{"id":839,"date":"2012-03-15T08:00:47","date_gmt":"2012-03-15T12:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/?p=839"},"modified":"2012-03-15T13:22:46","modified_gmt":"2012-03-15T17:22:46","slug":"maxpedition-falcon-ii-backpack-concealed-carry-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/?p=839","title":{"rendered":"Maxpedition Falcon II Backpack–Concealed Carry Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>While vacationing, my wife and I regularly take long day hikes.\u00a0 You may know I am a stalwart supporter of LEO’s carrying a firearm at all times, so the backpack I wear has to have good concealment and easy access for a handgun.\u00a0 The Maxpedition Falcon II satisfies both attributes and more.<\/p>\n

Many backpacks and slingbags have adequate cargo space and useful features, but I went looking for a carry-all that could give me good ingress into a handgun compartment while the pack was worn on my back with both straps shouldered.\u00a0 In other words, a quick draw without having to doff the bag.<\/p>\n

Years ago, I purchased a Maxpedition Condor backpack.\u00a0 In those days, the Condor did not have a rear hydration\/concealed carry pouch.\u00a0 However, I did like the Condor’s construction and sturdy materials.\u00a0 Based on this, I started to look at other Maxpedition products.\u00a0 The Falcon II had a zippered pocket that is accessible from the right rear side–Bingo!\u00a0 This looked promising.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Somewhere in Big Sur, CA<\/p><\/div>\n

I received the Falcon II from an online retailer for a little over $100.\u00a0 I tore open the box and put it on straightaway.\u00a0 I could grab the right side rear pocket zipper at the base of the right strap and open the pocket.\u00a0 Without much effort, I could insert my hand into where the gun would go.\u00a0 Nice.\u00a0 As shown below, take extreme care and practice safe firearms handling when drawing a gun from this location.\u00a0 My finger is off the trigger and the gun is canted away from my back.\u00a0 The draw is similar to a small of the back holster presentation.\u00a0 (thanks, QK).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>There is loop Velcro in two large strips on the left side of the pocket’s interior and a loop field on the right side, against the wearer’s back.\u00a0 This is perfect for mounting either Maxpedition’s handgun holder or another similar hook and loop product.<\/p>\n

Though I bought a Maxpedition slip holder, I also have a 5.11 handgun holster, which has a thumb break for better retention.\u00a0 Because the thumb break the 5.11 is a little difficult to operate behind the back and in a loaded backpack, I normally use the Maxpedition holster.\u00a0 Fitted properly, it holds the gun securely muzzle down .<\/p>\n

When I wear this pack hiking, I usually have it loaded down with a 72 ounce hydration bladder in the large middle pocket, emergency medical supplies, two compasses, 550 cord, cellphone, small flashlight, multi-tool, firestarter, and other sundries in all the other pockets.\u00a0 I know, the pack is a bit heavy for a dayhike.\u00a0 Screw it, I may need these things for me and the missus, or anyone else who needs a little help.<\/p>\n

As a function of the load-out weight, the Falcon II rides heavily on my back.\u00a0 Even with a Glock 23 and spare mag in the rear pocket, the gun does not dig into my spine because of the backpack’s generous padding.\u00a0 The G23 is the largest handgun I will carry on a hike, and usually, it will be my Glock 27 or Kahr PM9.<\/p>\n

I used to carry a Smith & Wesson J-frame on hikes until one time that we were several miles down a remote wooded trail and heard angry voices ahead.\u00a0 Apparently, we were about a hundred yards from a drunken gathering of Southern less-than-Gentlemen.\u00a0 I did not feel very good about having my wife with me and only a Snubbie and a Speedstrip.\u00a0 I suggested we backtrack and avoid a confrontation.\u00a0 It sounded that bad.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Zion Canyon, Utah<\/p><\/div>\n

My hiking gun is for personal protection from two-legged critters, but one could easily carry a camp gun or bear-dissuader in the Falcon II’s big rear pocket.\u00a0 When I am traveling, I am usually constrained to a single handgun, since I do not want to go through too many hassles at airports here and afar, despite LEOSA.<\/p>\n

There are many other reviews of the “normal” features of the Falcon II, so I will just say that mine has been a good concealed carry companion in my walking travels from Florida to California.<\/p>\n

Randall<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

While vacationing, my wife and I regularly take long day hikes.\u00a0 You may know I am a stalwart supporter of LEO’s carrying a firearm at all times, so the backpack I wear has to have good concealment and easy access for a handgun.\u00a0 The Maxpedition Falcon II satisfies both attributes and more. Many backpacks and slingbags have adequate cargo space and useful features, but I went looking for a carry-all that could give me good ingress into a handgun compartment while the pack was worn on my back with both straps shouldered.\u00a0 In other words, a quick draw without having to doff the bag. Years ago, I purchased a Maxpedition … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[34,33,105],"tags":[157,154,158,156,155,153],"class_list":["post-839","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-concealed-carry","category-off-duty","category-tactical-bags","tag-backpack","tag-concealed-firearms-carry","tag-daypack","tag-falcon-ii","tag-hiking","tag-maxpedition"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t