Why is it that "real" safari rifles have the barrel-mounted sling swivel as opposed to the stock-mounted ones on most field guns.

I have barrel mounted ones on my .458 Lott, 404 Jeffery and one of my .375s, however, I find the stock mounted swivel on my FN .375 to be more comfortable to carry when slung.

The first time you catch your hand on the fore end mounted sling swivel during recoil you will know why. That is why most big kickers have the barrel band.

bulldog563:

Doesn't that depend somewhat on just how far forward you hold with the hand on the stock? I am prepared to be contradicted on this but don't a lot of shooters (even on a snap shot) like to keep that arm and elbow well tucked in and right below the stock - and not reaching out? I never shot a 458 Lott but have shot a 470 N.E. ( admittedly a double but we are talking about recoil) I'm not looking for an argument. You may very well be right and it's simply my way of looking at the poster's question. Isn't it a matter of how we hold a rifle? ( I can see how one way will get some unpleasant reaction!)

Although I haven't seen yours, almost all doubles have somewhat shortened forearms as opposed to bolt guns that have longer ones which allow or encourage the shooter to hold it farther forward. Also depends on your physical size and arm length as well.

I'm not tall 5'9", have never had a swivel stud hit my hand. I like them because it gets the muzzle low enough that it won't catch on the brush I duck my head under. This is really unnerving if you follow someone, the barrel catches on a limb and you're staring down the muzzle of his .375. Also it gives it a classier look IMO.

gerry,

I have always thought that that was the reason. I could very well be wrong. Does anyone know for sure?

Brit rifles, the pattern for the quintessential safari rifles have shorter, trimmer, tapered forearms. I think for the majority of us it just looks right, and helps keep the muzzle down, as noted. Still one time would be more than enough to ruin your whole day.

I know some guys take a stock mounted swivel stud and put it at the end of the forearm to get the stud out of the way economically.

BTW, I have seen a stock mounted swivel on a heavy kicker rip open a leather range bag.

JPK

Economically? I think you mean ergonomically.

quote:

Originally posted by bulldog563:
Economically? I think you mean ergonomically.

He means it is cheaper to move the stud to the tip of the fore end (kind of sticking out the front where it reduces the chance of hitting you) than to add a barrel band.

Like this one from Jim Brockman:

Step 1. Shoot a 460 Weatherby Mark V with the swivel on the forearm.

Step 2. After bandaging your hand, you'll understand. (the feeling in your hand generally comes back in a week or two)

I, too, have labored under the opinion that the barrel band was to avoid hitting ones hand during recoil.

To the point about lowering the muzzle during carrying.....I agree that this is an advantage and well worth the effort.

quote:

Originally posted by Charles_Helm:

quote:

Originally posted by bulldog563:
Economically? I think you mean ergonomically.

He means it is cheaper to move the stud to the tip of the fore end (kind of sticking out the front where it reduces the chance of hitting you) than to add a barrel band.

Like this one from Jim Brockman:

My mistake.

It is definately to keep it away from your hand that it is mounted on the barrel of heavy rifles.

I think that so far everyone who has posted is right. It's all of those reasons.

Rich Elliott

Gentlemen, Rich is right, by saying all the reasons are valid!

There are a couple that are plausable aswell, tha weren't mentioned. The proper stock configuration has historicly been with a very short fore-end, and this places the studd too close to your hand with a proper hold for shooting a very heavily recoiling rifle. Most, me included hold a heavy kicker out at the front of the stock, for a quicker recovery from recoil, to get the barrel back down and on target for the next shot! A broken fore finger makes for a poor second shot!

Another reason is to discourage the wrapping up in the sling for shooting, a practice not needed on a "BIG BORE" DGR! If one wrapps up in the sling with a barrel band it puts too much pressure on the barrel, and throws your POI off. If you are shooting a really hard kicker with a stock mounted studd, and wrapp up in the sling, you stand a chance of splitting the stock. Moveing the studd to the front of the fore-end as New-Guy shows, futher puts the stock at risk,because of the geometry angle being more severe, but does protect you finger.

In the simplest of terms, mounting the studd on the barrel makes the rifle ride lower when carried on a sling, it is sturdier, less prone to breakage, and it protects the fore-hand,and fore-stock, and lastly, that is just the way a big bore Safari rifle is supposed to be made!

That's right MacD, a barrel band swivel just because that's the way it's supposed to be done.