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.
I use a regular sized special operations go bag for my takedown 10-22; it fits even with the upgraded Hogue stock and a bull barrel.
My son tipped me on the guitar case he packs his AK in.
Yea, yeah, yeah….
Deets on they beautiful .458 socom!
That’s some serious firepower. The want is Yuge!
I built a 10.5″ 458 SOCOM to take with me camping (i live in SW Montana with the grizzly bears). It’s an amazingly fun gun. I can feel myself get lighter from all the money not weighing me down when i shoot it too. And that’s after the savings from rolling my own ammo.
12.5″ upper by Underground Tactical. With a law tactical folding adapter. I occasionally still have to go places that are high risk for work and I wanted a rifle that would allow me significant barrier penetration in a package small enough to fit in a regular book bag. This fit the bill very nicely.
“I occasionally still have to go places that are high risk for work …”
Are we talking urban or forest/jungle? In the U.S. our outside the U.S.?
“… I wanted a rifle that would allow me significant barrier penetration …”
So you have a rifle in .458 SOCOM for barrier penetration: are you looking for the ability to shoot through two bison and still kill an attacker on the other side? Or are you just looking to be able to shoot through two cars and still kill your attacker on the other side? (snicker)
“shoot through two cars and still kill your attacker on the other side?”
And cinder block motel walls. Yes.
A better solution for your 10/22 Takedown is to just buy a Magpul X22 Backpacker stock for it, then the 10/22 TD fits into nearly any backpack as a one-piece unit, complete with in-stock storage for three spare mags (or a box of ammo and one spare mag)! I just got one for my 10/22, and I love it so much that I sold my second 10/22 because I like the 10/22 Takedown model with X22 stock so much better than my regular 10/22!
Maxpul’s X22 Backpacker stock is perfect if you’re using either the iron sights or a small red dot sight (Magpul even sells a barrel-mount for a small red-dot sight, so I installed that too).
The X22 Backpacker stock doesn’t make quite as much sense if you’re using a scope rather than a red dot, but that’s a problem with all 10/22 Takedown models — having a scope attached makes it much harder to fit into any backpack because the scope sticks out several additional inches.
You ain’t got a 10/22? You some kinda commie? 🙂
I don’t have a Ruger 10/22. Instead, I have a Marlin model 60 which runs like a champ.
This is an acceptable backpack for carrying a takedown rifle or carbine and a few sustainment items, but it has a major drawback for larger users (ie, anyone over 6’2″ tall, and weighing over 200 pounds). That drawback is that the shoulder straps are not adjustable for large people. Therefore, do NOT expect this pack to fit you if you are a large person, unless you want to personally modify a new purchase to fit you. The product is made in China; the manufacturers there must not be all that concerned about producing a product that can be used by people of a variety of sizes. The same sentiment must be held by those who distribute this product in the USA. For the size adjustment factor impact to my purchase, I give this product a C-.
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