Range bag....er, I mean Toolbox

[PRazz]

I've been contemplating getting a range bag since the backpack I usually use just cannot handle all the equipment anymore. Only 2 seperate compartments plus it's really not designed for it. Anyway while walking through wallmart I saw a large black plastic Stanley toolbox which was marked down to 7 dollars so I figured I'd try it out since I cannot afford a good bag designed for the range.
It is working out great and seems to be the right dimensions for everything I take with me. The main compartment(bottom of box) is exactly 3 boxes of .45 in length by 1 box .45 and a cleaning kit wide by 2 boxes high(~450 total rounds in bottom). Room for both .45's, two holsters, clean rags and silicone cloths. The lift out tray above holds shooting glasses, can of breakfree, gun locks and keys(for the kids), brushes, tools, different grips and extra magazines. The two compartments in the top of the lid hold earplugs, small screwdrivers/pliers, mag loader, extra magazines. Does anyone have any other suggestions or ideas of what may be needed while out shooting. I still have room in the box for other items. What do you carry in your bag? Phil Razz

 

[Nil]

I actually use that exact same toolbox for my range kit also. Unfortunately, I usually carry so much ammo and other miscellaneous gear to the range, I still need a backpack (and rifle cases) to completely carry everything.

 

[daysleeprx]

In my bag (off the top of my head):

-I have magazines for whatever gun(s) I'm shooting that day
-Several boxes of ammo
-Hearing protection (muffs and plugs)
-Eye protection
-A multitool
-A hex key set (for adjusting sights, changing out grips)
-Cleaning kit, silicone cloth
-Misc. small replacement parts
-A bunch of different recoil springs of different weights (in case I'm trying out different powered loads)
-Room for handguns (of course)

That's all I can remember for now...obviously a lot of this isn't NEEDED to go to the range, but I like to keep all my "gun stuff" as much in one location as possible so I'm not hunting around my place when I need a spring, part, etc.

 

[bumm]

I've been using a cheap plastic toolbox from Ace Hardware for quite some time to take the stuff I always need to the range... earmuffs, eye protection, ammo, tools, etc. I use another hard sided pistol case to take whatever guns I intend to shoot that day. So, two boxes work well for me. They're easy to use, give good protection, and don't cost much.
Marty

 

[Avenger]

I've got one of those boxes that I use for junkyard runs. It's good and strong, I've actually used it as a jackstand once to get a motor out of a car that had been dropped to the ground. The handle holds up to carting around 15 to 20 pounds of tools, but don't trust those little lids for the top compartment, they tend to pop open when the main lid is open. I'd call it a good choice for a range box, I may just get another one for that myself.

 

[Cpl Nobbs]

I've had good luck with the sterlite boxes.

http://tinyurl.com/r52kh

I use the 1894 one from that page for carrying all the safety and target gear, and another as a ammo can, they are quite sturdy and can carry quite a bit of weight (not as much as an ammo can of course, but still). plus you can see into them. I also keep all my reloading odds and ends in one (with the shoe boxes for the brass).

and cost? I paid $2.50 a piece at skopko on sale.

 

[TonyB]

I got a large tackle box at wal-mart that I use for a range box.It has compartments on top that magazines fit perfectly in.
usually I'll have whatever gun/guns I'm bringing,magazines in top compartments,speedloaders in front comp.ammo,headphones,and towel in main box w/ guns.If I'm bringing all my guns,I have to carry the ammo separate.

 

[rxraptor02]

Thanks for posting this. It gives me something to look at for my range gear.

I have been using a small duffel bag and that is not cutting it anymore. I need something to hold my gear and pistols in. The toolbox might do the trick.

 

[hksw]

I've been using a plastic tool box for about 5 years now. Started with a ZAG, found it to be too small for all of the types of shooting and types of guns I bring to the range (plus all of the tools, extra mags, cleaning kits, etc.). Stepped up to a bigger Stanley (one of those $15-$20 jobs). That has worked very well until I started focusing on rimfire for the past couple of years. All of the stuff in it wasn't necessary for rimfire so I bought a smaller Craftsman a month ago for rimfire only stuff. (Gave the ZAG to my dad a while ago for actual tools - screwdrivers, wrenches, etc.)

All had the handy top lid compartments you can access with the lid closed for small stuff.

I too also used a backpack for a long time before this.

To further ease the trip between the car and the firing line, I use a folding hand truck to tote everything around. saves multiple trips between the car and bench.

 

[p35]

I have a heavy metal toolbox that I bought second hand- they made them out of heavier guage metal in the old days. Put a lock on it and the contents are safer than they would be in a plastic box.

 

[PRazz]

Thanks for some new ideas. It sucks to need something and be away from home, better to be prepared.

I have three hard plastic pistol cases but i've never liked to carry them around in the open. With the box I can put whatever I'm taking inside, out of site. I also do not plan on sticking a bunch of pro-gun, gun manufacturer stickers, anything that would indicate the contents. I just don't want someone walking off with my box because i made it a target.
I've also thought about getting a few new/slightly used surplus ammo boxes. I had some small ones when I was younger and they were watertight. (I used to stash ammo boxes with survival kits around my g-parents farm. Never know when you'll need a bandaid.)

I'll keep my eye open for a multi-tool like a Gerber too.

 

[AJ Dual]

Sears may have what you want...

Craftsman Wheeled tool tote

I was trying to pack up for a range-trip the night before, and I just looked at my empty Sears Craftsman rolling tool-tote and smacked myself on the head.

I hadn't really used it other than to store a collection of cheap oddball tools, the "too junky to use, too nice to toss" stuff, since I moved into our home and had a dedicated workshop and a peg-board to hang everything else on. Before then, I used it to hold all my tools when the Mrs. and I were apartment dwellers.

I was shocked at how perfect a range-box it is. The divided top try holds cleaning gear, tools, accessories and small parts, the middle tray can easily hold about 1500-2000 rounds of assorted ammunition. The bottom of the bucket can hold about six medium-small hard side pistol boxes, or even more soft side pistol size gun-rugs. Instead of several pistols, it could easily hold one or two pistols a spotting scope, targets, drinking water snacks, more ammo, hearing protectors, you name it.

It has a collapsing handle, wheels on one side, and when closed with the lid, can be used as a stool. It can be carried with the center handle, the side handles, dragged on it's wheels by the extendable handle, or using a shoulder strap. It can also be locked shut.

Admittedly, it does nothing for rifles, but it's about perfect otherwise.

If you were to retrofit a folding golf-bag cart as a rifle caddy, you'd be very well set.

 

[strat81]

In addition to much of what has been mentioned:
-Paper towels
-Snap Caps
-Magazine loaders

The snap caps are great for teaching a newbie about loading and operating a new gun without the added stress of live ammunition.

 

[ilbob]

I too have a large toolbox that i use to bring handguns to the range. To me it is handier.

 

[hksw]

Correction.

My second tool box is a Stack-On, not a Stanley.

 

[peteinct]

They need to be solid

Hi All, I have gone through a couple bags and ended up using a canvas tool bag. It is big enough to carry a couple pistols and all my junk, has a shoulder strap and is sturdy enough to carry lots of ammo. The weight is what would ruin the other bags. The latest one has lasted me 2 years.
pete

 

[Neo-Luddite]

http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDU...ID=cccgaddklifjhkjcgelceffdfgidgio.0&MID=9876




Plastic Stanley toolbox--works great. I can fit 3 pistols in the main area w/ammo and have cleaning kit in tray. Or, can fit plenty of rifle/shotgun ammo in.

A bag doesn't cut it for me--and this allows me to keep my cleaning supplies and main tools portable as I like to clean outside when I can as I have kids and don't like the house to smell like a machine shop. Also keep packed with plugs and assorted ammo so I can 'grab and go' when someone says lets go shooting.

 

[MrPeter]

I have been looking for a good range bag, just to keep everything in. Right now I just load up my hatchback (4dr, not one of those 2door dumplings) and more or less shoot out of my car (not literally, just leave the stuff in the trunk arranged just how I packed it.)
I've got two shelves, the top carpeted shelf has whatever gun I'm shooting at the time and ammo for it, and the bottom shelf has the other guns I'll shoot later, ammo cans, targets and pushpins, or cans and bottles, or whatever.

I really should get a range bag though.

 

[Outlaw Man]

I spent several days looking for the perfect range bag/box. I ended up going with a Paintball box from Academy - made in the US by Plano, $20. It has a compartment in the lid made for marker barrels, but it holds cleaning rods perfectly. There's a bag for the marker which easily holds an 8" N-frame (largest I've tried). I keep a couple pairs of muffs, a pair of gloves, eye protection (need at least one more) in the main compartment. Below is a pull out bin, similar to what comes in tackle boxes, with dividers where I have snap caps, tools, patches, solvents/lubes, bore light, ink pen, and a few other things. I haven't had it very long, so I don't know how it's going to end up working out, but it looks promising.