I’m done buying “range bags”

[Buzznrose]

I’ve been using the same Midway USA range bags for over 10 years and I still am to a degree, but they are getting pretty shoddy. They have held up well, so zero complaints.

But I’ve also been using some heavy duty nylon tool bags and I like them a LOT more.

I use one bag strictly for ammo, and I use different bags based on what I’m bringing. I also use them for IDPA and clay matches.

I find tool bags to be much less bulky, very strong, and either lower priced or basically free since that came with a power tool I bought.

Here are pics of some of the ones I use:



You can load these bags up with lead bars and they hold their shape and carry well. They come in many sizes and configurations. And they are always available at your local Lowe’s and Home Depot stores.

I suggest sticking to the “house brands” for best value (Kobalt and Husky). They are every bit as good as the Milwaukee, DeWalt, or others at a fraction of the price. I do have some DeWalts but they came with power tools so they were a “freebie”.

Probably a great Christmas present for the shooter who is still lugging metal ammo cans to the range.

 

[jmr40]

I've been doing that too. And it is less obvious that you're carrying guns in them if someone sees them in your vehicle.

 

[Anchorite]

Great suggestion and perfect timing, guys! I know just what to ask Santa for now.

 

[kerreckt]

I have done this for years. Mostly because I try to use what I already have. Working in the trades I have many tool bags. Best wishes and Merry Christmas!

 

[Charlie98]

But I’ve also been using some heavy duty nylon tool bags and I like them a LOT more.

My Makita drill bag has become my de facto range bag. I can fit a few hundred rounds of ammo in it, along with a pistol or two, some target pasters, muffs and glasses, easy peasy. Because I drive my work truck everywhere, it just looks like 'one of the boys' in the back seat with all my other tools... not like a gun bag.

A few months ago, I worked up a solution for my brother... he has a boat on the Intercostal near Corpus Christi, TX, and he had a concern about pirates (it's not funny, don't laugh.) I worked up a 'field box' setup for his .45 and common ammos he would need, with room for extra mags and such. I also got him a cheapo tool bag from Harbor Freight... to carry the obvious stuff on and off the boat with. Not as big as a duffle bag, not as small as some 'range' bags... it works really well, and no one is the wiser.

 

[starnbar]

The old GI medic bags are good too but the tool bags are what I use as they are mostly either waterproof or water resistant.

 

[starnbar]

My Makita drill bag has become my de facto range bag. I can fit a few hundred rounds of ammo in it, along with a pistol or two, some target pasters, muffs and glasses, easy peasy. Because I drive my work truck everywhere, it just looks like 'one of the boys' in the back seat with all my other tools... not like a gun bag.

A few months ago, I worked up a solution for my brother... he has a boat on the Intercostal near Corpus Christi, TX, and he had a concern about pirates (it's not funny, don't laugh.) I worked up a 'field box' setup for his .45 and common ammos he would need, with room for extra mags and such. I also got him a cheapo tool bag from Harbor Freight... to carry the obvious stuff on and off the boat with. Not as big as a duffle bag, not as small as some 'range' bags... it works really well, and no one is the wiser.

No its not funny and things do happen around there and it seldom gets reported.

 

[Charlie98]

No its not funny and things do happen around there and it seldom gets reported.

He's been a bit cavalier about it, but he's going further out into the Gulf for fish... and I'm like, 'hey, dummy!' He normally carries my old Colt .380 that I retired. I also gave him our old Mossberg 500 and about 20 rounds of 00-Buck.

 

[trackskippy]

Ive been using one of the cheap small to medium tool boxes you get at Lowes for a number of decades now. They are cheap, have compartments and a tray for the little stuff, and plenty of room under the tray for bigger stuff. Cost me all of around $10 (pre-Bidenomics pricing of course ).

Works great for a table too when you arent at a bench.

 

[Armored farmer]

I have an anti-pirate tool kit.....

 

[rust collector]

I made the switch years ago, when I became frustrated with range bag design. They tried to do everything, became clumsy in weight and bulk, and it was tough to find things. Now I have an ammo tote, an optics and tool bag, and a tote with handguns in bags with mags. I have gone from staples to tape for affixing targets, and I use a paintbrush comb to rake out the staples that make it tough to mount new targets. I will usually screw a large cardboard backer to the rubber belting, tape to that, and remove the whole shebang when I leave the range.

 

[buck460XVR]

I too gave up on "range bags" twenty years ago or so. They became overpriced for what they were and did not hold enough. Being in construction for almost 40 years, I accumulated many tool bags during that time that were quickly repurposed for not only range bags, but for other activities as well. Still hard to beat those Bucket tool organizers for ease of carry with 40# of ammo. They also carry all the tools you need for the range and some even have a seat.

 

[Charlie98]

I have an anti-pirate tool kit.....

I also got him a RangeMaxx discreet rifle case. It's a very short, rectangular case a broken down AR fits into, and holds 2 AR mags. It's not exactly as benign as a tool bag, but it doesn't immediately look like a rifle case, per se. I liked it so much, I bought 2 more for me. They could have actually made it smaller, but beggars can't be choosers...

It's smaller than it looks in the photo, but not as small as it could be... only 29" long.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/rangemaxx-tactical-discreet-msr-case

 

[Artg56]

Inexpensive padded camera bags with movable dividers are very similar to range bags, 10.00 and up on auction sites

 

[rhino465]

I've been using generic tool bags for at least a couple of decades. When I'm at matches, I carry my folding stool and a small, gray no name tool bag with loaded mags, a couple hundred rounds, and an IBD to supplement the IBD, TQ, and gauze I always have on my person. If it's hot, I can squeeze a 1-liter bottle in there too.

 

[Frulk]

Depending on what I plan to do on the range that day im either bringing my Range box (wood) or soft range bags.

The box has a full compliment of items I require for a long day on the range…chrony, spotting scope, Bino’s, cleaning supplies, targets etc. Used primarily when I’m shooting a new load and trying to determine FPS, accuracy etc.

If it’s an hour or two of just shooting established loads for fun then it’s usually a soft range bag with minimal items. Couple of hand guns, ear protection, ammo.

Some years back a relative of a good friend visited him. She was a product rep for a tool manufacturer. Gave him a bunch of different tool bags. I ended up with two and use them for spent brass. One or both go to the range regardless of what I have going on.

 

[PapaG]

No idea how many bags I have but seem to also have gravitated to the tool bags

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

I swapped my bag for a range bucket about 4 years ago. Not only does it hold more ammo and gear, by adding a padded board it doubles as a seat strong enough to support my ample posterior.



I use a pair of kitty litter buckets held together with a single screw. The second bucket gives the seat a better height, and in a pinch I can separate it to carry more stuff.

I've also been carrying a bag with me again, but it's a padded laptop case for my new chronograph.

There are days when I wished I had a personal assistant along to help carry everything to and from my car.

 

[.38 Special]

For handgunning, at least, I don't even bother with a bag any more. I usually just bring one or two guns to the range, and a few hundred rounds, so don't need much capacity. Eyes and ears, ammo, targets, staple gun, a screwdriver, and a place to conveniently dump my empties...

 

[Hookeye]

For handgunning, at least, I don't even bother with a bag any more. I usually just bring one or two guns to the range, and a few hundred rounds, so don't need much capacity. Eyes and ears, ammo, targets, staple gun, a screwdriver, and a place to conveniently dump my empties...

View attachment 1184425

What we lugged our IHMSA pistols to the line with LOL

 

[Hookeye]

I hate messing w zippers/straps.
Have a range bag and cuss it every time.
Hate my big heavy Eagle brand cases as well.

Did get a Browning soft case for my 20 ga, like it.
Think the rifle version be fine for my Ruger #1.

The bad part...........each is over 100 bucks.
Dangit.

My Eagles are good, heavy dity.....but big and heavy and let rifles slide around in em.
Yeah I hate fighting stuff and bulky kinda does that.
Just like things a little nicer anymore.

I do think the old Pachmayr and Gun Ho pistol boxes cool, but they are so big and bulky I cant stand em.
Cool time pieces, look good........my dad had one of each.
He eventually went with a range bag LOL

 

[Bill_in_TR]

But if you don't have an appropriate range bag that screams tacky Kool you will be laughed at by your buddies at the range.

 

[Smokin Gator]

I have a couple of Husky bags I use for ammo storage. But they get heavy quickly if you use to large a bag. Shooting USPSA/IDPA matches I use a good sized range bag. It's got the built in mag pouch and several compartments. I finally got one of the collapsible wagon carts and put it in there. I can throw in a couple of steel water bottles, sweat shirt, handgun bag, etc. About half of the shooters use the carts. If I'm going to a bigger match I'll use a small work bag to carry plenty of ammo.

 

[Hookeye]

Prefer to carry my guns in cases/bag and my ammo/other equipment in a tub.
I usually leave the tub in my Jeep and just fetch stuff as needed (parking in close to the firing line).

 

[Jonah77]

Yep…one match with a wet-bottomed bag and I was done.

My new bag (plastic waterproof bottom)-


Inner pocket fits 8 Ruger Mark II Magazines and a Mark II 5” in pistol case. Inside? Ammo, 2nd pistol, muffs, magzines in pockets. Outside pockets holds lube, small med kit, eyepro, mini tool kit. I have a flat satchel for targets.

If I’m going big…sand bags, spotting scope, lunch lol…

I add this to the mix-

Works for me.