Hi ..l am looking for a good Chest rig that will hold my S&W 629 Magnum Hunter With factory red dot sight.. N frame. Barrel length 8 3/8'' . Diamond D is nice but they don't make rigs for scope mounted handguns.

thanks.
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Mike Barranti
http://barrantileather.com/Products.html

Levergun leather
http://www.levergunleather.com/p_holster_rigs.htm

Rob Leahy Simply Rugged
http://www.simplyrugged.com/ecommerce/Sc...=157&parent=669

Let us know what you decide, and pics are always great

Check out the Bandito holster from Pistol Packing Leather

7x Leather makes great chest rigs and the owner is a member here. I have two of his rigs and am very happy with them.

http://www.7xleather.com

Also the Ringler Custom Leather Wyoming Combo holster is a nice option.

X2 on the 7X chest holster

Check out Barranti Leather, doesn't get any better than that. As a second choice check out Barranti Leather!

Dick

Another vote for 7x Leather, Wes put this 1911 chest rig together a few years ago, amazing quality and design.

This is an outstanding chest rig as is the Grizzly Tough. I own both and both are great comfortable easy to access the weapon. Both stay put and disperse the weight.

http://www.diamonddcustomleather.com/Chest_Holsters.php

http://grizzlytuff.com

I have looking for a nice chest rig for a 7.5 inch barrel revolver and the suggestions I see here are obviously top quality. One common feature they all share is the open muzzle. This may not be a problem but it is something I personally cant live with. The search continues. Thanks for the pictures and suggestions.

These suggestions are for custom leather smiths; they can close up the muzzle end on request.

I love my 7X chest rig. Carries my 629 perfectly like its not even there

Where do you see an open end? It's not like there is a gaping hole inviting the elements in, plus, it sits on your chest and there really isn't an opportunity for the elements or any debris to make it in there. This is one of my 7x rigs:

I am curious as to why this is something you can't live with.

You can always have the toe stitched closed or a toe plug sewn into place. For my purposes, it doesn't make much difference but I make them either way. I just don't do chest rigs at present. I recommend 7x for that.

Judging by the way the white stitching stops where it does suggests to me that the leather is folded over and the two sides sewn together leaving an opening between where the stitching stops and the leather folds. This is a very beautiful holster for sure.

I like the end of the holster closed for the protection of the muzzle/crown. More of an issue on a hip holster in sitting position. I spoke to the guy that makes the Alaskan Guide holster as that looks like a versatile rig for most hunting situations. He would not make one with a closed muzzle though.

The 7x rig gives ample leather in front of the muzzle for the exact situation you are describing, it was an intentional design feature, and if you know Wes, he hunts hard and his personal leather gets used and abused, if he saw it as an issue it would have been remedied.

The Grizzly Tough is closed

I contacted 7X and diamond custom leather to see if I could get a closed muzzle. I have a Simply Rugged crossdraw that works great while riding on a tractor or other vehicle with a 6 in revolver. This holster has the muzzle sewn shut. I think I requested that done but it's been a while. It is easy to bump metal getting of and on machines and the closed muzzle end helps keep dust and dirt from entering.

I have no problem running the stitch line all the way around if that's what you'd like. But I would do my very best to try and talk you out of it... Lol

And this gentleman is the proprietor of 7x Leather. A serious handgun hunter, great holster maker, and all-around good guy.

I don't see muzzle damage as an issue at all. I know that I leave at least 3/8" of leather past the muzzle of my open toe holsters.

Starting in November, I will be hunting with a muzzleloader and carrying this $2500 engraved Open Top in the open toe flap holster shown, primarily sitting on the ground in a turkey seat. If I thought the open toe was going to present a danger to this prized sixgun, I would've done a sewn plug.

Craig,

What is the downside of a closed muzzle? How does the toe plug work? Is that a better option than sewing the muzzle end shut?

Thanks for the info!

The argument against the closed toe is that while it keeps anything from entering the toe, if anything enters the throat, it can't escape through the toe. That it encourages dirt and debris to collect inside the holster. Personally, I use both and don't find it to be much of an issue either way.

The stitched toe or plug is just a design variation. The plug is just more appropriate to the flap holster pictured above. It is also more difficult and time consuming. Notice it does have a hole to allow water to drain out, should one get caught in the rain.

This is a plug:


This is a stitched toe. Not too big a deal to cut a longer welt and stitch it all the way:

For reference, this is an open toe version of the same basic holster design.

Craig,

You should be very proud of your leather work. Or should I say art work on leather canvas! The guns are beautiful as well. Thanks for the education on holster design. If you made a chest rig I would have to get one from you. On a side note I had a cap and ball replica when I was a kid long before I got my first center fire handgun. But back to the thread on holsters,the guy that makes the Alaskan Guide won't make me a closed muzzle and the guy that makes the 7X will as he posted here. Looks like that is the one I'll get. I'll ask him to use the longer welt as you suggest. Great pictures! Thanks for taking the time to display your work and explain the differences.

Best,

Don

Thanks for the kind words. Wes will do you right. His work is excellent. I've actually got one on order from him right now for my scoped .480 Super Redhawk.

Craig outstanding work but WOW on that handgun holster combo I hope you can get back with pictures on your hunt with fine gun....