Which Mackirk?

Teris · May 29, 2020

I've read a lot about Angus Mackirk sluices on this site, but not much about which specific one works best (I have read a few comments about some designs being better than others). I'm a beginner and will be sluicing in the San Gabriel River. I'll be hiking a few miles with it. I'd appreciate opinions from those of you who are using AM sluices. Thanks very much!

Goldwasher · May 29, 2020

Teris said:
I've read a lot about Angus Mackirk sluices on this site, but not much about which specific one works best (I have read a few comments about some designs being better than others). I'm a beginner and will be sluicing in the San Gabriel River. I'll be hiking a few miles with it. I'd appreciate opinions from those of you who are using AM sluices. Thanks very much!

I recommend one of the bigger ones. they are really light so don't go small for portabilities sake.

You can run a lot of material through a good sized drop riffle and get great recovery

Try to get on that has at least 10" width in the run of the sluice. Keep in mind the dimension listed is often the overall sluice width including the side wall and bend.

over 30" in length

Teris · May 29, 2020

I've been leaning toward the Expedition, which fits what you're suggesting. Thanks very much for the reply!

Gold4Mike · May 30, 2020

I agree with Goldwasher. AM's are so light, get the biggest that you can find.

KevinInColorado · May 31, 2020

Teris said:
I've been leaning toward the Expedition, which fits what you're suggesting. Thanks very much for the reply!

I’ve had an Expedition for almost a decade. Great sluice, get one!

Also Goldwasher is right about size, it matters

Even the Expedition is light weight, easy to pack in.

mike(swWash) · May 31, 2020

I use the Foreman, works great with little water flow and gets the super fine stuff as well.

Teris · Jun 4, 2020

KevinInColorado said:
I’ve had an Expedition for almost a decade. Great sluice, get one!

Also Goldwasher is right about size, it matters Even the Expedition is light weight, easy to pack in.

I got the Expedition. Looking forward to trying it out!

Wint · Oct 2, 2020

Teris said:
I got the Expedition. Looking forward to trying it out!

Wanted to follow up and see how you liked it?

russau · Oct 2, 2020

Teris said:
I got the Expedition. Looking forward to trying it out!

Well it's been 4 months since you acquired your sluice and how did it work for you? Inquiring minds wanna know ! :dontknow:

Ohiogoldfever · Nov 21, 2020

Well I hope it’s working well for him.

For anyone who has a Mckirk... I have a Alaskan flare. Love it but being so light and flex you gotta pile rocks on it to keep it from heading down stream. I put a piece of aluminum angle on the flare. I notched the flare so it keys in on the sides and has a hole drilled in the middle so it can be affixed with a bolt and wing nut. The angle lays flat on the flare, and cuts 90’ down It hanged out about 6” on each side.

Stack rocks on the angle that hangs out the sides and a flat one on the cross supports. Works like a champ. Just in case anyone is still fighting holding that flexy ******* down with just stones.

Teris · Mar 22, 2021

russau said:
Well it's been 4 months since you acquired your sluice and how did it work for you? Inquiring minds wanna know !

Sorry i didn't see your post until now. I got sidetracked with work and didn't get out. I'm just getting back out now. I ran it yesterday, but didn't catch much. I did catch a nice (small) piece of gold, so I think I was running poor material. Have to be more discerning next time out.

Mine Shaft · Mar 22, 2021

lot's of Gold up there and some very big nuggets I've seen it first hand good luck.

craig82 · Sep 21, 2021

The short grey AM drop riffle should be perfect. I've got a longer Le Sluice with similar drop riffles but it takes way more flow to work so I've only ever gotten to take it out a couple times.

Johnnybravo300 · Sep 22, 2021

I have the Grubstake, the Wedgie and the Great Northern
All different sizes and different applications.
They catch gold very well and a good choice.

RTR · Sep 30, 2021

They make great great sluices ! Big or small they catch it all

This one 10 years old,tons of use,and works like new

bigjoek · Nov 6, 2021

Teris said:
I've read a lot about Angus Mackirk sluices on this site, but not much about which specific one works best (I have read a few comments about some designs being better than others). I'm a beginner and will be sluicing in the San Gabriel River. I'll be hiking a few miles with it. I'd appreciate opinions from those of you who are using AM sluices. Thanks very much!

Expedition all the way. It's a monster. You can run 10 buckets before clean out. Depending on your black sands and garnet

bigjoek · Nov 6, 2021

Teris said:
I've read a lot about Angus Mackirk sluices on this site, but not much about which specific one works best (I have read a few comments about some designs being better than others). I'm a beginner and will be sluicing in the San Gabriel River. I'll be hiking a few miles with it. I'd appreciate opinions from those of you who are using AM sluices. Thanks very much!

Oh yeah and it weighs 2 pounds. It can be a little finicky to set up. Bit drop riffles are pretty forgiving. And clean out takes less than 1 minute...