Camera bag as a range bag?

[blockfort]

Anyone have good experience or recommendations on camera bags that make great range bags? (I'll have 2 pistols, ammo, parts, muffs, etc).

I'm looking at a camera bag because I am a professional photographer and would like to have a bag that works well for both applications. I don't know if a dedicated range bag would work well for photography because of the need for padded lens compartments, etc.

[JeremyS]

I'd think it would be too much of a pain in the butt to have a single bag for both purposes. Dumping everything out of it each time you want to switch uses would probably get old real quick.


Simple and cheap range bag (but much higher quality than you'd expect!!!): http://www.bigsupplyshop.com/NCStar-..._p_15915.html#

^^^ wouldn't use that for a camera bag since it doesn't have divided, padded places for lenses and bodies and all that stuff. It's great for a range bag though. Just keep the pistols in zip-up pistol rugs or in the little hard cases they come in from the manufacturer and toss it all in there. That bag has a metal frame that keeps it stiff, it opens up to the full width because of the zipper design, the handles are thick and padded internally, it has a hard bottom, and it's really heavy duty. I got one when it was on sale for like $6.50 and it's easily worth $25++. I was very surprised at the quality.

[tileguy]

any type of bag would work. a nice tackle logic fishing tackle bag works great anything you can find that is on sale or clearanced. camera bag, fishing bag, motocross bag, it all works as long as its strong and wont rip out.

[Shooting_Laser]

I use a stanley fatmax tool bag. I can fit 3 guns in pouches, plenty ammo, over ten mags, speed loader, eyes & ears, targets, cleaning supplies, & still have room for more. They stock them at walmart & are on par with the more expensive craftsman professional series. Home Depot also carries a nice variety of there Husky brand.

[motorwerks]

yeah I would never put my camera in the same bag my guns were just in. Guns are just dirty by nature(lubes, dirt, carbon, funk) and cameras (as you know) are not. I use 2 cheap tool bags I got from Lowes, or Home depot for like $20.00 each. They have pockets all around the inside and outside that I can put Magazines or tools in if I want to and they are plenty big and sturdy.

EDIT: they look like an older version of the one Shooting_Laser posted.

[z28ken]

I'm a photographer as well and have often thought that my Think Tank bags would be great range bags. I've even done it once. BUT, camera bags carry a serious price premium...I'd use it in a pinch, but a great range bag is still 50% cheaper than a good camera bag....IMHO...

[Whatisthis?]

Don't use the same bag for both. Just pick up pretty much ANY bag and turn that into a range bag. I use an old two bowling ball shoulder sling bag. Works great.

[Javi]

I'm a photographer as well and have often thought that my Think Tank bags would be great range bags. I've even done it once. BUT, camera bags carry a serious price premium...I'd use it in a pinch, but a great range bag is still 50% cheaper than a good camera bag....IMHO...

Those are nice bags! I might pick one up for my Nikon. I'd be worried about whatever strap I'd be holding on the bag. A dslr and a few lenses don't weigh as much as a handgun and boxes of ammo+ cleaning kits, etc. Might wear it out to quickly. I wouldn't want to risk my camera equipment falling off my shoulder

[Mickey D]

I wouldn't.

[Heiko]

I agree with all who recommend two bags. Camera bags are way more expensive. I use a large range bag from Midway USA that almost always has it in sale. It's an awesome bag.

Another reason I wouldn't mix them up, and always try to keep my gun stuff away from anything I travel with is, TSA and the swabs they sometimes use. At minimum, if they pick up traces of powder you'll get delayed and have your bags emptied out.

[Javi]

I agree with all who recommend two bags. Camera bags are way more expensive. I use a large range bag from Midway USA that almost always has it in sale. It's an awesome bag.

Very nice bag for the sale price. I actually didn't want one this big but what the hay

[JTROKS]

I had a camera bag for range bag use for years and it worked for me. I ended up picking up a range bag at a match because I like the way it had magazine loops for my match gun and all the other compartments made it easy to store more stuff that makes a range bag heavier. I still have both and I use the camera bag when I bring out my rifles.

[JaMail]

husky toolbags from home depot.. thicker material, and the wide mouth two section bag is great, it has all the loops inside that i use to hold mag's...

[Hachi6]

I use a sturdy luggage carry on bag from Ross. Big enough to hold everything I need and boxes and boxes of ammo.

[SDM44]

camera bags carry a serious price premium...I'd use it in a pinch, but a great range bag is still 50% cheaper than a good camera bag....IMHO...

This is completely true. If you find a good camera bag, especially one that's built well to hold the weight of your firearms, ammo, and other range equipment, then that camera bag is going to cost a lot more than a bag that was designed & made for the range.

You're best off getting range bag that is a good size and has lots of compartments & dividers, much like the Midway range bag.