DeWayne Hayes Report post Posted January 7 Decided I wanted to make an Alaskan style "guide holster" or chest rig, which allows you to fish up to your belly in water while keeping your self defense sidearm close at hand and dry. I could have bought one of these, but I wanted to have some flexibility - I wanted to simply use my standard cross-draw holster and be able to remove it when I want to wear on my belt. I also wanted something that would break apart for ease of packing/transport - in other words, not a complicated 3 dimensional "cage" but something that could easily lay flat or be rolled up. Finally, a last value add is I can use the horizontal strap as a belt when needed. So, theoretically, it's a chest rig AND/OR a cross draw belt holster rig. Good ol' Fiebings English Bridle Pro Dye, followed by Leather Balm + Atom Wax. Very simple (as is my style and limit of my abilities!). Hope you all enjoy. DeWayne Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted January 7 That's cool . . . quick . . . simple . . . and tastefully done . . . Make the next one green . . . looks better in a fly fishing setting . . . May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DieselTech Report post Posted January 7 Looks great! Nice setup. You do fine work. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeWayne Hayes Report post Posted January 7 1 hour ago, Dwight said: That's cool . . . quick . . . simple . . . and tastefully done . . . Make the next one green . . . looks better in a fly fishing setting . . . May God bless, Dwight I should make one with a sheep's wool fly patch sewn onto the shoulder strap! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WalterF Report post Posted January 7 That is great, may have to use some on one. You have me rethinking my pattern. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeWayne Hayes Report post Posted January 8 I'm thinking I probably better use some brass washers on both sides of where the shoulder strap attaches to the horizontal strap - otherwise those small brass bolt heads are going to compress too deeply into the leather - not to mention, the washers will add rigidity to that intersection. Does anyone know a source for brass washers? Maybe 7/8" OD, 1/4" ID? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DieselTech Report post Posted January 8 27 minutes ago, DeWayne Hayes said: I'm thinking I probably better use some brass washers on both sides of where the shoulder strap attaches to the horizontal strap - otherwise those small brass bolt heads are going to compress too deeply into the leather - not to mention, the washers will add rigidity to that intersection. Does anyone know a source for brass washers? Maybe 7/8" OD, 1/4" ID? Weaver leather has them. 7/8" diameter with a 5mm hole. So you might need to drill it out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeWayne Hayes Report post Posted January 8 Awesome - thank you! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hags Report post Posted January 8 Nice work! I do a lot of chest rigs, never thought about them being able to "break down". Nice looking as well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frodo Report post Posted January 8 Because of the ability to break it down it gives you the option to switch out holsters and carry different calibers of pew pews nice Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeWayne Hayes Report post Posted January 8 (edited) 16 minutes ago, Frodo said: Because of the ability to break it down it gives you the option to switch out holsters and carry different calibers of pew pews nice Right on. Since all the holsters I do are cross-draw, so long as they have a 1.75" belt loop, I can slide them on there. I think I'll probably make one in black for the black holsters. One other benefit of this "modular" system that I've found is that I can easily pop the shoulder strap over to the other side of my neck. I imagine if I were wearing it all day, it might be really nice to swap sides to take the strain off the left side of my neck and even things out a bit. Edited January 8 by DeWayne Hayes Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuck123wapati Report post Posted January 8 great work indeed I made one similar a few years ago and they work great. I can carry either my 44 mag , my 1911 or my g3 on the same harness and surprisingly they all are very comfortable and secure. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarshalWill Report post Posted January 8 Not only is it a clean looking design but it's versatile. all around a good design. Nice looking, too. This gets a hearty thumbs-up! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeWayne Hayes Report post Posted January 8 Thanks, guys! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JSage Report post Posted January 9 Great idea! And impressive work! I've found brass washers at Lowes and True Value Hardware. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sinbad395 Report post Posted January 10 love the creative solution and the clean looks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
