Quick release rifle sling options in NZ?

Hey all,

I'm looking for a sling that will keep my rifle out of my way & my hands free while I have my pack on (so I can scramble up things) but will allow me to get at the rifle quickly if needed.

I came across this sling online https://www.creativeoutdoorsmt.com/products/slik-sling which looks pretty useful however the shipping from the US more than doubles the cost...sooooo probably won't do that..

Wondering if anyone has a similar setup that solves my problem but can be sourced in New Zealand?

Cheers

Also if this question has been covered in another thread - point me in that direction please ( couldn't see much when searching). Cheers

https://xhunteronline.co.nz/products...w-swivel-black

something like that?

I just clip the chest strap of my pack through the loop in my normal rifle sling and or clip the waist strap around the rifle grip once the rifle is on shoulder. Second part doesn’t work as well with big packs that have wide waist straps. That setup in the link looks tedious.

Talarik hooks are a somewhat simple solution, but not 100%. Think I would add a loop of webbing with a quick release buckle around the rifle butt to backpack waist belt or similar to achieve what you describe.

i've concluded nothing works.
I find getting the sling to stay on my shoulder when wearing a pack is a pain.
Must be some sort of quick release clip we can get to hold the sling on the pack shoulder strap. It would be nice to have 2 hands free for my sticks.

Brought a cheap Safari Sling to test them out. Better but still not 100%.
Works OK if I don't have a back pack on and can put it over my head.
So if in open ground or good track I will put the rifle on my pack. If in poorer tracks or off track I just carry my rifle.
Z

I use the stone glacier quick release system. Have done so for the last 5 years and honestly don't have a single sling on any rifles anymore. So much better than a shitty sling. Easy to get off with pack staying on. Not super fast but not slow either. If I think I will need the rifle it's in my hands. If I leave the pack behind I usually have a piece of webbing that mimics a niggeloh sling that mounts to the barrel but that's pretty rare tbh

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Originally Posted by HarryMax

Hey all,

I'm looking for a sling that will keep my rifle out of my way & my hands free while I have my pack on (so I can scramble up things) but will allow me to get at the rifle quickly if needed.

I came across this sling online https://www.creativeoutdoorsmt.com/products/slik-sling which looks pretty useful however the shipping from the US more than doubles the cost...sooooo probably won't do that..

Wondering if anyone has a similar setup that solves my problem but can be sourced in New Zealand?

Cheers

Also if this question has been covered in another thread - point me in that direction please ( couldn't see much when searching). Cheers

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@mopheadrob has the answer

I believe this is the thread @Moa Hunter is referring to:

https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....27/index2.html (about page 2)

AliExpress sling + some webbing + a buckle. Worked a treat until the buckle fell off and to be honest I haven’t bothered to replace it - I’ve pretty much flagged using slings these days

All the above answers are wrong, the solution is the Kifaru Gunbearer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7B_...channel=Kifaru

None of my rifles have slings on anymore!

I've also tried everything, the fhf gear setup looks good but I made a copy of that and the gun bearer and liked neither of them.
Also tried the side of pack scabbards made by cactus and stoney creek but found unless pack is completely full rifle swings around alot and you still can't get it out in a hurry.
I ended up buying a eberlestock just one pack and HOLY SHIT WHAT A GAME CHANGER.
holds the the rifle comfortably and securely while I'm working my possum lines but when I see a deer can quite easily reach over my shoulder and pull it out.

If anyone is selling off their Niggeloh slings I am Prince Charles - All Ears

Another great thread and timely. Had this problem for decades but when you’re young and dumb and … well you know the rest, you just hunt and put up with the issues. A lot of the problem/privilege is that we have a wide variety of hunting environments that we can experience in NZ, for which we should be thankful, but no setup is universal.
A lot of this came to a head for me when I was down in Stewart Is. this year. After scrambling around in that coastal tiger country I had to re-think my setup completely. Normally I would wear a solid day pack filled with all manner of shit, slung rifle with bipod etc and if I had to shoot, would drop a shoulder strap as it always gets in the way.
After two days of getting constantly hung up, I just stripped down to the essentials. Had Kuiu bino/hydration pack with me so tossed the binoculars and filled the front with PLB, compass, snack pack and pocket knife and the hydro pack with survival kit, knives, torch etc.
Ditched the bipod and sling and felt much happier. Not perfect but more than good enough. The bino harness is a recent addition so still getting used to it but it really surprised me with how convenient/handy it was and despite where it sits, was not obtrusive in anyway. Rifle carry was fine except I found that the wee Tikka T3X stock is a bit shit. The plasticky feel of it just never sat right in my hand. Getting fussy in my old age I think.
Since then, had a big rethink on what gear I have, how I use it, the type of hunting I do now and the environment I hunt in. Mostly a couple of three hours or a solid day hunt in open country and/or relatively open bush. Decided that the one piece of kit that needed changed was the back pack. Hydration style looked promising, light, super slim profile but enough capacity for my uses. The Kuiu was a bit small and I wanted a more substantial waist belt. Hunters Element Fluid looks like it will fit the bill nicely. Has enough of everything I need, no bulky shoulder straps so can sling carry rifle when needed, decent waist belt, can wear it with or without bino harness etc.
Have always had quick release sling swivels on my rifles so easy to ditch the sling when needed and I think this suits a lot of different scenarios. For long carries just strap it to your pack which ever way suits the environment your travelling. You all know that nothing is perfect, and fun as it is, we can’t all be gear sluts, just adapt when you can and embrace the suck when you have to. That’s why we love what we do.
Apologies if I got sidetracked there, the thread triggered me!!

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Originally Posted by Sidetrack

Another great thread and timely. Had this problem for decades but when you’re young and dumb and … well you know the rest, you just hunt and put up with the issues. A lot of the problem/privilege is that we have a wide variety of hunting environments that we can experience in NZ, for which we should be thankful, but no setup is universal.
A lot of this came to a head for me when I was down in Stewart Is. this year. After scrambling around in that coastal tiger country I had to re-think my setup completely. Normally I would wear a solid day pack filled with all manner of shit, slung rifle with bipod etc and if I had to shoot, would drop a shoulder strap as it always gets in the way.
After two days of getting constantly hung up, I just stripped down to the essentials. Had Kuiu bino/hydration pack with me so tossed the binoculars and filled the front with PLB, compass, snack pack and pocket knife and the hydro pack with survival kit, knives, torch etc.
Ditched the bipod and sling and felt much happier. Not perfect but more than good enough. The bino harness is a recent addition so still getting used to it but it really surprised me with how convenient/handy it was and despite where it sits, was not obtrusive in anyway. Rifle carry was fine except I found that the wee Tikka T3X stock is a bit shit. The plasticky feel of it just never sat right in my hand. Getting fussy in my old age I think.
Since then, had a big rethink on what gear I have, how I use it, the type of hunting I do now and the environment I hunt in. Mostly a couple of three hours or a solid day hunt in open country and/or relatively open bush. Decided that the one piece of kit that needed changed was the back pack. Hydration style looked promising, light, super slim profile but enough capacity for my uses. The Kuiu was a bit small and I wanted a more substantial waist belt. Hunters Element Fluid looks like it will fit the bill nicely. Has enough of everything I need, no bulky shoulder straps so can sling carry rifle when needed, decent waist belt, can wear it with or without bino harness etc.
Have always had quick release sling swivels on my rifles so easy to ditch the sling when needed and I think this suits a lot of different scenarios. For long carries just strap it to your pack which ever way suits the environment your travelling. You all know that nothing is perfect, and fun as it is, we can’t all be gear sluts, just adapt when you can and embrace the suck when you have to. That’s why we love what we do.
Apologies if I got sidetracked there, the thread triggered me!!

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I went through a similar process. Now just wear a molle belt with two pouches on it. It carries everything I need for a day hunt including a water proof jacket, PLB, basic first aid kit and a folding meat bag. Having said that, I'm in the north of the north island, so minimal clothing required, especially if on the move. None of this helps the OP, although I will say that once your back is free of a pack, a Z-Aim-style sling is a lot more practical and there's no way your rifle is falling off your shoulder.

has anyone used the Frankenstud Sling Keeper? Seems like a pretty simple concept to stop a rifle sling from slipping off your shoulder... I have one and just walking around on the flat with pack and rifle it works well - but not yet used them out in the hills. Shame it's made in US as postage pushes the price up a bit - but they're pretty small so a group buy might make it more economical. Website : https://www.frankenstudslingkeeperfsk.com/ or FB : https://www.facebook.com/slingkeeper
If there's someone here handy with a lathe then should be pretty simple to DIY...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by caberslash

All the above answers are wrong, the solution is the Kifaru Gunbearer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7B_iiglCtQ&ab_channel=Kifaru

None of my rifles have slings on anymore!

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EW cant imagine anything worse when climbing west cost scrub or any scrub actually and having a barrel waving around in my vision every time i sit to glass. Would be handy when Im over in Canada though as want to keep the rifle ready for bear. still think the stone glacier system (which is the same except rifle runs behind shoulder rather than under your arm pit. maybe i could add a second buckle to the strap to have both options.

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Originally Posted by RV1

has anyone used the Frankenstud Sling Keeper? Seems like a pretty simple concept to stop a rifle sling from slipping off your shoulder... I have one and just walking around on the flat with pack and rifle it works well - but not yet used them out in the hills. Shame it's made in US as postage pushes the price up a bit - but they're pretty small so a group buy might make it more economical. Website : https://www.frankenstudslingkeeperfsk.com/ or FB : https://www.facebook.com/slingkeeper
If there's someone here handy with a lathe then should be pretty simple to DIY...

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Same principle to Talerik. AliExpress do a knockoff version. Might be shit, but at the price, worth a go.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3291...89192698%21sea

Yes - wasn't aware of the Talerik. The Sling Keeper looks more robust, but requires a small hole formed by pushing a heated steel nail through a shoulder strap. The advantage of the Talerik hook is that it doesn't require you to perforate the shoulder strap...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RV1

Yes - wasn't aware of the Talerik. The Sling Keeper looks more robust, but requires a small hole formed by pushing a heated steel nail through a shoulder strap. The advantage of the Talerik hook is that it doesn't require you to perforate the shoulder strap...

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Talerik is about as robust as a plastic hook could be and the velcro straps lock it down securely. I can't vouch for the AliExpress version. Looks a bit flimsy.

That one does look a bit flimsy but i have this metal version from aliexpress. Has been fine and i've used it on and off for about 4 years.

I did like the look of the safari gun sling (in this thread) so might try and replicate that and see what that feels like.

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Originally Posted by elcaro

That one does look a bit flimsy but i have this metal version from aliexpress. Has been fine and i've used it on and off for about 4 years.

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Good find.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by elcaro

I did like the look of the safari gun sling (in this thread) so might try and replicate that and see what that feels like.

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Pretty easy to make. Just need some spare swivels and some cordage.

https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....i-sling-58830/

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Originally Posted by Stocky

I use the stone glacier quick release system. Have done so for the last 5 years and honestly don't have a single sling on any rifles anymore. So much better than a shitty sling. Easy to get off with pack staying on. Not super fast but not slow either. If I think I will need the rifle it's in my hands. If I leave the pack behind I usually have a piece of webbing that mimics a niggeloh sling that mounts to the barrel but that's pretty rare tbh

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This looks pretty bloody good to be honest, similar to the one I posted too. Same issue of the shipping being more than the item though haha. I may just need to bite the bullet....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by caberslash

All the above answers are wrong, the solution is the Kifaru Gunbearer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7B_iiglCtQ&ab_channel=Kifaru

None of my rifles have slings on anymore!

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I've got a Kifaru pack too so I did look at these, however I think having the rifle in that position would end up getting in my way. How do you find it though say in especially steep or scrambley country?

+ Thanks all for your input/ information, I have a fair amount of things to go off from here!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RV1

has anyone used the Frankenstud Sling Keeper? Seems like a pretty simple concept to stop a rifle sling from slipping off your shoulder... I have one and just walking around on the flat with pack and rifle it works well - but not yet used them out in the hills. Shame it's made in US as postage pushes the price up a bit - but they're pretty small so a group buy might make it more economical. Website : https://www.frankenstudslingkeeperfsk.com/ or FB : https://www.facebook.com/slingkeeper
If there's someone here handy with a lathe then should be pretty simple to DIY...

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Good find. Exactly what I have been looking for. I have been using plastic hooks but they break, this looks the schnizzle. Have ordered one.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HarryMax

How do you find it though say in especially steep or scrambley country?

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Don't have too much of that in this part of Scotland, advantage is that you know where the muzzle is at all times.

If need be, you can always detach it from the shoulder strap and tie it down to the packframe with a strap and buckle or similar.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mopheadrob

I believe this is the thread @Moa Hunter is referring to:

https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....27/index2.html (about page 2)

AliExpress sling + some webbing + a buckle. Worked a treat until the buckle fell off and to be honest I haven’t bothered to replace it - I’ve pretty much flagged using slings these days

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I'd second mopheadrob's system. Absolutely excellent for keeping the rifle from falling off sideways or rotating itself around on your shoulder and pushing you back off a rock as you're mid scramble with no hands free. My version is just a bit of paracord but it's been on my list to do it properly. Additional benefits are that you can carry the rifle hands free unlike the pack systems, and if you don't want the extra cross strap for some reason it's just looped over the grip and easily removed.