Gun bearer or similar

[Bluumoon]

Interested in the slik sling. I’ve been running the kifaru gun bearer for years. I’ve tried a handful of different systems including the FHF and the SG sling. Neither were compelling enough to step away from the gun bearer. As wierd as it sounds. The gun bearer beats up my shoulder by the end of a long rifle hunt from just pulling it forward constantly.

I've moved my gunbearer to ride behind the shoulder, much improved and still fast access for me.

 

[dwhite0622]

I've moved my gunbearer to ride behind the shoulder, much improved and still fast access for me.

That’s a great idea. I saw your post on that and I’ll try it out. I was thinking about putting orange electrical tape on it so I don’t mix up my straps. Do you have any photos of your setup?

 

[Bluumoon]

That’s a great idea. I saw your post on that and I’ll try it out. I was thinking about putting orange electrical tape on it so I don’t mix up my straps. Do you have any photos of your setup?

https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/rifle-carriers-so-close.395536/, in the thread

 

[goathunter]

https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/rifle-carriers-so-close.395536/, in the thread

seems like you could rig the Stone Glacier the same way

 

[Bluumoon]

seems like you could rig the Stone Glacier the same way

Someone in that thread reported the rifle would fall out of the lower holder on occasion, never had that w the kifaru

 

[FlatlanderJ]

This

I first started with the gun bearer and while it worked ok I didn’t like the rifle/barrel position while hiking. I then switched to the all nylon slik sling and liked it a lot more but still felt it could be better.
I then switched to the exo rifle carrier and slik sling combo. Exo bottom and slik sling top strap. I have come to like this combo the best. Having the weight of the rifle supported by the whole suspension system of the pack is much more comfortable than having it supported by a strap in one small section of the waist belt. It seemed to always create a pressure point on my hip during extended hikes no matter where I positioned it, that is no longer a problem with current combo. Retrieval is almost as quick as the standard slik sling in my experience.

This may be the ticket. Do you feel like the scope runs the outside of your pack all?

I first started with the gun bearer and while it worked ok I didn’t like the rifle/barrel position while hiking. I then switched to the all nylon slik sling and liked it a lot more but still felt it could be better.
I then switched to the exo rifle carrier and slik sling combo. Exo bottom and slik sling top strap. I have come to like this combo the best. Having the weight of the rifle supported by the whole suspension system of the pack is much more comfortable than having it supported by a strap in one small section of the waist belt. It seemed to always create a pressure point on my hip during extended hikes no matter where I positioned it, that is no longer a problem with current combo. Retrieval is almost as quick as the standard slik sling in my experience.

This may be the ticket. The exo bottom looks the most secure but don’t like that I would have to take pack off to replace rifle.

 

[Juan_ID]

This

This may be the ticket. Do you feel like the scope runs the outside of your pack all?

This may be the ticket. The exo bottom looks the most secure but don’t like that I would have to take pack off to replace rifle.

I think it can and probably does rub some, I’ve not had any issues up to this point and I’ve packed it that way more often than not while actively hunting. The rifle can be put back into the rifle carrier without taking the pack off depending on my dexterity that day but it does require a little finagling.

 

[Clarson757]

Throwing this out there but I’ve had decent experience with my rifle in my meat shelf. It’s obviously not quickly accessible but it worked for covering ground.

 

[FlatlanderJ]

I think it can and probably does rub some, I’ve not had any issues up to this point and I’ve packed it that way more often than not while actively hunting. The rifle can be put back into the rifle carrier without taking the pack off depending on my dexterity that day but it does require a little finagling.

Got it. Appreciate the feedback. Curious if you were able to purchase the slik strap separately? Not sure I saw that on their website.

 

[Pilsner]

Once you have your ocular focus ring set for your vision you should be taping it in place so that it never turns on you regardless of carry method.
I was having the same problem on the optic on the rifle that rides in my passenger seat daily around the farm. Works well for me.

 

[Juan_ID]

Got it. Appreciate the feedback. Curious if you were able to purchase the slik strap separately? Not sure I saw that on their website.

I do not think so, I don’t think it would be hard to source the parts and webbing to make one yourself.

 

[Chiledawg]

Frankenstiened my gun bearer. Lower part now attaches where the water bottle carrier does on the K4, the upper strap is attached at top of pack frame, release strap hangs over right shoulder. The release strap should have been made bright orange or red to avoid pulling the wrong strap and dropping rifle.

Rifle rides behind right shoulder, up tight against the pack.

I have a K4 with Kifaru gun bearer and would like to know where you attached the release strap. Thanks.

 

[Bluumoon]

I have the universal upper.

 

[Bluumoon]

Dif view

 

[mgstucson]

I have decided to use the KIFARU Gun Bearer on the KIFARU belt where I can move it on the molle connections in front or behind the shoulder depending on where I want it. I can point the gun forward, up, or back. I wear a large size belt, so that gives me lots of connection positions. I use the Slik Sling V3 Orange strap to secure the top of the gun either in front or behind the shoulder. If it has been a successful hunt and I am on my way out, I put it behind. If I am on my way in or actively hunting, I put it in front or carry it in my hand. If I have to climb up hill or crawl along the ground, I move it to the back. I can get to the rifle about as quick from either position as I can take a slung rifle off my shoulder. I can move it from front to back about as quick. This works best for me. YMMV

 

[JFK]

The EXO option looks slow to deploy and impossible to put back w pack in.

Not slow to deploy once you get the hang of it. Definitely requires you to have good shoulder mobility though. Completely impossible to put your rifle back in with pack on. Kind of a trade off between a very secure, tidy system where you forget you are carrying a rifle, easy to get off in a hurry. But once the gun comes off you are dropping your pack to get it back on.

 

[Bluumoon]

I have decided to use the KIFARU Gun Bearer on the KIFARU belt where I can move it on the molle connections in front or behind the shoulder depending on where I want it. I can point the gun forward, up, or back. I wear a large size belt, so that gives me lots of connection positions. I use the Slik Sling V3 Orange strap to secure the top of the gun either in front or behind the shoulder. If it has been a successful hunt and I am on my way out, I put it behind. If I am on my way in or actively hunting, I put it in front or carry it in my hand. If I have to climb up hill or crawl along the ground, I move it to the back. I can get to the rifle about as quick from either position as I can take a slung rifle off my shoulder. I can move it from front to back about as quick. This works best for me. YMMV

Can you share pics? Slik won’t sell me just the upper or I would have tried it already.

 

[SloppyJ]

The EXO option looks slow to deploy and impossible to put back w pack in.

Since it was attached to my pack the first day of class, I had to utilize it in the pre-test. It's not worth a shit for anything other than carrying your gun when you won't need to use it.

 

[mgstucson]

Can you share pics? Slik won’t sell me just the upper or I would have tried it already.

I will try to get some pics by the end of the week. You are correct, they don't sell just the upper. I had to buy the complete system. I just don't like the weight of the big steel "U" shaped piece on the Slik rifle carrier. It must weigh a pound all by itself.

 

[mgstucson]

Rifle in pictures is a 416 Ruger Hawkeye African model with 24" barrel.


Front of Shoulder Carry, notice gun is nearly vertical in front of shoulder carry, with gun barrel behind my ear and out of field of vison unless I am looking over my shoulder.




Back Of Shoulder Carry. Note gun barrel is tilted back, which is great for crawling on all fours in a stalk, or when climbing steep terrain.





Belt position is the most forward position on my Kifaru belt. Gun Bearer is also adjusted as short as possible and mounted in the upper molle strap position to keep the butt of the gun stock as high as possible so it does not impede walking or climbing in this forward position, since it is in front of my hip. In this forward position, it is effortless to retrieve the rifle or put it back in the KIFARU Gun Bearer without removing pack. This forward position also keeps rifle almost vertical in the front of shoulder carry position, which means the gun barrel is behind my ear and well out of my field of vision even when carrying on front of shoulder.






My go to hunting outfit, KUIU 4000 PRO LT pack and KUIU shoulder straps in Verde camo, EXO K4 frame and K4 lumbar pad, and KIFARU Duplex belt and Gun Bearer, and SLIK SLING rifle strap on KUIU shoulder strap. Pack is all compressed down and wrapped up in storage mode.


With EXO lid.







SLIK SLING rifle strap connected to EXO K4 frame carry handle.






SLIK SLING rifle strap, pack storage mode.







SLIK SLING rifle strap connection post mounted on KUIU shoulder strap. Shoulder strap has a tendency to roll up around the connection post base when the base mounting straps are tensioned. I am going to try to fabricate a small carbon fiber panel the width of the shoulder strap so that when I draw tension on the connection post mounting straps, the shoulder strap will stay flat, and the connection post base will be a more rigid and secure fit to the shoulder strap.




Front of shoulder carry is a little more inconvenient/uncomfortable with a big rifle scope. I say a little more, I can still easily carry on front of shoulder all day with no fatigue issues. In front of shoulder carry, the rifle scope is always under your arm, so scope may be a little more protected in front of shoulder carry. I really prefer back of shoulder carry in most circumstances when the gun is not in my hand. It feels very similar to carrying a rifle in a traditional rifle sling as far as the position of the rifle, but it is MUCH more secure, never slips off my shoulder and there is NO WEIGHT bearing on the shoulder. The weight of the rifle is almost unnoticeable on the KIFARU belt, even my heavy African hunting rifles. My arms and hands are more free with the rifle behind the shoulder, it is more comfortable, and I can really access the gun about as fast from either position. Gun retrieval is similar for time compared to using a traditional rifle sling.