What range bag do you use?

[pointfiveoh]

I'm trying to find a good range bag that will let me be very organized that meets the following criteria.

- Cordura nylon fabric, not cheap polyester
- some type of reinforcement on the outside bottom of the bag, though this is a rare feature
- multiple compartments. You've got to be able to organize the gear or it becomes a huge hassle.
- a zip pocket on the long side with slots for pistol magazines
- the main area's volume should be dividable/adjustable, like with velcro-ed in dividers. There are home-brew solutions to the "black hole" problem too.
- a pocket that you can dedicate to your blowout kit
- the bag should have structure, which is usually achieved with stiff foam padding. A floppy, sagging bag sucks.
- more volume than you may think you need now
- avoid cheap plastic hardware, i.e. D-rings and hook snaps. The best makers actually weld the ends of their D-rings together.
- the main area should be accessible by a large top flap with double zippers, so that you have full access; not just a single zipper down the middle.
- zippers should be the big, fat #10 YKK coil type
- the webbing handles should go completely around the body of the bag

Anyone know of anything like it? What bags can you recommend based on your personal experience?

These are the things I'll be carrying in it:

Water bottles
Spare gun(s)
blue gun
extra holster
Magazines
Ammo
Eye pro w/ spare
Ear Pro w/ spare
Staple gun/staples
masking tape
heavy folder full of target print outs
shot timer
blow out kit
sunscreen/chapstick
gloves
hat
cleaning kit/lube
tool kit
And any other miscellaneous gear that somehow finds its way into gun bags.

[JV_]

I use the large Midway USA bag. It's a lot of value for $40 (on sale).
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=939259680

[VolGrad]

I use a Maxpedition Multi Purpose Bag (MPB) in orange ..... just like Todd. What can I say? I'm a fanboy. :p

I need to take some pics at some point, including the inside & what all I normally carry inside. I have used other bags in the past, ranging from small freebies from LAPG to large Midway USA Competition bags. I found them all to be either too heavy when loaded up, too small, or too unorganized. The MPB solves all those issues.

http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/MPB-Multi-Purpose-Bag-13p62.htm

EDIT: pics ... I'd love to list what all I have inside but you can see a good bit in the pics. I'm sure there isn't anything others don't already know about anyway.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/guns%20and%20gear/ed618cdc.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/guns%20and%20gear/f4e01488.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/guns%20and%20gear/c47f13db.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/guns%20and%20gear/d38d7493.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/guns%20and%20gear/e60b02f6.jpg

[Kyle Reese]

I use the large Midway USA bag. It's a lot of value for $40 (on sale).
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=939259680

Same here. It's simply the value for the money, IMHO.

[Ray Keith]

I use the large Midway USA bag. It's a lot of value for $40 (on sale).
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=939259680

+1, I have 1 Maxpedition bag for another purpose, it is nice and better built, but I guess I'm too cheap to spend that for a range bag.

I have a smaller one too, sometimes the Midway is just too big.

[pointfiveoh]

I use the large Midway USA bag. It's a lot of value for $40 (on sale).
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=939259680

Could you shoot some pictures of how it's set up?

[VolGrad]

Could you shoot some pictures of how it's set up?
You didn't ask me ... and I no longer own this bag but that never stopped me from commenting in the past. :p

These bags are really well made and a tremendous value. They have tons of pockets and are pretty easy to organize. The issue I had is the size. It was large enough I felt I had to carry everything in it, including the kitchen sink. It was too heavy to lug around once loaded out. Even then I still had to carry lots of other random things when I went to the range. I also found there were perhaps too many pockets on the Midway bag. That might sound odd but I could never remember where I put things so I had to search for half hour to find some of the smaller items.

I found I did better with a smaller bag or even two smaller bags, if necessary. I set up the Max MPB to carry pretty much anything I need at a normal match or in a class. I could carry just this bag and be good-to-go. On a normal range day, however, I find I carry a lot more "stuff" and that's when a second (smaller) bag or even a milk crate loaded with loss odds-n-ends comes in handy.

[orionz06]

County-Comm/Maratac

[Rverdi]

Waller Original Range Bag. I've been thru a bunch and went back to my Waller again.
Review, mines blue, a buddy of mine has forest green, both are nice.

http://www.m1911.org/prodte37.htm

[Kyle Reese]

Waller Original Range Bag. I've been thru a bunch and went back to my Waller again.
Mods, ok to post a link to a review on another forum?

Sure thing!:cool:

[JHC]

I use an earlier version of this pack. I really try to keep it up on my shoulders and back cause it's ammo, guns, mags, timer, ear muffs, misc gear and it weighs a lot. I don't dig that much weight hanging from my barking elbows no mo'.

http://www.camelbak.com/Military-Tactical/Packs/Talon.aspx

[rudy99]

I have the LA Police Gear Bail Out Tactical Gear Bag (http://www.lapolicegear.com/baouttabag.html). While it is the best range bag I own (compared to a cheap Cabelas bag and a soft-side tackle box), it is far from perfect. I just can't seem to find a proper home for some of my gear in this bag's pockets. Probably just need to fiddle with it a bit more though. At $20, I certainly can't complain.

I'm really liking those pictures of the Maxpedition option.

[John Ralston]

Eagle Patrol Bag

http://images1.opticsplanet.com/750-500-ffffff/opplanet-eagle-carrying-bags-poeb-le-0.jpg

[SmokeJumper]

VolGrad- Nice orange bag, I like it!
I'm using an Eagle Industries Deluxe Pro shooters/range bag. It has the removable insert that can be pulled out and used as a quick/minimal bag or it can be used for handgun/pistol items and you can load main bag chalk full of Pmags for a carbine course.

[VolGrad]

VolGrad- Nice orange bag, I like it!
The orange is a discontinued color. I didn't know it existed until I took the AFHF class with Todd. After seeing it I had to find one online from old stock.

[Wheeler]

I've been using a CWC tool bag I picked up at Home Depot about 12 years ago. It has two large internal compartments and eight external pockets. Out the door price was around $10.

[Ga Shooter]

I use the large Midway USA bag. It's a lot of value for $40 (on sale).
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=939259680

Add me to the list of cheap but happy customers with this bag I think it is great and as said can't beat the price.

[turbolag23]

I use the large Midway USA bag. It's a lot of value for $40 (on sale).
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=939259680

same here, couldnt pass it up. if im just shooting what im carrying i may take the glock bag but its cheaply made.

[MDS]

I'm trying to find a good range bag that will let me be very organized that meets the following criteria.

Reading your criteria, it sounded so much like my MidwayUSA bag that I thought you might be astroturfing. ;) From their site:

Technical Information: MidwayUSA Competition Range Bag


Overall Dimensions: 22"L x 15"W x 10"H
9 Total pockets: 7 on main bag - 2 on removable stage bag/ammunition carrier
14 Total magazine pouches 1-1/2"L x 4-1/2"H 8 in rear compartment - 6 in stage bag/ammunition carrier I have 15 Glock mags and one 30-rd fun-stick, so I use all of these...
Fired brass carrying bag 5" Diameter 6"H with cinch top, reinforced mesh bottom and chrome plated steel clasps
Heavy duty 2"W x 52"L removable carrying strap with shoulder pad and chrome plated steel clasps
Full wrap around carrying straps with 5" strap connector/handle with hook and loop closure
External ID pocket
2 Non-slip stabilizing pads 2" x 5" on bottom of bag
Main compartment 17"L x 10"W x 10"H This compartment is dividable into three areas using the provided velcro-attached dividers - I put holsters and ammo in here, as well as an extra pistol in a rug if I'm bringing along, e.g., my Buckmark 22lr Includes:

2 removable padded pistol rugs with zippers 8-1/2"H x 12"W fit most large frame semi-auto pistols and revolvers with barrels up to 6" I put a 6" S&W 617 revolver in one of these, and my SIRT in the other
Removable stage bag/ammunition carrier with carrying handles for portability 15"L x 5"W x7-1/2"H
Removable stage bag/ammunition carrier features:
2 Padded zippered pockets 7-1/2"H x 15"L I put one G19 in each of these
2 Padded moveable hook and loop equiped compartment walls
2 Chrome plated steel D-rings for quick attachment of the carry strap
Full wrap-around nylon handles

Front compartments - 2 Padded zippered pockets 8"L x 2"W x 8"H - Right side pocket features embroidered MidwayUSA Logo I put eyes/ears in one of these, and staples/pasters/timer/etc in the other
Right side compartment - 1 Padded zippered pocket 8"L x 2"W x 8"H with 5 internal elastic accessory holders 1-1/4"W x 2-1/2"H I put lube/tools/spare parts in this one
Left side compartments - 1 Padded zippered pocket 4"L x 2"W x 8"H and 1 padded beverage holder with drain hole I put my IFAK in this pocket
Rear compartment - 1 Padded zippered pocket 8"L x 2"W x 16"W which features: I fit 8 normal mags, the 30-rd fun stick, a lula loader, and a couple of leather mag holsters in this pocket. I also fit my 22lr speedloader in here when I bring my Buckmark along


8 magazine pouches
Internal padded pocket 8"L by 15-1/2"W

12 various sized internal elastic accessory holders designed to hold brushes, jags etc for calibers from 50 down to 17 I slip pens, a folding knife, and various miscellany into these


Like so many others, it's what I use. It is sometimes overkill, for sure. I guess I just don't mind that. I end up carrying an ammo can as well, usually - it really does get ridiculously heavy if I add a few hundred rounds on top of all the stuff that's in it.

After a few months of medium use (I go to the range once a week,) I do see a few weak spots, though. The stitching that holds the velcro closures on the main handles is a little weak and is starting to come loose. I suspect that velcro will come off in a few more months. Also, the zippers are not ykk, so I don't expect them to last 10 years, either. But so far, the bag has taken a beating or two, and for $40 I feel like it was a great deal.

[JM Campbell]

same here, couldnt pass it up. if im just shooting what im carrying i may take the glock bag but its cheaply made.

I have the same Midway bag rebadged with my local sports stores name. I've been very happy with it but find myself packing it with more then I need to...just because I can.

[ToddG]

The orange is a discontinued color.

It's still up on their website, just listed as out of stock. Where did you hear it's been discontinued? That's a bummer.

[VolGrad]

It's still up on their website, just listed as out of stock. Where did you hear it's been discontinued? That's a bummer.

Honestly .... I thought you told me that at the AFHF class here in ATL back in March. I thought you said something about not being able to get more as it was discontinued. I thought Dustin of EM Gear confirmed that. He was in the same class and was using a MPB in another color.He's a MAX dealer and I am almost certain he said he couldn't get it. I could have misunderstood. I saw both of you had them, liked them, then went home and searched online for it.

[ToddG]

I was trying to get the larger MPB (see here (http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/MPB-XXL-13p1389.htm)) and that isn't available in orange. That's the one they said I could get as soon as I placed an order for something like 300 of them.

edited to add: And regarding Waller, I believe they're out of business. I kick myself for not buying one when I had the chance.

[VolGrad]

I was trying to get the larger MPB (see here (http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/MPB-XXL-13p1389.htm)) and that isn't available in orange. That's the one they said I could get as soon as I placed an order for something like 300 of them.
I guess I should have paid more attention in class huh? :cool:

[Simms65]

I use a Sig Sauer large competition range bag. It has a removable center portion that holds four pistols, holds for more pistols in the main bag body, holds way too much ammo in the center, has a front pocket which will hold 8 pistol mags plus a lot more crap, has a water bottle holder, and two more side pockets.

I get the black hole thing going on with it, but I really like it and thankfully I usually don't need to carry it far.

[ranburr]

I-Shot Evolution.