Range Bag Recommendations

[InterSpool]

Guys who have compared the small and large Midway bags, what am I missing out on by going to the smaller bag? All I ever plan on taking to the range is 2-3 pistols + ammo and all other regular accessories. If I'm going out to the desert and bringing rifles etc. it's kind of understood you're going to be bringing multiple bags to accommodate.

Can both of these bags be "locked" to be CA legal for toting guns around?

[Merc1138]

Guys who have compared the small and large Midway bags, what am I missing out on by going to the smaller bag? All I ever plan on taking to the range is 2-3 pistols + ammo and all other regular accessories. If I'm going out to the desert and bringing rifles etc. it's kind of understood you're going to be bringing multiple bags to accommodate.

Can both of these bags be "locked" to be CA legal for toting guns around?

They can be locked with some creative thinking. You're missing storage capacity by getting the smaller bag, that's it. If you're only taking 2-3 pistols, I wouldn't take the large bag either.

At the same time, having a bunch of small bags to carry around instead of a large bag or two can also be a pain in the ***. What item is in which bag? How many handles can you grab at once? How much extra bulk is being occupied by just the bags? etc.

[InterSpool]

They can be locked with some creative thinking. You're missing storage capacity by getting the smaller bag, that's it. If you're only taking 2-3 pistols, I wouldn't take the large bag either.

At the same time, having a bunch of small bags to carry around instead of a large bag or two can also be a pain in the ***. What item is in which bag? How many handles can you grab at once? How much extra bulk is being occupied by just the bags? etc.

All things to consider. I was thinking of it more like, even the big Midway bag is not going to be able to accommodate supplies for 2-3 rifles (.223, 308, .22), 3-6 pistols (all supplies). Or maybe it does? If it does, that would be awesome but when you are only toting to the range 90% of the time and the desert the other 10%, you have to buy what's going to be most convenient to you MOST of the time and for me it would realistically be something a little smaller. But I do appreciate the input.

Can you elaborate on "creative thinking" for the locking? I just want it to be CA legal.

[Merc1138]

I meant getting the right locks, looping zipper pulls and locks through d-rings, putting in your own metal grommets, etc. I don't use my range bags to transport guns. As far as 2-3 rifles and 3-6 pistols, no. The large range bag could indeed carry all of your tools, cleaning supplies, magazines, targets, and so on but you're not going to get much in the way of ammo in there on top of everything else.

You could use multiple smaller bags, but carrying multiple smaller bags in one hand can be cumbersome compared to one larger back(they're just never going to sit right if you're trying to hold the handles on both). Sometimes it's just easier to handle 1 larger bag than it is a couple smaller bags.

But that's why I have a large and a small range bag like I mentioned above. As I also said, you don't need a "range bag" either, so much as you just need something that can hold all of your crap and has some options to organize stuff.

edit: It's also going to depend on how much ammo you're taking with you. Obviously a bulk pack of .22lr isn't much to carry. Some people consider 1-2 boxes of pistol ammo to be a range day, others will take 500 rounds of .45 for a session with only one gun and consider that a short trip. Personally I always end up taking way more ammo than I'll need because I'd hate to be stuck paying range prices if I run out.

edit again: For an idea of how big the midway large bag is, here's what I have in mine off the top of my head from last weekend:

1 otis cleaning kit, 1 4oz bottle of oil, 3 half used packs of shoot-n-c's in various sizes, a half empty bulk pack of .22lr, 3(maybe 4?) 10-22 magazines, 3 or 4 10/20 AR magazines, 3 aics mags, roll of tape, pack of extra earplugs, couple extra pairs of eye protection, ~100 rounds of .308, ~150 rounds of 5.56 on stripper clips, screwdriver, box of screwdriver bits, couple knives, earmuffs, a couple 50 round boxes of .22lr, water bottle, pile of .308 brass, and I think the wide side-pocket is mostly empty(the one with the loops for pistol magazines).

[savannah]

I am getting this one on Friday in green or tan. http://paradigmtacticalgear.com/Vood...ag-15-7871.htm

[ar15barrels]

All things to consider. I was thinking of it more like, even the big Midway bag is not going to be able to accommodate supplies for 2-3 rifles (.223, 308, .22), 3-6 pistols (all supplies). Or maybe it does?

even if you put all that stuff in one bag, it's gonna be so heavy you can't move it...
Multiple smaller bags is the way to go.
Really, one smaller range bag and then ammo cans for ammo is the ticket.
Then you just grab the ammo cans for each gun you are taking...

[TKM]

Randall is right.

He's a big guy, but you can easily overload that bag.

It will take it but I can't. Ended up with bruises on top of my shoulder more than once.

[BKinzey]

I bought a Bagmaster.

http://www.bagmaster.com

Probably will be over your $100 limit but they are extremely nice bags, made in the USA, and they have a lifetime guarantee. I bought the Pro-Shooter's Bag, Large.

[BonnieB]

I got a Voodoo Scorpion Range Bag. Seller is not on Amazon, sells on Ebay. Good price, reliable seller. I'm very happy with it. Guys at the range are always drooling over it, and only $ 58 bucks. Great deal for the money.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VOODOO-TACTICAL-SCORPION-RANGE-BAG-OD-OLIVE-DRAB-NWT-/261110485401?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3ccb65d199

[-hanko]

I bought a Bagmaster.

http://www.bagmaster.com

Probably will be over your $100 limit but they are extremely nice bags, made in the USA, and they have a lifetime guarantee. I bought the Pro-Shooter's Bag, Large.

I've had a big Bagmaster bag for the last 15 or so years...it's been overloaded, drug all over, etc. I'd buy another in a minute.

Midway's bags seem to have durability issues, imo.

Spend the money once.

-hanko

[spetsnaz]

midway bag is pretty cool

[Calplinker]

Range bag

I use multiple, inexpensive small bags. One for pistol mags, another larger one for rifle mags, a third that holds up to 6 pistols in cases.

All the range doo-dads live in here. I usually leave it in the truck unless I need something.

For me, this works really well and keeps everything organized and seperated. This is an older pic, so some changes have been made, but you get the idea.

[BajaJames83]

+1 for the midway bag. I can fit more than I need in mine

[phdo]

Get a Voodoo Tactical. They can fit a good amount of stuff, probably more than you can carry. I usually have my shotgun, AR, AK, and AR pistol in mine. I hate lugging around a lot of stuff when I go to the range.

[triggatronic]

Get a Voodoo Tactical. They can fit a good amount of stuff, probably more than you can carry. I usually have my shotgun, AR, AK, and AR pistol in mine. I hate lugging around a lot of stuff when I go to the range.

^I agree. If you're not lugging around shotguns and rifles the previous suggestions should do you well. If you're going to be needing room for a shotgun or rifle you can't go wrong with the Voodoo Tactical. Definitely makes my trips to the range a lot easier. Has enough room for the above mentioned with room to spare for other things like eye and ear pro. Lots of pockets however it doesn't come with a tactical voodoo doll with ninja like piercing pins.