Getting gear together for the range

OverUnder725

OverUnder725

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Next door to my neighbour
Just picked up my first handgun, S&W 17 .22, and am trying to get some gear ready for the range. I have all locks and cases required for legal transportation as well as a membership to the range I will be going to. I have been shooting and hunting for 25 yrs so I have the the safety equipment I need.

What do you have in your range bag you consider "must have" for handgun shooting?

I am also wondering about range procedure. I know it could vary from range to range but there must be some basic etiquette that is common throughout. I have joined a smaller club with an indoor range during the winter and an outdoor range in the summer.
 
I always keep targets, staple gun, empty boxes to carry brass, holster and mag holders, eye and ear protection and of course my ammo.

range procedure does differ from range to range so always best to find out, for instance one of the ranges near me does not allow holsters unless law enforcement or BB certified, another range near me has no such rule. Rapid fire is generally a range specific thing. Etiquette is generally just standard stuff, be cautious of firearms safety, etc.
 
Add squib rod (not likely to be needed for 22LR, but then again it could happen), screw driver for sight adjustments, and case, trigger lock keys.

M
 
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I generally keep either a multitool and a set of hex keys, a couple of screwdrivers, and usually a sweater and gloves, the wind can get cold off the ocean here on the east coast. I usually have multiple pairs of ear plus in case someone else comes with me and ddoesn't have any
 
All great ideas, never thought of quite a few of them!

Bristow84 mentioned a holster. I am undecided about getting one or not. Would be nice to have but I guess it would depend on the range rules. If I did get one, I would want a leather one but some that I have looked at are really rough on the inside and I would thing they would wear on the blueing of the gun. My particular pistol is a shooter and not collector grade and has a few nicks and such but I wouldn't want to make it any worse.
 
OverUnder725 said:
All great ideas, never thought of quite a few of them!

Bristow84 mentioned a holster. I am undecided about getting one or not. Would be nice to have but I guess it would depend on the range rules. If I did get one, I would want a leather one but some that I have looked at are really rough on the inside and I would thing they would wear on the blueing of the gun. My particular pistol is a shooter and not collector grade and has a few nicks and such but I wouldn't want to make it any worse.
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My local range dont allow holsters inside even after i did my course :(
 
The rough inner side of the leather isn't abrasive. BUT, the soft leather can hold grit which IS abrasive. I like to use a softer bronze brush to brush out my leather holsters every so often to hopefully remove such grit. A light brushing is all you need.

A nice option for a place to just park and carry between stages at matches is a soft style Uncle Mike's holster. They are cheap and the soft inner lining is anything BUT abrasive. The soft style isn't the best for fast draw but it's not a competition style holster. Just a place to park the gun where allowed.

And yeah, most handgun ranges like to see the guns open and empty, ejection ports up/cylinders open on the table before the all clear to go forward is called.
 
Lexthedestroyer said:
http://www.shootingtimes.com/2013/0...old-school-gun-range-etiquette/#ixzz2PzYjYOGk That there's a pretty decent little quick reference as far as etiquette goes. I would think that most of it is common sense, but it obviously isn't if someone felt the need to write the article...
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Wow, that is some of the most pretentious sh*t I've ever read. Some are common sense, others are just whining taken to a new level, for instance. Empty brass from an auto(rifle or pistol) is a reality when at the range. "courtesy brass" isn't intentional, but it does happen. Same goes for muzzle breaks. Yes, then can increase a rifles report, but its a personal issue. Double up on ear pro, move down the line, or leave. Regardless of gear, every range user has the same right to use the facility as the next.

TDC
 
I too, am kind of disgusted when I hear that this or that is "too loud".
It's a range. It's the equivalent of complaining about a kitchen smelling like food.

My kit contains;
Bino's for 25 yards, 9mm holes are tough for me to see, and I prefer to check after each group, vice at target change.
Small trauma kit. Just enough to keep someone going until ems shows.
Eye pro - ####ing duh
Ear pro - see above
Ammo
Mags
Small toolkit
Steel Cleaning rod and lube
Stapler if req
Targets if req
Sham wow. Beware of sham wow imitators.
 
gnmontey said:
Add squib rod (not likely to be needed for 22LR, but then again it could happen), screw driver for sight adjustments, and case, trigger lock keys.

M
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This ^^. Squibs DO happen. A friend noticed it when a factory .22 round (with no powder in the case) sounded wrong and saved my bacon by alerting me before I fired the next shot.
 
When I take any firearms to the range, I always bring

-an ammo case, that holds the ammo and magazines I plan to use

-targets and either tape or pins to put them up (it depends on my mood)

-a small tool kit (it stays in the truck anyway)

-all necessary legal documents

-a small pair of binoculars just for the hell of it

-of course, all my firearms are legally transported. On that note, I always keep a yearly-updated copy of the Firearm Transport and Storage Regulations in the ammo case, just in case I get pulled over by a police officer who isn't up to speed on the latest regulations.
 
Powderfinger61 said:
Take a friend to introduce into the shooting sports and a camera to take his/her photo....
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In the last two years, I have introduced, three of my buddies to upland and big game hunting. Two have bought shotguns and rifles and both shot their first deer last season. The other fellow bought a 10/22 and really enjoys target shooting. He also borrows one of my shotguns and joins us bird hunting.

Once I get familiar with the rules at the club I have joined, I will be inviting them for sure. One of them has already asked to come.

Thanks for all the range gear suggestions!
 
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