Holding of the rifle
- Thread starter GSP84
- Start date
deerstalker.308
Well-Known Member
Damn it, I thought she was part of the deal!
I've actually stumbled upon a great little site, uk based called Safari leather, great products and great prices!
Orion
Well-Known Member
Having read one of the testimonials on the website it's obvious why she has chosen to model that particular cartridge belt:
"............ If I had not been wearing one of your belts which is made of exceptional quality leather, the Buffalo`s horn would have penetrated my stomach and I would not be around to thank you."
The avoidance of penetration must have been a high priority!
deerstalker.308
Well-Known Member
Makes sense really, albeit slightly scary
I was quite surprised (although on reflection shouldn't have been really) to discover my .375 double doesn't have an auto safety, thankfully realised before any mishaps but I guess when you reload in a hurry you do kinda want to point and fire, not fumble with a safety, I'm just so much more familiar with side by side shotguns with auto safety that I had just presumed......
Entirely normal on a DG DR. My 500 has a non auto and specified this when built You don't want to fumble at a critical post reload moment, It also has what used to be called a W** (banned word!) safety to prevent native bearer accidently pushing it forward. It is the Rigby version where you have to push a button at same time as pushing it forward to disengage
Most DG DRs are also built non ejector as its one less thing to go wrong and also reduces chance of ejectors over riding case rim and jamming
Generally do see African carry on my trips although I do use a sling Only issue is if its carried for you this way often the blueing on the barrel wears off and you have a shiney silver patch. Some may like this as a bit of patina I don't so I carry the 500 myself and the bearer carries my underloaded bolt action 375 in a slip unless we following a wounded animal in which case its out of slip but sill underloaded
S
I have seen lots guns at clay grounds with no safety
Open = Safe
Closed = Not Safe
quite frankly if a client is pointing a gun in my direction I couldn't give a toss if its loaded or has a 17 stage safety.....they are getting a bollocking
NoIDeer
Well-Known Member
Will have to agree
Borrowed one of them when I was in South Africa
deerstalker.308
Well-Known Member
XYZ
Well-Known Member
The African carry originated back in the halcyon days of hunting the dark continent when the hunters had gun bearers.
The gun bearer would walk in front of the hunter with the rifle muzzle forward over his shoulder.
When a shot was to be taken, the hunter would simply step forward and take the rifle with the stock and pistol grip already presented to him at shoulder height and immediately available.
The gun bearer would walk in front of the hunter with the rifle muzzle forward over his shoulder.
When a shot was to be taken, the hunter would simply step forward and take the rifle with the stock and pistol grip already presented to him at shoulder height and immediately available.
Markfox
Well-Known Member
Google up el molino ðel viento, they are in Spain and make stuff like this. Available in El Corte Ingles if you are in Spain.
Yes. It's why the British kid got killed by the polar bear a few years back. The fellow student with the rifle cycled a whole five round magazine of live cartridges through the .30-06 bolt action rifle they'd been given and not one was fired at the bear, and in fact fired at all, as he failed to knock the safety catch off from the "on safe" position.
Kano383
Well-Known Member
As many said above, you don't want a sling in the African bush. Then, for the carry method itself... Just carry a 10 or 11 lbs rifle from dawn to dusk without a sling, and you'll soon find yourself doing an "African carry" even without knowing what it is. It's simply an instinctive and comfortable way to carry any elongated object, whether it's a rifle, a spear, or a hoe. No Capstick stories involved, I'm afraid.
Now, on the safety of things: I'm aware of one deadly incident when a PH's gun fired and killed a tracker, due to a branch getting stuck in the triggerguard while walking, and safety off for whatever reason. I have myself found my safety off on a double during a walk, with no explanation for it (I'm quite anal and very deliberate when loading a gun and making it safe). Muzzle control when carrying this way is paramount, and is not as easy as said over long hours.
Personally, I do not want loaded rifles behind me, no matter how they are carried, unless it's someone that I know and trust thoroughly. I have met few people who are muzzle-conscious over extended periods of time, even seasoned hunters, and I've seen too many hair-rising instances of unsafe handling. Many if not most PHs get the client to load only when the quarry is in sight and a shot is imminent.
Now, on the safety of things: I'm aware of one deadly incident when a PH's gun fired and killed a tracker, due to a branch getting stuck in the triggerguard while walking, and safety off for whatever reason. I have myself found my safety off on a double during a walk, with no explanation for it (I'm quite anal and very deliberate when loading a gun and making it safe). Muzzle control when carrying this way is paramount, and is not as easy as said over long hours.
Personally, I do not want loaded rifles behind me, no matter how they are carried, unless it's someone that I know and trust thoroughly. I have met few people who are muzzle-conscious over extended periods of time, even seasoned hunters, and I've seen too many hair-rising instances of unsafe handling. Many if not most PHs get the client to load only when the quarry is in sight and a shot is imminent.
deerstalker.308
Well-Known Member
agreed, the bush is definitely sparse and thin on the ground in that picture...
It was a mauser type action with flag safety I think. He probably moved safety from 9 to 12 o'clock pos. Tragic lack of training/instruction there.
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