What should you have in your range bag

First, let me say that this list is what works for me, but everyone has different needs so I may carry stuff you see no need for and I may leave out stuff you wouldn't dream of heading to the range without. This list isn't meant to be complete because it is always evolving. I've intentionally left out a few obvious things... guns, ammo and mags. The reason for that is that I don't store these in my range bag. I add them on my way out the door depending on what type of shooting I'm about to do. What I keep in the bag are things I would use for most types of shooting.

1. Food & Water. If you only shoot for an hour at a time at indoor ranges, this might not be needed, but when I go to IDPA matches, I am there 4 - 5 hours, outside in the heat or the cold. If I go to an outdoor range with friends, we usually make a day of it. My particular range bag doesn't have a pocket for a water bottle so I just bought a 32 oz. Nalgene bottle and a D-ring and clipped it to the bag. I keep a couple of Slim Jims in the bag and I'll add a bag of trail mix or granola bars or beef jerky when I'm packing up the bag for the range trip.

2. First Aid Kit. Accidents happen, and even a minor cut or scratch can get badly infected if not cleaned quickly. Let's face it, gun ranges aren't anything close to sterile. In fact, just today I got a bad gash on my left ankle when a pepper popper I was resetting fell back down and gouged my leg. That was rusty steel that was stored outside. That could have become bad if I hadn't had a way to quickly clean it properly. My first aid kit is pretty basic... 10 Advil, 10 Tylenol, a roll of sterile tape, a bottle of Bactine, some alcohol wipes, an assortment of band-aids from small to pretty large and even a few 4x4 sterile pads.

3. Sunscreen and Bug Spray. You are going to be outside all day. This one seems obvious, but can easily be overlooked.

4. Some basic tools. I don't feel the need to have everything I need to completely rebuild my gun, but it would be nice to be able to handle minor issues without losing your day at the range. I keep a small screwdriver with multiple bits, a Gerber Multi-tool and a folding knife.

5. A basic cleaning kit. You never know when your gun could just need some quick lube to make it keep running and not end your day at the range early. I keep it simple, but I have one of those free brushes that get included with a new Glock, a small pack of patches, a small amount of pipe cleaners, a couple of shop towels and a small bottle of RemOil.

6. Eye and ear protection. I keep a pair of electronic ear muffs for the winter (or IDPA matches even in the summer since it is easier to hear the S.O. commands) and a pair of custom ear plugs for summer shooting. I also keep a few disposable sets of ear plugs just in case someone forgot theirs. I wear glasses, but I keep one set of eye protection just in case a friend forgot theirs.

7. Stuff to attach targets. Depending on the range you go to and the type of target holders they have, you will need different things to attach your targets. I keep a bag of laundry line clips, paper clips, masking tape and a staple gun. The laundry clips do take up a lot of space so if I'm going somewhere I know I won't need them, I will pull them out and leave them at home.

8. Targets. Seems obvious, but unless you are going to a match where the targets are provided, you will need something to shoot at. I print out my own targets because I'm cheap.

9. A bag for your brass. It's a good idea to pick up your brass even if you don't reload since odds are you have a friend that does. I just use an old Crown Royal bag. It works fine.

10. A hat. It's good for keeping the sun off your head and out of your eyes as well as deflecting brass heading for your face. I got a free one from Ruger due to the LCP recall so I keep that one in my bag.

11. Misc. stuff. I also keep spare batteries for my electronic muffs (learned that lesson the hard way), extra staples for the staple gun, target spots, target pasters, a pen, membership cards for any ranges or organizations such as IDPA, lens wipes, IDPA Rulebook, Work gloves, a notebook, Purell Hand Sanitizer and a small towel.

I'd like to add a shot timer, but that will have to wait a while.

There are also things I'll add for specific trips, but don't keep in the bag because I don't always need them and they take up a lot of room. For example, if I'm going to an IDPA match, I'll add a cover garment, a holster and a double magazine carrier for the gun I'm taking. If I'm going to shoot rifles at a distance, I'll pack my bench rest. If I'm taking a lot of guns and might be there all day, I may carry my entire cleaning kit.

Just think it through when you are packing your bag and think about where you are going, how long you will be there and what you might need while you are there. The worst thing is to make a long drive to the range and have your day cut short because of something you should have had with you but forgot.

Stay safe out there and watch your six.