I walked into my local gun range a few days ago and held the door open for another guest who was carrying his pistol in a grocery bag. 

I could hear his pistol as well as his magazines banging against each other.  I also noticed later he had forgotten his ear protection and had to ask his lane neighbor for a disposable pair.

 When I got settled in my lane, to my right I found the opposite of the guest I held the door opened for.  The shooter to my right had more than a range bag.  He had the equivalent of an airline luggage. 

His bag had wheels, several handles, multiple pockets, and compartments, USB ports, battery pack, and who know what else.  Somewhere between these two extremes of range bags, the average range bag must exist.

Over the next few paragraphs, let us examine what I consider the minimum requirements for a range bag for the average range guest.

The Medical Kit

Let’s start with an item commonly absent from most range bags…the Medical Kit.  In case of an emergency, this kit will be the go-to tool to address a medical issue while the emergency personnel is enroute. 

At the very minimum it should contain the following:

·       Torniquet

·       Hemostatic gauze

·       Rolled bandage

·       Medical gloves

·       Band aids

·       Shears

·       Alcohol pads

 An important issue to keep in mind is that a medical kit needs to be kept current as alcohol pads can dry out with time.  

The user must be familiar how to use the torniquet, hemostatic gauze, as well as how to put on and take off medical gloves.  Please seek out a trauma class.

Hearing and Eye Protection

The key aspect when using hearing and eye protection is fit.  If they do not fit, you will not want to wear them and you will not be comfortable. 

If you are uncomfortable, you will not enjoy your time at the range.  Just like most things associated with firearms, buy quality once and never have to buy the items again.

Ammo and Spare Magazines

Do not wait to get your ammo until you get to the range as the range may not carry your ammo. 

Buy your ammo in quantity and bring to the range what your range evolution will require. 

Having extra magazines will make your range time more efficient. Load your magazines at home to increase your time shooting vs loading. 

Targets, Staple Gun, Marker

The targets will be dependent on, once again, the type of training evolution you plan to exercise at the range.  

Simple 12-inch diameter paper plate or IDPA target and anything in between must be part of your inventory. 

Plan ahead or you may be purchasing what is available versus what your training plan calls for.  

Tools and a Flashlight

The tools should be specific to the firearm (small screwdriver, allen wrenches, CLP, small packable cleaning kit) you will be using at the range.

The flashlight will be of tremendous help if a repair is necessary or just looking for something you may have dropped on the floor or inside the bag.

Miscellaneous

The rest of items you may want to consider may not be a requirement like the ones listed above but may enhance your range experience. 

Some empty chamber indicators, snaps caps, a note pad and a pen for recording notes about your training session. 

While the above list will not demand an airline-size luggage bag, a grocery bag is also not adequate.  Your firearm is an investment in your safety, protect it with a dedicated range bag. 

By : Eddie Montero
Sampson Consulting LLC / Client Services and Community Outreach Coordinator