Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Kifaru Gun Bearer

So I picked up a gun bearer the other day and I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong or if it just doesn't work well with my pack or what is wrong but I'm not terribly impressed. I'm having trouble getting it adjusted so that the muzzle isn't within 6" of my head. Is this just how they work or what? Also not overly happy with the objective of the scope riding so close to my armpit that I can't put my arm to my side. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I've had the same problems with my several attempts at using the Gun Bearer. It never seems to work/look as good as in the online product demonstration pictures and videos. This opinion was mirrored my a few of my hunting buddies as well.

The concept seems sound, and may work well on level and groomed trails but in difficult mountain terrain my rifle was all over the place and always in the way.

The Gunbearer is all I use including Mtn terrain. I mount the bottom cradle as far back on the waistbelt as I can. This makes the rifle sit lower and point more out front

There is some fitting needed for sure, if you are having difficulty, take a few pics, send them to Kifaru, asking for help, then call and they will walk you through fitting it correctly. I love mine, walk steep and deep with it, and have it set up to point forward enough that I don't have the barrel at my head. Once you get it set up, your impression will change and you will move it from pack to pack, as I do.

Yes, first thing I'd(did) do is turn your rifle so that the scope is away from your body.. That will hell alot. Adjustment from there is easy.. I'm in the camp that really likes the Gun Bearer alot.. To me it's an excellent hands free way to navigate the mountains with easy access to your rifle..

Good luck

I got one this past year with a Spike Camp pack. It took some time trying different adjustments and looking in a mirror but soon found a good fit for me and used it hunting antelope. To me the gun bearer makes carrying the rifle much easier and faster to get into action than a sling --but I still use the sling for shooting.

Another option?

http://gunslingercorral.com/

Yep!!!

Moving the cradle all the way back made a huge difference. Wonder why they advise placing it right on the seam of your pants? Haven't tried the scope down carry, but that might just be the answer to the scope/comfort issue. Thanks for all of the input.

I don't use mine for quick carry, but rather to load in or out of camp. Put it square on the side of the ruck and use the two side compression straps to cinch it to the ruck so it stays vertical. Works great and the rifle not up in your armpit.

Love the gunbearer...key is getting adjusted and not having a giant scope on your rifle otherwise it might dig into your side or armpit. Here is a pic of mine on a Mystery Ranch 7500...it is carrying a Weatherby Mark V Ultra Light weight with w/Leupold VX III 2.5-8 x 36. This setup works very nicely.

There are many ways to attached a rifle to your pack...but in AK I wanted my rifle readily available if needed to pop a shot at a wolf or bear if needed quickly. I can unholster and be on target with this setup in 1-2 seconds if need be. Its very easy and quick handling.

For some, it does take getting used to having a barrel out in front of your head but I ensure mine is pretty far out and I never carry a round in the chamber. Once it's adjusted properly and comfortably, I really like the convenience of it.

I have 3 of them, and they do require adjustment to some degree depending on the gun. I think if you give yours a chance in the field you will suddenly realize that for the last few miles of walking you hardly notice that the gun was there.

I have one I used for the first 3 days of mountain hunt. I could never get comfortable with it. Adjusted it every way possible. I was much happier with my gun strapped to my pack.

I've used mine in some pretty steep country without problems,It did require playing with adjustment before it was comfortable but now I barely notice it.Good product but like most probably not for everyone.There are more than a few grizzlies in BC,it's nice to have the rifle in your hands quickly. Monashee

Takes some getting use to but pretty much works as advertised. My only complaint is that with longer barrel guns (like my 300WM with 26 in. barrel) no matter how I adjusted it, the barrel gets in the way when glassing. I will probably try something different on this year's elk hunt.

I carry a Win. M70 with a 21" barrel I didn't like the muzzle right in front of my face so I shortened the adjustment strap on the butt stock section all the way up now the rifle muzzle is above my head. You can adjust the chest harness to sit on the outside of the shoulder harness. I love mine because I feel I'am wearing my gear instead of carrying it. The weight is being bore by the hip belt and shoulder harness and your posture is straight. In shoulder carry you unconsciously correct for balance by tilting slightly which is fatiguing to the body and your hand has to stay on the rifle to keep it from bouncing. The kifaru harness frees my hands for use of walking sticks which I started using which help the knees and balance. The most important is immediate availability to engage the rifle in emergency and my hands or arms are not tired meaning quick reaction especially in dangerous game country and I hunt solo mostly. No other system is faster. The rifle does not keep sliding off my shoulder as in shoulder carry. The worst system is the one that protects your rifle in a scabbord burried in the middle of the backpack with no quick access you are asking for trouble I hope this helps.

I really like the Gunbearer for carrying my bow. I can get the Hoyt Carbon Element in action in a few seconds including loading the arrow, and the bow is less vulnerable to damage up front than lashed across the outside of my pack, either vertically or horizontally.

Flip that rifle over boys! Scope away from ya...

when I fliped the rifle over the bolt handle kept poking me in the hip

Anyone got one that they'd want to part with, shoot me a pm - wouldn't mind trying one.