Emdom-MM TNT Gym Bag

The TNT (Tactical Non-Tactical) GYM (GreY Man) Bag is Emdom's latest collaboration with militarymorons.com. The TNT GYM Bag is an innovative, "truly covert" weapon / equipment carrying case that allows users to transport an AR-15/ M4 rifle and equipment, or up to two carbines unnoticed. Continuing the same philosophy of our TNT Bag, the TNT GYM Bag is designed to have a non-tactical appearance which conceals its tactical features inside.

Key Features / Design highlights:
a) High degree of covertness.
b) Compact in length
c) Discreet color scheme.
d) Smart storage.
e) Portability and structural support during transportation.
f) Durable construction and protection for the weapon.
g) Multi-purpose.

Covert:
There is sometimes a need for a weapon carrying case that is common looking, generic, and non-specific such that it draws no attention, and gives no clues as to its contents. We don’t want to attract attention with an oversized backpack, a super long carrying case, or any shape-specific cases (e.g. music instrument cases).  All these carrying cases draw attention, and can create conflict between the user’s appearance or the environment (e.g. you don’t look like a musician, or why you carrying a snow board in Hawaii ?).

Through careful observation and research, we decided to make our case look like a common gym/travel bag/duffel. These bags are usually medium sized (slightly bigger than an urban backpack), with either a shoulder strap or carry handles. You can see them just everywhere all over the world, e.g. in the airport, hotel, gym, beach, parks, street or school. Just about everyone is familiar with the design; it really gives no clues about the contents, the users’ identity, intention, or his destination.

Compact Length (Breakdown design, and Length illusion):
We adopted a breakdown storage method (the upper and lower receiver are separated) for reasons of compactness, portability, and covertness. Long cases can draw attention, and have problems with regard to storage, portability and access in tight environments. Another advantage of the breakdown design is that it is less recognizable as a rifle case.

The illusion of compact length is the “secret” of the GYM Bag. At first glance, most people would not think that the GYM Bag can fit a carbine, even in the break down mode. It is because the length of an upper is around 24-25”, and the main body of the GYM Bag is only 22” long. The secret of the GYM Bag is its expandable partitions at each end of the main compartment where its contents can expand into the side pockets unnoticed from outside, adding an additional 4 inches length to the main compartment. Since the partitions expand both ways (inwards and outwards), the end pockets can also hold bulkier items than they would appear to. The illusion of a shorter bag works well as people don’t realize the entire bag is used to store the rifle upper; and that the main compartment and side pockets are not separate entities.

Discrete color scheme:
The GYM Bag is available in two models / color combinations: The Urban GYM Bag, and the BFE GYM Bag.

The Urban GYM Bag has a black body with SDU Grey top panels and end pockets. The interior is foliage green. This smart color combination is very universal, discreet and very practical in urban environments. By changing the color of the main body and the side pockets, it furthers the illusion of the main compartment being short (see pictures).

The BFE GYM Bag is all coyoteish, suitable for more natural / outdoor environments, such as desert or arid regions. The BFE GYM Bag just looks like a medium sized storage / gear bag. We also replace the metal zipper pulls of the front pocket and side pockets to cord zipper pulls for noise reduction. The main compartment zipper pulls remain metal to allow them to be locked.

Smart storage:
The GYM Bag has a main storage compartment (22” x 10” x 8”), two side pockets (7” x 8” x 2”), and one small flat front pocket (11” x 8). As discussed above, the main compartment and two side pockets can expand into each other, and store larger items than would visually appear.

Inside the main compartment of the GYM Bag is a detachable internal divider (25” x 8”). The divider is a top-opening zippered padded pocket that accommodates a standard AR15 lower receiver. If a lower receiver has a bulky or longer grip, it can be stored outside the divider, separated from the upper. The divider has Velcro at the bottom and ends which attach to the loop Velcro surface inside the main compartment. Users can position the divider according to their preference or the items they carried. The top of the GYM Bag has a compression strap with a quick release buckle. Although the GYM Bag seems compact, it can actually hold a lot of stuff. Below is an example of items that can fit into the GYM Bag:

Any upper or rifle up to 26.5" in overall length.
Up to an 18" barreled upper (as long as it doesn't exceed the 26.5" OAL)
One carbine plus gear
Two uppers, one lower.
Two uppers and two lowers (with additional divider).
Helmet, compact chest rig, soft armor, and pouches (with divider removed).
Durable construction and Protection:
The GYM Bag is a structured duffel built from 1000 D Cordura nylon externally, 500 D Cordura internally, YKK zippers, mil-spec webbing and mil-spec Velcro.  Stress areas are bartacked / reinforced, and internal edges are seam taped. Both the internal divider and the bag (bottom, side, ends) are padded with ½” closed cell foam for protection of the contents, providing the structural framework of the bag, and finally reducing “printing” from the pointed components of the firearm (e.g. the barrel, scope and sights). A “structurally stable / non floppy bag” is vital for staying covert.

Portability:
The GYM Bag is compact and portable. It has built-in carry straps at the top, and a removable shoulder strap. Both straps are set up in a way that they support the load and structure of bag while carrying.

The carry straps are long enough for both hand carry and shoulder carry. The carry straps extend and wrap completely under the bag to provide structural / load support during hand carry.

The 2” wide removable shoulder strap has a removable shoulder pad that is lined with a non-slip rubber layer, and a sweat-wicking Drilex layer for comfort and long hours of use. The shoulder strap attaches at the D-rings located at the top ends of the GYM Bag.

There is another ‘secret’ under these D-rings. Under each D-ring, inside the main compartment, is a vertical length of webbing sewn from the top to the bottom. These two vertical webs transfers the lifting forces from the shoulder strap down to the bottom of the bag, providing structural / load support during shoulder strap carry.

Multi-functional:
As you can imagine, the use of the TNT GYM Bag is not limited to a firearm transportation case. It can be used as a medium sized gear / travel / overnight / sport / beach / school bag.  It is certainly a better investment than a single-purpose discrete weapon case or a floppy fabric-only duffel.

GYM Bag is now available in two versions: Urban GYM Bag (Black-Grey), and BFE GYM Bag (Coyoteish). Backed by Emdom's lifetime warranty.

• Designed to safely store and transport of firearm(s) / gear in a truly covert way.
• Carry at least one carbine and some equipment - especially a 'bulky' upper with accessories attached to it.
• Taking the shape of a gym bag; extremely common, and widely used all over the world.
• Seldom conflicts between user’s appearance and environment.
• Reveals no clues about the contents, user’s identity, intention, or his destination.
• Does not draw the attention that traditional gun cases, oversized backpack, long cases, and shape-specific cases might (e.g. guitar cases).
• Compact length with break down storage design (upper and lower receiver separated) for portability, easy storage, convenience, and covertness.
• Length illusion: contents inside the main compartment can extend into the side pockets, and vice versa. Unnoticed from outside.
• The main compartment (22" long by sight) can house a upper receiver that is longer than the main compartment, (up to 26.5" long) !!
• Overall dimensions: 26" long x 10" tall x 8" wide.
• Main compartment with top zipper opening - 22" long x 10" tall x 8" wide
• Two end pockets with full zippers - 7" tall x 8" wide x 2" deep.
• 1/2" Closed cell foam padding on sides, bottom and ends to provide structural support, protection and reduce ‘printing’.
• Front zipper compartment - 11" x 8".
• Padded removable internal divider (25” x 8”) with top zipper opening for a lower receiver.
• 1.5" wide webbing hand carry straps; long enough to carry bag over shoulder. Straps extend to the bag bottom for full load / structural support.
• 2" wide removable shoulder strap with removable pad.
• Removable shoulder pad with Drilex padding, and non-slip material, for comfort and long hours of use.
• Internal vertical webbings inside main compartment transfer the lifting force from the shoulder strap down to the bottom of the bag. Provides increased load / structural support.
• 1000D Cordura external construction, YKK zippers and mil-spec velcro. ITW plastic hardware. Internally lined with 500D Cordura. All internal edges are finished and seam taped.
• Available in two discrete colors - Urban (black, SDU grey) and BFE (coyoteish)
• Backed by Emdom USA’s life warranty.