Whether it’s your first time heading to the range or you’ve got some experience under your belt, you must prepare in advance so you can make the most of your time there. You’ll also want to take the necessary precautions to keep yourself and others around you safe.

Whether you’re in the military, a tactical professional, or a hobbyist, it’s important to take the right steps to prepare for the range. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps of preparing for the gun range, which includes finding the right range bag, packing the right gear, and preparing your gear before you go.

Finding a High-Quality Range Bag and Gun Case

The first thing you’ll need when you start planning your trip to the gun range is a high-quality range bag to carry all your gear and supplies. You can find a wide range of range bags based on your needs, including compact bags with just enough space for your firearm and ammunition and larger bags that can double as an EDC.

When you start looking at range bags, consider how much space you need and how much protection you need. If you’re carrying your firearms inside of your range bag, you should look for a bag with enough padding to protect your weapons as you head to the range. Other features you might look for include extra storage space, simple handling features, or MOLLE webbing.

If you choose a range bag without space or protection for your firearms, you can always use dedicated weapons storage. These bags are designed specifically to carry your firearms, whether you’re headed to the range or traveling. You can find weapons storage for a wide range of firearms, including rifles, shotguns, and pistols.

Gun Range Packing Checklist

As you’re packing your range bag and weapons storage, it’s important to know what to pack so you aren’t left wanting once you reach the gun range. We’ve curated a packing checklist to help you figure out what you should be bringing with you next time you hit the range.

1. Firearms and Ammunition

It goes without saying that you need your weapons and ammunition when you’re at the range. Otherwise, what’s the point of being there? While it’s unlikely you’ll forget them, your firearms and ammunition should be at the very top of your checklist, just in case. Remember to bring the right ammunition and as much as you need to have a successful day at the range.

2. Ear and Eye Protection

It’s important to be safe at the range, so you’ll want to make eye and ear protection one of the must-haves on your packing list. You can choose from a few different options for your ear protection, including earmuffs, standard foam plugs, plastic plugs, and more.

Consider whether you want the standard earmuffs or noise-canceling headsets with a microphone, which allows for communication between your team while offering quality ear protection. For example, you can find Peltor headsets that offer reliable communication while protecting your ears from loud gunfire. If you have a group you need to communicate with, these types of headsets may be the best choice, while standard earmuffs are a good choice if you’re going to the range solo.

As far as eye protection, you can stick with something like safety glasses or goggles if you’re planning on firing down range.

3. First-Aid Kits

Just because you’re wearing ear and eye protection doesn’t mean accidents can’t happen. You should be prepared by keeping a fully stocked first-aid kit inside your range bag. You’ll have what you need to address injuries or accidents as they occur, and you can help others at the range in case something happens.

4. Multitool and Flashlight

Even if you’re not heading to the range, a multitool is an excellent item to have, but it can come in handy at the gun range. You can use a multitool to make quick repairs and adjustments or for field stripping when you’re away from home. Multitools are an excellent addition to your range bag because of how compact and versatile they are, meaning they’ll take up minimal space while providing a lot of functionality.

You should also consider adding a flashlight to your range bag since they can be useful in emergencies. You can also use a flashlight when you need more light to make repairs or when you’re trying to clean your chambers and magazines.

5. Cleaning Kit and Maintenance Tools

Your firearms will need to be cleaned and maintained, so you should consider bringing these supplies with you to the range. You can find basic cleaning kits that have the essentials so you can remove residue or buildup that impacts your firearm’s overall performance. If you are looking for a kit or want to make one of your own, make sure it has a cleaning solvent, cleaning rods, a bore brush, and some cotton swabs.

While you can use a multitool for quick maintenance, you may need other tools to help you with other problems you may encounter at the range. For example, a wrench set can help you secure firearm attachments while a screwdriver set can help you fix optics, accessories, and mounts. Consider what type of maintenance you may need to do when you’re at the gun range and plan accordingly when packing your range bag.

6. Accessories and Extra Magazines

Your firearm may require or have different accessories that you want to bring to the gun range. For example, you can attach a rifle sling to your rifle to make it easier and more comfortable to carry. Other accessories you might bring include a shooting mat, bipods, shooting rests, and more.

Consider what accessories would benefit you the most the next time you plan on heading to the gun range, and bring them with you in your range bag so they’re readily available.

You’ll also want to consider bringing spare magazines since you don’t want to waste valuable time at the range reloading your magazines. You can usually find range bags that come with space for your extra magazines so they’re easier to carry and access while you’re at the range.

Tips for Preparing for the Gun Range in Advance

Just because you’ve packed your range bag or you’ve created a personal checklist doesn’t mean you’re done preparing. There are other things you can and should do to effectively prepare for a successful day at the gun range.

First, you should make a plan for your time at the range. You want to get the most out of your time there, whether you’re practicing, preparing for a competition, or teaching yourself something new. Decide what it is you want to do, create a goal, and stick to it once you get to the range so you’re as productive as possible with your time there.

Now that you have a goal in mind, you’ll want to prepare your gun or guns before you take off for the range. Your gun should be ready to shoot the moment you get to your stall at the firing range rather than jamming or experiencing erratic cycling. You can prepare your firearm beforehand by cleaning and lubricating before you leave, ideally with high-quality lubricants and gun oil.

Finally, you should familiarize yourself with gun safety rules if you haven’t already. Gun safety is crucial for protecting yourself and others at the range, so it should be something you do before you ever fire a weapon. Some gun ranges will also have their own rules, so read up on these before you go as there may be some variations in one range’s rules from another.

Some of the basic rules you should always follow include treating a gun like it’s always loaded, keeping your finger off the trigger unless you’re ready to fire, and never pointing your gun at something you wouldn’t shoot.

Choose From MLC’s Range Bag Selection for Your Next Trip to the Range

If you’re looking for a range bag or gun case to take with you to the gun range, Military Luggage Company has what you need. We offer an impressive selection of range bags and gun cases for firearms of varying sizes. You can use one of our dedicated cases for your weapons, or you can choose from our larger range bags to accommodate your weapons and the other supplies you’ll need at the range.

We also offer gear for a wide range of other applications, with some products featuring storage for a CCW. You can find bags, packs, and cases for military and law enforcement operations, tactical applications, and personal adventuring. Check out our comprehensive selection today to get started, or get in touch with us to ask any questions!