Need recommendations on a range bag

[GetmeoutaCT]

Hello everyone-

Looking for a range bag to hold a couple of pistols, and the usual accessories. Went to Cheaper than Dirt and saw a lot of them , from $30 to $120, but couldn't see any obvious differences to justify the more expensive ones. I think it's best not to have a well-known shooter-supply name on the outside, for obvious reasons, but beyond that, I'm open. Thanks!

-Alan

 

[Captains1911]

Midway Competition Range Bag. They go on sale often, money well spent.

 

[bodam]

I bought an XD one. Excellent bag. Well built. Best one I've seen. Think it was $60

 

[rcmodel]

I use an old TWA carry-on flight bag I have had for 35 years.

It doesn't have to say 'Gun Bag' on it to work just fine.

Check out the nylon tool bags at Home Depot too for some cheap alternatives to a real 'Range Bag'.

I also use an old gym bag on occasion.
A low-life scum-bag is less likely to snatch a gym bag, because they might think it is more likely full of dirty jock-straps and stinky tennis shoes then guns!

Still?
A bag is a bag!

Check out some lower cost alternatives.

rc

 

[mfcmb]

Midway Competition Range Bag is good.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Choices.....

There are a few brands, styles & choices to pick from.
I had a MTM plastic tool box with a pad lock for about 24 years.
I'm looking into a large/mid size range bag too.
Here are a few places to check prices, styles, features;
www.5.11tactical.com www.blackhawk.com www.nra.org www.galls.com www.qmuniforms.com www.uscav.com www.copsplus.com www.csmgear.com www.midwayusa.com www.natchezss.com .
I would avoid the DE silver type 5.11 Tactical case. I purchased one from Streichers & was very disappointed with it.
5.11 Tactical is a well known brand in law enforcement, match circles but the case was not like it was described. They make a larger DE range bag, maybe it's better but beware.
My friend who owns a M&P .45acp Compact bought a Browning Black Label, www.Browning.com , gear bag. He's happy with it.
I'm leaning towards the Blackhawk range bag but I'm not in a big rush. The black/red Diversion series.

 

[GetmeoutaCT]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Outlaw Man]

I would avoid the DE silver type 5.11 Tactical case. I purchased one from Streichers & was very disappointed with it.
5.11 Tactical is a well known brand in law enforcement, match circles but the case was not like it was described. They make a larger DE range bag, maybe it's better but beware.

In the interest of full disclosure, I sell 5.11 Tactical products.

I haven't really handled the DE bag, but I've given their Range Ready bag a pretty close look. It seems just as well made as their other products. Lots of room and organization. I personally wouldn't hesitate to buy one.

I have a Bagmaster Padded Range bag from my father-in-law to wear out first, though...

 

[SleazyRider]

… I also use an old gym bag on occasion.
A low-life scum-bag is less likely to snatch a gym bag, because they might think it is more likely full of dirty jock-straps and stinky tennis shoes then guns! … rc

You have a way with words, RC. That's pure poetry!

 

[Captains1911]

Still?
A bag is a bag!

Check out some lower cost alternatives.

rc

I would have agreed with you until I got my Midway bag. It really is more than "just a bag." It is loaded with nice features tailored specifically for shooting, like spent brass bag, individual removable pistol cases, mag pouches, tons of pockets and pouches to keep gear organized, etc.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

I have an older nylon zipper bag I picked up at a Radio Shack a few years back. I think it's nothing more than a carry bag for a small DVD player. Essentially a small rectangular zipper pouch with carry handles on it. I use it to carry my Colt 1991A1 and a couple spare magazines, plus a box of Gold Dots. It'll hold more magazines, but that's my standard fare in it.

Perfect little carry case and totally unobtrusive. Nobody gives it a second glance.

I can't find any exactly like it any more, but I'm looking at picking up a couple of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Icon-Portable...4741281&sr=8-1&keywords=dvd+player+carry+case

Big enough to carry a full sized pistol and a box of ammo in the player compartment, plus a side pouch to carry spare magazines.

Again...nobody would give it a second glance because nothing about it screams "GUN!"

Or maybe a DVD player carry sleeve, which would be similar to my current bag.

 

[serpentine]

I use a canvas toiletry bag for quick range trips (100 rounds). Holds my ears, eyes, ear plugs a few mags, a tupperware container full of ammo, and depending on my mood, sometimes an extra compact fits in there. Of course, my EDC is on my hip.



That bag goes inside a husky tool bag that has room for additional ammo, some cleaning stuff, a stapler, knife, sharpie, etc...

Its the one on the right below. Those three bags I received as a gift. I use the big one for all of my cleaning crap. The rectangle tool bucket actually holds tools.



Like RC said, it doesn't have to say gun bag. I think that the $50-$125 purpose built range bags are cool, but certainly not worth dropping a dime on. Any bag will do.

 

[tiamat]

This is what the wife and I use, courtesy of the father-in-law who used to deal with military surplus:

Canvas Shooters Bag
Heavy canvas with large self repairing nylon coil zipper, hard bottom, “D” rings, adjustable multi-swivel shoulder strap. Main compartment measures 9"L x 6"W x 12"H and the six outside individual pockets (3 on each side). Measures 12"L x 9"W x 6"H
$24 at Major Surplus: http://www.majorsurplus.com/Canvas-Shooters-Bag-P14592C2356.aspx
The description also doesn't mention that there are two velcro'd pockets that run the full length of the bag on each side - they are good for putting in a pistol in each (assuming they're not large framed guns).

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I would have agreed with you until I got my Midway bag. It really is more than "just a bag." It is loaded with nice features tailored specifically for shooting, like spent brass bag, individual removable pistol cases, mag pouches, tons of pockets and pouches to keep gear organized, etc.

Agreed 100%.
It really is a great bag. I've used it for 3 years and you can't tell it's not new. The pistol rugs come in very handy. The spent brass pouch always gets used. Plenty of room for 2-3 handguns, ammo, 3 pairs of eyes and ears, oil bottle etc.

Here is the one we're talking about.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/93...bag-pvc-coated-polyester?cm_vc=ProductFinding

They're on sale.

 

[zerobarrier]

Agreed 100%.
It really is a great bag. I've used it for 3 years and you can't tell it's not new. The pistol rugs come in very handy. The spent brass pouch always gets used. Plenty of room for 2-3 handguns, ammo, 3 pairs of eyes and ears, oil bottle etc.

Here is the one we're talking about.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/93...bag-pvc-coated-polyester?cm_vc=ProductFinding

They're on sale.

I got that one for Xmas last year and I love it. I mainly use it for ammo, mags, tools, targets, and such. Pistols go in my rifle bag or separate hard case.

 

[jmr40]

http://www.homedepot.com/s/tool%20bags?NCNI-5

Pick the one you like. They work BETTER, cost a fraction, and don't scream "guns inside" if someone sees it in your car. Most people are too lazy to steal tools.

 

[v8stang289]

I've been using a Midway compact competition range bag for the last few years. It's awesome. It has plenty of room and is well made. I usually care 3-4 handguns, ammunition, sand bags, eye and ear protection, mags, targets, stapler, etc in it. I highly recommend it.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/939167522/midwayusa-compact-competition-range-bag?cm_vc=ProductFinding

 

[Outlaw Man]

Most people are too lazy to steal tools.

I'd qualify that with Home Depot tools. A Snap On tool bag might be almost as inviting as firearms.

My AR goes in this when I need to be covert, although a guitar can be attractive to thugs, too. http://www.guitarcenter.com/Musician-s-Gear-Bass-Guitar-Gig-bag-483285-i1423934.gc

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I'd qualify that with Home Depot tools. A Snap On tool bag might be almost as inviting as firearms.

I've had some Klein tools walk off a job site a few times too.
It happens.
I would imagine guns would be a more attractive temptation for a thief though.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

"Most people are too lazy to steal tools."

Huh? Not in my experience. ESPECIALLY when they're conveniently packaged up in tool boxes or tool bags, making it so easy to make off with a pile at once.

 

[DrBozack]

I use a free gym bag that I got from work. Works fine and nobody gives it a second look when I carry it to the car to head to the range.

 

[OpticsPlanet]

I use our OPMOD Range bag: http://www.opticsplanet.com/opmod-expert-range-bag-w-pullout-bag-and-brass-bag.html

It will fit everything you need.

Tim G.

 

[Onward Allusion]

I use a heavy duty expandable laptop bag with a Skooba Bungee Shoulder Strap. The strap really distributes the weight and makes a loaded 30 lb bag feel pretty light.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

I've throught about getting a golf bag cart and making a wheeled range cart sufficient to conveniently and easily carry all the long guns, hand guns, ammunition, targets, stands, and other whatnot to support a family shooting event.

I don't know about the rest of you, but while a rifle and a handgun, with ammunition/targets isn't too much of a burden for one person at the range, a pile gets to be a real pain in ferrying all that stuff between the car and the range.

 

[Onward Allusion]

After my surgery, I used a folding wagon to carry my guns/ammo/targets from my vehicle to the range. Some of those ranges were probably over 100 yards from parking.