Gear Review: GunfightersINC Kenai Chest Holster

During a recent hunting expedition, my friend Dave had a really neat chest harness holster for his GLOCK brand GLOCK. I became intrigued and started looking around.  What I didn’t care for with Dave’s rig was the leather strap retention. I used to compete while wearing my duty gear and always preferred the thumb snap or thumb break holster. His was a fold-over type strap that required an up-then-down motion to free the pistol. I also didn’t like . . .

that it was leather. I live and spend a great deal of time outside in western Oregon, and in the outdoors it rains here. A lot. Usually 3-4 feet per year. Water and leather? Hmmm. I needed something more weather tolerant. What I was looking for was a way to carry a primary or secondary handgun in a holster that wouldn’t interfere with a backpacker’s/hunter’s existing setup.

Most belt holsters get in the way of a hip or waist belt common with backpacks or rifle slings. It’s one or the other. While my light duty day pack is mostly supported by my shoulders, it does help to have the waste belt buckled and cinched. So having a normally belted self defense pistol in a hip holster can be problematic. I also usually have a rifle slung if something is in season. But it seems like the rifle butt or barrel is always knocking on a hip-holstered handgun.

So when we acquired a nylon-strapped Kydex rig from GunfightersINC I gladly volunteered. And here are a few of the things I find myself doing where carrying a chest rig just makes sense:Winter/spring– depending on snow levels, mushroom hunting. No, not those kind of mushrooms,  The nutritious kind. Setting trail cameras, where to set my tree stand for bear. Turkey hunting, spring bear hunting.

Spring/summer– more mushrooms, bear hunting, long range shooting, hiking. Cougar hunting.

Summer/fall– pre season scouting for pronghorn, (speed goat), deer and elk. More trail cams, more hiking, bird hunting.

Fall/winter– full on hunting. Deer, elk, bear, cougar. Mushrooms! Chanterelles, Angel wings. Ahh, free, plentiful food!During these outings, I like to pack something that can protect me from the two- and four-legged critters. I prefer to pack my GLOCK brand GLOCK model 20 in 10mm. Fortunately, GunfightersINC has that covered.

First impressions: the fit for my GLOCK was great. Full coverage, nothing lacking. Full slide/barrel coverage and trigger guard retention is just right for retention during rigorous activities. The only thing really exposed is the grip area. The nylon straps have enough play to cover everything from my winter/spring clothing to just a t-shirt. Just pull the cinch straps. Adjustment from bulky to thin was easy. Even though it has multiple buckles for ease of on off, only one buckle is really needed to the whole thing off or click it back on. Very easy to manipulate.

It can fairly easily be used concealed carry under a jacket. Of course, that kinda makes me look like an OFWG. Oh wait. I am…. I don’t go mountain biking, but I do ride my dual sport on rough terrain. The generous amount of nylon makes it ideal to quickly expand to fit over a thick coat. But I enjoy open carry for handguns. And make no mistake…this open carry is a bit more open than most methods. It only takes a moment for folks to realize that’s a pistol there on your chest. When it’s just a few inches below your face, folks tend to notice.

I’ve always liked the cross-draw style holster for a carry method while driving a car. It places the gun away from the seat belt buckle when you’re right-handed. And the Kenai works perfectly when behind the wheel. Just a thought, but I think this would also be a very viable carry method for folks in wheelchairs, again openly or under a coat of some type for concealment.

In short, the Kenai solves a lot of my carry problems for the times I’m out of the house in wandering in the wild. Design, construction, and ergonomics are all first rate. I’m definitely ordering one of these for my .44 mag wheel gun.

Specifications: GunfightersINC Kenai Chest Holster
Price: $150.00