Handmade Summit Pack and Rifle Carry System

[jamesmc2]

Got board in the off-season so I have been making some equipment for this falls backpack hunting trips.

First I made a rifle carry system. It is lightweight and will attach to all of my packs. It is made of tacked nylon webbing and attaches with two lightweight biners. The hole system weights about 4-6 oz. It uses a single detachable upper strap to attach and center the barrel.

I also made a small waterproof summit pack. It doubles as a stuff sack for a sleeping bag and also weights less than 8oz. It has a small foam back panel that can be removed as a seat for glassing. I will carry enough minimalist gear for a day of hiking and hunting. It also has a top strap and bungee to carry extra or wet gear on the outside of the pack

Who said that sewing aint manly!

 

[jmden]

Nice work!

 

[Snubbie]

I like the looks of that rifle carry system. Looks secure. Several questions:

Have you tried it? Does the butt end swing back and forth when you walk?
Can it be attached to the side of a pack and accessed without removing the pack?
Just bought a new Kelty pack and looking into a carry system. I like Kifaru's GunBearer but probably wouldn't be actively hunting when carrying this pack. You design may just work but I would prefer it on the side of the pack.

Good woor BTW! Looks good!

 

[Kaliska]

That is awesome! Where did you find the waterproof camo material? I'd like to make a rain cover for my backpack out of that.

 

[Outlaw6.0]

I like the looks of that rifle carry system. Looks secure. Several questions:

Have you tried it? Does the butt end swing back and forth when you walk?
Can it be attached to the side of a pack and accessed without removing the pack?
...

My experience has been less than stellar with side of the pack scabbards. My current system is setup that way & I'm not super happy with it.

Pros:

Can ride my ATV w/o having to remove my rifle or pack.
I can pull it from the scabbard w/o removing the pack. (Read Quick)

Cons:

My rifle is ~10lbs, too much weight on one side of my pack.
Can throw you off balance while on rough terrain.
Seems to get caught on more things sticking out on the side, where, if it was in line with your head, I would tend to think it would be in a more "natural" place.

 

[rcdinaz]

Nice work! The biners cold also server doubel duty for other things if needed.

 

[Snubbie]

Not a lot of commercial options out there. Better get yourself a patent on this or soon they'll show up on some outdoor/hunting gear website for sale.

 

[rcdinaz]

That is awesome! Where did you find the waterproof camo material? I'd like to make a rain cover for my backpack out of that.

barre army navy store has more choices of camo h2o proof fabric then you can ever use. I used the same pattern as james did for our wind/rain blocker on my boats duckblind. Good stuff and very light andthey have sales all the time.

 

[jamesmc2]

I like the looks of that rifle carry system. Looks secure. Several questions:

Have you tried it? Does the butt end swing back and forth when you walk?
Can it be attached to the side of a pack and accessed without removing the pack?
Just bought a new Kelty pack and looking into a carry system. I like Kifaru's GunBearer but probably wouldn't be actively hunting when carrying this pack. You design may just work but I would prefer it on the side of the pack.

Good woor BTW! Looks good!

For some reason I did not see the replies to this thread. I have used the carry system and it is very secure and easy to hike with and has minimal sway. You have to remove the pack to get the rifle out. It can be used on the side of the pack too, I am sure you could configure a way to get the rifle out without taking the pack off. I designed this for hiking in and out of base camp with a full size backpack.

 

[jamesmc2]

That is awesome! Where did you find the waterproof camo material? I'd like to make a rain cover for my backpack out of that.

I use a website called Outdoor Wilderness Fabrics based out of Idaho. The sell everything you need for all sorts of projects. Thus far I have made a Sil Nylon Tarp Tent, Gore-Tex Bivy Sac, Backpack and multiple stuff sacks. Their prices are very reasonable.

Outdoor Wilderness Fabrics - Supplying all your outdoor fabric needs

 

[mtnwrunner]

I use a website called Outdoor Wilderness Fabrics based out of Idaho. The sell everything you need for all sorts of projects. Thus far I have made a Sil Nylon Tarp Tent, Gore-Tex Bivy Sac, Backpack and multiple stuff sacks. Their prices are very reasonable.

Outdoor Wilderness Fabrics - Supplying all your outdoor fabric needs

+1 for Outdoor Wilderness fabrics===I use them for various fabrics and they also have neoprene in different thicknesses. I'm currently working on a rifle scabbard for horseback hunting utilizing neoprene.



Randy

 

[BigJam]

I have used a Kirafu Long Range Hunter and gunbearer system many times and I love both of them. The only complaint I have is that when I hike all day I find having that 8-10 lbs of rifle hanging on one side causes my hip to ache badly. The best way to lash it and carry it centred on you back and close to the body (like the Eberlestock packs do) for the long hike then once you get to the hunting area switch to the gunbearer carry as there is no other system that allows you to get your gun into shooting position faster than the gunbearer does.

 

[matt meyer]

That is sweet. Nice job