Range Bag Recommendations from a Pro

posted on December 5, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
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

Mantis X Review 1
Mantis X Review 1

Review: Mantis TitanX Training System

You don’t have to go all the way to the range to enhance your shooting skills.

Radical Update: The Benelli M2-G1 Tactical Shotgun

For 2026, Benelli has given its tactical M2 shotgun a radical update with the new M2-G1 version.

President’s Column | President Meets President

I am quite certain, that for the first time in NRA history the President of the United States met with the NRA president, the NRA president asked for his support for national Right-to-Carry (NRTC), and then, on a national stage, President Trump called out the NRA president’s name and pledged his support for national Right-to-Carry legislation. But that’s exactly what happened at a rally near Allentown, Pa., in late June.

Gun of the Week: TriStar Arms KR.22

Semi-automatic .22 rifles have been a staple in the firearm marketplace for decades, and the TriStar Arms KR.22 brings yet another lightweight, affordable option that accepts Ruger 10/22 rotary magazines.

Political Report | Trump Reiterates National Right-to-Carry Support

I am repeatedly reminded of how critical it was that the NRA engaged early in supporting Donald Trump’s 2016 candidacy—and that he won. A recent example came in June, when President Trump spoke to American workers at a Mack Trucks facility in Macungie, Pa.

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 21, 2026

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

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.