Please help me pick a chest/shoulder recommendation!

B. Miller

New member
Hello everyone!

I recently separated from my girlfriend of 4 years and am taking it harshly. I've decided the best way of fixing this is buying toys that I've wanted for years but haven't....just because.

First up is a holster for my 1911. I really like the looks of chest or "guide" holsters or shoulder holsters. They're just my style. Plus, I really just don't like belts and things on my hip.

Concealment IS NOT an issue. I plan on wearing it around private property (around the camp and hunting (when legal)).

As far as materials, I would prefer leather.

When it comes to cost, I would rather not limit myself from your opinions and would like to see what everyone can recommend. From what I see, they run in the $150-300 region, which is fine.

The Guide's Choice chest holster seems to be a really popular option. As far as customs, I read excellent things from Josh Bossart, but have been unable to contact him.

Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated.

I can't wait to see what you guys have in store
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Thanks guys!

BM
 
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Personally I think it would be in the way most of the time. I tried a bino harness that held the binos in about the same place and it was a pain.

I don't care to wear a heavy handgun on my hip and much prefer a shoulder holster. Mine is a an old S&W much like a Bianchi X-15. I've been using it both on the job, traplines and hunting for 40 years. I used it first with my custom Model 13, Model 34, Taurus Tracker 41 Mag and it fits my Glock 19 suprisingly well also. Very comfortable yet fast as it is a break front.

I do have a paddle belt hoster for the Glock that I wear in states that I don't have a concealed carry permit.
 
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B Miller-I feel your pain. Me and the wife were together 34 yrs when we split up. I felt pretty bad to...........so I bought a Harley. Made me feel a lot better and really put her panties in a knot
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So back to the holster question. I don't like them on my hip either so I say the guide type. Across the chest.
 
I have a Diamond D Guides Choice for my Glock G20 10mm and love it. It's highly adjustable and versatile, very comfortable. I can work with it on and not even notice it. Seems to be exactly what you're looking for.
 
Originally Posted By: NdIndyIf by shoulder holster you mean under the arm, dont.



Agreed...
 
I was a little more vindictive. After she cheated on me and we split up, I bought the house she'd been wanting and still live there.
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I have both the guides choice & x-15. I love the guide for my n frames while wearing a back pack. It is centered & rides just under my chest strap. The x-15 gets the knod when carring a rifle too. Revolver is muzzle down & out of the way for shouldering the long gun. Tried the old tanker rig for my 1911 but never could get it tight enough so it wouldn't flop around on me.
 
Originally Posted By: GCI have a Diamond D Guides Choice for my Glock G20 10mm and love it. It's highly adjustable and versatile, very comfortable. I can work with it on and not even notice it. Seems to be exactly what you're looking for.


Same here, excellent setup.
 
Sounds like we have some haters on the shoulder holsters... I respectfully disagree.
I've got the Galco Miami Classic II for my G34 and wear the living piss outta it. I normally use it under by bino pack chest rig with no issues, on 40 mile trips with my Polaris Ranger hauling salt and mineral to cattle, etc.

I just finished an enhanced carry class where they restrict the shoulder holsters because of the draw. The instructor didn't like the serpa or the IWB appendix either. So it's your choice, I love mine and can certainly give you more details with my experience using it.
 
Thanks for everyone's input!

I would love to hear everyone's reasoning for shoulder/chest (or guide) holsters. Pictures are great, too!

The Guide's Choice was the first thing I found, and I never read a bad thing about it. I tend to go custom when possible, or at least would explore my options. I am going to give Mr. Bossart a few more days to answer and at least see what he has to offer, then I can start narrowing everything down.
 
I hate shoulder holsters... but love the Tanker style chest holster for the outdoors. El Paso Saddlery makes a good one and Diamond D Leather has their Guides Choice holster. I own both and prefer the Diamond D Guides Choice. It is an amazingly versatile rig for the outdoors. I think for horseback or riding an ATV it would be first rate, better than a hip holster. It also works very well with a backpack and for layering heavy outer clothing on and off. The Guides Choice is extremely comfortable, you can position it for your best comfort exactly where you want it on your chest. I have deboned, quartered and backpacked a bunch of deer out of the big timber, rocky, steep Ozark's several by moonlight and a headlamp since 2006 deer season wearing the Guides Choice and scarcely knew I was wearing the big Glock 10mm. The only downside, they aren't cheap.
 
Originally Posted By: GCI hate shoulder holsters... but love the Tanker style chest holster for the outdoors. El Paso Saddlery makes a good one and Diamond D Leather has their Guides Choice holster. I own both and prefer the Diamond D Guides Choice. It is an amazingly versatile rig for the outdoors. I think for horseback or riding an ATV it would be first rate, better than a hip holster. It also works very well with a backpack and for layering heavy outer clothing on and off. The Guides Choice is extremely comfortable, you can position it for your best comfort exactly where you want it on your chest. I have deboned, quartered and backpacked a bunch of deer out of the big timber, rocky, steep Ozark's several by moonlight and a headlamp since 2006 deer season wearing the Guides Choice and scarcely knew I was wearing the big Glock 10mm. The only downside, they aren't cheap.

I'm a big believer of "you get what you pay for."

The customs I was considering seem to be upwards of $300, so I will have no issue "settling" for the guides choice!
 
I have a simply rugged chesty puller for my G20. I find it fairly comfortable. It would be even better if my pot belly was not in the way... haha. I like it for hiking and fishing.
 
Originally Posted By: TripleDeuce660I have a simply rugged chesty puller for my G20. I find it fairly comfortable. It would be even better if my pot belly was not in the way... haha. I like it for hiking and fishing.

One must consider how it looks. After all, what will others think. In my case, there's a 66 year old guy who drinks and eats too much.
 
I wore a Galco shoulder holster, and prefered it to the hip, or thigh holsters. Especially the drop style.

I had a chest holster that i wore all the time, but would prefer the Galco. Especially with the spare mag holders on the opposite side to give it balance.
 
Originally Posted By: 2RopeJack at K Bar J Leather makes a nice chest rig. You can find them on the interweb...

Cool, thanks for the other suggestion.

I am starting to run out of time if I decided to go the custom rig route, and people aren't getting back to me.

I really wanted to have the rig ready by the end of the month, as I am going to my friend's cabin for the weekend.

ETA I just emailed them. Hopefully they answer!
 
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