Quoted:
I have a Gunslinger II I just got and Im trying to figure out the best kit for both my rifle, sidearm, and 72-hour bugout type setup.
What is your lsit of products you'd put in this bag:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWGK-JrfhTA
I like this guys list, but Im not hunting. I'd be bugging gout in an urban environment during civil unrest and or earthquake. Climate: Hot to temperate.
Specific products and rationale much appreciated! Or just links to existing links and videos.
All thats in it right now is a DDM4V7, and either a Sig 220 or HKUSP. Ammo load: unknown.
Thanks.
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My son "borrowed" my G2, but I also have the larger Operator G4. I prefer the smaller G2 for a 72-hour/bug-home bag as it's more svelte and keeps the weight down. The rifle compartment pushes the weight of your pack further from your center of gravity, so while these packs are designed to haul some heavy weight, it can cause balance issues (just something to be aware of).
He had a lot of hunting stuff in his pack and he's short on some significant priorities. More water containers, at least some collapsible CNOC or Platypus containers. While I like the Sawyer Mini for backpacking, I've had some failures which aren't an issue for shorter section hikes. I would opt for the larger Squeeze filter and some backup chemical purification means. There was zero insulation. The G2 isn't going to give you much room for that, but it's sorely lacking in his loadout. While I'm a huge advocate for layering, when you're moving fast and hard, you need to drop the layers and you need pack that they can be stuffed in or strapped to.
For almost a 4-season setup in my older day-hike/bug-home bag, I carried a JRB Sierra Stealth quilt/poncho (water proof down) with a couple extra oz. of 850+fill; good to about 35 degrees. I had a ponch/tarp bivvy-combo (Exped), 3/4 Klymit ground pad, ENO 7.0 hammock, and a heavier SOL Bivvy bag. I have various iterations, but this basic set lets me go from hot/humid/wet conditions to colder conditions that force me to ground.
If I was to go really slim, get a good poncho/tarp, a sit pad and a poncho liner or similar variation. If you're talking 3-4 days, you can suffer through it, but if it's more than 3-4 days, lack of good sleep will be a significant threat vector. This is an older Osprey Manta 34 liter pack and the Gunslinger is listed as 45-liters, so you should really be able to pack in more than enough of "essential" gear as a 72-hour bag. I do like the idea that my G2 will make a folding stock AR pistol basically disappear.
MRE's are bulky. Maybe a main entrée, a brew kit (coffee, tea, cocoa, instant soup, instant oatmeal), and a half-to-dozen energy bars will get keep you going for 50-60 miles/3-4 days.
Pack weight is important. I really don't know if the guy regularly backpacks, but if you're not conditioned for the weight it can be problematic with both fatigue, potential for mechanical injuries, and loss of situational awareness.
Sure, a lot of cool stuff, but stay mission-focused or at least define the mission to orient the right choices in gear. You can't plan for everything, but with a decent, well-thought out plan and supporting kit, it's much easier to adapt or improvise when the situation changes.
ROCK6