Up for review today is the exciting Midland Backpack Shotgun. The Backpack Shotgun is a single shot, break action shotgun. Single shot shotguns and rifles remain popular with many shooters who appreciate their ruggedness and simplicity.
Many have cut down the barrels of their single shot shotguns to a legal minimum length to make them more compact and handy (think Truck Gun). That removes any original choke of the shotgun. Enter the Backpack Shotgun. It is offered in numerous barrel lengths, Gauge choices, has Beretta type screw in chokes and folds to a very compact size.
My Backpack Shotgun is a 12 gauge version with an 18.5 inch barrel and a synthetic stock. It folds to a compact 20 inches and weighs a light 4.65 pounds. The buttstock has removable spacers to adjust length of pull and space for interior storage. It comes with sling studs installed and includes a Modified screw in choke. Furthermore, the distributor will be offering switch out barrels to change the shotgun to rimfire and centerfire rifle firearms, in the near future! Retail price for the Backpack is around an amazing $150. I have added a buttstock shell holder and a nylon sling to mine. I also picked up an extra Improved Cylinder Choke on eBay for 10 Bucks.
At the range, the Backpack Shotgun performed very well. Two 12 gauge Rounds were used. First was the Remington Express #4 High Brass. Three rounds fired from five yards was devasting. Recoil was quite high from the light shotgun with this Express round.
Next up was the Remington Ultimate Defense Managed Recoil #4 Buckshot. Surprisingly, the recoil was very manageable! At ten yards and fifteen yards, all pellets stayed in center of mass. I was very impressed with this round and it is what I will use in the Backpack Shotgun.
The Midland Backpack Shotgun certainly has a cool factor. But, it is so much more with it’s features, price, compact size and performance. And, when change out barrels become available, it will become even more attractive to Preppers. I like the Backpack Shotgun so much, I’m picking up a spare!
Grey Viking