draw I carry a 475 linebaugh and use it for pig hunting and I’ve gotten so used to the placement I am hesitant to change it