Let's talk packs--Redesign of the GSII? Or suggestion from another manufacturer?

[mark5pt56]

I've been using the GSII for about a year now, High Power, Precision Rifle and Hunting. I thought I would really like the scabbard on board, I kind of do, but I can get along without it. I find myself using it only to get it there and that's it, especially hunting. Reason why is it adds weight and bulk. What I do like is the front load, molle on the waist belt and the ability to compress it down or "expand" outboard with the compression straps. I've been poking around at the entire line, along with other manufacturers and don't really seem to have any luck finding what I would want.

The mods that would be nice on this pack would make it a versatile pack in my opinion.

Loose the scabbard
in place of the top "flap" pocket, replace with the removable one as with the Terminator.
Add slot pockets on each side for tripod, shooting sticks, etc.
Maybe even add in the center of the back a small pouch as in the Terminator, FAC Track, etc.


If the FAC Track had the compression straps like the GSII, I would run with it, having the removable top would be even better.

Any suggestions would be appreciated and is it possible to add the compression straps onto the FAC Track with the side loops like the GSII?

Mark

F3F FAC Track
Eberlestock F4 Terminator

 

[hooyah]

I am running the GSll also and I don't use the scabbard at all really. I recently traded for a Kifaru pack and I am really like it , it has a ton of molle , and even the entire inside is full of molle so it is very organizable to fit your own personal needs. I will look and see what model it is that I have and post it back on this thread so you can check it out for yourself . Good luck on the perfect pack search, it has been a fun road for me and I have bought and tried several and these are the two I have held on to so far.

JW

 

[Timberbeast7]

Have you looked at Mystery Ranch? I have a 'Just One' and a Gunslinger but have been using my Mystery Ranch packs more. They are a more expensive but hands down worth it IMO.

Mystery Ranch Backpacks | Backpacks designed by Dana Gleason | Bozeman, Montana

Maybe the Metcalf?
NICE Metcalf | Mystery Ranch Backpacks

 

[BARichardson]

I have the GSII as well as a KUIU ICON 5200 just the weight is such a diff. on them to make me stay with KUIU. I guided 6 desert bighorn sheep hunts this year and packed out a full sheep in the 5200 and it was heavy but not once did it feel unstable! That alone is enough for me to stay with the product. If u back country hunt this is a great pack to look into!

Packs

TUTORIAL: Adding Accessories to the ICON 5200/7200 - YouTube

 

[mark5pt56]

Wow, some really nice packs there. I do like both above and have to take a serious look at them. I never heard of the KUIU, part of starting the thread as well to see what's out there. The load bay feature on the Metcalf looks promising.

My guess is the side zip opens fully to allow it to "lie open an flat"? I wish they would show the innards of them more.

Mark

 

[threetrees]

i like the gs2 ... while some of my friends used to say 'what do you need the scabbard for?' and smiled at the extra-weight it came with ... they changed their mind after a chamois-hunt with us ascending for 3 hours just to get to 2100m above sea ... which was only the height where we could start to spot+stalk. just tons better to constantly have both hands free when you need to do some climbing while stalking through the mountains.

but then I also have state the cons: as stated above, while it's great to have the rifle close to you back, it also gives the pack a bit of an unstable feeling. in addition, it adds unnecessary weight. i'd say that the padding between the pack and the scabbard could be thinner. also, i find the pack to be too narrow. it's almost impossible to get a sleeping bag inside the pack.

so, make the gs2 just 10-15 cm (4-6 inches) broader, and I'd be twice as happy.

but then ... while i like the designs of the other packs, I'm hard pressed to spend 500+ usd on a pack. sure. the last backpack of my brother broke during a chamois-hunt, as the 20 year old leather straps on the pack broke with the 50kg (about 100 pounds) deer-load ... but it did it's job for our old man and him for 20 years ...

if we manage to come up with a decent solution, I'll know what I'm going to get for my brother in the next 1-2 months as a present

 

[ericthebeard]

I
If the FAC Track had the compression straps like the GSII, I would run with it, having the removable top would be even better.

Any suggestions would be appreciated and is it possible to add the compression straps onto the FAC Track with the side loops like the GSII?

With all the molle on the FAC Track you could rig up some compression straps on your own with Grimlocks/Split buckles. But I do sympathize with the notion of getting something that you want right off and not having to modify right out of the box.

Sans scabbard I love the Kifaru line, check out their "gun bearer" system for a possible alternative for gun hiking and deployment.

G'Luck.

 

[BARichardson]

I been looking at these guys to try out!
only thing i don't love about them is that they don't have that front and top load style witch works out really good when u need something specific out of pack.

Accessories

One thing u gota remember is the lighter the better! Even more so when u gota load your sheep into it 10 miles away from camp! lol…

 

[mark5pt56]

With all the molle on the FAC Track you could rig up some compression straps on your own with Grimlocks/Split buckles. But I do sympathize with the notion of getting something that you want right off and not having to modify right out of the box.

Sans scabbard I love the Kifaru line, check out their "gun bearer" system for a possible alternative for gun hiking and deployment.

G'Luck.

I was looking at the GSII's side loops for the compression and I don't see why they could be added by any talented shop. I already ripped one of the molle panels on the GSII-the bottom portion when I cinched up the strap attaching the Mountain Serape. I need to get that repaired, I noticed the stitching didn't go all of the way through that flap area and wasn't really tacked well in my opinion. I wouldn't trust the molle strips for compression. I'm looking, but hard to pull the plug on some of these. They need to show some decent pics of the innards on all of the above suggested.

 

[ericthebeard]

Yeah I hear ya, I should have noted that idea more for "sag management" than true compression strapping. Lucky the strength of a split buckle is likely less then that of the molle stitching so something cheap would snap first.

Others have noted the Mystery Ranch NICE system (packing the rifle right at the body/frame without a scabbard to mess with), which looks ideal as well as top-tier expensive.

 

[mark5pt56]

Yeah I hear ya, I should have noted that idea more for "sag management" than true compression strapping. Lucky the strength of a split buckle is likely less then that of the molle stitching so something cheap would snap first.

Others have noted the Mystery Ranch NICE system (packing the rifle right at the body/frame without a scabbard to mess with), which looks ideal as well as top-tier expensive.

Now as I understand the Metcalf inside is just a sack? Just as the GSII, I see certain features of each I would like to combine.

 

[ericthebeard]

Sorry, I have no "hands on" with NICE packs. No help there...

 

[fubar1217]

Here's a good demonstration of the NICE frame from Mystery Ranch.

Mystery Ranch Packs, Dana Gleason Interview at SHOT Show 2013 by Equip 2 Endure - YouTube

 

[redhooker]

Now as I understand the Metcalf inside is just a sack? Just as the GSII, I see certain features of each I would like to combine.

Not just a sack, it is a somewhat simple design but it is the best thought out pack MR has made yet IMO. It is the lightest NF pack at under 7 pounds and I can haul any load you could put in any other MR pack they offer. Hell the daypack lid will hold more than some other "3 day" packs. You can pack it small or pack it big, it will ride tight both ways due to the outstanding compression straps. If you scabbard your rifle separately you can pack it on the side, or load 1 or 2 rifles in scabbards in the sling space between the frame and pack. The options are too varied to list here. I can also access any part of the pack from top to bottom without unloading any contents no matter how tight it is loaded.

 

[matt2143]

I had a GSII and a few other scabbard and Alice framed Eberlestock packs. I found I would pack the rifle to where I was going and run all day without putting the rifle back in the pack, the negative was the added weight and instability of the load with the rifle removed. After a good bit of searching and a number of emails and phone calls I settled on a couple of Mystery Ranch packs. With a NICE frame and 3 day assault pack you can pack a .50, mortar tube or a regular rifle comfortably between the frame and bag. I went with the Crew Cab and can put my folder bolt gun in the bay and secure it quick and easy. The Crew Cab can go from 900 cubic inches to 5500 ci and weighs about 7.5lbs. They are not cheap but they are worth it.

 

[mark5pt56]

Well, I pulled the plug on the Metcalf! I called and spoke to Ryan at Mystery Ranch, very helpful and I feel I made a good choice. I appreciate the help from all of you, now I have to keep my son from "stealing" it!

Mark

 

[Timberbeast7]

Congrats. You won't be disappointed.

 

[mark5pt56]

Congrats. You won't be disappointed.

Thank you. Now I have to decide whether or not to keep the GSII, my son does need a new pack. For deer size quarters, is any bag necessary on the load area? That's the only mention I saw in the threads I read on the Metcalf.

 

[Timberbeast7]

I don't have a Metcalf. I have a Kodiak variant and a line pack, plus for work we use a custom built bag with the NICE frame they built for us for packing out our gear. I use game bags in mine when packing meat just so I don't make such a mess in the pack. As for the GSII, I've packed a whole deer out with my Gunslinger (not the most comfortable, but it worked) and I use mine as a daypack all the time with my bigger Mystery Ranch in the rig for packing meat if I'm just doing short hunts.

 

[mark5pt56]

Copy, Thanks! I should get it pretty quick I believe.

 

[BARichardson]

Kinda on topic any of u guys use this?

Gun Bearers ? Kifaru Intl. Online Store

 

[mark5pt56]

Kinda on topic any of u guys use this?

Gun Bearers ? Kifaru Intl. Online Store

Not I, If I have to, I'll just atach to the straps. I carry a G20 with me so if I needed a firearm, I have one "ready" looks helpful though.