Range bag for an old man

T

TailGator

New member
I am considering buying a Shooter's Ridge Compact Field and Range Bag:

http://www.shootersridge.com/products/gearbags/compactfield-rangebag.aspx

for my elderly father for Christmas or his December 26 birthday, and I wonder if anyone has one and can comment on it. I have a larger SR bag that I like and consider a good value, but I am looking for something fairly small for my dad. My dad is 85 and has in the last few months started going to the local indoor range with me again. He keeps them on the paper (when I buy him very large targets), and he enjoys it. He only owns one handgun now, a .38 revolver, but he also sometimes brings an old .22 bolt rifle of his and he very cheerfully mooches my Beretta Neos, and occasionally puts a couple of magazines through my 9 mm Glock. He has used plastic and canvas grocery bags to bring his ear protection and ammo with him, so I thought a small range bag with a few boxes of ammo might be a welcome gift to a nice old guy who otherwise has everything he wants.
 
I would suggest you take a look at Bagmaster here. All USA made and lifetime guaranteed. All of my range guns are fitted up with their high quality products and I like the fact that they are American made. The Chinese have more than enough business and we need it more than they do.
 
Sounds like a great idea and that bag should work fine and let him feel like he's contributing while you do the heavy lifting. Take him as often as you can as long as he enjoys it. He might enjoy shooting some light wadcutters in his .38, and there's no reason he can't improve at 85 if he wants to and practices the fundamentals.

My stepfather is in his 80s (former Army MP) and is still a pretty good shot. He had forgotten how to disassemble his 100 year-old Colt Hammerless .380 for cleaning so he was tickled when we did it together. Sometimes it's the little things that mean a lot.
 
+1 on thump's post,i also have the large midway bag and love it, but they also have smaller ones that should work very well.
 
I bought a Winchester range bad from WallyWorld a month or so ago. Looks to be the same size as what you are looking at. It included 2 removable zippered pistol case/rugs. It was right at $20, so a little cheaper than what you are looking at.
I also have a tool bag from one of the large home improvement stoors. It has wheels, and a retractable handle like luggage. Several outside, and inside pockets for ear muffs, glasses, tools, cleaning supplies and all sorts of stuff plus enough room for several of my handguns and ammo. Just a thought.
 
the bags already mentioned look fine. have you checked out the selections at your local sporting goods or gun shops. that way you can see what the items are like before you buy.

if your dad saves his .38 brass, get a bag large enough to accommodate a container to store the spent cartridges.
 
gear bags for the range

I just researched this very issue back in April . . .

Competitive Edge Dynamics Professional Range Bag
http://www.cedhk.com/shop/categories/Shooting-Bags/CED-Professional-Range-Bag/

Competitive Edge Dynamics Deluxe Professional Range Bag
http://www.cedhk.com/shop/categories/Shooting-Bags/CED-Deluxe-Professional-Range-Bag/

Dillon Precision Modular Range Bag
http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/25346/catid/26/Dillon_Modular_Range_Bag

Tactical Tailor Multi-Purpose Bag
http://www.tacticaltailor.com/bagsandcases.aspx

LaRue Tactical Shooter's Bag
http://stores.homestead.com/Laruetactical/Detail.bok?no=420

Elite Survival Systems (formerly Assault Systems)
http://www.shootingsystems.com/cgi-...mv+Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=SS&Category_Code=30

NRA Range Bag
http://www.nrastore.com/nra/Product.aspx?productid=SS 21583-4

WRB Range Bags
www.wrbss.com/rangebags

Boyt Tactical Shooting Bag (from MPC sports)
http://mpcsports.com/tac-700tacticalshootersbag.aspx

Bagmaster Shooting Bags
http://www.gunaccessories.com/Bagmaster/ShooterBags.asp

Midway USA Competition Range Bag
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=939259680

Midway USA Compact Competition Range Bag
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=939167522

Shooter's Ridge Range Bag from Midway USA
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=624464

5.11 Range Bag from Midway USA
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=186816

Bulldog Delux Range Bag from Midway USA
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=936890

Shooter's Connection Range Bag from Dawson Precision
http://www.dawsonprecision.com/CategoryProductList.jsp?cat=ACCESSORIES:Range+Bags
 
Thanks for the suggestions, fellas. Ya'll found a few that my google-fo missed. The selection at local stores is pretty poor, but the range/gun shop that I frequent will order stuff for me.

One thing I have noticed is that a lot of range bags these days are heavy on magazine pouches, which kind of get in the way when you are packing revolvers up for the range.
 
some range bags are too fancy . . .

I absolutely agree with your observation about the built-in mag holder loops in lots of range bags.

I shoot both auto pistols and revolvers. The magazines I keep in the external pockets of the gun case.

I prefer to buy range bags that DO NOT have built-in gun cases or magazine loops. I just want a real sturdy bag with a big center compartment and some side pockets of useful size. A couple of my favorites were made by Boyt Harness Company. I bought them about 10 years ago, and would maybe buy another if I could find one the same design.

IMHO manufacturers often "over think" their products in an attempt to make them distinctive for the marketplace
 
I think it's great that you and your dad still get to the range-hope my dad and I are still doing it at that point!

Frankly, though, I'd look at one of those rolling technician's tool bags for him; much easier than lugging the stuff around.

Something like this:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BP2CBY/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000KKQVAS&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=19BSE7DJ0KV9XX5CMW85

I used to think the guys who showed up at matches with rolling bags, carts and wagons were lazy; now I just realize they're smart. :)


Larry
 
One thing I really like about my Midway bag is that it has a separate ammo bag that fits inside the main compartment and facilitates taking the ammo and other needed items to the bench without having to put the entire bag there. It's a factor when you take 3 or 4 guns with 500 rounds with you.
 
agree with spacecoast, I love the ammo bag,i can put my ammon in there for my wife and I and she carries that while i put all my handguns,ear protectors,shooting glasses,targets and other essentials in the main bag and I carry that, I absolutely love that bag.
 
Go to Wally world an check out the photography bags. All sizes with plenty of pockets. Unless your wanting something with a gun logo they will work just fine.
 
Actually, Wally World has a great 2-gun range bag for $19.95 that would be perfect for your dad. It comes in black or black, has two gun rugs that fit into
large pockets, and plenty of room left for muff, ammo and some targets. You can pick it up on your way home today.

I sure miss shooting with my dad.
 
I thought a small range bag with a few boxes of ammo might be a welcome gift to a nice old guy who otherwise has everything he wants.
Click to expand...
Very smart idea. I'd give anything to have Dad back to do some shooting with me. Enjoy your time together, as every second is precious.
 
I have a Remington branded range bag that I bought a few years ago. I can't find it online right now but it has been a great bag. It is similar to the Bagmaster product except that it was probably made in China. I've always been a sucker for anything that comes in Remington green. :o

Since it sounds like your dad isn't going to use the bag very hard, you can buy him a bag with his favorite team logo on it. It may not need to look like the typical range bag as long as it is functional.
 
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