Going to the Range (Bag)

I get a lot of calls from new shooters, looking for the perfect pistol, perfect this, and perfect that. Those are all personal choices based on hand size, feel, needs, and budget. Therefore, I cannot tell them what would be the best fit for them. Sure, I can suggest what works for me and what I have seen many people succeed with. But as they say in interwebs-land, YMMV… “Your Mileage May Vary!” 
 
One thing I know makes for a better time at the range is the perfect “Going to the Range” bag. Before you jump up and say, “Wait a minute, the gear in your bag is your pistol, holster, belt…” let me interrupt and clarify. I didn’t say, “Perfect Range Bag,” I said, the perfect GOING TO THE RANGE bag. 

A bag with these items is absolutely necessary to have in your vehicle when you head to the outdoor range. Here are my must-have items: 

• Dewalt Carbon Fiber Composite Staple Gun
• Stapler that uses standard T50 staples.
• Staples. 7/16 or 1/2 inch. 
• Target stands 
• Target backer. The backer needs to be cardboard that is sturdy enough to be stapled.
• Wood uprights for the target, 1” by 2” 8 foot, cut in half
• Targets. Check out the free ones from HAWG Holsters!
• First Aid Kit 
• Duct tape. If it is windy and you are using paper targets, a small piece of duct tape can be used as a “washer.” Just tape the corners of the target, then staple through the tape.
• Pliers. They come in handy for removing the staples from the wooden uprights! I see a lot of cuts from nails and staples at the range. 
• Earplugs. They can be cheap, and never go without them!  
• Spare Eye Protection
• Marker
• Target tape or pasters 
• 5 Gallon Bucket

 
Oh yeah, and don’t forget your range bag with your firearm, holster, belt, and ammo. Be safe!

If there is an Item you feel needs to be added, please let us know! Email me your recommendations. Our favorite recommendations might just get you a thank-you gift 😉
 
Print my Going to the Range bag checklist to make packing easier.  
 
If you are interested, here are my specific preferences. Here is what’s in my Going to the Range Bag:

• Dewalt Carbon Fiber Composite Staple Gun
• Arrow T50 1/2 in. Stainless-Steel Staples (1,000-Pack). I keep them in a plastic container.
• Target Stands. Shane Moody and Thad Mueller made mine. Similar is Highwild Adjustable Target Stand Base for Paper Shooting Targets Cardboard Silhouette - H Shape.
• Target Backer. I reuse cardboard from large shipping boxes. Make sure it is heavy-duty.
• Wood uprights - 1 in. x 2 in. x 8 ft. Furring Strip Board from Home Depot
• Targets. I use the Gunsite Option Target and free HAWG printable targets.
• First Aid Only 442 All-Purpose Emergency First Aid Kit for Home, Work, and Travel, 298 Pieces. I added some items to mine. I will cover this in a future HAWG BLAWG.
• Gorilla Duct Tape, 1.88" x 50yd, Black
• Channellock 348 8-1/2-Inch Linesman Plier
• Channellock 526 6-Inch Slip Joint Pliers | Utility Plier with Wire Cutter | Serrated Jaw 
• 3M Disposable Earplugs
• Eye Protection is a personal choice.
• Sharpie Marker
• Masking Tape 
• Roll of 1000 7/8" Square Target Pasters
• I use a Milwaukee tool bag that organizes all this. It’s handy to have everything in one bag so that when I get to the range, I am ready to shoot instead of digging for everything I need.  

• 5 Gallon Bucket. Sometimes you need a place for range trash, or you need a seat.