Excuse my noobness. But I'm going to SJSC the Sunday after Thanksgiving. My revolver currently resides in a box (like a shoebox) in my nightstand. I do not own a range bag and don't plan on going to the range so much that I want to invest in one at this point. Also, I only own 1 handgun anyway.

 

That said, I want to make sure I abide by all gun laws. Is it acceptable to carry the gun in the box from my car to the range and have in my other hand a box filled with ammo?

If the gun is unloaded and stored in your trunk, you are good traveling from your home to the range, and vice versa. The range may have some restrictions as to how firearms are brought in though.Do you have a soft work briefcase or a small gym bag? Put the gun in there and I can't see any range hassling you. Some may give you crap about bringing it in a shoebox. They may think you are sneaking in a hamster or something.

Backpack ?

yeah, i have a backpack i could use. didn't think of that.

backpack thats what i use, but i plan on getting a nice range bag, especially with multiple pistols i need the seperated compartments...

You don't need an expensive range bag, but I would recommend dedicating something to this purpose. Keep you glasses and hearing protection and other "range stuff" in it. Nothing sucks worse then getting to the range and realizing you forgot your glasses.

No but it makes it easier to make sure you have everything and keep it organized.

An official range bag is not really required, but you can pick them up relatively cheap, they are good to have being you need to bring more than just your gun and ammo. You will also need at the minimum glasses and hearing protection, other items that are nice are a staple gun, cleaning kit, any special tools for your gun, and one thing that should be in any range beg, especially if you load you own ammo, is a way to push out a squib. Target are good to have in there also.

 

One thing you also want to have if you own an SUV, Pickup truck with no cap or tool box, or other vehicle that doesn't have a separate compartment to store you gun, is a way to lock the gun case. There are plenty of other things many of us carry but that will come in time if you decide to frequent the range more often.

 

 

IMHO as you start shooting more you will discover a need for components.

 

I went from a backpack to hold my gun and a few boxes of ammo, and hearing and eye protection, to two sets of hearing and eye protection.

 

To that plus a bottle of oil.

 

To that plus a multi-tool.

 

To that plus a bottle of water and some snacks.

 

To that plus a first aid kit after my slide bit my finger.

 

To that plus shoot-n-see targets.

 

To that plus my own staple gun.

 

I think I basically have a range trunk now...

 

A few weeks ago, I was at Ft. Dix and somebody had a squib round in the barrel of their AR-15. Wouldn't you know... I had a wooden dowel to help get the round out... and I don't even own an AR-15...

An official range bag is not really required, but you can pick them up relatively cheap, they are good to have being you need to bring more than just your gun and ammo. You will also need at the minimum glasses and hearing protection, other items that are nice are a staple gun, cleaning kit, any special tools for your gun, and one thing that should be in any range beg, especially if you load you own ammo, is a way to push out a squib. Target are good to have in there also.

 

One thing you also want to have if you own an SUV, Pickup truck with no cap or tool box, or other vehicle that doesn't have a separate compartment to store you gun, is a way to lock the gun case. There are plenty of other things many of us carry but that will come in time if you decide to frequent the range more often.

 

I have a sedan so it will be secured away in the trunk. Looking over your list, what is the staple gun for? Hanging targets?

I have a sedan so it will be secured away in the trunk. Looking over your list, what is the staple gun for? Hanging targets?

 

With a sedan you good with a bag that has no lock on it, and yes the staple gun is for hanging targets.

With a sedan you good with a bag that has no lock on it, and yes the staple gun is for hanging targets.

 

I'm curious, would a simple bookbag that has 2 zippers on one zipper track with a small keylock going through the eyelit in each zipper qualify as a locked container?

Just throwing this out there for ya, but Midway has thier range bag on sale right now for $40. You cant beat this bag for that price http://www.midwayusa.com/product/259680/midwayusa-competition-range-bag-pvc-coated-polyester-black?cm_vc=q011

I'm curious, would a simple bookbag that has 2 zippers on one zipper track with a small keylock going through the eyelit in each zipper qualify as a locked container?

 

 

Yup, thats good.

Wait till you start carrying multiple range bags. =P

 

Btw, the bigger they are, the more you will stuff into them. My Range bag in Vegas for nationals weight like 50 lbs, that I was dragging to and from the range, including from hotel room through the casino, down to the car, to the range, from stage to stage. Rinse and Repeat 5 days.

 

You want a good bag. Perfect for travel, whether it is to your local range or across the country.

Am I the only person that has a hard time believing Maks could drag a bag that weighs even close to 50 lbs, never mind carry it and for five days...

Wait till you start carrying multiple range bags. =P

 

Btw, the bigger they are, the more you will stuff into them. My Range bag in Vegas for nationals weight like 50 lbs, that I was dragging to and from the range, including from hotel room through the casino, down to the car, to the range, from stage to stage. Rinse and Repeat 5 days.

 

You want a good bag. Perfect for travel, whether it is to your local range or across the country.

 

 

Folding cart from Costco dude, thats the way to go for OB and CJ being they don't have any really loose gravel, ranges with deeper gravel or dirt can be a problem with the thin wheels but I may do some shade-tree work on it to fix that.

Am I the only person that has a hard time believing Maks could drag a bag that weighs even close to 50 lbs, never mind carry it and for five days...

 

Yes Dan. Was horrible... But the Brownells Range Bag made it easier to carry a bag 1/3 my weight. lol.

 

I was walking angled.

 

Next time, would definitely get a cart for local stuff. Unfortunately too much pain in the butt to fly with them.

Just throwing this out there for ya, but Midway has thier range bag on sale right now for $40. You cant beat this bag for that price http://www.midwayusa.com/product/259680/midwayusa-competition-range-bag-pvc-coated-polyester-black?cm_vc=q011

 

Think I might pick one of those bad boys up. Right now I just use a backpack for all my range stuff. It has multiple compartments, but it's a bit cramped.

Some form of range bag (be it one designed for the task, a backpack, or a burlap sack) comes in really handy. I for one have gone to smaller bags rather then larger. In fact most of the time now I use a Maxpedition Fatboy bag which is basically the size of a medium purse (or Tactical European Shoulder Bag if you prefer) for most of my range needs, it fits a handgun, 300 rounds of ammo, bottle of water, my glasses, oil. ear plugs, a few spare parts, leatherman, pen, and it has room to spare. I found that you will find gear to fill any size bag to the point that you'll fit a reloading setup in there cause you can. I've decided to fight that urge and go with the MINIMUM sized bag I can get away with.

 

I've even shot 3 gun matches with the bag, though I might have hid my shotgun ammo on someone elses cart. Travel light, and you'll feel better at the end of the day.

I have a Uncle Mikes Range bag and love it.Always have a Sharpee marker to check off you bad target shots!

I have a sig bag and the midway bag. I think several bags are a good idea.

Just throwing this out there for ya, but Midway has thier range bag on sale right now for $40. You cant beat this bag for that price http://www.midwayusa.com/product/259680/midwayusa-competition-range-bag-pvc-coated-polyester-black?cm_vc=q011

Already on my Christmas list.

+1 on the Midway Range bag. I have on and love all its storage pockets. Very sturdy for the price.

I got one of these.

 

http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/product/tool-bag-dtpro-triple-threat-tool-bag-58032.aspx?kw=tool%20bag&processor=content

 

Very sturdy with multiple compartments. I've carried 4 handguns and 800 rounds, and all my range stuff in it and it was fine.

The tool slots in one side compartment are the perfect size to hold magazines.

 

And the best part is it doesn't look like a range bag.