Designed to maintain a low-profile appearance while giving the wearer access to their concealed carry option, the Gunfighter Flannel Jacket by Viktos can also be easily adjusted for direct sidearm access for an extended day on the range. Introduced in October 2019, the Gunfighter is a perfect solution for when the weather cools, but our threats do not.
The Gunfighter is made from an outer shell with a thick blend of 60/40 wool and polyester. The jacket’s thick cotton lining also provides additional comfort and warmth. The Gunfighter includes Viktos’ Attackposture™ design, incorporating four-way, flexible back and underarm panels that provides improved flexibility that can accommodate a variety of shooting stances.
At its front, the Gunfighter has a medium collar roll that provides moderate comfort against wind, and protects the neck from chafe caused be rifle slings or other shoulder straps. At the rear and under the collar’s roll is the phrase “Viktos Black Arms Company” which is in reference to the primary manufacturer.
At the chest are two accessory pockets secured via snap button.
The jacket’s side front has vertical zippered chest pockets directly behind the chest accessory pockets that allow for access while wearing a plate carrier. The zipper’s pull-tab consists of a small, knotted nylon cord with heat-shrink tubing.
Both sides to the Viktos Gunfighter include its Gunvent™ design, a unique, dual-zippered side that allows for immediate access to range belt or holstered sidearm while wearing the jacket.
Down the front of the jacket are six front snap buttons that provide closure of the jacket from neck to below the waistline.
Both sleeves include a low-profile cuff with thump port, while the forearms are reinforced to account for “brush bashing” through moderate vegetation. On the left forearm is a small, zipper secured stash pocket.
At the elbow both sleeves include articulated elbow panels to pad provide for flexibility and comfort.
The interior lining of the jacket has a number of features that make it ideal for concealed operations as well as every-day use. With its unique logos at the top of the back and inner left, the liner also includes two zippered cargo/carry pockets (one on each side).
Additionally, the right side of the liner also includes elastic cuffs for interior wire routing and a pass-through eyelet to the zippered chest pocket that allows for concealed communications or a headset/earbuds if desired.
Specifications:
- Genuine YKK zippers
- Heat-shrink tubing on all zipper pulls
- 1-year workmanship & materials warranty
The Gunfighter Flannel Jacket comes in Midwatch (featured) and Ranger Green, and is available in sizes Small to 3XL.
Product Evaluation Scores:
- Cost – Good (4/5): At $195 the Gunfighter Flannel Jacket by Viktos brings together a unique blend of comfort and concealability that promotes an individual’s “tactical lifestyle” wherein one can be situationally aware, and look good doing it. In comparison, other market alternatives would include the Twill Concealed Carry Jacket ($149.99) by Nine Line Apparel, the Sabre Jacket 2.0 ($249.99) by 5.11 or the Ronin XT Jacket ($255) by Triple Aught Design. While all jackets involve their own designs materials, and features – there are few flannel jackets on the market and almost none consider the tactical mindset, and that is what makes Viktos’s take on outerwear so unique.
- Comfort – Good (4/5): The sizing of the Gunfighter felt it ran to the Regular sizing, designed to fit those of average build. It was very comfortable across the shoulders and had significant flexibility on the upper torso thanks to its Attackposture™ material. The articulated elbows and “brush bash” reinforcement was very comfortable and, unlike other padded elbow or forearm material, was not bulky or cumbersome. In wind and light rain, the Gunfighter’s two-part shell did well to keep the wearer dry. Since the fit ran on the Regular sizing; for the 6’2” frame of the reviewer, the sleeves fit adequately – stopping at the wrist bone when the arms were dropped. But the sleeves creeped up approximately 2-3 inches when the arms/hands were raised (reflecting the longer arm length of the individual), thus the thumb ports couldn’t be comfortably used because of the tightness and the port’s material. Viktos could improve the comfort aspect of the Gunfighter by considering a “long” design, or making the ports somewhat elastic to account for the increased arm length of other wearers.
- Durability – Good (4/5): Given that the Gunfighter made from a 60/40 blend of wool and polyester, with a 100% cotton inner shell, it had the same durability as other light jackets. There was some bartack and reinforcement stitching noted at the pockets and other key stress points that added to the jacket’s overall strength. All YKK zippers ran smoothly and did not bind, while all snap buttons provided crisp retention and break. In the time tested during daily wear and on the range, the Gunfighter’s liner did not separate and all threading held. Some excess threading was noted at several points along the edges, but appeared to be due to the machining process and unrelated to the jacket itself (nor effected the integrity of the threading).
- Functionality – Good (4/5): From a functional aspect, the Gunfighter achieved exactly what was intended, to be a comfortable and low-profile light jacket, that functioned on the range just as well as it did for EDC wear. Other tactical or conceal carry jackets, such as the alternatives noted above, have the distinct disadvantage of still appearing tactical – even when intending to appear low-profile. The Gunfighter accomplished a very effective low-profile appearance by blending the zipper lines and hardware into the color and design scheme of the jacket, and by taking on the every-day appearance of flannel. Likewise, while on the range the Gunvent™ dual zippers provided comfortable and easy access to an OWB holster, allowing the wearer to continue wearing the jacket on the range and remain comfortable despite the cold. It also allowed for one-handed access to the beltline if carrying concealed as well. The only minor issue observed was during EDC wear, the continual light friction of the hands passing over the bottom of the Gunvent™ while walking (zipped closed), caused the bottom of the zipper to continually open slightly (resolved simply by closing it again). This is a common problem with other fleece and light jackets that have a similar side opening and resolved by having a covering material (secured via snap button) over the bottom of the zipper to secure it as well as reinforce the closure. Viktos may want to consider that as an improvement in its next Gunvent™ design.
- Weight – Average (3/5): The weight of outerwear varies wildly, often attributed to a combination of materials, layers, design and hardware. The Gunfighter Flannel Jacket weighed approximately 2 pounds due to the material in the outer and inner shells. This is minimally heavier than the alternative jackets detailed above (averaging 1.5 pounds), but that is due to variance in materials and design. In the end, the Gunfighter’s weight was average for outerwear, yet still minimal and did not prove distracting or cumbersome when worn daily, or on the range.
Overall Rating – Above Average (19/25)
Product Link: https://www.viktos.com/collections/outerwear/products/gunfighter-flannel?variant=30279017496672
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