Range Bag Recommendations from a Pro

posted on December 5, 2014
bsheetz2015_fs.jpg

undefinedWhen I head to the range I need to be efficient with my training as well as provide my students with the training aids and safety equipment they deserve from a professional shooting and tactics instructor. Therefore it is necessary to include the gear that is always needed in a range environment. Here I've highlighted some gear that I carry to the range, every time.

Medical Kit (Trauma)
This includes a SOFTT tourniquet, a nasal pharyngeal for establishing an airway, and Quick Clot Combat Gauze for treating a gunshot wound. I generally just use Gorilla tape for small bandages.

Small Tool Kit
This has small screwdrivers, tiny files and a few punches. I also carry a small adjustable wrench for tightening or removing flash hiders and muzzle brakes. An assortment of Allen wrenches is probably the most used item, including the very small ones used on scope turrets and triggers.

Other Essentials:

HandHeld Light
Useful if your rifle or pistol-mounted light goes down. Also good for range cleanup in the dark.

Ear Protection
Electronic muffs that allow me to hear range commands and my students' questions are a must. I also bring plugs in case someone forgets their ears or I need to double up.

Knee Pads and Gloves
When you are on the range as much as I am, a little protection goes a long way.

Timer
A reliable timer is vital to training, so I often carry two when I travel. I like the ability to check times as well as splits between shots quickly. Having a backlit screen is also good for night classes.

And More...
In addition, I always have a pocket tool, spare batteries for sights, lights and timers, appropriate head gear, sunscreen, chapstick, a good cleaning kit and Rand CLP-the rod sections from military-style kits are also great for clearing a stuck case-traffic cones for movement drills, a stapler and staples, permanent markers, Gorilla tape for fixing gear, and target tape for concealing bullet holes.

Latest

KelTec PR57
KelTec PR57

KelTec’s PR57: Thinking Outside The (Detachable) Box

KelTec has brought the stripper clip back with the thoroughly unconventional PR57—a carry pistol with an uncommon chambering, an unusual action and no box magazine.

The Armed Citizen® June 9, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

More Western States Opening Large Shooting Ranges

A number of states in the western U.S. have opened or are planning to open large, versatile ranges to serve the growing need for publicly accessible shooting spaces.

Preview: Sneaky Pete Distressed Leather Perfect Holster

More than just a fresh look made using handcrafted leather, the Sneaky Pete Distressed Leather Perfect Holster has been redesigned to accommodate extra ammunition in addition to a concealed firearm.

New For 2025: Rost Martin RM1S & RM1C Comped

Two new models joined the Rost Martin handgun lineup in 2025, one with subcompact dimensions and another with a built-in compensator that promises to reduce recoil substantially.

CMP Resumes M1911 Pistol Sales

As of January 2025, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) had resumed sales of surplus U.S. Army M1911/M1911A1 pistols to qualified U.S. citizens.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.