Sling-backpack problems

[Ian]

(Moderators - If this isn't the suitable area for this thread, please move it somewhere more appropriate)

I've been playing around with my backpack and my rifles, and I've run into some problems. For some background, my pack is an old external-frame deal and I've done this experimenting with my Daewoo (single-point loop sling) and Enfield (swaping between a standard carry strap and Ching Sling).

With a "normal" sling (carry strap or Ching) I just can't keep the rifle on my shoulder. In either American or African carry it bangs against the pack frame and slides right off. The single-point sling works a bit better, but the pack prevents me from slinging the rifle behind me, so I have to hold on to it all the time. Is there any good way to carry a rifle with a large backpack? Are the internal-frame packs narrow enough to stay clear of a rifle? Also, it looks like a chest carry sling might work ok, but I've never tried one out (much less hiked with it).

Also, are the pack shoulder straps sit exactly where I want my rifle butt to go when I'm shooting. And (of course ) the straps are a nice slick nylon that buttplates slide right off of. I can mount the rifle if I slip one arm out of the shoulder strap, but that's a real pain to do. Are there any better ways around this? Pack straps designed for shooters, or something?

Thanks!

 

[Justin]

Hey Ian!

I'm gonna move this'un over to the gear forum.

 

[Chris Rhines]

Ian - A new backpack? Seriously? Hmmm. I suppose that taking the Daewoo to REI and asking to try out a few packs wouldn't work?

You might try a small day-pack type thing, with straps made from heavy mesh or nylon webbing. If that doesn't work, a liberal application of grip tape on the shoulder strap should help the sling stick a bit more.

I wonder if there would be a way to use a kind of tool-holder attached to the backpack to keep the rifle out of the way? I'll pull my pack out and see what I can rig up.

- Chris

 

[TacticalSquirrel]

You may want to look towards some packs that will be more military or designed specifically for hunting. There are both internal and external frame military packs that allow shouldering of a rifle. I use a Eagle Becker, and it has material at that point to reduce the slipperiness of shouldering. Depending on what your budget is, Kifaru makes military and hunting packs designed for sportsmen with issues like rifles. Both have websites, as well as many other packs. Lightfighter.com has some of these you can view on his website, and Kifaru also has a good site detailing some of this stuff. Some more information as to what you're looking to do mostly and what types of packs you want to use and such would help you pick what's best for your needs as well.

 

[BerettaNut92]

You mean like this?

http://www.blackhawkindustries.com/product_detail.asp?product_id=1793&d=

 

[Tazz10m]

I don't put anything "pole shaped" on my backpacks anymore. They aways end up getting caught on branches and other over head obstructions. I also try not to carry my rifle with the barrel pointing down anymore because there is too much chance of jamming the muzzle into a rock or something. I use a bungie type strap that has some stretch to it and that really helps out with taking the fatigue effects of the weight off and also really helps with quick pointing and manuvering the gun because it is so much more forgiving. I carry the rifle across my chest horizontally with the barrel pointing down a bit. If i encounter a situation where i need to point the barrel straight down it is easy to do especially because of the bungie effect. With the gun across my chest it makes it much easier to hike through the nasty stuff without the gun getting in the way. It is also very fast.

 

[Ian]

Tazz10m - That sounds like a good system - is your sling a commercial product? If so, do you have a link where I could look at one? Otherweise, could you describe how it works a bit more specifically? Thanks...

 

[Tazz10m]

Ian, my system i made my self. I am still in the middle of designing and refining it for possible commercial sale in the future, so i don't want to say too much about it. I've been working on this design for over 16 years, but other product design projects like AGrip have kept it on the back burner. I did see a very simple bungie type sling system quite a bit like it when i was at the SHOT Show in Vegas about two years back that also worked quite well in a similar way and seemed to be well constructed, but did not have certain features that mine has. I can't seem to think of the name of it or the company that made it. I do know that Butler Creek makes pretty good "stretchy" rifle slings that work pretty well, made with neoprine, but, again, it's not like mine, and it's also not like the one i tried at the SHOT Show. I really think you can make yourself one if you just sit down and really think about how the design would have to be. Think "form follows function." I can tell you that my system has very little "hardware" because hard metal and plastic make way too much noise and can damage the gun and the body and can also to a certain extent hinder the movement of the sling and the weapon. I tried to do a search on Google for the system i saw at SHOT, and will try again when i get some more time and see if i can find it for you.