Best Bag for the Range?

[hollywoodfl]

I am a new shooter looking for something to bring my stuff to the range in. Right now I have my pistols packed in the boxes they came in and shoved in a backpack, but my bullets and keep falling out of the boxes and getting all over the backpack.

Is there a solution to this?

Is it better to have a soft range bag or what? I have read some posts that eschew the soft bag in favor of a hard case.

I could use some more experienced voices.

thanks.

 

[Franksterm1]

I'm really happy with this one, the only problem is buying more stuff to fill it.

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

 

[hollywoodfl]

thanks - I will try that.

 

[Robert Hairless]

I don't think that there's a "best" of anything, especially where gear is concerned. Most of the relevant factors turn out to be matters of preference. That said, there are a few things I've learned about what matters to me.

First, spend the money it takes to get good quality. There are some good brands out there--iShot is one, but there are others--and an awful lot of junk. Junk falls apart and is awkward to use.

Second, and probably most important, get a medium size range bag and--if you're in any doubt about what that means--go for smaller rather than larger. I have a couple of range bags that hold everything I want, but when I put everything I want into them they're just too heavy to lug around and I can't find anything I want in them.

Third, consider getting a bag that doesn't look like a range bag and wasn't made to be one. One fellow I know uses a canvas tool bag, another a Bass fisherman's bag, and still another an old, stinking gym bag that I think he might have used in high school years ago. They all serve the purpose without telegraphing that there's gun stuff inside. That's good.

Fourth, hard cases take up the same amount of space whether full, half full, or empty but soft cases seem to expand and contract as needed. You decide what's best for you. There's no law limiting you to one case.

 

[esol]

i have been trying to decide between this duffel bag style one from Dillon Precision modular range bag
http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/25346/catid/26/Dillon_Modular_Range_Bag

and the 5.11 RUSH24 Backpack
http://www.511tactical.com/511-rush-24-backpack-58601.html

i like the idea that the bags are expandable with the MOLLE gear fasteners.

the Dillon bag comes with a lot more stuff, but i prefer backpacks for comfort
decisions decisions :banghead:

 

[Detachment Charlie]

My Bag

I usually take Lucy. She ain't much to look at, but she can schlep three rifles, two 1911s, a spotting scope and 1200 rounds.

 

[welshgrouser]

Hey Charlie... I hope Lucy doesnt read your post... Made me laugh though...


I've seen guys getting those large range bags and I agree... When it's full--you cant pick it up... I have a medium and w/two pistols and ammo etc it weighs around 20#...

I saw a guy using one of those hard sided tool boxes w/wheels and a handle (like travel luggage).. I was thinking of that also.. One problem is that I shoot at an outdoor range also... not so good for going over grass and dirt...

Nothing's perfect...

 

[Guido2006]

I'm really happy with this one, the only problem is buying more stuff to fill it.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...680&t=11082005

I have the same bag from Midway. Its solidly built and has plenty of pockets. I keep 2 handguns and pretty much everything I would need to go to the range in there. Ear protection, targets (has enough space for a folder with 11x8.5 in printed targets), ammo (~100 rounds .45, 500+ rounds .22), can of Rem oil, couple of bore snakes, couple extra mags for each gun.

The downside as others have mentioned is that if you put too much stuff in there it gets heavy fast. I just weighed mine and it came in around 30 lbs. The shoulder strap is adjustable and helps with the weight.

Its nice to have everything you need for a trip to the range in one bag. However, I would not plan on having to walk very far if you decide to fill the Midway bag up.

 

[ochmude]

I recently began using a spare Dell laptop bag I "acquired " from my battalion's data shop when I was active duty. I can fit two pistols in their factory cases, several boxes of ammo, targets, ear/eye pro, and other misc. items. Once zipped up, it looks like nothing but an ordinary laptop bag.

 

[PPGMD]

Once zipped up, it looks like nothing but an ordinary laptop bag.

Which normally contains an item that is easy to sell so thieves like to steal it. Tool bags are also not a good idea for the exact same reason.

Gym bags, and back packs that don't yell "contains expensive electronics" would be the best bags for if you are concerned about thieves. I use an old flight bag, but mostly out of thrift then out of concern about thieves.

 

[hollywoodfl]

Well I have started using my old Jansport with a ripped strap. I can fit a few pistols in there. I put my bullets in a Tupperware and am good to go. I can only fit two or three pistols in the bag, when they are in the hard case. However, since I have been really trying to practice better, I have found that I don't have the stamina to properly shoot more that a few guns.

 

[rcmodel]

I have been using an old Gym bag & a TWA flight bag for many many years. Handguns & ammo in the gym bag, rifles in rifle cases, and targets, ear muffs, stapler, tape, markers, and all the other crap in the smaller flight bag.

I use those zipper bank bags for keeping empty brass separated by caliber.

Works for me!

rcmodel

 

[ochmude]

Which normally contains an item that is easy to sell so thieves like to steal it. Tool bags are also not a good idea for the exact same reason.

Good point. I live less than 4 minutes from the range I use (I've timed it). So I never really gave such things consideration, I suppose.

 

[AirplaneDoc]

I have a I Shot pro shooter. Great setup, price was reasonable and I have used and abused it. Carrys a ton of stuff, and takes more everytime I throw something at it. I have mine set up for pistols. I amd thinking about looking for something more apprapo for rifles in the near future.

FYI those Jansport backbacks used to have a lifetime unconditional warranty, Don't know ifthat is true today but worth checking. I found it pretty handy with all my engineering books. Sent mine back and they fixed things that I didnt even list for repairs. Great service

 

[djm3808]

I have several range bags from Green Mountain Sports, a couple for pistol matches and another for rifle gear.
They make several sizes and colors, can be embroidered with name.

They serve the purpose.

 

[JeremySmith]

I use one of these:



http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=SEARCH&id=0005919516145a&navCount=2&podId=0005919&parentId=&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IJ&rid=&parentType=&indexId=cat21458&hasJS=true

I've had 2 1911's, a buckmark, and my Super Redhawk in it, along with ammo and other bits for 2 shooters in it. Easily over 100#. Best part, usually looks like its just full of gym clothes....

 

[frankt]

I shoot IDPA with several guys that bought the Midway bag that is on sale now. That is a great bag for the price.

I use the big I-Shot Tournament bag. It can get heavy but it lets me either carry several guns and ammo to the range to play or one gun, magazines, plenty of ammo and accessories to shoot a big match. very well made and laid out bag.

 

[offroaddiver]

a backpack is what i've gone back to... usually easier to carry from stage to stage during shoots. For shooting the rifle or skeet I tend to wear my ammo ie bandolier or belt bags.

 

[Randyc74]

I have a Dillon Range Bag in Dillon Blue. The blue color bag was the only color available when I purchased it in the early 1990's. Now you can purchase one in black which doesn't show the dirt. The bag has served me well over the years.

Randy

 

[BamaHoosier]

I don't remember where I got it now,but I use an old hardshell case with foam lining inside.It has enough room for 2 guns + ammoboxes and cleaning kit.Just one of those oddities I found years ago;don't know what it was originally used for,but I found a great use for it.It kinda reminds me of the old LP cases from yesteryears ago.

 

[jhansman]

A buddy has the Midway bag, and it is nice, especially for the price. If my current bag ever dies, I'll replace with Midway's.

 

[sm]

Another one that does not think there is one best bag.

I have a really nice i-Shot bag I won over at TFL.

What I like about it, is it does not look like a "gun" bag.
I choose to not advertise myself, including "gun", instead I prefer to give the perception I want.

Now-a-days, I most often just show up to private places and have gear there.
Really, I just have a CCW and use whatever gun and ammo is there.

Backpacks, canvas tote bags, diaper bags, 5 gal bucket, cardboard box milk comes in , or a case of soup is what I "might" have, if I were to actually tote something.

I like the gear from Holland & Holland, I used this quite a bit in the old days along with some custom leather...even saddlebags.

Orvis, LL Bean had leather at one time...
Boyt, Filson, and Duxbax...

I like[d] it all , and it all worked.

My United Airlines tote bag finally died about the time the Studebacker canvas tote and Confederate States of America leather bag did.

*hand over heart - face south*

*grin*

 

[gdvan01]

I'm really happy with this one,...

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...680&t=11082005

Ditto.

 

[TennVOL]

mechanics tool bag. Wide opening, will handle the weight of guns and ammo, lots of pockets, and cheap.

 

[Ctyankee]

If you get a quality gun rug for each gun you want to transport regularly, you can use any type of bag you like. I don't know about the midway bag, but I use a Dillon bag every weekend. It only came with one padded pocket, but I already had the gun rugs so I didn't need to get extras. Dillon stuff is great, some of the best made I've ever seen, but is expensive!