Gun Huggi Gun Protection System

There is always a dilemma when you choose a rifle for sporting use, not only over make or model and indeed calibre but should you go for a traditional walnut stock or is a synthetic one more practical? Well now you can have your cake and eat it!

Norman Clark imports the new Gun Huggi system that allows you to attach a protective sleeve over your rifle (and some shotguns) that stops all those dings and scratches to the stock work and grazes to the bluing. Not only that, but this thick covering helps lower noise and aids in camouflaging your weapon out in the field.

Make Up

The Gun Huggi is a one piece covering made from tough neoprene that slips over most rifles, shotguns in semi auto design or other in-line weapons. It is primarily made to protect the gun whilst in transit, storage and more importantly out in the field.

It is designed and cut so it slips easily over the gun in three easy steps.
1. Slip over the barrel
2. Pull over the stock
3. Zip it and Velcro it!

It is designed so that the neoprene does not block or interfere with the guns functionality so action, sights, scopes, triggers and safeties all function as before, there are even cut outs for the sling swivel studs.

It is available in four colours; solid black; Long Leaf Brown; Long Leaf Green and Long Leaf Fatal Flight (on test), and coming soon there will be Snow, Blaze Orange and even Pink… no kidding. Therefore it also adds a cheap method of camouflaging your rifle without masking in sticky tape - and it can be removed in seconds.

Other benefits are that because the neoprene is thick and well padded the Huggi actually acts as a good insulator so the gun feels “warm” and does away with that cold plastic feeling when a rifle is mounted to the cheek with a synthetic stock material. Also it adds an additional thickness to the recoil pad which can`t be bad can it?

It’s also said that it wicks away any moisture on the metal parts and keeps the rifle lubricated with oil longer than without the Huggi, these are all points I will put to the test.

In Use

I fitted the Gun Huggi to several rifles without any problems, all bolt actions and there was no interference to the bolt, or trigger access but you do have to get used to the fuller pistol grip and forend hold, due to the extra thickness of neoprene.

It’s nice to feel a soft surface to your cheek and indeed was warm to touch although the recoil pad covering was a tad slippery in the shoulder.  I also fitted it to a Fabarm semi auto shotgun in 12gauge and it certainly transformed this old gun from my teens into a purposeful rough shooting gun again, function was flawless.

One concern I did have was the effect the tight neoprene covering would have on barrel vibrations and the effect that might have on accuracy. I shot a .22 rimfire Sako, a CZ .17 HMR, a Tikka .308, Tikka .35 Whelan AK Improved and Ruger No 1 in .458 Win Mag! Despite being tight over the barrel to forend union I could not detect any zero shift or accuracy loss whatsoever. Also the extra padding made the rifles movement through the bushes very quiet and, as mentioned above, protected it from scratches to the wood work and marking of polished or stainless steel surfaces.

I took it out in all weathers including the worse of the Scottish ‘summer’ with torrential rain at times, and horizontal rain did work its way into the area between neoprene and stock around the action but the parts that had a total covering were dry and debris free. If however you did get some dirt or grit trapped under the Gun Huggi then the motion of the gun on your shoulder could actually cause a few scratches, so take care to take off the Gun Huggi after use and pay attention to the inside surface as well as the outside. If the Huggi ever gets really dirty it can be hand washed or machine washed.

Conclusions

I was not sure whether I would use the Huggi and if I had a need for it, scratches to me are memories of a day’s stalking but it seems to be permanently attached to my Fabarm and I welcome the protection, warmth, and a camouflage covering it gives me when walking about the hills and glens. Well priced at £23.94 with a choice of colours, the Gun Huggi is an accessory certainly worth checking out.