I’m done buying “range bags”

[doubleh]

My daughter gave me an Allen bag for Christmas at least 25 years ago. I didn't use it a lot as it is large but it has become my ear and eye protection carrying bag when we have family range sessions as someone always seems to forget theirs. It is sttill in great shape. No worry, grandpa has you covered and the gg kids seem to prefer what I bring because it is electronic. I went to tool bags many years ago for ammo. A few are older Craftsman brand bought during sales. Excellent bags by the way. Others are bags that tools came in. I have them labeled with with luggage tags as to what ammo they contain. Handguns are transported in Harbor Freight hard cases, a lot of bang for the buck and carry my tools in a 16" Walmart toolbox.

My oldest grandson uses a range specific backpack to haul everything. Geezer that I am I can barely lift it.

 

[holl]

I use this one from Menards, wheels and a handle! Nothing on the outside to scream tools or guns and built like a tank. Not to mention that if this was a "range" bag it would cost 3 times more.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

I use generic tool boxes, have one for each of my shooting interests-22RF, centerfire handguns, centerfire rifle., black powder. Each has a dedicated set of earmuffs plus plugs,

 

[DesertFox]

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

My new bag (plastic waterproof bottom)-
View attachment 1184437
View attachment 1184438
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-
View attachment 1184439
Works for me.

Exactly, with the other sized on top and an open crate unit. Have this setup not only for tools but for my pro audio setup, cables, microphones, pedal boards, etc. And one setup for guns. Makes a nice seat too.

 

[Walkalong]

I like my 3 decade plus old 5.11 range bag, the one Midway copied. It's still going strong after hundreds of uses.

My last "range bag" was a small backpack for NRL-22/PRS-22 matches. Caught the Maxpedition Condor II on sale a while back. Quality lasts longer.

 

[Ignition Override]

Don’t need a range bag.

The back of my Subaru is the range bag, for everything.
This car is never used for anything else- except to hold the largish bag for my intensive Krav (-maga: words are Hebrew) self-defense classes; 68 years old.

First: Only rifles need to be put into the car.
The overall simplest solution can be the best.

Second: this method allows me to decide simply whether there is enough ammo per rifle Already in the car.

 

[Buzznrose]

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.

Your buddies only laugh until you out-shoot them. That tends to quiet them down.

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

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.

As long as you use a cheaper branded bag... I probably wouldn't use a Milwaukee bag to put guns in lol. And to be frank they all are kinda similar build quality IMHO... (The bags, not tools, lol.)

 

[CapnMac]

for a range bucket

Smart Idea.

There are a lot of five gallon bucket "tool adapters" out there, too. The ones that go inside the bucket are harder to find here lately, as this style is the common one

The only downside is that the handles on 5-gallon buckets can be junk. Now, they also make should straps for those buckets, too. And padded seating lids are also pretty common, too.

Another one to look at are the "bucket style" Electrician's Bags, like this:

many options in those. All kinds of pockets and compartments--and only about 12 liters, and not the 20 of a 5 gallon bucket.
The "more like an attache case" style are becoming more used in the electrical trades

For having more compartment for all the things a sparky wants on the job site.
But, a clever shooter could probably use the drop panels and similar compartments as well.
Note, because these are the go-to, they are generally no inexpensive.

 

[dogtown tom]

I used increasingly larger range bags, then tool boxes, then the rolling tool box with a telescopic handle....then I realized I couldn't carry everything I might possibly need.
Now its a Glock four pistol bag (that can easily hold a half dozen handguns and several hundred rounds of ammo)

I've found going to the range twice as often with half the gear is better than packing all the gear less often.

 

[tws3b2]

When I go to the range all I need is a gun, ammo, glasses, ear plugs and a target. I don't need a bunch of compartments or pockets in my range bag. That's why my high$ range bag sits under the table unused for years now.
Now, I use the bag I got Free with my Bosch drill. Heavy duty and it would hold all the junk I could think I will need, But don't.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

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.

True, but they still look like tools, which are also a high value, high theft, easily fenced item.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

I use the largest/wheeled Milwuakee pack out with a tray insert. It has been awesome and has held up well. Before that, I used, the Dewalt version (cheaper), but the handles kept breaking. If I'm just going to a run n gun where all I need is holster/mag pouches, mags and ammo, I just use a 5.11 Rush 24 pack.

If I'm doing load development, sighting in, Service Rifle, etc., then, yeah, it's the Pack-Out for sure. That thing will carry a two piece bench rest set up, spotting scope, chronograph, tripods, shooting mat, targets & stapler, a bunch of ammo, shot timer, tools, a trauma kit...you name it...and still have room left over. Plus, at Service Rifle matches, it also doubles as a seat.

 

[Zebraranger]

For having more compartment for all the things a sparky wants on the job site.
But, a clever shooter could probably use the drop panels and similar compartments as well.
Note, because these are the go-to, they are generally no inexpensive.

This looks very similar to the one that I've been using for the last 15 years made by CLC Work Gear, purchased at Home Depot. I posted about it last week on another range bag thread. The perfect discreet range bag that doesn't look like a range bag.
It has the largest heavy duty zippers that I've ever seen on anything. The main center compartment is huge, I can line the floor of the bag with up to 10 boxes of handgun ammo, and then 6 handguns in their pistol pouches, with a little room to spare for hearing protection, shooting glasses in hard case, and whatever else I can fit in the main compartment.

The two sides zipper open revealing additional pockets and pouches for storage of things such as magazines, a small assortment of cleaning supplies, tools, paper targets and other items. It also includes a couple of pockets on the end of the bag. If its ever fully loaded with everything mentioned, its heavy and the shoulder strap comes in handy taking the load off during transporting or walking with it.

 

[AzShooter1]

+


I made my own. I dabble in leatherworking. It's not beautiful but it works. I can carry two of my handguns (.22s) and a few boxes of ammo. All I need for a day at the range

 

[BIZERKO666]

Been looking at new range bags lately. They’re either way overpriced or made (We’ll just say “overseas”) I got this old Everest bag from Turners about 35 years ago and damn thing just doesn’t give up.
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

 

[Riomouse911]

My “range bag” is one I got as a bit of conference swag about five years ago. I have used it as my overnight/weekend travel bag since I got it. The bag holds an easy 3 days worth of clothes, plus all the rest.

I bring ammo, targets, ears/eyes, etc. to the range in a decent sized backpack. Shoulder straps make carrying a bunch of ammo to the line a snap.

Stay safe.

 

[The Glockodile]

Me, too!

 

[Buzznrose]

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

I like these trays around my garage and house, but honestly think as I’m carrying it to the range, I’d drop the dang thing and bullets and stuff would fly everywhere!

If I had my own land I shot from and didn’t have to worry about others, this would be a great way to go.

 

[Charlie98]

About 2 years ago, for my birthday, my wife bought me a rolling toolbox thingy... for my shooting gear. It's not really for taking to the indoor range, where my tool bag usually carries what I need, rather for the many trips I take to go shooting elsewhere. What it did was corral up all my shooting stuff into one place... the bulky stuff, like the shooting mat, chrono, spotter scope, and such, goes in the bottom. The middle box gets the other stuff... stapler, muffs, glasses, tool box, target spotters, and the like. Shallow top box gets targets, my shooters notebook, and other small items. It also provides a very stable shooting seat, and/or shooting rest. Set on the mid box, extend the handle up on the bottom box, and you have a fairly stable shooting platform, which, shooting out in the middle of nowhere, can be worth the weight and bulk.

 

[hoardingthemanual]

I love range bags. I have a discontinued Cannae bag that I scoured the internet for a second of. That said, I wish it had handgun slots.

For outdoor range days, I’m a Milwaukee pack out man.

 

[lightman]

Lots of wisdom in the above post. My "range bag" is a Kline tool bag like Lineman carry their climbing tools in. (see my screen name !!!)

Depending on how the parking and your range is laid out one of those tool boxes on wheels with the collapsible handle would be nice to have.

Dang Charlie98, that picture in post #45 could be from my loading room! I have that same wire shelf, 2 of them, the same MTM 100 round ammo boxes, the same stools!

 

[Charlie98]

Lots of wisdom in the above post. My "range bag" is a Kline tool bag like Lineman carry their climbing tools in. (see my screen name !!!)

Depending on how the parking and your range is laid out one of those tool boxes on wheels with the collapsible handle would be nice to have.

Dang Charlie98, that picture in post #45 could be from my loading room! I have that same wire shelf, 2 of them, the same MTM 100 round ammo boxes, the same stools!

If you look under the bottom shelf... I had to put a 2x4 up on end along the center support to keep it from deflecting... heaven forbid collapsing... from the weight of all those ammo cans down there.

FWIW, I'm a licensed electrician, too, as was my dad. Maybe great minds DO think alike!

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Smart Idea.

There are a lot of five gallon bucket "tool adapters" out there, too. The ones that go inside the bucket are harder to find here lately, as this style is the common one

My late mom gave me one of those bucket tool things for Xmas decades back. I have a long extension cord in the bucket part (the female plug sticks out a hole on the bottom so the ends of the cord cannot become tangled), and then add tools to the cloth part as the occasion dictates.

I like it but admittedly I don't use it very much. That's because in the real world I'm not terribly social and don't leave the house very often with a need to carrying a selection of tools with me. When I'm at home my tools readily at hand in my workshop.

 

[375supermag]

Hi...
I guess I am the contrarian here but I carry my handguns to the range in leather range bags, a NRA wheeled range bag and a couple of hard sided pistol cases that each hold four large handguns.
The leather range bags usually hold my .357Magnum, .41Magnum, .45Colt and .44Spl revolvers, the NRA bag holds most of the semi autos and a few .357Magnum revolvers. The hard sided cases hold some of the. 44Magnum and various Dan Wesson revolvers. Also have a large Midway range bag to carry revolvers and electronic muffs and various other shooting accessories.
We transport most of our target and plinking ammunition in .30 cal. ammo cans. We typically have eight cans full of one caliber each, five revolver calibers and three semi auto calibers. Still haven't designated an ammo can for .38Spl or .40S&W although we do shoot a fair amount of both. Full power ammunition is carried in 50 or 100 round ammunition boxes.
Handgun shooting for my son and I typically is a 4 or 5 hour event that runs the gamut from .22cal all the way through the big bore revolvers.
Rifles are carried in hard sided or soft sided cases depending on how many we intend to shoot on a particular range trip. We do not shoot near as many rounds of rifle ammunition as we do handgun except for .223 in our ARs.