By the grace of the Almighty, I don’t live in a city. But I have before, and transporting a firearm discretely can be an issue — especially on public transportation. (That Ruger-labeled bag for your 10/22 Takedown might make you more interesting than you want to be.) Copper Basin Gear is looking to solve that problem with their Takedown Firearm Backpack (TFB), designed to fit a small rifle or braced pistol in a backpack that looks like it belongs on any casual hiker . . .
In terms of discretion, mission accomplished. The TFB it doesn’t scream “GUN!” It doesn’t look like hunting equipment or a range bag. It doesn’t have any firearm logos. It doesn’t look “tactical.” Unless someone Googles “Copper Basin” — printed on the side of the bag — they won’t know what it is. In short, the Takedown Firearm Backpack keeps would-be thieves from knowing you have something particularly valuable, and keeps the sheep feeling safe.
The bag’s shoulder straps are lightly padded and there’s no top adjustment for the shoulder straps or a waist strap. As a suitable firearm and a few boxes of ammunition won’t tip the scales over 15 pounds I don’t consider the lack of a waist strap is an issue.
The Takedown Firearm Backpack’s rear-facing portion is well-padded. Better yet, it’s ventilated. While it’s winter here in Texas, I doubt a summer scorcher would soak a wearer’s shirt. Much. Bonus! You can use the orange strap at the top of the back-facing panel to strap the bag to the back of your car seat.
The backpack’s back offers a few discreet compartments, suitable for a box of ammo and/or some light items. (Too much weight pulls the pockets down and out.) There are two mesh water bottle pockets on either side of the bag. (Survival Question of the Day: Where’s the best place to store water? Answer: In your body.)
The bungee cords on the outside of the Takedown Firearm Backpack are cinchless; anything other than a jacket isn’t likely to stay put.
The TFB’s pockets are cloth-lined to protect your gun from scratches and dings, While the internal padding does a good job obscuring the firearm’s outline, it’s relatively thin. Your firearm may still be damaged if you drop it.
I may be one of the few people left in America without a Ruger 10/22. It’s fun on the range, handy in the field and the poster child for the Copper Basin Firearm Takedown Backpack. The bag’s five internal pockets seem designed with the 10-22 in mind, even scoped, with a bipod.
Again I don’t have a 10/22. I do, however, have a .458 SOCOM AR with a 12-inch barrel and a Law Tactical Folding stock. If it fits you must acquit . . .
It fits. Barely. Now we’re talking. That’s discrete firepower.
Speaking of which, a broken down (but not busted) Quarter Circle 10 .45ACP fits easily. Better yet, the TFB accommodates a fully assembled QC 10 Nighthawk, 7.5″ barrel and new adjustable length SB Tactical brace and all.
And now the bad news: the Takedown Firearms Backpack’s about 3″ too short to fit a standard AKM47 under-folder. So sad. So very very sad.
The entire bag opens up to lay flat. That’s a feature and a bug.
Once the TFB’s completely open, you can quickly and efficiently arrange all your gear. The downside: it’s slow to open and cumbersome to close. The short, fat zipper pulls on the main compartment make opening and closing the bag a challenge. I couldn’t use them wearing gloves.
The way the bag opens allows for top access; both major internal compartments can be opened from above. Firearms which are fairly sleek can be accessed without fully opening the bag and laying it all out. Rifles/pistols with optics or a folding stock, not so much, if at all.
There’s little to no reinforcement on key points throughout the bag. The bottoms of the two main internal pockets have some reinforced material, but that’s it. I found simple single stitches throughout the pack, including at the zippers, the pockets, and all of the attachments points throughout the bag. If box stitching or bar tacks are anywhere on the bag, they are well hidden. For prolonged or heavy use, it’s cause for concern.
The Takedown Firearm Backpack’s made of 420D Nylon, rather than heavy Cordura fabric or webbing. The less robust material’s fine for an occasional stroll in the woods or a jaunt to and from the range.
In short,at $100, the TFB’s an excellent value solution to a particular challenge: carrying a takedown or short rifle around and past gun muggles. A great “every-once-in-awhile” bag, but not your “things-have-gone-awry” bag.
Specifications:
Copper Basin Gear Takedown Firearm Backpack
Pack dimensions: 23″x 13″x 5″
Rear stock pouch: 20.5″L x 10.5″W x 2.25″D
For-end/barrel pouch: 18″L x 5″W x 2.5″D
Accessory pouches: 9″L x 3.5″W x 1.5″D
Total weight: 2.6lbs (1.2 kg)
Material: 420D Nylon
MSRP: $99.99
Overall * * * *
All in all, considering a price of just under $100, this is a pretty good solution to an occasional problem. It’s not your bug out bag, but it’s great for something you’re actually likely to use.
THE PRIMARY REASON FOR ALWAYS BEING ARMED IS TOTALLY OBVIOUS EXCEPT TO THOSE THAT MIGHT BE ‘BLISSFULLY IGNORANT’; THAT PRIMARY REASON BEING THE ABILITY TO DEFEND ONE’s SELF, I.E ONE’S FAMILY AND LOVED ONES FROM GOVERNMENT. THAT TRUTH HAS BEEN REPEATED VALIDATED OVER THE MILLENNIUM OF OUR HISTORY HOWEVER A MAJOR PROBLEM IS THE IGNORANCE BY THE MULTITUDES OF THAT HISTORY.
THE BRITISH MARCHED TO LEXINGTON AND CONCORD TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT?
TO CONFISCATE POWDER, LEAD, LEAD BALLS, AND FLINTS ALONG WITH THE WEAPONS WITH WHICH THEY WERE USED: THE FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION THAT WERE THE TOOLS THAT WOULD CONSTITUTE AN EVER PRESENT THREAT TO THEIR ABILITY TO SUPPRESS, TO SURROGATE THE COLONIST TO THE STATUS OF A VASSEL STATE ON WHICH THE MONARCHY PREVAILED.
Man I’m glad some of the commenters here have no place in commanding hostage situations. Keyboard commandos came out in force for this comment section.
That’s really nothing new but I’m surprised how many of the commenters seem to be giving opinions based off information that isn’t even accurate. Read the summary before you start spouting off with your “expert opinions” at least. Holding concrete opinions about something based on demonstrably false information is something we complain about from the left, and understandably so, but I think that should at least drive us on the right to base our statements off accurate information.
I’ll answer the question
When Michael Moore can tell me how many donuts is enough.
When Shannon Watts can tell me how much makeup is enough.
When Hillary can tell me how many deleted emails is enough.
When Al Franken can tell me how many groped crotches is enough.
When the DNC can tell me how many Harvey Weinstein contributions is enough.
When Dianne Feinstein can tell me how many low information voters is enough.
When Ruth Ginsburg can tell me how many years on SCOTUS is enough.
Until those questions are answered, I’m on the lookout for a good deal on ammo.
Tell me Bob, would you ask a NY banker how much money he has in the bank?
Would you ask a Texas rancher how many head of cattle he has on his spread?
Then don’t ask a Patriot how much freedom he has in his safe!
Just like math in school. When you think you have reached infinity add 1.
If we roughly 100,000,000 gun owners are such ticking time bombs, how come roughly 100,000,000 of us don’t commit a criminal act with a gun each year?