The second item is the 1776 Tactical Backpack Range Bag.  This is one of those items that immediately gets top billing on the "gotta have" list.

At first look it's a good looking backpack and doesn't really seem like too much more.  Once you open it up it just keeps coming.

The bag is constructed out of some tough nylon and the stitching is solid.  Nice zippers and real nice pulls.  I'm far from a seamstress but Ive seen my fair share of bags and this one screams well made.

Oh and one feature I have never seen included with any range bag - a built in rain coat!  I had to dig around a bit to find the super secret pocket, but nice touch.  Looks like a drag chute but when your found running from stage 6 in a downpour with about 4 grand worth of gear it is a brilliant addition to the bag.

Working through the bag I was impressed to see that almost every zippered compartment is lined.  Most have some cushioning to them which is a major plus.  There's not anything that screams out "guns inside" which is nice.  Other than the abundant use of the brand name there isn't anything to identify this as what it is, and if low key is the order of the day you could easily remove or cover the branding.  Its pretty hard to disguise a range bag, but this isn't your traditional range bag.

Opening the front storage area gave me a moments pause.  The folks at 1776 saw fit to include the 2nd Amendment in it - nice touch!

Deep pockets for all your stuff, velcro for a name tag, ear bud gromet thingy - lots of nice touches.

Inside the main area of the bag there are four (4) pistol bags that are held in place by some gorilla proof velcro. This answers the how to get your pistol to the safe area on a cold range - pull the bag off and your good to go.  Same for those of us who got used to carrying a "stage bag" around.  The pistol bags work well for that.  Each one had elastic inside a separate compartment for holding mags.

At first look the pistol bags seemed a bit small, but I had no problem making a G35, STI, and even my open blaster complete with comp and C-more feel right at home and secure although the open fit just a tad snug.

There is a hard divider between the 4 bags.  One side has pockets and pouches for your small armorer stuff.  Ive got recoil springs, shok buffs, and such in them.  The other side of this divider has elastic loops for 12 mags.

 According to the promo sheet, the folks that make it say it will hold over 60 pounds of stuff.  I can almost vouch for that.  The sheet says there is over 2000 cubic inches in the main compartment.  I don't know how to check that but I think Ive lived in smaller apartments. 

I do know by the time I moved everything from my top of the line iShot monster bag I still had room for the things that the iShot just wouldn't hold and then some. 

After a bit of thought I was able to get an open pistol, limited pistol, CR Speed belt with pouches and Ghost holster (which never went in any previous bag and there is a trick), 10 STI mags, 400 rounds of .40 and 200 of .38super, eyes, ears, tools, timer, stapler, paper plates (poor boy targets), and a few more items all comfortably packed and ready for the range.   One note - there still is plenty of room in this thing for more stuff!

I scaled this out before I loaded it.  7 pounds empty (structurally solid backpack eh?).  After loading, a whopping 32 pounds of just what I decided to take to the range and I'm carrying it COMFORTABLY using the one shoulder technique.  If the folks over at Department of Defense would take a lesson from these guys.......... silly me.

Truthfully this one of the most comfortable bags Ive ever shouldered.

When I said there was a trick to the CR with the Ghost, there is.  Normally you end up carrying your rig because it wont fit in any bag (or at least I cant get it in one) and if you can its going to be screwed up when you dig it out.  Since the pistol pouches provided with this pack are removable and re-positionable, you take two out creating a good sized area in the back of the main compartment. 

Move the gun bags on the other side down as low as they will go.  Put the rig in with the holster at the top of the bag and because of the way this closes you now have a good sized area for the Ghost to fit in.  Ive played this around enough to know that it isn't putting any pressure on the holster and making unwanted adjustments.

Of course for normal trips to the range or an IDPA event no need to worry since CR speed is usually frowned upon, but its good to know this is one very versatile bag. 

So I guess its safe to say that I am a bit fired up about this bag.  So far every shooter thats seen one has either hatched a plan to steal mine or has put their order in for one.

If all goes well TDS will have these in stock ASAP.  Pre-orders are being accepted.