Carring rifle over shoulder muzzle forward???

BumbleBug · March 27, 2013, 11:17 AM

The closest I'll ever get to an African safari is on the Outdoor channel. LOL

My question is, why do the hunters, especially the PH, all carry their guns over their shoulders, forward by the muzzle? Every now & then, I'll see the muzzle swing across another person using this carry position!

chewie146 · March 27, 2013, 12:13 PM

If you read some of the gun writers comments on this, they say that it's a quick way to get the rifle into action when Dumbo charges. However, most of them also say that gun handling in Africa is about as bad as it gets. That's what I've read over the years. I, too, will never be able to afford Africa.

**Mike Irwin** · March 27, 2013, 12:19 PM

In the old days of double rifles the Bwana (professional hunter) didn't carry his rifle most of the time.

He employed a gun bearer (normally a HIGHLY trusted native who had worked with the hunter for many years) who would walk a step or two ahead and to the right so that in an emergency the hunter could quickly grab the rifle and put it into action.

I can't conceive of a professional hunter actually carrying his rifle like that. It wouldn't be quick to put into action at all.

As a means of toting it around, yes, it's comfortable and it saves the arms, but no, it is NOT quick. I've carried shotguns like that, and it takes forever to get them off the shoulder, get the grip readjusted, and get them up to the shoulder.

kraigwy · March 27, 2013, 01:26 PM

You'd be surprised how many VC/NVA carried their rifles that way.

They'd throw it on their shoulder and "De De down the trail".

De De means " go"

Falcon5NZ · March 29, 2013, 01:13 AM

The way I've seen called "Africa Carry" makes sense. Muzzle down on the off shoulder. Think Crocodile Dundee. Idea is you can grab the forend with your off hand, shrug the sling off and get it into a shooting position faster. AFAIK it's supposed to be the fastest conventional method

Nick

FrankenMauser · March 29, 2013, 01:25 AM

Don't forget ....
Being able to see your muzzle gives you better control over keeping leaves, twigs, and scorpions out of it.

Evan Thomas · March 29, 2013, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcon5NZ

The way I've seen called "Africa Carry" makes sense. Muzzle down on the off shoulder. Think Crocodile Dundee. Idea is you can grab the forend with your off hand, shrug the sling off and get it into a shooting position faster. AFAIK it's supposed to be the fastest conventional method

Ah, but that's with a sling... and I find it to be a very comfortable and efficient way to carry a rifle. The balance seems much better to me than with it slung muzzle up.

"African carry" doesn't involve a sling -- the rifle itself is carried over the shoulder, with the muzzle pointing forward and down. At least, you hope the muzzle is pointed at the ground if you're walking in front of someone carrying that way; I've seen a lot of videos of African hunts in which rifles are carried that way, but with the muzzle pointed at the person in front.

ZIA · March 29, 2013, 09:38 PM

I believe it is carried that way for the balance.

SHE3PDOG · March 29, 2013, 11:23 PM

Perhaps this is bad practice when it comes to hunting, but I have always carried my rifle the way the Marine Corps taught me while hunting: butt stock close to the right shoulder, muzzle down, at least one hand on the rifle/shotgun. I guess it is pretty uncomfortable, but I'm used to it by now.

March 27, 2013, 11:17 AM	#1
BumbleBug Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2013 Location: Near Heart of Texas Posts: 870	Carring rifle over shoulder muzzle forward??? The closest I'll ever get to an African safari is on the Outdoor channel. LOL My question is, why do the hunters, especially the PH, all carry their guns over their shoulders, forward by the muzzle? Every now & then, I'll see the muzzle swing across another person using this carry position!

March 27, 2013, 12:19 PM	#3
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,642	In the old days of double rifles the Bwana (professional hunter) didn't carry his rifle most of the time. He employed a gun bearer (normally a HIGHLY trusted native who had worked with the hunter for many years) who would walk a step or two ahead and to the right so that in an emergency the hunter could quickly grab the rifle and put it into action. I can't conceive of a professional hunter actually carrying his rifle like that. It wouldn't be quick to put into action at all. As a means of toting it around, yes, it's comfortable and it saves the arms, but no, it is NOT quick. I've carried shotguns like that, and it takes forever to get them off the shoulder, get the grip readjusted, and get them up to the shoulder. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

March 29, 2013, 01:25 AM	#6
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,775	Don't forget .... Being able to see your muzzle gives you better control over keeping leaves, twigs, and scorpions out of it. __________________ -Unwilling Range Officer -Unwilling Match Designer -NRL22/PRS22/PRO -Something about broccoli and carrots

March 27, 2013, 12:13 PM	#2
chewie146 Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2010 Location: New Mexico Posts: 853	If you read some of the gun writers comments on this, they say that it's a quick way to get the rifle into action when Dumbo charges. However, most of them also say that gun handling in Africa is about as bad as it gets. That's what I've read over the years. I, too, will never be able to afford Africa.

March 27, 2013, 01:26 PM	#4
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,060	You'd be surprised how many VC/NVA carried their rifles that way. They'd throw it on their shoulder and "De De down the trail". De De means " go"

March 29, 2013, 01:13 AM	#5
Falcon5NZ Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2008 Location: Somewhere North of the Roaring 40's...Just Posts: 275	The way I've seen called "Africa Carry" makes sense. Muzzle down on the off shoulder. Think Crocodile Dundee. Idea is you can grab the forend with your off hand, shrug the sling off and get it into a shooting position faster. AFAIK it's supposed to be the fastest conventional method Nick

March 29, 2013, 09:38 PM	#8
ZIA Member Join Date: March 6, 2013 Posts: 35	I believe it is carried that way for the balance.

March 29, 2013, 11:23 PM	#9
SHE3PDOG Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2013 Posts: 988	Perhaps this is bad practice when it comes to hunting, but I have always carried my rifle the way the Marine Corps taught me while hunting: butt stock close to the right shoulder, muzzle down, at least one hand on the rifle/shotgun. I guess it is pretty uncomfortable, but I'm used to it by now.