Waller&Sons v. Green Mt Sports.

[VaughnT]

The bottom line is that I'm tired of carrying a dozen boxes and bags from my truck to the range line. I have a Bagmaster ProShooters bag but it doesn't allow for any organization other than the two pistol sleeves and a big open center.

Right now I'm carrying my shooting gear in a plastic "shooter's" box I bought at Oshman's and it does a pretty good job of organizing everything I might need at the range. But, there's nowhere to store a gun or three and that means I have to carry my bagmaster range bag and the shooter's box and a box full of targets and a box with my ammo.

What I envision, and I realise this is a long post, is a container that will contain and organize my gear, minimizing the amount of bags and boxes that I have to tote. I want something that I can grab and go.

Said bag would need a padded pocket for my Dillon HP1's and Pact MkIV timer. It would need to have elastic loops or pockets to hold a dozen Wilson and Ruger mags. Cleaning supplies, including rods, and standard fluids, and range book, and .22lr brick, and binos, and rag, stapler, staples, tape, pasters, meds, eye/ear protection for two other shooters.

Do you get where I'm going here?

The Green Mt. bag looks to be the answer, but the Waller range bag has some classic lines that I like and might be as good. The GM BIG bag might be better still.

Which one would you choose to carry three pistols (Colt 1991, Ruger MkII, S&W 686) and all the "necessary" paraphenalia that goes with them?

Better to buy too big and fill the voids, or am I suffering from too-much-junk-itis and need to scale back? What happens if, god forbid, I buy another gun? Some meanie was trying to get me interested in that RAP 440 not too long ago and you never know when I'll submit to peer pressure!

The one thing I didn't like about the Waller bag was that spotting scope loop in the inside of the lid. I don't have a spotting scope and could really use that space for mags or cleaning gear like you see on the GM bag. Would Waller be open to modifying their bag? Is the GM as good a buy?

GM standard bag or big bag?

For what it's worth, I would like to put the order in by the middle of next month. I'm doing a 12-wk workout program and want something to commemorate the successful completion of the first month. If I make the entire twelve weeks, I get to buy myself a new pistol....adding yet more gear to the bag.

And they say not having a girlfriend is a bad thing.

 

[Chugach]

VaughnT, I have a Waller & Sons bag and I think it will fill your needs. BTW, I use the spotting scope loops to hold a 3 D-cell MagLite. Normally use a pair of 8X binoculars which I don't carry in my range bag.

There's one thing I don't like about the Waller bag. There are horizontal Velcro attachment bands sewn to the inside to allow you to reconfigure partitions. I can't tell you the number of times I've reached into the bag and jammed the upper edge of those bands under my fingernails.

I have no experience with the Green Mountain bags. Wouldn't hesitate to buy another Waller when (and if) this one ever wears out.

The real temptation is to pack too much stuff in. If you're OK walking with a distinct list, it's not a problem.

On the other hand, 6 cubic foot contractor wheelbarrows aren't that expensive either!

 

[larryw]

I just bought a Waller bag for the same reasons you mentioned. If I were to do it again, I'd buy the GM big bag. Waller bag is well built, but...

Pockets aren't padded.
Only five mag loops.
Inner partitions moveable by velcro, but the velcro isn't well done and doesn't secure partitions.
Partitions take up too much inner space.
Bag height is too low to hold notebood without bending it over
Bag not big enough to hold my ammo and dodads and three guns without the guns banging together-need to use gun pouches
Bag severly lacking small pockets for tools, etc.
Can't carry bag by handle without zipping up the top.
Generally inefficient use of space compounded by a long and narrow design.

Wanna buy a Waller bag, cheap?

 

[VaughnT]

Thanks for the insightful commentary, gentlemen. I haven't decided which way to go, but it's beginning to look like Green Mountain is the better bag.

I can't believe Waller wouldn't pad the end pocket to protect your earmuffs or timer! They might have a very good-looking design with classic lines, but they weren't thinking when they came up with the accoutrements.

Still pondering contacting Waller for a modified bag. That GM thing is just ugly. Looks like it came out of a 1960's bowling alley!

 

[Chugach]

VaughnT, larryw:

I've literally carried six pistols (Ruger Mark II size or larger), ammo, spare magazines, ear plugs, LocTite, cleaning rods, target stick-on dots, cleaning rag, clothes pins, large flashlight, bore flashlight, spare batteries, jags and brushes and more.

I think we're down to a basic discussion of YMMV in what's reasonable and comfortable in how you use the GM or W&S. I don't at all mind sticking two mags in a single mag loop. I don't worry tremendously about firearm finish...at one time or another, I'll rotate and carry every single one of my pistols and they get normal holster wear. I've found ways to prevent metal-to-metal contact inside the bag.

Probably best if you can find a friend or visit a range and actually get your hands on both to compare them. No matter what you decide, I'd really like to hear how it worked out for you...I get a lot of good ideas when folks report on their purchases.

 

[VaughnT]

Chugach, I agree completely with your practice of "honest" wear on your weapons as I am of the same school. Battle scars are the sign of a true warrior, a man to be reckoned with.

However, looking at the two bags seems to show that the GM is the better buy because it's cheaper and offers more options in terms of how you organize your gear. The W&S bag has great lines, it looks good, but that's about where it stops.

With a Pact timer that cost @ $180 and a pair of earmuffs that set me back $150, I'd really like to have padded pockets to put them in. They are relatively fragile and should be protected as much as possible to extend their life. Pistols are plastic and iron and unlikely to break beyond functioning from being knocked around in a grocery bag; you can't say the same thing about electronic components.

The GM bag has one heckuva ugly look about it, but there are a good number of mag loops (I can double up on my Wilson 47's, no doubt), and storage loops on the inside of the lid. That's organization!

Of course, I say all of this without coming to a conclusion. I'll definitely post back when I think of more or get the package in the mail. The upside is that toys like this are a great way to motivate you to reach a goal. For me, it's one month in the gym (a minimum of six workouts per week). If I go through to October, I get a new gun!

 

[Chugach]

I love your motivational technique!

Best of luck with the bag, and let me know how it turns out...

David

 

[larryw]

Chugach, I'm sure you're right, but I'm of the probably unreasonable opinion that after spending nearly $200 on a range bag, I shouldn't have to "find ways" to keep my guns from banging against each other, tweaking sights, damaging optics, etc. while inside the bag. But then again, I'm picky and don't simply toss my tools in a box and consider them put away.