Range Bag, or Hard Case?

[kingpin008]

I've been wondering lately what I should do about my range equipment situation. Currently, I have a small Doskosport hard sided pistol case that I used to transport a few pistols to the range with me. I also utilize a .30 Cal ammo can to tote whatever ammo I'm bringing along (usually no more than a brick of .22, a box or two of .38 Special and maybe a box of 9mm) and a small bottle of hand sanitizer.

It's becoming apparent that that particular setup is not the most ideal. The pistol case is too small to tote more than two pistols easily, and the ammo can gets heavy quick. I also don't really have a place to put any sort of cleaning gear or targets, so I usually don't bring either. Buying targets at the range isn't a big deal, but there have been some times where I've cursed myself for not having a simple cleaning rod and some swabs or a small screwdriver handy. Because of all this, a new setup is definitely in order. I do have to contend with a student budget, but I'm not opposed to spending a little coin on a really nice setup, with the condition being that it has to fit my needs as outlined here, with extra points given for a setup that will "grow" a little bit as my collection expands/changes. Also extra points for a rig that will work for travel - spots for locks, etc. I could take the small hard sided case I have with me on an airline, except for the fact that there's no place for locks to be attached.

I'm curious to see what setups ya'll have worked out. How many of you use range bags, and how many use hard cases? How many use both? What do you folks see as the advantages and drawbacks of each? I know how personal a range bag setup can be, depending on what type of shooting you do. For me it's pistol only (except for my Hi-Point 995 carbine of course) so I don't really need a lot of insight dealing with long guns at this point. Pics of your various setups and maybe even a description of what you carry along with (or what you think should be carried with) on a trip to the range is appreciated as well!

Thanks!


OH! Maybe someone here will be able to answer this as well - I was at the local range recently, and a fellow walked in with a fairly large black case (not a regular plastic hard case, this looked more like something an old-timey traveling salesman might carry around, if that makes any sense) and when he set it down on the bench in his lane, it unfolded into a whole setup. There were two small shelves that held a variety of magazines (he was shooting a S&W Mod. 41 .22) and there were a few other compartments that looked like they held a small calculator, a shot timer, and some pencils and a small notebook. He was obviously a bullseye shooter, and there was a placard inside the case that I assume had the name of the manufacturer. I could only read part of it due to how he was standing, and the fact that I didn't want to bug him and throw off his concentration.

The part I could read, was -box.com. Does anybody know what the beginning part of that web address might be? I'm assuming they do specialty shooting cases, but I have no idea what to search for.

[mjrodney]

My bride and I have found that an ordinary suitcase, with telescoping handle and wheels, works best for us.

All the handguns (up to eight at a time) are in their own soft case.

Targets, stapler, misc tools are in the pockets on the outside.

An ammo bag (heavy, yes) rides on top of the suitcase and is secured to the extended handle with a bungee cord.

This $25 Walmart suitcase has endured two years of weekly use.

The pistol box I think you are describing can be seen at:

http://www.theshootersbox.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=74_108&products_id=279

[Rugerlvr]

I use an Uncle Mike's range bag, and I love it.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=610839&t=11082005

[Haidden]

I bought the midway bag about 2 weeks ago its a very nice bag, especially for the price. It was 39.99 at the time on sale, but the sale is over its now back to its regular price of 59.99, which still isnt bad.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=259680&t=11082005

Some of the pictures are bad, had to use my old camera...

Top View

http://i37.tinypic.com/107q2z9.jpg

Magazine holders (there are some slots on the flap on the ground too)

http://i36.tinypic.com/2n07o7t.jpg

Front view (or other side opposite of the magazine holders)

http://i36.tinypic.com/dwf6zl.jpg

Pouches

http://i36.tinypic.com/m9m5qq.jpg

Inside with the ammo bag etc taken out

http://i34.tinypic.com/2eodswj.jpg

The ammo bag thats inside the main bag

http://i35.tinypic.com/16c6fj5.jpg

[kingpin008]

Mjrodney - That's not a bad idea. I've considered picking up a small case like you describe in the past, but it must have slipped my mind. I'll have to make a trip tomorrow and see what's in stock at my local ChinaMart.

And yes, that's exactly the box the guy at the range had! Thanks for the link. :D

RugerluvR & Haidden - thanks for the links & pics, I'll have a look at them as well. :)

[ColinthePilot]

for handgun only days, which it sounds like you're talking about, I use a small soft-sided briefcase, little more than a rectangular black bag my dad picked up at some conference about 10 yrs ago. I can fit all of my factory pistol cases in there(no more than 2 at once), a few boxes of ammo. I can take more pistols or more ammo if I leave the cases at home. I also take various ammo cans depending on the purpose of my range trip that day (lots of rifles, all handgun, pure volume of fire, etc).

I've seen a big case like the one you're talking about. It held a number of pistols in a rack, plenty of accessories, and looked like what you're talking about. The owner told me it was an old NRA competition case or something like that. It was beautiful, but old.

[mhillsing23]

I also have the Uncle Mike's range bag. It is a great size, and I wouldn't want it to be any bigger, but it is getting full. If it were any bigger and I filled it up, it would be too heavy. I just bought a cheap 2 pistol case to take along with my range bag. The range bag gets full with: ears, eyes, mags, ammo, tools, cleaning supplies, timer, targets, staple gun, etc.

[burningsquirrels]

i just bought the $20 stanley fatmax soft sided tool bag. the inside pockets hold all the mags. then i have the CZs in their hard cases, 1 or 2 of them, then two zippered pouches - one with tools, the other with cleaning stuff... the ammo has their own hard cases, and a roll of targets with tape and staplers. the toolbag has a pouch just for safety goggles, an upper inside zipper pocket for markers and small things like earplugs, and a bunch of external pockets for water and food. works good.

http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/07/61/74/93/0007617493949_215X215.jpg

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=7754814

[XDKingslayer]

Both...

I also use a Doskosport hard case. I put two pistols in it and it goes inside my soft range bag. If I decide to take more than two pistols, I have Doskosport cases out the wazoo.

[ReadyontheRight]

It may be obvious, but a significant benefit of something like the Gun Ho Bullseye shooters box is that you can mount a spotting scope on it to see your shots.

I use tool bags set up for different types of shooting (shotgun clays, highpower rifle, pistol). I would like to get a Gun Ho box someday.

[Snapping Twig]

I have soft rifle cases and a multiple rifle hard side plastic case. For pistol I have a softside Bushmaster grip and a Pelican hard case.

When I carry one rifle, I use the soft cases, but multiple rifles and simultaneous pistols, I use the hard rifle case with the Bushmaster grip for ammo.

Of late I have used the Pelican case for multiple pistols w/ammo.

My advice is to do what I've done and have different cases for various scenarios.

[benderx4]

Plus 1 on the Uncle Mike's range bag, had mine for over a year now and love it. Maxes out at about 4 handguns, ammo, eye and ear protection, etc. Fairly inexpensive so you could always buy two!

[Creade]

Ive been going back and forth on what to do for a new range bag as well.

After a ton of searching I think I have settled on a Shooters Connection bag, and will be ordering one this week.

[DWARREN123]

I likea bag and am currently using a Blackhawk medical bag. Does what I need.

[dmazur]

I have a small range bag that holds two pistols in pouches in outside pockets, with the center compartment divided for hearing protectors, cleaning supplies, and a few boxes of ammo.

For more serious range time, I find this doesn't hold enough ammo and I'm thinking of getting a Dillon "Border Shift" bag.

This lets you load up (typically one caliber) the entire bag and access it through one zipper. Brass goes in the other zipper. A flexible divider allows the bag to hold any combination of ammo / empty brass.

When I get it home, I plan to dump it directly in the brass tumbler. :)

[loop]

Surprised this thread is still hanging around.

I chose the Midway bag over the Shooter's Connection bag based on price. Have not regretted the decision.

After a year of going to two-a-month matches it really shows no wear whatsoever.

My only gripe is that it gets heavy once I load five pistols, tools and cleaning equipment into it.

Hard sides, special purpose. I have some. Are you travelling in or out of country? That's the major issue.

[BlindJustice]

I have a couple of Cabelas "bulletproof" Aluminum Pistol cases, 14" x 10" x 4" and a like Rifle case 44" x 10' x 4" - they have stainless steel hasps
with a SS rod and a L on the end which fits in a place for a good brass lock.

I usually take one pistol case, with two pistols, and (I have a CCW) wear
my 1911 The rifle case is the shorty built for AR-15 or a T/C long gun but
it happens to be just the right size for my Marlin 1894. 20" Bbl. The rifle case also was good for transporting a T/C Contender since with it's 14" Bbl. it
didn't fit in my pistol case, so i took it in the rifle case with three other
handguns.

Range bag - Dansport my sister used to carry books etc to class getting
her degree after raising 4 kids. It has a main compartment with a zipper just load from the top opening, and a front envelope pocket. The main compartment is used for a sandbag, Ammo, ear muffs, shooting glasses &
rolled up targets. Envelope target is for a tool or two - notebook and sharpie and usually have a couple of boxes of .22 stingers.
I keep magazines in it as well, in ziploc bags or I baggie up .45 ACP pre-loaded full moon clips for seqgregation/organization of stuff.

I saw one range plastic box, it had foam in the lower with slits for
holding two pistols, the top clam shelled opened and the
lid was a couple of inches deep as they were multi-compartments for
accessories.for $50 Looked like a good inexpensive setup.

Randall