So learned an important lesson last night while practicing some nighttime photography; a 10mm 1911 in a cross draw holster under 3 layers of clothing is about as accessible as leaving it locked up in the truck.

The gun and holster combination has worked fine for me in the past, but last night underneath all those layers was just unworkable. I was totally focused on getting a skyline shot and my camera on the tripod when all at once I heard one hell of a noise behind me. I'm thinking bear? moose? sasquatch? No just one very pissed off Canadian Goose walking by itself at 0400 making all kinds of noise.

So thinking I may try the chest holster rig for my 629 Mountain gun that I bought and have never used under a few less layers.

I just looked at Anchorage forecast. Colder than I am in N.E. Ohio and I know it's gets ALOT colder there later in Winter.
My normal Winter carry is a shirt, hoodie and my Carharrt jacket. I wouldn't call it open carry but I do carry my 19X in an OWB holster. It's a thumb snap so I have retention and better security than just an open top holster.
Decently accessible with a tug on the hoodie to get my right hand on the grip. I'll probably start getting ready to practice in a few weeks with this setup.

The biggest challenger for me with concealed carry?
Cold weather.
Other than a coat pocket carry snub, I usually go OWB. Then I wear a light weight liner jacket with the liner tucked behind the pistol butt. I keep the liner zipped up for warmth. Then I wear a shell jacket over the liner, which I leave unzipped. This keeps me warm and gives me good access.
If out and about in the woods in really cold weather, I wear a chest rig over the liner and then zip the shell over the chect rig.
I also wear a heavy Carhartt hoodie if it is not to cold.

Yup, perfect case for a hammer less snubbie....I carried a CA Bulldog for a couple winters this way.

This sounds like a good use for a small pistol or revolver in your outer coat pocket as your first "go-to." A little gun to fight your way to the big gun.

I used to carry a P239 357 in a kydex chest holster. The holster could be configured for canted upward or downward draw. Vertical up under bibs with a zipper jacket or down when wearing regular jeans and a hoodie. Perfect for temps between -30 to 40. Very easy draw.

I suppose a move to Florida is out of the question?

Is an outer holster a total no-go? As in, something that fits either outside all the layers or at least all but one layer? If not, agree with a bigger sized chest rig, just to allow for the friggin' arctic tundra you live in?

Here's your 'Alaskan' solution, which would be my choice for a revolver -> https://www.diamonddcustomleat...choice-chest-holster

They're even local to you, in an 'Alaskan' kinda way....

That said, for a semi-auto, I'd go with this -> https://gunfightersinc.com/kenai-chest-holster/

Full Disclosure: I have a Kenai Chest Holster from Gunfighters[Inc] and it's a REALLY Nice rig. I got it to carry an HK USPc and I can't recommend it enough! The people at Gunfighters were great to deal with and customized it EXACTLY the way I wanted it. The quality is excellent, it's extremely adjustable and it carries VERY well!

^^^ What he said! My chest rigs are Gunfighters.

Simply Rugged makes a great chest set up (Chesty Puller):

https://www.simplyrugged.com/