I've seen a couple shows on TV where the guides carry large caliber handguns in holsters that hang across the front of their chest. This looks like a good way to carry a heavy pistol and keep it dry while fishing. The ones I've seen look like a Cordura material. Any suggestions where to find them?

I made my own with some seat belt webbing for the harness a nylon holster with thumb break just added a couple of buckles and sown it all together.

Cost me a whole 15 dollars or so.

Here's one manufacturer of leather

https://duckduckgo.com/l/?kh=-...2FChest_Holsters.php

LJS,

Several good options available regarding across the chest design; Barranti Leather, 7X Custom Leather, Diamond D Custom Leather (from AK) and Simply Rugged are examples.

Good luck in your search.

Best of Hunting,
Mark Hampton

I carry my 3" S&W Mod. 629 in a WW II Tank Driver chest holster from El Paso Saddlery....it's real nice!

Phil

+1 on Diamond D leather. I own two. One for an L frame 681 Smith and the other for the new X frame 460 snubbie from the Performance Center. Guides Choice holster from DD is the way to go. I've looked at the cordura bag holsters but by its design its not a form fitted holster.

http://www.ringlercustomleather.com/

I have a Wyoming holster for a Blackhawk, I can't recommend it higher. But Alaska is wet, so leather may not be the top choice.

Some beautiful holsters suggested but I was hoping to find a cordura model. I watched the TV show Kodiak and guide Bob May had a couple 500 S&Ws in what appeared to be cordura chest holsters. That's where I came up with this idea. It seems they would be handy yet not get in the way fly fishing. My concern with the leather is getting wet and staying wet. I would think the synthetics would dry much more quickly. Thanks again to all who have responded!

I would say there would be no issue with a quality leather chest holster.

In wet conditions I would stay far away from cordura as it will absorb moisture and stay wet, a leather rig will not act like a sponge, water will bead up on the surface if it is properly finished. IMHO the best chest rig is done by 7X Leather, the quality, construction, all top notch, and he is one hell of a nice guy. His rigs are not just built they have been tested as he is avid handgun hunter. If you had any concerns give him a call.
http://www.7xleather.com/chest_holster

You might check out Uncle Mike's. I have one for my DW.

http://www.unclemikes.com/holsters/sidekick-holsters

Rad

Diamond D from Wasilla Alaska is the way to go.
I have several.

+2 on the Diamond D

I have a black cordura nylon Alaska Sportsman chest holster. I bought it for my Super Redhawk and my Glock 20 fits in it too. I'm awaiting shipment of an S&W 629 and it should fit in it as well. So, I can use one chest holster for three pistols.

I think the Diamond D will probably fit more tightly and comfortably against the body based solely on its design but it's made of leather.

When I'm a 10 day hunt and don't have access to much heat to dry clothes etc. I can't imagine how I'd dry the Diamond D but I'm confident the nylon holster will dry reasonably quickly. That's really the primary reason I haven't bought a Diamond D. I don't want to carry my pistol inside a wet holster for days on end.

I suppose you could just wear the Diamond D inside your rain jacket if the weather gets really nasty to keep it dry but then I'd need three Diamond Ds since they are molded to fit each individual pistol.

Diamond D leather is a quality product that I have used in Alaska with no problems.

I think you might have seen the BLACKHAWK! Nylon Alaska Guide Holster or the similar but custom Grizzly Tuff.

Thanks Redlander! The Grizzly Tuff looks just like the one I saw in use.