Kifaru Koala?

[kodiakfly]

Anyone carry one of these hunting? I carry a sidearm in various ways, depending on where I'm at, what pack I have on, etc. But none of them are as accessible or as potentially rapid access as I'd like. The Koala looks like it'd solve that problem. It's pretty big, but if I could get it on a Duplex belt, I could replace a medium pouch and not be too far off the mark.

Anyone carry one or have any pics of it mounted on a pack or pack belt?

 

[Josey D]

Kodiak,
I don't know anything about the Koala but I have used The Wilderness Safepacker Holster for quite a few years with my G29. Not as big as the Koala but there are multiple ways to carry it including a strap for a belt on a pack. Not sure if you have looked at them before or not. For superfast access you would probably have to leave the front buckle unlatched but I would be mindful crawling through to many alders with it unlatched.

 

[kodiakfly]

No I hadn't seen that before. I like that idea. I don't need lightning quick speed draw; just something faster than unzipping a pocket and fishing around for a gun in there. I'd for sure keep that buckled up and closed. Freaking alders...

What size do you have? I carry a G20 or G29, depending. I doubt I could fit both in the same holster (not at the same time, just saying one holster won't fit each gun) but I carry the 29 moreso, so I'd want a size to fit that one. Thanks.

 

[sab]

Anyone carry one of these hunting? ... Anyone carry one or have any pics of it mounted on a pack or pack belt?

I carry a full-sized KU Koala (no longer made) on all my hunts (disclaimer: I'm not a bowhunter), and I love it! I don't always carry a sidearm, but when I do, I carry a Glock G20. I carry it on my chest. Never tried to put it on a belt, but I think it would be too bulky. The items that are always in my Koala are my Swaro EL Range binos, maps, my Delorme InReach and iPhone, and most of my kill kit. It does take some getting used to, but I love how easy it is to access everything.

Incidentally, I used a Wilderness Safepacker to carry the G20 before the original Koala came on the market. I then switched to the Koala, and then to the KU Koala when that came available. I also had an HPG Kit Bag, but recently sold it because I never used it.

Regards,
Scott

 

[gwl79902]

Take a look at hill people gear kit bags. they are similar to kifaru but they come in different sizes and styles also there products are very well made and thought out.

 

[kodiakfly]

Thanks guys. On my chest would be ideal, and I carried it there in my AGC bino pack for a while and stuffed my binos under the armpit strap but it just wasn't working. So now binos ride on my chest where they belong and the gun needs to go on my waist. I used to carry my G20 more than I do now, but since I got the 29, I carry it more. If I can't get something done in those 10 shots, 7 more probably wouldn't matter. And it's just smaller. I carry it now in a Kifaru pouch on my waist and it's not too bulky. So if I can get a proper gun carrier like one of these and the carrier itself isn't too bulky, it should work well.

 

[Josey D]

I have the officers which is 7"x8" & have the pearce grip extender on my mags but their site recommends the commander size for the G29 which is 7-3/8" X 8-1/4. Like you said you would have to go up one more size to the gov. to fit your G20. If you are thinking about it, it may be worth a call to see why they recommend one size up. Otherwise if you are in no hurry I can send mine down or bring it with in April

 

[kodiakfly]

Nah that works for me. If you're getting a 29 in the Officer's, smaller is better. Thanks.

 

[alukban]

I got the original, full-sized Koala when they first came out also

I love mine. I thought they were a little big at first and I tried a couple of other different chest packs since I got the first one.

Now I am back to the original, full-sized Koala. It is NOT "just a holster". It has more "bag" and expandability than any of the other chest packs out there. Because it is one of the largest chest packs, it can fit my really big revolvers and act as the primary holster.

I'm in my mid 40's and only getting older. I don't like crap in my pockets when outdoors because they have to come out when I hit the sleeping bag and they can fall out and get lost. Just my keys, wallet, eyeglass case, cell phone, PSK and snacks alone (which always come out with) cuts out pretty much all other chest packs in terms of capacity. That is why I went back to the Koala --> it can hold everything.

Mine also carries my primary firestarting equipment, FAK+meds, compasses, other survival gear, gun/archery spares/tools, a 5x7 tarp+pegs+line, big knive(s) or little axes, dental hygiene kit, wipes, camp towel, a folding kuksa+instant coffee+spork, notebook+pen, tags, spare mittens (strapped on), flask, small bladder bag, sometimes my snivel gear (strapped on), sometimes the rangefinder and the snow goggles.

One can easily carry minimal overnight gear using only the Koala when it is above 50°F - use the straps to attach bulky stuff.

The Koala isn't "just a chest holster+". It is a major component in the organization of my first line camp/hunt gear.

In actual use, I carry it as an across the shoulder bag (w/ spare straps in front pocket) unless it is clipped up front unto the front shoulder straps of my pack.

 

[kodiakfly]

Yeah, if I do the Koala, it'd be for other gear beyond the gun for sure. But can you easily mount it on a belt? I've already got my chest occupied with the AGC. I don't want to rig it up with paracord, so I'm curious if it's got attachments that allow it to go on a Duplex belt.

 

[Robbie]

I have a KU Koala and a Safepacker. I wouldn't even think of mounting the Koala on a Duplex just to be a holster. My KU Koala doesn't have the regulation size PALs webbing/matrix that the old regular Koala or the current Koala Lite has. That being said it looks like it would need eight channels to mount . My three duplex belts on my packs,I would say they are medium 34in waist, have only 4 usable channels. Maybe you could figure a way using something other than Mallace clips to attach it. If you were able to get it securely attached I would think it would work best as a crossdraw. The Safepacker just slides over the Duplex belt there is an adjustment(velco patch) that adjusts the belt loop on the back from regular belt to pack belt. That would allow you to use it without the pack providing you have a belt or you could get the shoulder strap they sell and use that if you didn't have a belt. Not a bad setup for a house gun by the way. The Safepacker is also a cheaper way to go. Its pretty fast for a flap holster.

 

[sab]

As an owner or former owner of a Safepacker, an original Koala, a KU Koala, and an HPG Original Kit Bag, here are my thoughts on using these mounted on the waist belt:

The Safepacker works well, but had one drawback for me. When I mounted it (I had the Government sized model), some of the hook-side velcro was exposed to my trousers. I have a pair of lightweight nylon trousers that was ruined by this velcro because it rubbed the side of my thigh as I hiked. Those trousers now have a big fuzzy spot on them.

The Koala and KU Koala are simply too large to work as a hip-belt pocket, and I don't think they were ever intended to be used that way. If you can mount them to the hip belt, and you fill them up, they will flop like crazy when you hike.

I don't have the HPG Kit Bag anymore, so I don't recall whether or not it had PALS on the back. Assuming it does, I think it could be mounted on a belt, and it is small enough that it may not be too floppy.

If all you want is a secure means of carrying a sidearm on your hip belt, I'd say go with the Safepacker, but if you have exposed velcro, make sure you cover it with a strip of loop material to save your trousers!

Regards,
Scott

 

[Wrench77]

I carry my glock 29 in a small Kifaru belt pouch and it fits perfectly. I have lined the belt pouch with a piece of foam to add a little protection around the G29 so it doesn't get beat up when I set my pack down etc.

 

[LostArra]

If you're happy with the AGC I would just look at the Safepacker. It is designed for your situation plus it is extremely versatile for car or home use. Great bedside holster with top flap secured between mattress and box springs.
That said I have carried compact binos 8x32 and a small handgun (Shield) in separate compartments of my HPG Kit bag.

 

[kodiakfly]

Well it looks like I'll be doing the Safepacker. I kinda figured the Koala might not work on a belt, but I'm really looking for something that holds the gun in a fixed position. One time this year I went to pull out my gun to shoot a rabbit on the hike back to the truck and it became apparent that digging it out of a pouch with a zipper was just not sufficient for self-defense.