Survivalist Forum banner

backpack for carying my Keltek SU16-C

1 reading
3.7K views 17 replies 9 participants last post by  congaman59  
#1 ·
I would like to have a backpack that would accommodate MY folding 16-c. It's about 26 long folded. I'd like to have that capability integrated in to my car get home bag, which I not yet purchased. I"d also like to have it not scream "hay that guy is carrying a rifle!" I'm not sure anything like this exists but it would be great to have the option. I'm thinking about buying a black or or other dark color.
 
#2 ·
I have a number of what they call "day bags" (some call them "three day bags") that we use when doing short trips on the various trails around here. A couple are basically just smaller versions of our normal backpacking rucks. Ive carried my MP5, and broke down AR's along with their chest bags in them and they work well.

The only downside is, you do give up some space for other things, and the gun and its gear weighs just as much as they do when out of the ruck (by themselves, and not counting what you normally carry in the ruck), and if youre not accustomed to carrying the load, it will get old real quick.

Ive seen some friends BOB's that they keep in their cars, and wonder why they have so much junk in them, and I know, they wont be carrying them far, because they are not in any kind of realistic shape to do so. Something to keep in mind and consider. I would highly suggest you take what you intend on keeping in your car for a couple of hour trip around your place and see how it goes. Il bet you find all sorts of stuff you dont need in it pretty quick. :)

There are a lot of places that sell camping and hiking gear that should fit your bill for discretion. REI, EMS, etc. Even Walmart has some decent and reasonably priced bags that would easily do.
 
#3 ·
I agree that people carry around extraneous things in these kind of bags. I'm going to use it for trauma kit, shelter and cordage, fire starting, food and water, knives, multi-tool, possibly a small utility hatchet, headlamp, and clothing, fishing kit, and sewing kit. I'm working from a list and tweaking it to fit my needs:
Keychain tape measure
Keychain thermometer
ITW Tac Links
Fixed blade - HK Conspiracy (plain edge)
SOL Emergency Whistle
Weight Bearing Carabiner
Bandanas
Generic 'Altoids' Tin
UCO Waterproof Matches
Bic Lighters
Magnesium and Ferro Rod
SOL Signal Mirror
Large Sewing Needles
CRKT Eat N' Tool
Mini Sharpie
Multi-tool
Repel bug spray
Clear 50 gallon garbage bag/drum liner
Mountaineering sunglasses
4 sticks of beef jerky
Travel, compact Bible
Husky crank flashlight
Streamlight Task Light
Black Diamond headlamp
Mechanix gloves
Hand warmers
Batteries in box (AAA, AA, C, and a small screwdriver)
Coleman meal-in-a-bag
2 Wetfire fire starters
3 pens
1 highlighter
2 Motorola Talkabout Radios
Small pad of paper
Blackhawk Roll-out Medical bag
Outdoor Gear dry bag
ITW XL Zip-lock bag
Trucker's Friend Utility/Demolition Tool
Klean Kanteen and nesting cup
Wire -- light and heavier gage
Zip ties
Small sewing kit
2 Large
100 ft. paracord
50 feet paracord (high quality)
50 feet paracord (lower quality)
Compass
Banana Boat SPF 50 lip balm
SOL Sport Utility blanket
Fleece jacket
Level-2 long-sleeved EMS shirt
Extra wool socks
Northface fleece hat
2 large, heavy duty rubber bands
Dental floss
Rubber bands
Swiss Army Knife
2 smaller needles
Potable Aqua (water treatment)
Poncho (red)
Wool gloves
Boonie hat
Neck warmer/sniper wrap
Dust masks (3)
Toilet paper
Duct tape (2 rolls/2 colors)
Hand warmers
Emergency reflective blanket
stomach mediine Diarah stool softener Tums
first aid kit
 
#4 ·
If you're considering making it a color that does not yell "i'm a rifle...", you might want to avoid black, brown and other tactical colors like camouflage...
For example, a white and blue bag is better than a black and white one, IMO. A white and blue is far better than a black one. red and white is similar.. Blue and gray.. Gray luggage, especially something that doubles as a backpack, and or that has wheels on it for "airport use" might be something else to look at.
https://www.amazon.com/CalPak-Silve...CAS/ref=sr_1_23?ie=UTF8&qid=1469936578&sr=8-23&keywords=rolling+duffle+backpack
https://www.amazon.com/Fila-7-Pocke...pparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1469936898&sr=1-12&nodeID=9479199011&keywords=rolling+duffle

Be sure to check your dimensions to what you need...
 
#5 ·
A tennis racquet bag may do the trick. The size should be right for an su16 to fit and it would be hidden in plain sight. Carried with a shoulder strap along with your back pack you look like someone on thier way to go play tennis. Keep it in the trunk of your car along with a tube of tennis balls and no one would ever guess.
 
#6 ·
congaman, do you intend to store the bag in a trunk? Or will it be visible to passing smash and grab thieves?

Do you intend to open the bag remove the weapon, sling it, then pull on your bug out bag and start walking? Or do you intend to start walking along the freeway and then go into the bushes and then sling your rifle?

Lot's of possible problems and trip ups with a rifle on your chest while walking down a freeway during SHTF. Biggest one is walking up to an accident where Police are on sight and they haven't heard that the word of law has been suspended.

I am not putting down your choice of a bug out weapon, I would like to have a rifle as well for getting home. Will you be going cross country only? I have to plan on freeway and main roads where I am. Lot's of people watching me.

If you are really set on a rifle, perhaps a long narrow body conforming pack? I have seen many such bags for backpacking and very light ones, i.e. pricey, for mountain climbing. something like that might fill your needs.

Good Luck.
 
#11 ·
I have the same rifle but in a different scenario. I chose an Eberlestock X3 pack with a Sea to Summit rain cover in a grey and green color to cover it. I don't need deep concealment through urban areas though, rather enough concealment to get out of a small urban area or off a highway and move home on gravel or cross country. The rain cover does nothing to cover the tactical look of the hip belt or shoulder straps. I can conceal the hip belt with a jacket tied around my waist, but the straps are still exposed. It may not be the best choice for your use.

The Eberlestock scabbard will hold the gun folded with only a couple inches of barrel that can be covered with a glove sticking out. The rain cover will cover that also. The nicest thing about the Eberlestock scabbard is that it carries the rifle really well when unfolded and keeps it out of the way but available. I once jumped and shot a coyote from a patch of brush doing this on a conditioning hike. I ranged from the dead coyote back to the brush he jumped from and it was 42yds. A coyote running flat out covers that pretty quick. Drawing from the scabbard is slower than from a sling but it adds a really comfortable way to carry a rifle hands free that keeps it somewhat available.
 
#12 ·
Also on your backpack and what to put in it, write down EXACTLY what you expect the bag to do and build it from there. My normal vehicle bags are pretty basic 72hr kits that are intended to get me home within that time. Food, water (stainless containers & purification method), fire kit, cordage, knife, tarp, space blanket, poncho, ammo, bug spray, and clothing for the season. The one in my vehicle that gets furthest from home most often has the Eberlestock pack and gear for the rifle, the others are cheap packs and not for use with the rifle. They have only extra ammo and minimal cleaning gear for my CC handgun.

I also made up a roadtrip bag that is equipped for longer trips and has snares, fishing gear, and other useful items. It also has higher quality items that would hold up longer and are more expensive and more ammo for both the rifle and my handgun. If I'm going more than 45 miles from home I throw it in. If I'm going alone I replace the normal vehicle bag with it, if not I take both and the second person can take the normal vehicle bag if something happens. Using the roadtrip bag lets me keep the vehicle kits cheap and light for the most part and limit the chances of having someone steal my better roadtrip kit.
 
#15 ·
I had a similar problem when I first bought my SU16-CA, went through a few options and then gave up on it as a platform.

My use was the same as yours, wanted to get a compact rifle that can stay in the car 99.99% of the time, attract no attention but be available when needed.

I tried all available bags that I had, looked at some from REI and borrowed a few. What I found was that there were no bogs which,

1) Fit the rifle fully (usually the barrel was sticking out and required a cover)
2) Did not attract attention
3) Was comfortable with the rifle in it and/or was hard to carry other items

You can get bags like this,...

http://www.511tactical.com/covrt-m4.html

But everyone that is into guns will know what it is (especially officers).

With the SU series I would suggest just getting a sack or something else that looks like 'anything' other than a rifle and then assuming that you will be either carrying the sack or just slinging the rifle.

If the SU series folded down to 16" OAL then this would not be an issue but at the size it is at, it makes it much harder to find a solution for it that meets all the things you want for it to.
 
#16 ·
Not a "bag" per se, but a Russian drop case for the AK's is pretty discrete, especially if the gun is folded. Sling can be used with it too. carries two AK mags in an interior pocket too.

This is the "bag" (with an AK in it).....

Stock open, gun full size....

Image



Folded.
Image