{"id":92103,"date":"2018-06-07T23:45:47","date_gmt":"2018-06-08T03:45:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/?p=92103"},"modified":"2018-06-07T23:45:47","modified_gmt":"2023-08-30T20:31:54","slug":"midland-backpack-full-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/midland-backpack-full-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Tough, Versatile, and Budget-Friendly, Midland’s Backpack Shotgun Might be Your Best Hiking Companion"},"content":{"rendered":"\"Tough,<\/a>\n

\u201cIf I could only have one gun\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

We\u2019ve all asked this question. It\u2019s a hypothetical doomsday scenario for most, but anyone hoping to carry a firearm on a backpacking trip has felt the reality of this dilemma. The happy medium between compact, lightweight, and versatile can be difficult, if not impossible, to achieve. Handguns hit the first two criteria, but most fail to match the long-range capability of a long gun. An AR-pattern rifle can be compact and lightweight, but a .223 isn\u2019t ideal for flying game, which might be the best source of food in a survival scenario.<\/p>\n

Plus, if you\u2019re planning to traipse through the woods and scramble over boulders, you don\u2019t want to bring an expensive firearm. You want something cheap but durable, a gun with a design so simple you won\u2019t have to worry about moving, breakable parts.<\/p>\n

\"Tough,<\/a>

The Backpack is aptly named\u2014it will fit in almost any size pack, especially if you choose a model with a short barrel.<\/p><\/div>\n

Meeting each of these criteria might be impossible, but the Backpack by Midland Arms is about as close as any firearm has come. The Backpack is cheap, compact, relatively lightweight, and currently comes in the three most popular shotgun calibers (12GA, 20GA, and .410GA). Packing birdshot and slugs would allow you to take whatever game happens to be in the area, and the $149 MSRP means you wouldn\u2019t have to worry about marring an expensive finish. Plus, the single-shot break-open design is about as simple and indestructible as it gets.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the best part: Backpack barrels are interchangeable, and Midland plans to introduce rimfire and centerfire models soon. Between a 12GA barrel and a rifle-caliber barrel, you\u2019d be able to take almost any kind of North American game from distances that exceed the range of shotgun slugs.<\/p>\n

\"Tough,<\/a>

Removing the barrel is a simple process requiring only an Allen wrench of the correct size (provided).<\/p><\/div>\n

Here are the specs on the model I tested:<\/p>\n

Caliber: <\/strong>12GA<\/p>\n

Barrel Length<\/strong>: 24\u201d<\/p>\n

Overall Length<\/strong>: 40.4\u201d<\/p>\n

Overall Folded Length<\/strong>: 24.4\u201d<\/p>\n

Width Folded<\/strong>: 9.5\u201d<\/p>\n

Weight<\/strong>: 4.8 lbs<\/p>\n

Length of Pull<\/strong>: 12.5\u201d no spacers to 14.5\u201d with two spacers<\/p>\n

Drop in Comb<\/strong>: 1.5\u201d<\/p>\n

Chokes<\/strong>: Barretta Mobilchoke<\/p>\n

Midland also offers the 12GA with 26\u201d and 18.5\u201d barrels, the 20GA with 22\u201d and 26\u201d barrels, and the .410GA with 22\u201d and 18.5\u201d barrels.<\/p>\n

Features<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The diversity of Midland\u2019s offerings mirrors the customizability we\u2019ve come to demand from our firearms. These days, customers expect rifles, shotguns, and handguns to be tailored to each individual shooter, and the Backpack\u2019s range of calibers and barrel lengths let you do exactly that. Younger shooters can start with an 18.5\u201d barrel chambered in .410 and gradually work their way up to a 12GA.<\/p>\n

Unlike most budget shotguns, the Backpack also allows shooters to customize the length of pull. Plastic spacers can be added or removed from the stock to accommodate a wide range of statures. Right now, each firearm comes standard with two spacers, but Midland plans to sell the spacers separately so shooters can increase the length of pull beyond 14.5\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"Tough,<\/a>

Length of pull can be modified to fit individual shooters.<\/p><\/div>\n

Shooters can customize the appearance of the firearm as well. The grip panels on the forend and wrist can be removed, and Midland will soon begin offering colored panels that can replace the standard black.<\/p>\n

\"Tough,<\/a>

Grip panels can be removed to further customize the firearm.<\/p><\/div>\n

The stock also doubles as a storage space where backpackers and hunters can keep emergency medical supplies or survival gear. Removing the two screws at the base of the stock is a simple task that only requires a Philips head screwdriver.<\/p>\n

\"Tough,<\/a>

Hikers can pack medical and other emergency supplies in the stock.<\/p><\/div>\n

The best feature, of course, is the one for which the Backpack is named. An indent in the forend allows the shotgun to be folded into a neat, compact package, which can cut the overall length in half, depending on which barrel you choose. In this configuration, it fits nicely into a medium-sized backpack or can be strapped to the side without the barrel protruding above the backpacker\u2019s head.<\/p>\n

\"Tough,<\/a>

An indent in the forend allows the Backpack to fold more compactly than other break-action shotguns.<\/p><\/div>\n

Midland sent me the 12GA with a 24\u201d barrel, which is the second largest shotgun the company offers. A 20GA or .410GA with a shorter barrel would have allowed for even easier backpack storage.<\/p>\n

\"Tough,<\/a>

The Backpack fit reasonably well in my daypack, but a larger bag would have better accommodated the 24\u201d barrel.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Tough,<\/a>

If I were to carry the Backpack, I would likely strap it to the sides or the back.<\/p><\/div>\n

Quality?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

At this point you\u2019re probably wondering about quality. A $150 shotgun sounds almost suspiciously cheap, and it\u2019s natural to assume that Midland cut corners during the manufacturing process.<\/p>\n

I posed this question to the Midland reps at this year\u2019s NRA Annual Meetings, and while they didn\u2019t divulge their business model, they explained that Midland shotguns are manufactured in the same Turkish factory as many of the big-name brands, including Mossberg. The gunsmiths building the Backpack have experience building firearms for other companies known for high quality and reliability. Midland Arms is also relatively small (only about 8 full-time employees), so they don\u2019t have the same overhead costs as larger companies.<\/p>\n

\"Tough,<\/a>

While it might not be the prettiest gun you own, the Backpack is constructed from quality materials and won\u2019t fail you in the field.<\/p><\/div>\n

In terms of components, the receiver and barrel are both CNC machined from 4140 steel forgings, the barrel is dark chromed to protect against the elements, and the stock is injection molded. Midland also isn\u2019t reinventing the wheel. Though not identical, the Backpack\u2019s design is based on an old Beretta design, which means that, despite Midland\u2019s relatively short track record, their shotgun designs have already stood the test of time.<\/p>\n

\"Tough,<\/a>

Rather than using a zinc alloy, Midland uses steel forgings for their receivers and breech blocks. Midland CEO Val Forgett provided these photos from a recent trip to the factory.<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cMaking guns using these materials and finishes are what ensures Midlands can be handed down from generation to generation,\u201d Midland President and CEO Val Forgett\u00a0told me via email. \u201cThat is what I want to see in this line.\u00a0I still have my old single-shot from when I was a kid and want to make sure that 100 years from now, today’s Midlands are still being shot.\u201d<\/p>\n

My experience with the firearm gave me no reason to doubt Midland\u2019s claims of quality. The shotgun feels solid in the hands, and I couldn\u2019t find any rough cuts in the steel components. The action locks tight without any wiggle, and the trigger, lever, and safety engage positively without any mushiness. Most importantly, the firearm never failed to function as advertised. Only time will prove definitively the Backpack\u2019s long-term quality, but my initial testing indicates that this shotgun will last well beyond my lifetime.<\/p>\n

Performance and Function<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Backpack\u2019s simple design is ideal for new shooters and young shooters. The action breaks open via a lever forward of the trigger, which I found to be stiff but not unreasonably so. Shells are loaded one at a time into the chamber, and the action closes with a firm, tactile click<\/em>. A small silver button on the left side of the receiver indicates the gun\u2019s status by both sight and touch, so new shooters can be certain whether they\u2019ve loaded the firearm. The positive trigger-block safety is located just rear of the trigger.<\/p>\n

\"Tough,<\/a>

The single-shot, break-action design is ideal for new shooters and young shooters.<\/p><\/div>\n

The 8-pound trigger is heavy but not unpleasant. There\u2019s virtually zero take-up and no grittiness. I found it to be more than adequate for shooting clays, though it might be more difficult to take accurate longer-range shots with Midland\u2019s forthcoming rimfire and centerfire barrels.<\/p>\n

\"Tough,<\/a>

Trigger, action lever, and safety are all located within easy reach.<\/p><\/div>\n

Shells are extracted by hand, which is less than convenient, but it also eliminates one more spring-loaded component that might break out in the field.<\/p>\n

I enjoyed shooting the Backpack. I loved its lightweight design and short overall length. After shooting clays with the Midland\u2019s shotgun, a standard pump action felt clumsy and over-large. The Backpack is a great option for shooters with small statures, though its customizable length of pull allows it to fit larger shooters too.<\/p>\n

\"Tough,<\/a>

Shooting birdshot was fun. Buckshot\u2026 not so much.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Tough,<\/a>

The gold front post is easy to pick up.<\/p><\/div>\n

It handled well during my time at the clay range. The large, gold front sight is easy to see, and the rubber buttstock pad minimized birdshot recoil even given the gun\u2019s light weight. The receiver also includes a small notch that can be used with the front sight for more precise aiming. The 12GA and 20GA models come with a modified choke and are compatible with interchangeable Beretta chokes.<\/p>\n

\"Tough,<\/a>

The Backpack comes with a modified choke and a choke wrench.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Tough,<\/a>

Federal ammunition performed well in the Backpack.<\/p><\/div>\n

I shot patterns with birdshot and buckshot at 15 and 30 yards using Federal\u2019s 1 1\/8 ounce Gold Medal Grand target loads and Premium 00 buckshot.<\/p>\n

\"Tough,<\/a>

The birdshot pattern measured 15\u201d at 15 yards and 25\u201d at 30 yards.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Tough,<\/a>

Buckshot patterned an 8.5\u201d spread at 15 yards and a 20\u201d spread at 30 yards.<\/p><\/div>\n

While I have few serious criticisms of the gun, I would caution against shooting heavy loads with the 12GA. While the birdshot loads weren\u2019t entirely unpleasant, I didn\u2019t want to shoot more than two patterns with the buckshot. I didn\u2019t even try shooting slugs. The shotgun\u2019s weight doesn\u2019t absorb much heavy recoil, and while the buttstock pad helps, it still felt like most of the energy from the buckshot transferred directly into my shoulder.<\/p>\n

New shooters\u2014and experienced shooters looking to avoid shoulder bruises\u2014should probably stick to lighter loads with the 12GA or move down to the 20GA or .410GA.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Backpack from Midland Arms could be the best value right now in the firearms industry. Its price point fits any budget, and it\u2019s designed and manufactured to function reliably for decades after purchase. The Backpack you give to your son or daughter stands a good chance of being given to their son or daughter, which isn\u2019t always the case with low-cost firearms.<\/p>\n

The Backpack\u2019s customizability also allows it to grow with the shooter or be modified to be used in a variety of applications. Whether you\u2019re looking for a first gun, a woods gun, or a survival gun, the Backpack can be suited to meet your needs. The \u201cif you could only have one gun\u201d debate will never be resolved, but Midland\u2019s shotgun deserves a look for your next outdoor adventure.<\/p>\n

Click here<\/a> for more info on the Backpack.<\/p>\n

***Shop GunsAmerica for your Midland Backpack.***\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/h1>\n

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

\u201cIf I could only have one gun\u2026\u201d We\u2019ve all asked this question. It\u2019s a hypothetical doomsday scenario for most, but anyone hoping to carry a firearm on a backpacking trip has felt the reality of this dilemma. The happy medium between compact, lightweight, and versatile can be difficult, if not impossible, to achieve.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":54,"featured_media":92525,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_specdata_upc":"","_specdata_placement":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7,865,593,38],"tags":[1117,813,132,102,616,108,116,1116,208,628],"featured":[],"hunt365":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-92103","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-gunsamerica-authors","8":"category-double-single-barrel-shotguns","9":"category-jordan-michaels","10":"category-gun-reviews-shotguns","11":"tag-12ga","12":"tag-backpack","13":"tag-buzz","14":"tag-feature-articles","15":"tag-gear","16":"tag-guns","17":"tag-hunting-2","18":"tag-midland","19":"tag-reviews-2","20":"tag-shotgun"},"yoast_head":"\nTough, Versatile, and Budget-Friendly, Midland's Backpack Shotgun Might be Your Best Hiking Companion<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Midland's Backpack shotgun is a fantastic option for your next hiking or camping trip. It's also a great first gun for new or young shooters.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/midland-backpack-full-review\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Tough, Versatile, and Budget-Friendly, Midland's Backpack Shotgun Might be Your Best Hiking Companion\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\u201cIf I could only have one gun\u2026\u201d We\u2019ve all asked this question. It\u2019s a hypothetical doomsday scenario for most, but anyone hoping to carry a firearm on a backpacking trip has felt the reality of this dilemma. The happy medium between compact, lightweight, and versatile can be difficult, if not impossible, to achieve.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/midland-backpack-full-review\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Gun Reviews and News | GunsAmerica.com\/Digest\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/gunsamerica\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2018-06-08T03:45:47+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-08-30T20:31:54+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Featured-Image-2.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"856\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Jordan Michaels\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@gunsamerica\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@gunsamerica\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Jordan Michaels\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/midland-backpack-full-review\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/midland-backpack-full-review\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Jordan Michaels\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/a21614cb8c2dd3512bbbaa26c54521ad\"},\"headline\":\"Tough, Versatile, and Budget-Friendly, Midland’s Backpack Shotgun Might be Your Best Hiking Companion\",\"datePublished\":\"2018-06-08T03:45:47+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-08-30T20:31:54+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/midland-backpack-full-review\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1984,\"commentCount\":36,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/midland-backpack-full-review\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2018\\\/06\\\/Featured-Image-2.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"12GA\",\"Backpack\",\"Buzz\",\"Feature Articles\",\"Gear\",\"Guns\",\"Hunting\",\"Midland\",\"reviews\",\"Shotgun\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Authors\",\"Double\\\/Single Barrel\",\"Jordan Michaels\",\"Shotguns\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/midland-backpack-full-review\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/midland-backpack-full-review\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/midland-backpack-full-review\\\/\",\"name\":\"Tough, Versatile, and Budget-Friendly, Midland's Backpack Shotgun Might be Your Best Hiking Companion\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/midland-backpack-full-review\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/midland-backpack-full-review\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2018\\\/06\\\/Featured-Image-2.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2018-06-08T03:45:47+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-08-30T20:31:54+00:00\",\"description\":\"Midland's Backpack shotgun is a fantastic option for your next hiking or camping trip. It's also a great first gun for new or young shooters.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/midland-backpack-full-review\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/midland-backpack-full-review\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/midland-backpack-full-review\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2018\\\/06\\\/Featured-Image-2.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2018\\\/06\\\/Featured-Image-2.jpg\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":856,\"caption\":\"Midland\u2019s Backpack would make an excellent sidekick for your next backpacking or camping trip.\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/midland-backpack-full-review\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Tough, Versatile, and Budget-Friendly, Midland’s Backpack Shotgun Might be Your Best Hiking Companion\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/\",\"name\":\"Gun Reviews and News | GunsAmerica.com\\\/Digest\",\"description\":\"Gun Reviews, Industry News, and Product Reviews for Rifles, Pistols, Revolvers, Shotguns, Optics, and Ammunition. Looking to purchase a firearm online? Look no further than GunsAmerica.com, America's premier destination for buying and selling firearms.\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"GunsAmerica\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/01\\\/image-3.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/01\\\/image-3.png\",\"width\":286,\"height\":156,\"caption\":\"GunsAmerica\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/gunsamerica\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/gunsamerica\",\"https:\\\/\\\/instagram.com\\\/gunsamerica_official\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/user\\\/GunsAmerica\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/a21614cb8c2dd3512bbbaa26c54521ad\",\"name\":\"Jordan Michaels\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/0f81df18ddebffa16bb3f970d2470b3d03f289289973794fc43a03aa6180dae9?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/0f81df18ddebffa16bb3f970d2470b3d03f289289973794fc43a03aa6180dae9?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/0f81df18ddebffa16bb3f970d2470b3d03f289289973794fc43a03aa6180dae9?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Jordan Michaels\"},\"description\":\"has been reviewing firearm-related products for over six years and enjoying them for much longer. With family in Canada, he's seen first hand how quickly the right to self-defense can be stripped from law-abiding citizens. He escaped that statist paradise at a young age, married a sixth-generation Texan, and currently lives in Tyler. Got a hot tip? Send him an email at jordan@gunsamerica.com.\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/author\\\/jordanmichaels\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Tough, Versatile, and Budget-Friendly, Midland's Backpack Shotgun Might be Your Best Hiking Companion","description":"Midland's Backpack shotgun is a fantastic option for your next hiking or camping trip. It's also a great first gun for new or young shooters.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/midland-backpack-full-review\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Tough, Versatile, and Budget-Friendly, Midland's Backpack Shotgun Might be Your Best Hiking Companion","og_description":"\u201cIf I could only have one gun\u2026\u201d We\u2019ve all asked this question. It\u2019s a hypothetical doomsday scenario for most, but anyone hoping to carry a firearm on a backpacking trip has felt the reality of this dilemma. The happy medium between compact, lightweight, and versatile can be difficult, if not impossible, to achieve.","og_url":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/midland-backpack-full-review\/","og_site_name":"Gun Reviews and News | GunsAmerica.com\/Digest","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/gunsamerica","article_published_time":"2018-06-08T03:45:47+00:00","article_modified_time":"2023-08-30T20:31:54+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":856,"url":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Featured-Image-2.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Jordan Michaels","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@gunsamerica","twitter_site":"@gunsamerica","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Jordan Michaels","Est. reading time":"10 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/midland-backpack-full-review\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/midland-backpack-full-review\/"},"author":{"name":"Jordan Michaels","@id":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/#\/schema\/person\/a21614cb8c2dd3512bbbaa26c54521ad"},"headline":"Tough, Versatile, and Budget-Friendly, Midland’s Backpack Shotgun Might be Your Best Hiking Companion","datePublished":"2018-06-08T03:45:47+00:00","dateModified":"2023-08-30T20:31:54+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/midland-backpack-full-review\/"},"wordCount":1984,"commentCount":36,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/midland-backpack-full-review\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Featured-Image-2.jpg","keywords":["12GA","Backpack","Buzz","Feature Articles","Gear","Guns","Hunting","Midland","reviews","Shotgun"],"articleSection":["Authors","Double\/Single Barrel","Jordan Michaels","Shotguns"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/midland-backpack-full-review\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/midland-backpack-full-review\/","url":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/midland-backpack-full-review\/","name":"Tough, Versatile, and Budget-Friendly, Midland's Backpack Shotgun Might be Your Best Hiking Companion","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/midland-backpack-full-review\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/midland-backpack-full-review\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Featured-Image-2.jpg","datePublished":"2018-06-08T03:45:47+00:00","dateModified":"2023-08-30T20:31:54+00:00","description":"Midland's Backpack shotgun is a fantastic option for your next hiking or camping trip. It's also a great first gun for new or young shooters.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/midland-backpack-full-review\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/midland-backpack-full-review\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/midland-backpack-full-review\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Featured-Image-2.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Featured-Image-2.jpg","width":1200,"height":856,"caption":"Midland\u2019s Backpack would make an excellent sidekick for your next backpacking or camping trip."},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/midland-backpack-full-review\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Tough, Versatile, and Budget-Friendly, Midland’s Backpack Shotgun Might be Your Best Hiking Companion"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/#website","url":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/","name":"Gun Reviews and News | GunsAmerica.com\/Digest","description":"Gun Reviews, Industry News, and Product Reviews for Rifles, Pistols, Revolvers, Shotguns, Optics, and Ammunition. Looking to purchase a firearm online? Look no further than GunsAmerica.com, America's premier destination for buying and selling firearms.","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/#organization","name":"GunsAmerica","url":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-3.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-3.png","width":286,"height":156,"caption":"GunsAmerica"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/gunsamerica","https:\/\/x.com\/gunsamerica","https:\/\/instagram.com\/gunsamerica_official\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/GunsAmerica"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/#\/schema\/person\/a21614cb8c2dd3512bbbaa26c54521ad","name":"Jordan Michaels","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/0f81df18ddebffa16bb3f970d2470b3d03f289289973794fc43a03aa6180dae9?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/0f81df18ddebffa16bb3f970d2470b3d03f289289973794fc43a03aa6180dae9?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/0f81df18ddebffa16bb3f970d2470b3d03f289289973794fc43a03aa6180dae9?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Jordan Michaels"},"description":"has been reviewing firearm-related products for over six years and enjoying them for much longer. With family in Canada, he's seen first hand how quickly the right to self-defense can be stripped from law-abiding citizens. He escaped that statist paradise at a young age, married a sixth-generation Texan, and currently lives in Tyler. Got a hot tip? Send him an email at jordan@gunsamerica.com.","url":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/author\/jordanmichaels\/"}]}},"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Featured-Image-2-150x107.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/92103","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/54"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=92103"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/92103\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":183999,"href":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/92103\/revisions\/183999"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/92525"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=92103"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=92103"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=92103"},{"taxonomy":"featured","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/featured?post=92103"},{"taxonomy":"hunt365","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hunt365?post=92103"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}