first ever trip to the shooting range - what should be in my bag?

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Hearing protection (and foam earplugs if an indoor range), eye protection, targets, staple gun, a hand towel to wipe down with, a few Bandaids, and a gunsmithing screwdriver if you own one.
 
Check with the range owner. Some might need frangible ammo, some might prohibit frangible ammo (which was surprising to me). Some might require they supply the ammo which they'll be happy to sell at inflated prices (which was not).

Some will want you to transport the guns coming and going in in a locked enclosure. Who knows, the list is endless.

Their range, their rules, so ask first. Perhaps they have a website with range rules so look into that.
 
If you want to save your brass bring a bag or some type of container to put it in.

If you are required to shoot from distance and you have older eyes like mine, a pair of binoculars (if you have one) is helpful so you can see your shot placement.

I am cheap and like to save on targets, so I bring along a roll of cheap masking tape to tape up the bullet holes. Many people have told me "that's a great idea."

If you are shooting at an outdoor range and might need to face the sun, a ball cap with a good brim and/or sunglasses or tinted eye protection can be helpful.

It is not necessary but I personally feel that a Maglula Uplula magazine loader is worth its weight in precious metal.
 
Depending on how long you plan to be there, and how many rounds you plan to shoot, a water bottle or two, a snack, maybe some basic cleaning supplies might be warranted.

Other than that: Just that stuff you said wasn't acceptable to mention. ;)
 
It doesn't hurt to have a cleaning rod and some patches with you, or a bore snake.

I keep a set of jeweler's screwdrivers in mine as some of the sight adjustment screws are very tiny, and also a set of gunsmith screwdrivers.

I keep some old metal pie plates in mine as a receptacle to empty my revolvers into.

Paper plate sized targets.

A can of spray lube for rails if I'm shooting a lot.

Tweezers can come in handy if you have a difficult jam to clear.

Allen wrenches

Optic cleaning cloth

Earplugs, and extra earplugs for friends or when yours get gross
 
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The only things I would add to that which has already been suggested is some masking tape to use in repairing targets (may be provided by the range) to cover holes shot, tape up targets or taping on repair centers. How targets are set up depends upon the range. The indoor range I go to has clips on the hangers to hang the targets the outdoor range has base mounted target stands where targets can be fastened with a stapler or tape.

A cleaning rod to push out a stuck case a small container of oil or lubricant that will help is your gun needs it.
 
Sometimes closing the top button on a shirt can keep hot, ejected brass from going down your back. :D
 
Ear protection
Eye protection
lube
spare mags
more ammo than you plan on shooting
targets and a means to hang them

Everything else is somewhat dependent on the range and its rules. Some of us carry tools, etc. But for your first trip, keep it simple. You'll work out your own routine after a while.
 
Every range and person is different. For me and my range;
Stapler with staples for wood posts(my private range provides cardboard targets)
Masking tape(try to keep the use of targets down)
Cleaning kit(JIC)
Magazines(if your firearm has them, please don't ask:cuss:)
Extra ear plugs and glasses(for my daughter)
Water and snacks(also for my daughter)
Paper and pencil(also for my daughter, to write the 4 rules of gun safety before we start, she's 8 and enjoys writing to learn)
At least 500 rounds of 22(I know you said the usually but it also for my daughter)
 
#1 Money to pay the man. Some ranges don't accept plastic.

#2 eyes and ears

#3 IF your gun has adjustable sights, a small screwdriver for adjusting.

#4 leatherman or similar

#5 orange stick-on dots

Of course I'm not mentioning guns, ammo, magazines.

Personally I rarely bring targets, staple guns, tape, etc because most ranges have that stuff.
 
One thing not yet mentioned is a chamber flag to insure an unloaded gun during cease fires. At some ranges, even just a zip tie is adequate.
 
What, nobody takes a cigar and a chrono? Rangefinder, extra batteries, lens cloth, I always take a 22 pistol to shoot while the rifle bores cool...coffee can for picking up brass. spotting scope, to read long range targets, wind flags, wind meter. ice chest with cold Pepsi and a Hershey bar. Note pad and a stapler, spare staples. calipers to measure groups. cleaning rod, kit, towels and some baggies. I have a kinda big bag....
 
Skull Screws (3M) and Electronic Ear Muffs
Your guns and gear in two carry-able units (left and right hand), or a cart, or back pack IOW - you can lock car and move it all in one trip - depending on the range of course. Mine I can back my WRX up to pretty near my spot. But an indoor range, you really can't make multiple trips to the car.
Hand wipes is an excellent suggestion. I have them and sometimes forget to bring them.
I also bring a garage towel (house reject) to set my gun on. Some of our benches are concrete. Avoid range rash, just put a folded over towel down.
Targets
I don't bring a lot of tools, but bring some basics - and I always bring an old wooden chopstick. Yes it has helped me clear jams. But if your sighting a gun in, don't forget the tools.
Indeed bags for spent brass, I bring a used plastic bag for each caliber - and a spare, those shopping bags always have holes!
 
Indoor or outdoor range?

Rifle, pistol or revolver?

Number and type of guns?

Novice to firearms?

Well the first thing is a good bag to carry everything in. My usual kit is in a large, heavy plastic range box that weighs 25# but I shoot a lot of different guns and encounter different types of problems with them.

I picked up a couple of these range bags over Christmas. They were on sale from Cabelas for only $10.00 each. Deep enough for large muffs, targets and three side pockets for extras. They are practical for one or two handguns and couple hundred rounds of ammo.

Range%20Bag%20002_zpsoytpqvvd.gif
 
Water in an old soda bottle and liquid camp soap,if you pick up your brass and then paper towels to dry with afterwards. Spotting scope if your eyes are not that good. I use mine even at 10 yards to see where the shots are landing without having to squint so much.
 
One thing not yet mentioned is a chamber flag to insure an unloaded gun during cease fires. At some ranges, even just a zip tie is adequate.
I have never encountered a range that required chamber flags. The call has always been "magazines out, actions open, muzzles down range, and nobody goes near the benches when the range is cold."

I suspect if a specific range uses them, they'll have a supply on hand.
 
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