Cosmoline

I've been working for the past year or so on reviving the long lost art of carrying firearms by bicycle. It not only has application for us tree huggers, but for anyone interested in a fast and extremely quiet way of entering a hunting zone (assuming bikes are allowed, of course).

Part of the problem has been, the art of carrying arms on bikes isn't the only thing that's been lost. It's also getting tougher to find bikes with anything like the classic diamond frame and seat posture for upright riding. I tried a number of carrying options with my Electra cruiser, but the curved design made frame-mounting very tricky. This one is a pretty cheap Marin Redwood.

Here's the first prototype solution. I did a video so you can see it from all sides. The scabbard is an old stiff saddle scabbard of the usual design. The ammo/handgun holder is a saddle bag draped over the top bar with the handles hooked together. The bags are designed to go on a horse's back and don't quite work here so I may have to use something else. But the scabbard fits perfectly and amazingly doesn't snag on me or the bike while in operation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd02kblUwE0

This is the original photo I based the concept on:

Dogbait

If you want something a little more compact, you might take a look at a Pommel Bag. These are a fancy expensive model but plain ones are around too. I was thinking the bag could be secured to the stem as it would be on the pommel and would work well with the scabbard.

Blue Jays

Cosmoline, your setup is superior to the one in the picture because the muzzle is better protected.

ken cummings

Have a look at one of the Counterpoint semi-recumbent tandems. The stoker sits up front in a recumbent seat and can fire away while moving. The captain steers from in back. Have not tried it myself. use light loads at first in case recoil causes problems. They are still made.

2manybikes

Here's three ways one of our other forum members does it.

https://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=235740

Velo Dog

Used to be common--my screen name was originally a pistol: A Velo Dog was a small handgun made for cyclists to carry to protect themselves from bands of wild or feral dogs. Do a Google images search and check it out.
As for carrying a rifle, why couldn't you attach (duct tape?) a cheap scabbard to the down tube? Only rufle I have around is am M-1 carbine, but it's about the right length to fit comfortably there, and you'd have reasonably good access.

JanMM

Yikes! The next time I see a recumbent in my mirror, I'm going to pick up my pace. Put it on the big ring and really hammer!

Allen

Sorry 2MB, I think he knows.

Allen

From a previous thread:

2manybikes

thanks...

Notes to self.......

1) read everything carefully including the user name.

2) don't forget to sleep.

3) I'm on a recovery ride..............oops! wrong excuse....darn..

Rex G

The Swiss military bicycle on THR has a scabbard just like the one I got through evilbay recently. I had thought it for use in or on a vehicle, but didn't realize it was for use on a bike.

vulcan

Well we really are everywhere...Hi from THR, been reading your threads there too.

Nycycle

Very interesting thread.............................................

Cosmoline

Here's the second phase. I've secured the base of the scabbard to the frame with the aid of a soup can.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz1Id...elated&search=

Michigander

I keep it simple and just use a sling.

That or a gig bag for city rides, but I haven't done that in years.

Cosmoline

I've done slings. I stopped after I knocked a pedestrian in the back with my rifle while wearing it. It's lucky I wasn't going fast. You have to keep it at an angle or it sticks down into the tire area, which means you catch a heck of a lot of wind and tend to get wider than you realize as the rifle settles.

Took her out to beta test today, worked very well:

MillCreek

I also saw the thread on THR. Every time I look at that 1995 Officers' Model Swiss Army bike, I think of what a heck of a commuter that would make. I really liked that fishing pole holder shown above. I wonder if the sticky wicket with that would be that it cannot accommodate a rifle in a case or scabbard.

tgreenwood

This is too big to insert. Marine with a pistol on his hip.

https://img.inkfrog.com/click_enlarge...7&aid=47706381

KrisPistofferson

This thread makes me proud to be an American and cyclist.

Rex G

Howdy!

sknhgy 

You'll shoot your eye out.

Cosmoline

It's a THR invasion!

Rex G

More like I invaded THR from here; I am a relative newbie over there. I did learn something interesting over there, though. There is a kit to modify the Swiss K31 for lefty use, which suddenly makes that rifle much more interesting, since I already have the bicycle saddle scabbard made for that rifle, and am a lefty with rifles.

Cosmoline

You have a K-31 scabbard? Sweet. Now just order one of the old Swiss military bikes from Cabela's and you'll be set:

geo8rge

If it were me I would try to hook it to the rear axle, and a regular pannier rack, with the barrel pointed straight up. I know 0 about guns, but on the back with the barrel pointed straight up seems to be how hunters/soldiers carry them.