If you are planning to take your shooting hobby seriously, it is time to assemble a range bag. A range bag should house all the items that you may need on your shooting range trips. Having a dedicated range bag saves you the trouble of having to pack and unpack each time you head out to the range. It also allows you to keep all your shooting-related items in one place. Here is some essential gear to help fill up your range bag.
1. Firearms
Some shooting ranges will have firearms for rent but most outdoor ranges expect visitors to bring their own. If you do not own a firearm, be sure to contact the shooting range beforehand to confirm if they offer gun rentals. If you have your own gun, pack it unloaded in a pistol case or gun container. This avoids your firearm from getting scratched by other items in your bag and helps to keep all the relevant components together.
2. Ammunition
Ammunition is often sold at shooting ranges for premium prices. While some ranges will insist that you use their ammo, others will allow you to bring your own, and certain ranges will not have any ammo for sale at all. Call ahead before visiting a shooting range to find out their ammunition policy. You should also ask for a list of the types and caliber of ammo that is allowed. This way, you can save on costs where possible.
3. Ear and Eye Protection
Gunshots are loud! Visiting a shooting range without ear protection can hurt your hearing and lead to long-term problems like tinnitus. Similarly, you need to protect your eyes from any cartridge discharge residue or hot brass casings that are ejected during firing. Most shooting ranges provide basic ear and eye protection for free, but you may like to consider more specialized shooting gear such as 3M Peltor earmuffs.
4. Facemask
You protect your eyes and ears, so why not the rest of your face? Firing a gun close to your face can result in you inhaling tiny toxic particles. Lead dust from bullets is a proven serious health hazard. A quality facemask with a fine particulate filter prevents this problem. If you are in an outdoor shooting range, a facemask can also stop dust and sand from getting into your nose and throat, which can be uncomfortable and distracting.
5. Targets
Typical ranges come with steel or paper targets and most of them will allow you to bring your own targets to avoid additional costs. You can print targets from online templates or buy specialized targets that change color or ‘bleed’ when shot. Some outdoor ranges will allow you to use unconventional items as targets such as fruits or balloons. Do note almost all ranges will prohibit you from using an image of an actual person as a target.
6. Gun Case or Holster
For safety, most ranges require you to stow your firearm when it is not being fired either in a holster or a gun case. As mentioned, a gun case can prevent your firearm from getting scratched in transport. If you regularly carry your firearm on your person, you should bring your holster to the range as well. This will help you become more adept at drawing and firing from your holster. Some ranges do not allow drawing though, so check to make sure.
7. Portable Cleaning Kits
The worst thing is to get to the shooting range and discover that there is an issue with your firearm. A portable gun cleaning kit can enable you to address any firearm emergencies outside of the house. Most basic gun cleaning kits will come with several brushes, rifle rods, and cleaning patches. You should also pack a bottle of cleaning oil and a multitool for making minor adjustments.
8. First Aid Kit
Although a proper shooting range typically has its own first aid supplies, you should carry a personal first aid kit just in case. A good first aid kit should be brightly colored for easy recognition and include supplies such as antiseptic wipes, band-aids, bandages, gauze pads, gloves, medical tape, tweezers, a small pair of scissors, and pain medication. You can also consider packing a combat application tourniquet (CAT) that is highly effective in stopping blood loss from the extremities.
Bonus: Gun Belt
If you want to be shooting hard and fast, you might want to consider a shooting belt to handle your reloads. A simple shooting belt will allow you to carry several magazines at once. Many gun belts look casual enough for everyday use while some are designed specifically for competition and tactical usage. High-end gun belts enable you to quickly clip and unclip your holsters and mag pouches for easy access.
Your range bag should contain all the essential items that you need for a great day at the shooting range. This will ensure that you can pick it up and head out with minimal fuss. At the range, remember to look after your safety while you have fun and improve your skills.