Eberlestock Gunslinger Backpack

Absintheur · Feb 16, 2009

I have been looking for a bug out pack system for a while now. I have seriously considered the tried and true ALICE pack as I am very familiar with them having toted one a good bit while in the military. I have also looked at the current crop of MOLLE packs and they seem to be well made as well but much more expensive. While looking I came across the Eberlestock backpack systems. These incorporate an adjustable rifle case that will hold everything from an M1 Carbine up through a long barrel scoped bolt action. They come in three versions that offer different configurations, top opening, front opening, even one that will open into a mobile shooting station complete with mat. the rifle cases are detachable and can be used as drag bags as well. My thought is it would be nice to be able to grab an LBE and this and be out the door without have to take an extra step and grab a rifle. Or a shotgun can be stored and a rifle hand carried and still have a free hand.

Does anyone here have any experience with this pack? If so how is the quality, ergonomics, ease of use? I am consider the middle priced Phantom.

Phantom

Gunslinger

Skycrane

joeshredd · Feb 18, 2009

My biggest concern, since I'm getting older and the knees aren't what they were... would be weight!!! And I'm not sure I'd want the stock of the weapon whacking me in the back of the head!

And I'll be danged if I can't find it, but in the Sportsman's Guide and CheaperthanDirt, IIRC, had what they called a shotgun scabbard that is MOLLE compatible... I've been thinking about getting one and seeing if it'll carry a carbine - I can attach it to the KIFARU XRay I have and save some weight...

As it is, if I need to bug out in an unplanned hurry, I may just end up with a folding stock AK variant and suff a bunch of mags in my pockets and worry about carrying everything as I go.

With time, I've got one or two other options depending on how long, and how much stuff, I'll be needing to carry... Again, weight being a concern.... So I've been trying to pare things down....

Would love to hear, however, what you go with and how it carrys!

brians · Feb 18, 2009

Hey Joe,

Here's my eberle shotgun scabbard molled to a maxpedition vulture carrying a standard 10/22. if that helps:

joeshredd · Feb 19, 2009

Brians,

Thanks for the pic! Looks okay to me and is out of the way of both the back of the head and the legs...

But I'm still PO'd that I can't link to the pic of the MOLLE scabbard in SportsmansGuide - It doesn't show up on anything I'm searching for on their site, so I've only seen it in their catalog, for @$29...

I'm hoping to get a Mauser Tanker in .308 and I think that would be an excellent way to pack it if I had to move out quickly and didn't want to go with a semiauto... Just depends on circumstances, I guess...

Absintheur · Feb 19, 2009

From what I have heard from others who have the Eberlestock backpack systems is the are great if you are under 6' tall, over that and a long rifle does become an issue with comfort, I am 5'10" and shrinking so I think getting hit in the head won't be an issue for me. I have considered adding the side shotgun scabbard as well so I can grab the pack and have both. If I do so I will go with the lightest rifle I have and my H&K 121. I will have to see how it loads out for me with basic gear, clothing, food, ammo, etc.

orrey45 · Feb 19, 2009

joeshredd said:
But I'm still PO'd that I can't link to the pic of the MOLLE scabbard in SportsmansGuide - It doesn't show up on anything I'm searching for on their site, so I've only seen it in their catalog, for @$29...

I believe this is what you are talking about. These were ripped from an ebay auction. They regularly go for $30 plus shipping. I have been thinking about getting one for quite a while now.

joeshredd · Feb 20, 2009

Exactly! And ya only beat me to it 'cause I brought my catalog in today with the stock number and was gonna look it up and crosslink it if I could!!!

The only diff I can see between this and Brians is that it's maybe lighter and softer...

However, it may be a little too big to strap to my XRay... I may have to rethink things...

Absintheur - unfortuneately, I'm 6' 1"... and shrinking as I grow older, so the Eberlestock just may whack me, and given my knees, weigh too much...

Oh well, "Think Lite"!!!

Absintheur · Feb 20, 2009

I don't see getting whacked in the head a problem depending on the rifle, here is a 16 inch M-4 with the stock collapsed, as you can see the buttstock is below the top of the pack.