Tweet
The point of this post is to recommend some basic range gear for new shooters. Hopefully this will help newer shooters. It'll be a basic gear review in a way.
Range bags:
I use a Jansport backpack that I've had for 20 years. You can always get a dedicated range bag from places like Cabelas or MidwayUSA, but even a simple backpack works. In it, I carry a Glock case for my G17 and a Winchester pistol case that I bought from Walmart for $10 for my Ruger MKIII standard. Buckmark fit in there also (not at the same time of course).
$10 Winchester pistol bag http://www.walmart.com/ip/19212195?w...tRedirect=true
For my rifle, I use a 42" single rifle case that I bought from MidwayUSA for $20.
Ammo storage box
I bought this ammo storage box for $10 at a gun show. $7 at Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Plano-Ammo-Can...words=ammo+box
Magazine loader:
In my opinion, the UpLula 9mm-45acp loader and the Baby UpLula (for 22LR - 380ACP) are the only essential ones. Without them, the last cartridge is painful to load. I keep them in my range bag at all times. The bag has the other essentials such as eyes and ear protection and targets so when it's range time, I just pack my guns and ammo and I'm good to go.
I also have a Lula AR-15 loader, Butlercreek Ruger 10/22 loader, McFadden Ultimate Clip Loader for Ruger MKIII/Buckmark 22LR, and Spee-D tube magazine loaders for .22 rifles. They're great and will help maximize your shooting time rather than expending time loading. However, I'm going to classify these as nonessentials. Remember, I'm trying to lighten your load to just the essentials.
BabyUpLUL - .22LR to .380ACP
A must-have for 22LR magazines. Absolutely saves the thumbs.
Eye protection
These clear Winchester glasses from Walmart work fine. Paid ~$7 I believe.
These yellow Winchester glasses didn't fit me well. It's about same price as the clear glasses above.
Ear protection
I wear earmuffs over the foam plugs for added protection. With just the foam plugs, my ears hurt a little if a dude fires off 45 acp next to me. But with the 3M Peltor earmuffs, the sound is muffled. And it blocks out people talking. It's only $21 and it works great.
The ear plug bands suck. I saw Hickok45 using them so I bought them, but they're junk. Perhaps they work ok outdoors, but they do nothing indoors.
These Howard Leight electronic earmuffs suck too. They're probably useful for hunting, but for indoor use, they're weak. I returned them and bought the 3M Peltor.
Targets:
My shooting pleasure has gone up exponentially after using the splattering targets. It provides instant feedback at short and long range. I can't go back to shooting regular paper anymore. On a regular paper, it's hard to see where my shots went even at a short distance.
I started with the Dirty Bird human figure and progressed to the 4 bulls eye target. Not to brag, but the human figure target was becoming wasteful, because the rest of paper is wasted after I tear up the bulls eye.
The 75 pack targets are stickers. I don't recommend it. The idea is to make your primary target last longer by putting this sticker over the primary after you've made holes in it. But the sticker doesn't splatter that well.
Currently, I use the 5 bulls eyes yellow targets. More bang the buck since there are more bulls eyes on each target.
That's pretty much it for the basic things you'll need at the range. You may also need a lock under certain circumstances. Check out the specific thread about that. Some people would suggest taking some cleaning supplies or tools, which is a good idea. But I think the above items are basic essentials.
Range bags:
I use a Jansport backpack that I've had for 20 years. You can always get a dedicated range bag from places like Cabelas or MidwayUSA, but even a simple backpack works. In it, I carry a Glock case for my G17 and a Winchester pistol case that I bought from Walmart for $10 for my Ruger MKIII standard. Buckmark fit in there also (not at the same time of course).
$10 Winchester pistol bag http://www.walmart.com/ip/19212195?w...tRedirect=true
For my rifle, I use a 42" single rifle case that I bought from MidwayUSA for $20.
Ammo storage box
I bought this ammo storage box for $10 at a gun show. $7 at Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Plano-Ammo-Can...words=ammo+box
Magazine loader:
In my opinion, the UpLula 9mm-45acp loader and the Baby UpLula (for 22LR - 380ACP) are the only essential ones. Without them, the last cartridge is painful to load. I keep them in my range bag at all times. The bag has the other essentials such as eyes and ear protection and targets so when it's range time, I just pack my guns and ammo and I'm good to go.
I also have a Lula AR-15 loader, Butlercreek Ruger 10/22 loader, McFadden Ultimate Clip Loader for Ruger MKIII/Buckmark 22LR, and Spee-D tube magazine loaders for .22 rifles. They're great and will help maximize your shooting time rather than expending time loading. However, I'm going to classify these as nonessentials. Remember, I'm trying to lighten your load to just the essentials.
BabyUpLUL - .22LR to .380ACP
A must-have for 22LR magazines. Absolutely saves the thumbs.
Eye protection
These clear Winchester glasses from Walmart work fine. Paid ~$7 I believe.
These yellow Winchester glasses didn't fit me well. It's about same price as the clear glasses above.
Ear protection
I wear earmuffs over the foam plugs for added protection. With just the foam plugs, my ears hurt a little if a dude fires off 45 acp next to me. But with the 3M Peltor earmuffs, the sound is muffled. And it blocks out people talking. It's only $21 and it works great.
The ear plug bands suck. I saw Hickok45 using them so I bought them, but they're junk. Perhaps they work ok outdoors, but they do nothing indoors.
These Howard Leight electronic earmuffs suck too. They're probably useful for hunting, but for indoor use, they're weak. I returned them and bought the 3M Peltor.
Targets:
My shooting pleasure has gone up exponentially after using the splattering targets. It provides instant feedback at short and long range. I can't go back to shooting regular paper anymore. On a regular paper, it's hard to see where my shots went even at a short distance.
I started with the Dirty Bird human figure and progressed to the 4 bulls eye target. Not to brag, but the human figure target was becoming wasteful, because the rest of paper is wasted after I tear up the bulls eye.
The 75 pack targets are stickers. I don't recommend it. The idea is to make your primary target last longer by putting this sticker over the primary after you've made holes in it. But the sticker doesn't splatter that well.
Currently, I use the 5 bulls eyes yellow targets. More bang the buck since there are more bulls eyes on each target.
That's pretty much it for the basic things you'll need at the range. You may also need a lock under certain circumstances. Check out the specific thread about that. Some people would suggest taking some cleaning supplies or tools, which is a good idea. But I think the above items are basic essentials.
really. *****
Comment