Full review of the Kenai Chest Holster for the outdoorsmen

[Yugomaster]

A review of this badass holster, for those who do a lot of outdoor activities might want to consider this setup. http://defensivepopulace.net/kenai-chest-holster-review/

[JHC]

The review might have mentioned the care that must be exercised to keep from muzzling your support hand and arm during the draw. I like mine a lot, but the mechanics of the draw are radically different if not muzzling your offside appendage is a priority.

[Gray222]

The review might have mentioned the care that must be exercised to keep from muzzling your support hand and arm during the draw. I like mine a lot, but the mechanics of the draw are radically different if not muzzling your offside appendage is a priority.

Yep first thing that stood out to me as well.

I had emailed the company, twice, about the holster and the muzzle issue, still waiting on a response...(not)

[Yugomaster]

Even if they were to design the setup for the gun to angle straight down at your feet, it will be awkward to draw and not that easy. That's why we train to never rush reholstering and once the gun is in your holster, you then have a nerf gun.

[JHC]

No argument there.

If you have many thousands of reps drawing it's very likely you are working with both hands/arms out in front of you. It takes some concentration to draw the offside arm and hand back and clear of the muzzle as you grip and rip.

I'm not against this carry position for the cicumstances that may warrant it, but the draw and reholster struck me as trickier than AIWB which requires care.

It's not a deal killer, the HPG chest pack is somewhat similar and that's great gear too.

[JodyH]

Resurrecting this thread from the grave and revisiting the Kenai chest holster from GunfightersINC.

I recently won a bid for a backcountry infrared survey project that will be starting next spring in the central Rocky mountains, a little south for brown bears but solidly in big black bear country.
We (by "we" I mean two to three of us) will be in the backcountry for 3-4 weeks, with a lot of multi-night backpacking involved.
The work equipment I'll be carrying pretty much rules out also carrying a long gun so I've started looking into backcountry handguns.
For now I've settled on a H&K P30L .40 LEM Trijicon HD's , loaded with Underwood Xtreme Penetrators, carried in a Kenai chest holster.

I've been "test driving" the gun/ammo/holster combination over the past few weeks and am very happy with the results.
As usual the P30L just works no matter what abuse it receives and the Underwood functions great and has impressed me with its penetration through various mediums.
I chose to go with .40 because A: I already owned a P30L and B: the Underwood Penetrator ammo is a great equalizer versus picking up something in .45+P or .45 Super (especially on black bears).
The P30L can also be loaded up with 165 HST's and easily carried AIWB for trips back to civilization.

The Kenai has worked great.
The wide elastic harness rides under a pack without hot spots and supports the weight of the gun well.
The retention is perfect, it takes a solid tug to draw one handed, but I've never had an issue with the gun falling out (even after a tumble down an arroyo bank).
I also use a HPG Heavy Recon Kit bag for when I want to maintain a lower profile (National/State Parks where CCW is legal but open carry often isn't or draws too much attention).
I've found the safest, most positive draw is to bring my weak hand up high on the chest and grab the large fastex buckle, then draw into Southnarc's #2 and then do a press out.
Fast, positive and the muzzle stays oriented away from my chest and support hand/arm.
I'm currently wearing it where the breech is just about my xiphoid process
One thing I'm still working on the the placement of my backpack chest strap.
Under the holster is best, but I hate having the chest strap under anything because being able to exit a backpack quickly can save your life (especially around water).
For now I've slid the buckle over to the far right and trimmed away all the excess strap and taped what little tail remains down with Gorilla Tape to make it slick enough to reliably come out from under the holster straps without hanging up on anything, that also keeps the straps away from the trigger guard.
I still have a few bugs to work out on my overall backpacking setup but the Kenai will definitely be part of my kit.

20970

[JHC]

For those on FB, Gunfightersinc has been hitting it hard. Somewhere on there is a video review which keeps showing up on my newsfeed until I went to look for it now.

https://www.facebook.com/GunfightersINC/

[GJM]

I am just not carrying, drawing or holstering a striker in a chest holster. I want a hammer to trap and a longer trigger pull when drawing. With AIWB, Ethernet a foam wedge and tilting my pelvis, I can avert the muzzle. Bunch of people have shot themselves in Alaska with chest holsters.

[JodyH]

I am just not carrying, drawing or holstering a striker in a chest holster. I want a hammer to trap and a longer trigger pull when drawing. With AIWB, Ethernet a foam wedge and tilting my pelvis, I can avert the muzzle. Bunch of people have shot themselves in Alaska with chest holsters.
LEM for the win.
I dabbled with VP's for a few months and came right back around to the LEM.
The slight shootability advantage of the striker just wasn't worth the loss of a hammer to ride and the longer LEM trigger press.

I will say that if Alaska is anything like New Mexico, the trigger type is pretty far down the list of mistakes that led up to the self-inflicted GSW.

[GJM]

Most of my USP pistols are set up with the match hybrid, but I have a pair of P30L DA/SA pistols I got from BCL, that have the most amazing DA/SA triggers for an HK, that I can shoot them better than any LEM, especially one handed. These two pistols really changed my thinking about which HK trigger I prefer.

[Dagga Boy]

I need to look at that rig for my USP Expert that will end up being my future outdoors gun.

[OnionsAndDragons]

Most of my USP pistols are set up with the match hybrid, but I have a pair of P30L DA/SA pistols I got from BCL, that have the most amazing DA/SA triggers for an HK, that I can shoot them better than any LEM, especially one handed. These two pistols really changed my thinking about which HK trigger I prefer.

I gotta ask: what is different about them that you believe created this result?

I'm looking at just getting HK TDA guns to scratch the itch instead of others to keep my support gear budget down.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[GJM]

I gotta ask: what is different about them that you believe created this result?

I'm looking at just getting HK TDA guns to scratch the itch instead of others to keep my support gear budget down.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk


BCL

[JodyH]

I need to look at that rig for my USP Expert that will end up being my future outdoors gun.
If low profile is desired the Hill People Gear Recon Kit chest bag is the way to go (although it does get warm when you're hiking or in hot weather).
If you don't mind having a big pistol openly strapped to your chest the Kenai works well and isn't nearly as hot and sweaty.
I like those two because I often hike in very lightweight nylon Ex Officio style shorts/pants that won't support anything on a belt.

[JHC]

Bunch of people have shot themselves in Alaska with chest holsters.

And the recent one was with a .454 Casull revolver! Any news on whether it was a DA or SA design?

[JodyH]

And the recent one was with a .454 Casull revolver! Any news on whether it was a DA or SA design?
Watching how the average Bubba reholsters his handgun in a floppy leather belt holster I can totally see how they can shoot themself in the chest especially with a leather Tanker style holster.
For some reason they like to use the muzzle to open up the holster mouth, usually by pointing it straight into their hip/chest and then start wiggling the gun down into the holster (with their finger on the trigger the entire time).
If they are using a Tanker holster with a flap I can just imagine the stupidity they are capable of trying to reholster, especially one-handed.

[BCL]

I gotta ask: what is different about them that you believe created this result?

I'm looking at just getting HK TDA guns to scratch the itch instead of others to keep my support gear budget down.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Wolff 12lb hammer spring, light firing pin block spring (209296), and nickel-plated sear spring. Drops the DA down to 8-9lbs IIRC, but it's been a while. Make it seem much lighter than that and a lot smoother than typical HK DA triggers. Total cost (minus your time) should be less than $40.

[OnionsAndDragons]

Wolff 12lb hammer spring, light firing pin block spring (209296), and nickel-plated sear spring. Drops the DA down to 8-9lbs IIRC, but it's been a while. Make it seem much lighter than that and a lot smoother than typical HK DA triggers. Total cost (minus your time) should be less than $40.

Awesome. That was my plan, and possibly sending out the bits to get NP3 on one to see if it's even nicer.

Thanks for the reply!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[PNWTO]

Necrobump.

While talking to the guys at Gunfighters they mentioned they do have a quite a few customers who use the Kenai with a G43 under a shirt/tie or a vest and it works well. I purchased the Kenai with G43 shell prior to Christmas and have been using it underneath a jacket or vest while skiing, running, garage workout-ing, and simple errands around town. It is very comfortable and even under my ski pack (aka beer holder) it was barely noticeable. Definitely proofed it for and will be ordering one for a USP 45 soon.

I agree that it isn't the best for SFA guns and isn't a good "urban" holster but I have been impressed. I have also been thinking about a dedicated Kenai for a G19 w/WML and a few Taco pouches fixed to the straps for something of a "bump in the night HD" rig.

[Clusterfrack]

Interesting idea. Might have to look into that.

[Sherman A. House DDS]

After seeing Jody’s recommendation on these, I’ve thought about getting one for a Shield or an M&P Compact 2.0 to wear while running with the pup or while trucking around in shorts and a hoodie. I always liked the idea of a chest holster for driving, too.


civiliandefender.com

[PNWTO]

Interesting idea. Might have to look into that.

If you're talking about the HD rig thing, please let me know. I am simply envisioning something that can hold a gun w/light, handheld light, phone, keys, maybe a TQ. To this end my mind created a Kenai with Tacos or Ten-Speeds. I think the much cheaper and simpler option would either be a HPG Recon Kit Bag or a fanny pack.

[Clusterfrack]

I like the HPG too. Haven’t figured out a trail running solution yet though.

[41magfan]

The nice thing about the HPG Kit Bag is that it's not gun specific and several different versions are offered, depending on how much stuff you need to carry besides the gun itself.

[FOG]

Regarding trail running, I use a HPG snubby kit bag (original pattern) while running on trails or road. I pair it with their recon harness because it'll carry a hydration bladder. I've completed many 20+ mile runs with that setup, very comfortable for me even in warm weather.

Sent from my SM-G900R4 using Tapatalk

[Nephrology]

I've completed many 20+ mile runs with that setup, very comfortable for me even in warm weather.

Sent from my SM-G900R4 using Tapatalk

There is no way that running 20+ miles in one go is 'very comfortable,' no matter what you're wearing ;)

[PNWTO]

There is no way that running 20+ miles in one go is 'very comfortable,' no matter what you're wearing ;)

Been there, done that. It is more akin to some Native Vision Quest where personal suffering allows you to gain insight on the universe... and eat three burgers and down a pitcher of beer while hanging out with your trail running weirdo friends.

My fitness plan for life is essentially "Fat kid does a trick, fat kid gets a treat."

[Nephrology]

Been there, done that. It is more akin to some Native Vision Quest where personal suffering allows you to gain insight on the universe... and eat three burgers and down a pitcher of beer while hanging out with your trail running weirdo friends.

My fitness plan for life is essentially "Fat kid does a trick, fat kid gets a treat."

I draw the line at a 10k - any more running than that and my cripplingly short attention span begins to make it deeply uncomfortable.