Midway USA Dragbag: Good Value, Awful Zipper Pulls

CMonty256

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
May 18, 2010
255
3
36
Fort Campbell, KY
Given some time off between assignments and a healthy supply of 550 cord I finally decided to do something about the shitty ass zipper pulls on my Midway Drag Bag. For the price, 69.99 on sale now, its has great value, but the very first day I used it, i pulled one of the cord ties right out of the zipper. Frustrated with my now cord-less zippers, i replaced them all. A hours worth of time made a huge improvement, considering that now i never have to worry about the pulls coming undone, and now I'm back to feeling good about my $70 dollar bag.





 
Re: Midway USA Dragbag: Good Value, Awful Zipper Pulls

Yeah, I saw where they were going with the nose thing, but the execution was awful... There was no real way to secure it down. As soon as I saw it I took my Benchmade out and cut it off. Seemed like wasted potential to me.
 
Re: Midway USA Dragbag: Good Value, Awful Zipper Pulls

I do a little upgrading to my bags and packs too:

001-10.jpg
 
Re: Midway USA Dragbag: Good Value, Awful Zipper Pulls

I saw those at the PX today and thought about doing that instead of just the basic double fig 8 knots. But i wouldn't have been able to thread it through the actual zipper part. YKK zippers would have been nice, but you get what you pay for...
 
Re: Midway USA Dragbag: Good Value, Awful Zipper Pulls

I made the ones in the picture.
I had no clue they were available commercially.
 
Re: Midway USA Dragbag: Good Value, Awful Zipper Pulls

I have one of these bags too. It's good for transporting to/from the car. I've yet to find a hard case that I can put in my Honda without having to knock the seats down. Then I get a crap load of road noise.

The zippers are POS but this seems like a good upgrade.

However, mine doesn't have the actual metal flap on it. It just has those useless (I'm getting pissed off thinking about it) ropes in the little plastic tab tied around it.

I was actually thinking of sending it back to Midway but I can't find anything in the same price range to replace it.
 
Re: Midway USA Dragbag: Good Value, Awful Zipper Pulls

I found an OPMOD drag-bag at opticsplanet.com for $64.99. I actually purchased one from dvor.com when they had them for $54.99. I was pleasantly surprised with it. For that price, it is pretty decent. I added some additional padding to mine which is very easy to do.

http://www.opticsplanet.net/opmod-shooters-mat-drag-bag-double-rifle-case.html
 
Re: Midway USA Dragbag: Good Value, Awful Zipper Pulls

Does anyone know a source for a book on the different knots and how to tie them for the pulls ect I'm not looking to start a buisness just for my own gear.
Thanks
 
Re: Midway USA Dragbag: Good Value, Awful Zipper Pulls

the knot on the OP's pulls is just an overhand knot but with two strands taking the same path. The one tied in leather is a double half hitch.

http://www.netknots.com/

That will get you started, and there are plenty of other good knot tutorials out there on the net. Remember, a typical knot takes away about 40% of the strength of its host... but that varies by type of knot and type of rope. Not an issue here with zipper pulls, but think about it when tying knots in important things.
 
Re: Midway USA Dragbag: Good Value, Awful Zipper Pulls

The Ashley Book of Knots is a really good resource and if you have the iphone/ipad, "Grog Knots" is an animated app that references a lot of the knots in Ashley Book.

I have three of those drag bags and really like them, just wish they offered them in more colors.
 
Re: Midway USA Dragbag: Good Value, Awful Zipper Pulls

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bcw1284</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For around the same price ($80 locally), I like the condor bags a little better. I do like that midway offers these though, it's always good to have options. </div></div>

Hadn't heard of this particular brand, but it looks good. I think it may be a little more durable than the OPMOD bag I purchased.