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

Hunter in gun store
Hunter in gun store

Hunting for the “Grail” Gun in the Modern Era

To really enjoy hunting for “that gun,” burn shoe leather instead of your mouse pad.

5 New Rimfire Suppressors for 2026

Generally speaking, rimfire suppressors tend to be less-expensive than their centerfire counterparts, providing an entry point in the world of suppressor use for many firearm enthusiasts.

Top Firearm Manufacturers Estimated from ATF Report

Orchid analyzed the ATF’s Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Exportation Report for 2024 (the most recent data available) and compiled a list of the industry’s top 30 domestic firearms manufacturers.

A Deadly Testing Ground: Guns of the Spanish Civil War

Great powers have often used smaller conflicts as test beds for new weapon systems, and also as dumping grounds for obsolete machinery. The Spanish Civil War was one such conflict.

Sequel: The New Taurus Judge

Not content to merely mark the gun's 20th anniversary with a special engraved edition, Taurus also introduced the New Taurus Judge this year.

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 3, 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.