Packing the Range Bag..

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K

kingpin008

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So, I'm packing up my new range bag a few minutes ago in preparation for a trip to the local shootin' spot with some friends from NJ who are new to shooting, and I realized something - there's an awful lot of empty space in there!

As it is right now, I can fit two pistols, a few hundred rounds of ammo (both centerfire and rimfire), and two sets of ears in the main compartment. Occupying some of the many pockets are a small mint tin containing multiple pairs of plugs, another two sets of ears, some pens (and a sharpie) for marking targets and taking notes, and some small stick-on target spots and folded paper targets of various sizes.

But there's still room for a lot more gear! Now is the time for ya'll to suggest what I'm missing. I know I should try to put together a small travel-sized cleaning kit to have on hand at the range in case of bad fouling or case jams. I've been meaning to treat myself to a bore snake, perhaps it's time to do just that? Ideally I'd like a cleaning kit that I could fit in a small case, but I'll have to think about exactly what to put in it.

Anyway, like I said - please give me some ideas here? This setup is primarily going to be accompanying me to an indoor range, if that makes a difference.

Thanks!
 
More Pistols. And magazines. ;):D

I know you said indoor range, but perhaps a small pair of binocs or something. Small toolkit. Screwdrivers and such. Baggies or containers to contain spent brass(if you reload, or even if you don't but know someone who does).

Shooting Gloves are something to consider. And I don't know if you have earmuffs, but a pair of those couldn't hurt. I sometimes like to double-up on hearing protection, especially indoors. I think I see you carrying those in the main compartment.
 
Shop grade Staple Gun (for affixing those targets) --- ok maybe for the outdoor range days.

First aid kit (travel size for small owies)

Quick-klot or Field dressing kits available at army surplus or gunshows (for the bigger owies- God forbid)

Check out the Otis Cleaning Kits (somewhat pricey for some)
 
Shooting glasses. You don't want hot brass or hot powder in your eyes.
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Well, both my fiancee and I both wear prescription glasses with safety lenses, so we don't actually own any actual "shooting glasses" of our own - but you make a good point. The range I shoot at rents eyes and ears, but it's always good to have a few extra pair on hand just in case. Thanks!

I know you said indoor range, but perhaps a small pair of binocs or something. Small toolkit. Screwdrivers and such. Baggies or containers to contain spent brass(if you reload, or even if you don't but know someone who does).

Shooting Gloves are something to consider. And I don't know if you have earmuffs, but a pair of those couldn't hurt. I sometimes like to double-up on hearing protection, especially indoors. I think I see you carrying those in the main compartment.
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Heh. Well, I'm bringing along a 9mm carbine as well, so we'll have plenty to shoot. As far as the binocs, I hadn't thought about that. I'm kinda-sorta toying with the idea of getting into bullseye shooting, so a halfway decent spotting scope might not be a bad idea. I'll look into it. :) And I've got muffs covered - four pairs, as well as a bunch of the cheapo foam plugs. Thanks!

Shop grade Staple Gun (for affixing those targets)
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Excellent call! I was thinking about that the other day, and it slipped my mind. :)


First aid kit (travel size for small owies)
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Another good one. I've cut myself on semi-auto slides a few times, and a little butterfly bandage would have come in handy.

Quick-klot or Field dressing kits available at army surplus or gunshows (for the bigger owies- God forbid)
Click to expand...

Oh lord, gotta knock on wood for that one. Might keep a few tampons in there somewhere - I hear they're good for sticking in bullet holes. Yikes!

Check out the Otis Cleaning Kits (somewhat pricey for some)
Click to expand...

Will do, thanks!
 
travel size tool kit (usually adapted from the fishing dept). assort cleaning and lubing package.tape. stapler. bandaids.range knife for cutting cardboard and 'whatever' bug spray, suntan lotion.a coupon for 1/2 off at dunkin doughnuts.if prescription glasses, take with your last ones to get possibly messed up. gun rag-silicon cloth in baggie. extra baggies.extra batteries specific to what you own. small flashlight. couple of Crown Royal bags for brass or....
your range badge and paper & pencil. wide black (and colors) magic marker.
 
I usually have an extra pair of eye protection in case I break one or someone forgets theirs. I have one of those small otis kits that fits in the small round case, a flashlight, and one of those little green gun cleaning mats in case I need to disassemble something.

Depending on how you attach targets at your range, it might be handy to take a stapler, tape, or some extra binder clips. Also, something to put your brass in, if you save it.
 
Tools for sure. Multipurpose tool, set of gun screwdrivers, set of brass punches and 4 0z ballpeen hammer, sharp pocketknife. Little can of BreakFree and some large gunpatches. Small magnifying glass. Tweezers. Black target patching tape. Masking tape. Pens and pencils, little spiral notebook. Eyedrops. Bandaids.
 
CHL Badge


couldn't resist...
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OK, OK, let's not get outta hand here! :D

Good points all, I really appreciate it. Some of the stuff ya'll mentioned I thought of on my own, and some of the stuff I never would have thought about. Making a little list now, gonna see what I can scrounge up while I run my errands tomorrow.
 
The range bag has...

gun / guns
ammo
mags
mag pouches
belt
holster
shot timer
eye pro
ear pro
targets
target pasters
stapler
staples
masking tape
1 x can of white spray paint (for steel)
pens
sharpies
notebook
calculator
reloading data
chronograph (as needed)
weapons cleaning kit
tools (allen wrenches, screwdrivers etc...)
spare parts (springs, fibre optic, etc)
brass bag
sun tan lotion
wet weather top
gloves
rule book for shooting orgs w/ member cards
1 x quart of water / refreshing beverage
1 x spare can of copenhagen snuff
1 x trash bag
 
I find a small ball of strong twine can come in quite handy while at the range. Never know when you need to tie something down.
 
Screwdrivers of the correct sizes for adjusting every adjustable sight you have.

Brass pin and tack hammer for adjusting dovetail sights.

Several cotton clothes for various purposes (being parents we use the ubiquitous, single-layer diaper/burp clothes the little one has outgrown.

Sunscreen and mosquito repellent.

A decent multi-tool because there is always something you need a tool for.

A pair of needlenose pliers for helping clear the sort of jam where a half-fed round hangs up between the chamber and the magazine so that the magazine won't drop (anyone who has shot Remington bulk ammo in a Ruger Mark III knows how awkward that jam is to fix with just your fingers).

A cleaning rod for clearing stuck cases.

A couple plastic grocery bags.
 
in the range bag-----

A wood dowel for driving out a stuck bullet! A squib load can ruin your day. A bit longer than your barrel is nice. I needed a .429 lead remover real bad one day!
 
Sounds like you might need a roll behind bag! The day I see one at the range, I'm packing it in.
 
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