Eberlestock Gunslinger – Is it a hunting or tactical backpack?
In the mid-’80s, Glen Eberle redesigned the stock of the traditional Olympic biathlon rifle, thereby reducing the weight by several pounds and making it much stronger. A great advantage for a race of resistance and precision. It gained acceptance and became the standard for Olympic-class biathlon rifles. Eberlestock was born, although it was not adopted as the company name until years later. Since then, the company has branched out from rifle stocks into other related areas, with Eberlestock backpacks being one such market.
The origins of the gunslinger
In 2004, the Eberlestock Gunslinger was introduced as a hunting backpack. As the name suggests, it was equipped with a scabbard on the back of the pack to accommodate a hunting rifle. However, in 2005 it was upgraded to fit a military grade weapon like an M16 and the package was designated the GS05. The main features of the GS05 or Gunslinger are:
- rifle scabbard
- Top load pack with convenient full side access
- Top Deck Compartment – Holds ammo or small electronics
- Adjustable or removable belt
- Fully adjustable shoulder harness
- MOLLE webbing
- hydration sleeve
Pack capacity is equivalent to approximately a 3-day pack or approximately 50 to 60 liters (3,000 to 3,600 cubic inches). The rifle’s scabbard folds into the bottom of the pack so a shorter weapon can be easily carried or unfolded for longer rifles. The top cover has a deployable sleeve and can therefore be used to cover the exposed part of the rifle, allowing it to completely enclose a rifle up to 60″ long.
Interestingly, the size of the GS05 meets carry-on dimensions, so it can be used as a travel backpack. With the pod folded at the bottom, it’s wide enough to hold a laptop. But keep in mind that there’s a difference between simply holding a laptop up and being designed to safely protect it while on the go. The GS05 is not a laptop backpack.
an unexpected need
The Gunslinger was originally designed by Eberle to be a hunting backpack and received wide approval from hunters. But at first, troops in the Gulf used it for special operations because it was tough and durable, as well as comfortably handling the M16 or sniper rifle. So it is common to find it being used by US troops. Thus, the connection was made between a rifle backpack designed to enhance the experience for hunters and military application by special forces who found the same backpack to be very useful for combat operations.
The new version
Recently the Gunslinger/GS05 was updated with a new version, the Gunslinger II or sometimes referred to as Gunslinger 2. It has three main updates.
- The main compartment has been changed to offer top-loading and front-loading capability.
- The pistol scabbard has been enlarged to better accommodate weapons with large optics or larger body.
- The bottom of the scabbard has been widened to allow rifles to be loaded end down or end up.
The Gunslinger 2 comes in two styles, the G2H for hunters and the G2M for the military. Both have internal padlock webbing (PALS) and external MOLLE webbing. But the G2H comes in familiar hunting camouflage patterns, while the G2M has more military colors like Dry Earth (brown); black or green.
So is the Gunslinger II a tactical backpack or a hunting backpack? The answer is that it is what you need it to be. It was originally designed as a hunters pack, but practical application has made it at home in the field or on the front lines.