Recently the BlueSheepDog Crew received a VooDoo Tactical Enhanced 42″ double rifle bag to test and evaluate from TopSpecUS, an authorized VooDoo Tactical Dealer. As a sniper, and patrol supervisor, I’m always interested in a carrying case that can better serve my complex needs. I’ve seen a lot of rifle bags in my 18 years of law enforcement, and most have simply been a duffel bag with zippers and clumsy pockets. The VooDoo bag is not one of them.
My patrol vehicle is an SUV outfitted to be a mobile command post. If a critical incident develops during my shift, I’m expected to respond and establish initial command. However, if that event is an active, mobile armed threat (like an active shooter), than the admin duties are put aside, and I’m responding in with other officers to coordinate moving to engage and neutralize the threat.
The types of equipment, arms, and supplies needed for such duties are vast. Though I would not want to be overly burdened with carrying a heavy bag during the whole event; moving a bag full of additional supplies, and/or weapons, to an entry point or other set point can be extremely beneficial.
In addition, if a sniper uses this VooDoo double rifle bag, they can go hands-free covering terrain, obstacles, vehicles, or structures to carry their sniper rifle and an AR-15 to their final observation point. If safety allows, this could greatly reduce response time, and protect critical weapons and gear from accidental loss by dropping or banging into objects along the way.
Our Department has practiced deployment of a critical incident bag in Field Training Exercises (FTX), where a large bag containing additional loaded magazines (rifle and pistol), trauma supplies, roll-up stretchers, water bottles, and batteries, etc. were staged at an easily accessible location on scene. This puts critical supplies within seconds of use, instead of minutes or more when staged in a vehicle or the command post. The VooDoo Enhanced double rifle bag could act in that purpose, while still allowing the carrier to move up with a bagged long gun.
VooDoo Tactical Enhanced Double Rifle Bag Features:
- Material – Heavy duty ballistic pack cloth
- Zippers – XS N10 heavy-duty
- Overall Length – 42.0″ long x 12.0″ high x 12.0″ wide
- Interior Rifle Compartment Length – 40.5″
- Large secondary pocket (behind 3 exterior pockets) – 26.0″ long x 11.5″ high
- Exterior Pockets – (3) large pockets with additional internal compartmentalization
- (2) Outside pockets – 9.0″ high x 6.0″ wide
- Large middle pocket – 10.0″ high x 8.5″ wide
- Attachment Compatibility – Molle, ALICE
- Hook & Loop ID patch included
- Available Colors – OD Green, Multicam, ACU Digital Camo, Coyote Brown, Black, Woodland Camo, Purple, and Pink
- MSRP – $129.95
- TopSpecUS Price – $99.00 (Multicam is $127.95).
VooDoo Tactical Enhanced Double Rifle Bag Overview
When first examining the I was immediately impressed with the amount of storage offered. I’ve seen a lot of rifle bags in my 18 years of law enforcement, and most have simply been a duffel bag with zippers and clumsy pockets. The VooDoo bag is not one of them. Made of heavy-duty, canvas type, ballistic pack cloth, the VooDoo bag provides plenty of space for two long guns. The pockets, stitching, and zippers are all well-constructed and organized for all the accessories that go along with them.
Currently my AR-15 is carried in a basic AR-15 bag with four magazine pockets, but the less lethal shotgun does not even have a bag. I also carry a go-bag with extra supplies of less lethal rounds, batteries, magazines, and other gear likely to be need at one point or another on patrol. Going out to my patrol SUV my hands are always full and over-burdened. Having the ability to carry both firearms in one bag would be a great benefit and relief to my overly burdened hands.
The Main Rifle Storage Compartment
The main compartment of the VooDoo bag contains two large rifle compartments separated by a flexible, padded center divider. Those rifle compartments have diagonal internal sleeves at the ends of the bag to help secure the stocks and barrels of the rifles. Then each compartment has two 1.5″ heavy Velcro straps to complete securing of the long guns, and keep them very snug in their places. The exterior of the main compartment is padded for additional protection of the long guns while being stored or carried.
The attention to detail and heavy thick foam on all six sides of the main compartment is a welcome addition not offered in many other nylon rifle bags. There is also additional padding to protect your muzzle, and the heavy duty zippers are tough enough to meet the demanding conditions required by the military and law enforcement users. This main compartment is lockable as an added security measure while weapons are being stored or transported.
The Large Exterior Pocket
On the exterior of the bag there is a second large compartment that is half as long as the total length of the bag (26.0″). This zippered compartment is attached to the outer portion of the VooDoo bag and can easily handle larger items like rain gear, veils, blankets, etc. This compartment is also compartmentalized with a second, interior zippered pocket of equal length, and two open end pockets on the exterior of the interior zippered pocket. These pockets can store up to (2) handguns, binoculars, range finders or other medium-sized sensitive items in a relatively secure pouch.
Three Compartmentalized Outer Pockets
In addition to a large main compartment there are three large enclosed pockets on the exterior of the bag for extra ammunition, magazines, and other accessories. These pockets are further compartmentalized for easier storage and organization. Inside the three exterior pockets are adjustable tie downs to help ensure your optics, magazines, or other necessary items are not going to get knocked about.
The three exterior pouches have gussets, allowing them hold far more gear than what they appear to hold when empty and cinched down. The two outside pouches can hold five or six AR-15 magazines and the center pouch is even larger, though minus any compartmentalized interior pockets.
Once the officer is satisfied with the contents of the exterior pockets, the VooDoo design has a quick attach Velcro patch, and a more permanent snap-together buckle system to fasten the pocket flap covers. The Velcro is strong enough to allow the officer fast access to the pockets, while confidently securing the flap in the event of necessary movement or inclement weather. The snap-together buckles also use a 1.5″ nylon strap, and provide a more permanent fixture of the flap covers. These are ideal for long distance carrying, shouldering the bag, or storing.
Molle or ALICE Accessorizing
On the edges of the VooDoo Tactical bag’s exterior are a full covering of PAL webbing ready to accept Molle or ALICE pouches. This allows the officer to completely personalize the bag to the individual’s needs with the addition of trauma kits, water bladders, or other types of storage compartments.
Carry Methods
The VooDoo Tactical Enhanced Double Rifle Bag offers three different methods of carry, covering almost every possibility that the officer might need. The methods provide easy carrying of a loaded bag for short, medium, or long-range movements.
- Dual nylon handles on the top middle of the bag for hand-held carry
- A single, padded nylon shoulder strap, attached to metal rings on opposite sides of the bag
- Two back-pack style, fully adjustable shoulder harnesses on the back side.
I would even offer that if the user felt the need or desire to drag the bag, the single shoulder strap could be undone from one clip and pulled behind the officer for low-crawling to position. The bag’s dual handles could also provide a grip point for the officer to push the bag in front of them as they low-crawled.
Final Evaluation
In total three officers, including myself, tested and evaluated the VooDoo Tactical Enhanced double rifle bag. All three of us had a very high overall opinion of the bag, its design and construction, and its practicality for the intended use. Here are the highlights of the three different officer observations:
- Material and construction is very high quality and durable
- Dual rifle storage is more than capable and opens a lot of possibilities
- Storage compartments are well designed, and sized, allowing for a lot of essential gear
- Carry options are sturdy, comfortable, and cover the majority of needs
- PAL webbing is great for Molle or ALICE accessory attachments
- Price is very reasonable for the quality and amount of bag provided.
The snipers did express some doubts about carrying their scoped sniper rifle with another long gun. The concern was enough jostling could change the scope settings on exposed turrets. Snipers are very sensitive about their sniper rifles, because even a slight adjustment could have catastrophic results if needed for a precision shot! However, we all believed that the VooDoo bag would do great if carrying the scoped sniper rifle by itself, or if the officer was carrying an AR-15 and other long gun.
Specific magazine pouches in the outer pockets would be a preferred storage method, along with actual pistol holsters instead of just a pocket. The open pockets do allow a variety of storage possibilities besides magazines, and the cinch cords do provide tension that can secure items fairly well.
Obviously, the more equipment stored, the heavier and more awkward the bag will be to carry, but the benefits of the VooDoo Enhanced double rifle bag far outweigh any concerns. The VooDoo Tactical Enhanced double rifle bag is definitely a bag we would recommend.
Richard says
That’s a good looking bag. Thanks for the review!
Aaron E says
OK, we have been using the VooDoo Tactical Double Rifle bag for around 3 months now. The straps, zippers, and main compartments have all stood the constant use we have put them through.
Unfortunately, the outer pockets have started to show some wear. The sniper was carrying metal box-style rifle magazines in the pockets, and the corners have started to show wear. In fact, one of the pockets has a small hole in the bottom corner where the constant wear from the magazine sliding around has broken through the material.
Softer supplies like cleaning supplies, ear pro, and polymer magazines should do just fine. If you plan on having metal magazines, or other sharper objects I would recommend placing them in the larger compartments.