Backpacks, Bags & Accessories
ALPS OutdoorZ Pursuit Pack: Does the Rifle Holder Stay Secure?
Sep
A rifle holder earns trust only when the trail stops being predictable.
A sidehill strewn with deadfall is where hands-free carry becomes a real test. The firearm must remain controlled, not simply tucked into a pocket, as the pack twists through brush, the wearer ducks under limbs, and a jacket comes on or off.
On the ALPS OutdoorZ Pursuit Bow and Gun Pack, the lower cradle and upper compression/retention arrangement matter more than the advertised carry mode. A well-seated rifle should have minimal lateral swing, while the upper strap keeps the action area from bouncing free when the torso bends. Fit is decisive: cinch the pack’s load lifters, shoulder straps, and waist belt before judging retention. A loose harness lets the whole bag shift, creating movement that can be mistaken for holder failure. Clearance around the optic, sling, and muzzle also deserves a deliberate check before heading into uneven country.
- Confirm the muzzle is protected from mud and points in a controlled direction.
- Test access and re-securing with the outer layer normally worn on the hunt.
A strong fit for deliberate rifle carry
Top choice for secure hands-free gear carrying
The Pursuit is a day-hunt pack built around a drop-down pocket and external lashing system for a bow or rifle. It suits hunters who will set the cradle height, tension the upper straps, and confirm that the rifle’s optic and sling sit clear before heading into uneven country. Its five-pocket layout and included blaze-orange rain cover also make it practical for organized, hands-free carry when conditions turn wet.
- Drop-down pocket and lashing system support hands-free carry
- Padded waist belt helps stabilize a loaded day pack
- Five-pocket layout separates essentials from the carry system
- Included rain cover adds weather readiness
- Securement depends heavily on strap tension and rifle geometry
- Tall turrets, large optics, or bulky slings may need careful positioning
- External carry can be less convenient for frequent fast access
Why an integrated carry system matters
A generic daypack can be made to carry a rifle with accessory straps, but it rarely controls the load in every direction. The rifle may be tied near the top while its weight hangs on a sling, shifts against a side pocket, or pulls the pack off-center with each step.
The Pursuit’s bow-and-gun arrangement is designed as a linked system. Its lower drop-down cradle bears the rifle’s vertical load rather than asking upper straps to suspend it. The upper retention strap then limits forward or side-to-side movement around the stock or fore-end, depending on the rifle’s profile.
Compression is the connecting force. Once the cradle and upper restraint are set, side compression should draw the pack body tight behind the rifle. That reduces bounce and prevents a loosely filled main compartment from changing the rifle’s angle.
Pack fit remains part of retention. A secure cradle cannot fully compensate for loose shoulder straps, an uncinched sternum strap, or a shifting waist belt. Before moving over uneven ground, the rifle should sit centered, clear the optic and bolt area, and remain stable when the wearer bends, turns, and takes several firm steps.
How the rifle holder behaves in motion
A rifle can look secure while standing still yet reveal weak adjustment as soon as terrain changes. On the Pursuit pack, a successful setup keeps the butt settled in the lower cradle and the fore-end restrained by the upper strap, with the pack’s side compression removing the remaining slack.
What stable carry looks like
Across level walking, the rifle should remain quiet against the pack: no repeating bounce, no gradual strap creep, and no side-to-side swing. The upper strap should stay tensioned without bearing the whole rifle’s weight; that load belongs in the cradle. If the rifle settles lower after several minutes, the cradle seating or upper retention needs resetting.
On climbs, the main concern is the rifle levering away from the pack as the torso leans forward. Tightening the upper restraint and keeping the shoulder harness close limits that leverage. During side-hilling, the test becomes lateral control: the stock and scope should not pendulum downhill or work toward the pack edge.
Ducking beneath limbs and bending at the waist expose clearance problems. The optic should not contact the frame or hard contents, and a loose sling should not hook branches, buckles, or compression straps. Routing or securing excess sling length before moving through cover is more consequential than adding strap tension.
A short, controlled faster walk is a useful final check. Minor motion is normal, but a rifle that slaps, shifts position, or pulls the pack off-center is not ready for hands-free travel. Heavier rifles, tall exposed turrets, long barrels, and bulky winter loads generally require a firmer upper strap and more careful sling management than a light, low-profile rifle.
Set the pack before trusting the rifle carry
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1. Confirm an unloaded rifle
Remove ammunition, open the action, and visually and physically verify the chamber and magazine area before routing the rifle into the holder.
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2. Fit the empty Pursuit pack to the torso
Set shoulder harness height, hip belt, sternum strap, and load-lifters with the pack centered high enough that it does not sag away from the back. A loose harness lets the rifle amplify every step.
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3. Seat the buttstock fully in the lower cradle
Place the rifle straight down into the drop-down pocket rather than hanging it from the upper strap. The cradle should take the rifle’s weight; the upper attachment primarily limits sway.
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4. Clear and tame the sling
Flatten the sling against the stock or secure excess webbing so it cannot loop around the pack, snag brush, or work beneath a compression strap. Check that the optic and bolt area are not bearing against buckles or seams.
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5. Snug the upper strap, then walk and recheck
Tighten only until the rifle cannot shift laterally, then take several uneven, turning steps. Recheck cradle depth, strap tension, and harness tension; use this same process when dialing in pack fit with a rifle loaded.
Use an unloaded rifle for fitting and adjustment; add field gear afterward and repeat the walk check.
An upper strap cinched hard against a poorly fitted harness can pull the stock upward, twist the rifle, or create leverage that loosens during a climb. Likewise, changing straps while the pack is worn can leave webbing half-seated in a buckle.
Stop, remove the pack, and adjust in order: torso fit first, cradle seating second, upper retention last. Persistent movement usually points to loose shoulder/hip adjustments or unmanaged sling material—not necessarily weak retention hardware.
Carry comfort supports rifle control
A rifle pack earns its place after the first long climb, not in the parking area. With the Pursuit’s load held close to the back, the shoulder harness carries the pack rather than asking one shoulder to manage a rifle sling all day. That can reduce the constant muscular correction that builds fatigue and, on steep ground, leaves both hands available for trekking poles, brush, or a careful scramble.
Keep routine gear from disturbing the rifle
The practical advantage is not simply hands-free walking. Calls, rangefinder, gloves, rain layer, and small essentials can be assigned to the pack’s five pockets, limiting the habit of loosening the rifle straps at every stop. A stable rifle system is most easily compromised during those repeated access cycles.
At a glassing break or short pause, it helps to follow a disciplined sequence:
- Set the pack down on its back or against a stable support.
- Open the needed pocket without pulling on the upper rifle strap.
- Before moving again, confirm the butt remains fully seated in the drop-down cradle and the upper restraint is tensioned.
That routine preserves the close, vertical carry that matters most when the route turns uneven.
Where the rifle holder asks for compromise
Retention comes with a delay
The Pursuit’s rifle holder favors retention over fast deployment. Releasing the upper restraint, lifting the rifle from the lower cradle, and clearing the sling takes longer than carrying the rifle in hand or on a conventional shoulder sling. That trade-off suits deliberate hikes, but may be poorly matched to situations where immediate shouldering is expected.
Brush adds another concern. A protruding scope, exposed bolt handle, sling hardware, or muzzle can catch vegetation as the pack passes through tight cover. Large turreted scopes, high combs, chassis-style stocks, and unusually wide forends can also resist clean seating in the cradle or prevent the upper strap from centering properly.
Test it under a real load
An indoor pull test cannot reveal how the system behaves with a full pack. Add typical water, layers, food, and accessories, then walk uneven ground, duck under limbs, and climb over deadfall. Watch for these signs:
- the rifle tilting outward as the pack settles;
- the cradle creeping up or the upper strap loosening;
- scope contact with the pack or wearer;
- sling swivels, zipper pulls, or loose webbing creating avoidable noise.
Securing excess straps and isolating hard hardware reduces noise, while a mid-hike fit check catches load-balance changes before they become distracting.
The Pursuit’s drop-down pocket and upper lashing system can keep a rifle close to the pack, while its padded waist belt and five-pocket layout support a controlled load. It remains a qualified recommendation: retention depends on the rifle profile, optic, sling routing, and careful strap adjustment. Before a hunt, load the pack as it will be carried and test the system with an unloaded rifle.
Treat the first carry as a pass-or-fail test
- Walk uneven ground, climb, crouch, and push through brush; then recheck both the lower cradle and upper lash.
- Reject the arrangement if the rifle bounces, creeps downward, catches on vegetation, blocks pack access, or cannot be deployed without fighting straps.
A stationary fit check is not enough. A fully loaded pack changes harness tension and can expose problems hidden on a level floor; the rifle should stay seated after each climb and brush contact.
The same discipline applies when selecting field gear for a hunting loadout: every item must work without compromising access, balance, or safe carry.
