The Galco Great Alaskan Chest Holster GA228R is a purpose-built, premium leather chest rig designed to carry your Glock 20 or Glock 21 high, centered, and ready—exactly where you need it when you’re in the backcountry. Made from tan premium steerhide and fully lined with smooth leather, this Great Alaskan model fits chest sizes up to 54" and is an outstanding option for hunters, anglers, hikers, and anyone traveling in bear country who wants fast access to a powerful sidearm. WTW Arms+2Gritr Sports+2
Built for Backcountry Protection
Galco’s Great Alaskan chest holster system is part of their expanding line of chest-style hunting and outdoor holsters. It’s specifically engineered to carry a large-frame auto like the Glock 20/21 in a crossdraw torso position so you can access your handgun quickly, even with a backpack, bino harness, or waders on. Palmetto State Armory+3WTW Arms+3Gritr Sports+3
Ideal scenarios include:
Hunting in grizzly or black bear country
Fishing remote rivers and streams with both hands busy
Camping and hiking where four-legged and two-legged threats are possible
ATV, horseback, or pack trips where belt holsters are impractical
Instead of fighting with a hip holster under a pack belt, the Great Alaskan keeps your Glock front and center, above the waist belt, and ready for a clean draw. Ammunition Depot+2Gritr Sports+2
Premium Steerhide Holster & Harness
Both the holster body and harness are crafted from premium steerhide, not nylon or mixed materials. Palmetto State Armory+3WTW Arms+3Gritr Sports+3
Key construction details:
Holster component fully lined with smooth leather for a refined feel and a smoother draw stroke
Harness also made of premium steerhide, providing superior durability compared to typical synthetic chest rigs
Tan finish that blends naturally with hunting gear and outdoor clothing
This all-leather build gives you a rig that looks good and wears in over time, molding to your body and your gun for long-term comfort and reliability. Ammunition Depot+2Gritr Sports+2
Chest-Style Crossdraw Carry
The Great Alaskan positions your Glock in a horizontal / slight crossdraw orientation across the chest, making it easy to reach with your strong hand while keeping both hands largely free for trekking poles, fishing rods, or a rifle. WTW Arms+2Gritr Sports+2
Benefits of chest-style carry:
Clear of pack waist belts, hip straps, chest rigs, and waders
Much easier to access when seated in a boat, blind, vehicle, or on horseback
Keeps the pistol away from brush, mud, and snow compared to low-slung belt holsters
If you’ve ever struggled to reach a sidearm under layers and straps, this style of holster is a game-changer in the field.
Comfortable 2" Shoulder Strap & Pivoting Harness
Comfort matters when you’re covering miles, so Galco built this rig with an extra-wide, 2-inch shoulder strap that helps distribute the weight of a fully loaded Glock 20 or 21. Palmetto State Armory+3WTW Arms+3Gritr Sports+3
Harness features include:
2" wide shoulder strap to spread weight and reduce hot spots
Pivoting attachment points at the holster interface, allowing the rig to move with your body instead of binding
Adjustable torso strap that wraps around the body to stabilize the holster
These details make the Great Alaskan comfortable for long days in the mountains, on the water, or at camp. Gritr Sports+2Classic Firearms+2
Adjustable Torso Strap with Fastex-Type Buckle
The torso strap uses a Fastex-type buckle that makes it fast and easy to put on or take off the holster, even over bulky clothing. Gritr Sports+1
Quick-release buckle for rapid donning and doffing
Strap adjusts to fit chest sizes up to 54", accommodating most users and layering systems WTW Arms+2Gritr Sports+2
Designed to stay put without creeping or loosening under movement
This is especially handy when you’re getting in and out of vehicles, transitioning from pack to camp, or changing layers throughout the day.
Secure Retention Strap with Glove-Friendly Release
The Great Alaskan incorporates a thumb-break style retention strap with a polymer release tab that’s glove-friendly, giving you secure retention without sacrificing speed. eBay+2Gritr Sports+2
Keeps your Glock locked in during aggressive movement, scrambling, or riding
Designed to be defeated quickly with a natural thumb motion
Polymer tab is easy to locate and operate even with cold or gloved hands
That combination of positive retention and fast, intuitive release is exactly what you want from a backcountry chest holster.
Fits Glock 20/21 – Large-Frame Auto Ready
This specific model, GA228R, is tailored for:
It’s designed for large-frame autos used in 10mm and .45 ACP—popular calibers for defensive sidearms in the woods. The holster fully covers the trigger guard while offering ample clearance for a smooth draw. Gritr Sports+1
Note: Product is compatible with Glock pistols but is not manufactured or endorsed by Glock, as many retailers clarify. Classic Firearms+1
Optional Ammo Carrier (Sold Separately)
The Great Alaskan harness can accept an optional Great Alaskan ammo carrier that holds either six spare cartridges (for revolvers) or a single spare magazine (for autos). Gritr Sports+1
While this GA228R package includes the holster and harness, the add-on carrier is available separately from Galco and many retailers if you want to keep extra ammo on the same chest rig.
Key Specifications – Galco Great Alaskan Chest Holster GA228R
Why Choose the Galco Great Alaskan for Your Glock 20/21?
If you rely on a Glock 20 or 21 as your backcountry sidearm, the Galco Great Alaskan Chest Holster GA228R gives you a carry solution that’s:
Purpose-built for bear country and remote terrain
Comfortable for all-day wear thanks to a wide, pivoting harness and premium leather construction
Fast to access in a crossdraw chest position, even over heavy clothing and pack straps
Secure and confidence-inspiring, with a retention strap plus a smooth leather-lined holster body
From Alaska to the lower 48, this tan leather chest holster is a trusted way to keep a powerful handgun ready when you’re deep in the wild. Strap it on, adjust it to your chest size, and you’re equipped with a rugged, professional-grade Galco rig built for serious outdoor use.
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