Range Trip tips, Range Bag?

[Baerkeeper]

Hello Everyone! I'm new to this sport!

I live in Los Angeles and had some questions about how to best transport all of my equipment without breaking the law to the range.

I understand that the gun must be in a locked case, hard or soft and must be unloaded.


I've seen threads about range bags, but I do not believe they lock them. Just to make sure I was planning to get an ammo case, put my ammo and loaded magazines inside and lock that too.

Can you share how you travel to the range? Is it ok to have a range bag as long as the gun is in a locked case in the range bag? And have the ammo, and loaded magazines inside the unlocked range bag?

[j-shot]

What are you firing? Laws are different for pistols vs rifles.

[TheExiled]

Hello Everyone! I'm new to this sport!

I live in Los Angeles and had some questions about how to best transport all of my equipment without breaking the law to the range.

I understand that the gun must be in a locked case, hard or soft and must be unloaded.


I've seen threads about range bags, but I do not believe they lock them. Just to make sure I was planning to get an ammo case, put my ammo and loaded magazines inside and lock that too.

Can you share how you travel to the range? Is it ok to have a range bag as long as the gun is in a locked case in the range bag? And have the ammo, and loaded magazines inside the unlocked range bag?

Looks like you've got it covered. When in doubt, lock it all (what I tell my new shooter friends that don't want to go into details)

When Im only shooting pistols, I put them in locked cases or a locked pistol bag inside my VooDoo backpack with ammo, targets, cleaning kit etc. Rifle days or when I bring a mix(most days) it same thing with the pistols or I put them into my rifle bag that has spots for handguns and I lock the whole thing because I might go through "school zones" on the way

[Baerkeeper]

Sorry, I only fire pistols...

Looks like you've got it covered. When in doubt, lock it all (what I tell my new shooter friends that don't want to go into details)

When Im only shooting pistols, I put them in locked cases or a locked pistol bag inside my VooDoo backpack with ammo, targets, cleaning kit etc. Rifle days or when I bring a mix(most days) it same thing with the pistols or I put them into my rifle bag that has spots for handguns and I lock the whole thing because I might go through "school zones" on the way

Is your VooDoo backpack locked as well?

As I mentioned I was looking into buying a lockable Ammo case to hold my ammos and loaded magazines.

But if I can just use a range bag to hold my locked gun case, loaded magazines, ammo and my other gear minus the big ammo case. That would be convenient but not sure if it's legal...

[PandaBear]

I use one of those cheap Cabelas bags, put my unloaded handguns in pistol rugs, and lock the zippers together with a TSA approved combination lock.

Edit: I put my loaded mags in the side compartment of the same bag

[mej16489]

Hello Everyone! I'm new to this sport!

I live in Los Angeles and had some questions about how to best transport all of my equipment without breaking the law to the range.

I understand that the gun must be in a locked case, hard or soft and must be unloaded.


I've seen threads about range bags, but I do not believe they lock them. Just to make sure I was planning to get an ammo case, put my ammo and loaded magazines inside and lock that too.

Can you share how you travel to the range? Is it ok to have a range bag as long as the gun is in a locked case in the range bag? And have the ammo, and loaded magazines inside the unlocked range bag?

For Pistols, I use these:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001LZPNWS/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Each side of the bag has lockable zippers and a fleece lined taco-pouch. I usually put an unloaded pistol in one side (locked) Half a dozen or so loaded magazines on the other. Inside the bag there is plenty of room for ear/eye protection, magazine holders, holster, UpLula mag loader. Plus room left over for about 1500rds of ammo.

[NIKSD]

What is legal
-unloaded gun in locket container or bag
-ammo or loaded magazines can be in the same compartment with the unloaded gun. If ammo or loaded magazines are in separate from the gun compartment, the compartment does not need to be locked

What you need
-range bag with several compartments and zippers that can be locked.

My bag has room for 6 handguns fixed with velcro in 3 lockable zipped compartments. Several pockets for magazines /in the same compartment with the handuns/ and several pockets outside for eye and ear protection, cleaning, spare ammo, multitool, speed loader, etc. Buy bag that can acomodate more that one gun. You will know why in several monts...
Good luck!

[Baerkeeper]

Thanks everyone! I think I got it...

When driving to the range I will

1) Put my pistol in my pelican 1200 case, locked.. and put that in the trunk of my sedan or back of my SUV.
2) Put everything else in a range bag, loaded mags, extra ammo, and lock that as well in the main compartment. Then put the range bag in the back seat.

I think I will be good this way! I just need to make sure I buy a range bag that will fit my pelican 1200 case in the main compartment once I get to the range so I can just throw it over my shoulder and be good.

I think this may fit the bill!

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/892447/midwayusa-compact-competition-range-bag-pvc-coated-polyester-black

[Baerkeeper]

For Pistols, I use these:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001LZPNWS/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Each side of the bag has lockable zippers and a fleece lined taco-pouch. I usually put an unloaded pistol in one side (locked) Half a dozen or so loaded magazines on the other. Inside the bag there is plenty of room for ear/eye protection, magazine holders, holster, UpLula mag loader. Plus room left over for about 1500rds of ammo.

Can you lock the main compartment?

[Schuetze]

Easy answer: gun unloaded in the trunk (the trunk itself is considered a locked container), ammo with you in the car. Obviously that's assuming you driving a car with a trunk.

[Baerkeeper]

I have two cars and one is a SUV.. so no trunk...

[Sharp Shooter]

My range bag is similar to the others above. The main compartment is lockable. I put my unloaded pistols in two separate compartments in the main compartment and lock it. I put my ammo and magazines in a side compartment that is not locked.

[Oceanbob]

I always lock up my case. I use a hard case with dual combo locks. Much like a large briefcase. You can carry you handgun(s) and loaded magazines and ammo in the SAME locked case, just make sure the weapons have no ammo loaded into any of the handguns.

Lately with kids away in college Dad here goes shooting with 2 or 3 handguns max. There is plenty of room for ammo and 3 handguns in silicon socks.

One case that looks like a large business briefcase also doesn't attract attention like a GUN case or Range Bag with Glock Decals on it.....I don't want attention or a search.

[mej16489]

Can you lock the main compartment?

No, there isn't any way to lock the main compartment.

[Lead Waster]

Some ideas;

1) Get a locking range bag, or lockable. Soft bags with zippers ... padlock the zippers together. With the Midway range bag (with double parallel zippers), use a cable lock and lock the zippers to the shoulder strap D-ring

2) Lock the gun in the small case that it came in. Put that case in the range bag.

3) Get a lockable storage box and put it in your trunk. Put your whole range bag into it and lock it. When you get to the range, unlock it and take out your range bag (a trunk within a trunk!) Though for the 30 seconds when you are carrying your range bag out of the car into the range .. I dunno, maybe you're a felon for those 30 seconds?


My suggestion is make your range bag lockable. That way when you are at the range, you can lock your wallet and other stuff in it and just have to keep an eye on the bag itself (which can also take a walk if you aren't careful). A locked pistol case can be stolen out of a range bag and opened up later.

I have the Midway competition range bag, but I also have a locking hard range box which, to be honest, is very similar to a tool box... which is yet another option, just get a large toolbox.