Beyond the normal guns and ammo stuff I have a small armorers bag. Broken shell extractor. Quik-Clot and a couple tourniquets. Spare bolt and firing pin. Wrench for optics and scope cleaner.

 

A tiny bottle of CLP and a drill bit

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

I keep a couple cleaning rods, a bottle of oil, a Gerber multi-tool, a small towel, and the various wrenches or tools for mounting/unmounting my optics and accessories. A small trauma kit is an excellent idea also.

 

My "range bag" typically stays in the car.

I usually take with me, to shoot, only the gun, mags, ammo, and targets, along with, of-course, eye and ear protection.

That said, the bag has a lot of stuff. Stuff to sustain me as well as stuff to sustain the gun.

I use a Midway USA Competition Range Bag -

^ Image not mine - I stole it off a Google Images search.

If you go to the Midway USA product page, you'll get multiple detail views of this item:
MidwayUSA Competition Range Bag System

It's not the original of this type of bag, but it's considerably more affordable than "the real deal" (the "Made in USA" product is about twice the cost) and has proven itself plenty durable via the experiences of a lot of shooters. I've been using it since I started shooting in late 2010.

My ears and eyes usually live in the bag unless I am actively taking them to a class or into the range. Also in the bag are my daughter's earpro (she wears prescription eyeglasses, and she's not yet at the stage where she needs dedicated shooting glasses) as well as some foamies just for backup. Batteries for the earpros are also in each compartment with their respective ears. The two earpros (a Sordin Supreme Pro-X with OC Tactical cover for me and a Pro Ears Gold-Series ProTac SC, just so you get an idea of how large these two pockets are) live in the two square-ish pockets on one of the long sides of the bag. Also inside each pocket are a couple of sets of Surefire EPs and, in her pocket, some arm-sleeves because she's worried about brass burns. Hey, she's 11.

Opposite this long side you'll see a continuous-length pocket. I stuff this pocket with gun-maintenance stuff.

A small brass/nylon gunsmith's/jeweler's hammer plus a few different punches. There's also a couple of small jeweler's screwdrivers, and both a metric as well as an imperial Allen set and a Leatherman Wave multi-tool, plus a cheap drop-point SOG Flash II folding knife. There's also a butane lighter (for installing fiber-optic pipes for sights) and an old ARC LS CR123 flashlight. A large pair of pliers and a large flat blade screwdriver are my "power" tools for when I need more leverage. Resting at the bottom of the bag with the screwdriver are a few pairs of bamboo chopsticks - why? Not because I'm ethnic Chinese, but rather because they make wonderful pistol-length barrel dowels. This item alone has saved not only myself but several other fellow students in various classes; it's cheap, and it works *_great_* at dislodging truly stuck cases (that even mortaring can't get out - wait, you do know how to mortar your pistol, right? ). Spare magazines springs, recoil assemblies and various other springs and small parts (mainly factory take-offs) also reside here in a few baggies, and spare batteries for my handheld flashlight(s), WML(s), and shot-timer also go in this pocket, along with a Gun-Guides breakdown manual. I've had the gun entirely apart enough times that I don't really need it anymore (and I always bring a spare gun to classes), but it's still nice to have in case I get a serious case of the brain-farts. :lol:

Aside from the loose baggies (including the breakdown manual), the large screwdriver, and the chopsticks, (and a bag of Ranger Bands), ALL of the rest of the items are neatly clipped into the sewn-in elastic strap or placed into one of the magazine pouches lining either side of this pocket.

A small hard-cased cleaning kit ("UTG 9mm Pistol Cleaning Kit" - $12 on Amazon) also goes here, along with lube and cleaning solution. I have honestly NEVER found myself needing these items during a class or range session (pre-clean/lube), but it's better to have them than not, especially considering the relatively little space they take up.

The bigger of the two end pouches is used to contain my trauma kit. I use a HSGI M3T filled with the NOLATAC/SBISC ITK insert, along with two Gen7 CATs, one facing towards each side - this is my battle-belt kit for long-gun classes (hence the ambi setup for the two CATs), but it's nicely packaged enough and easy enough to detach from my belt that I use it as my primary range bag, when I don't have it mounted. There;s a pair of Rip-Shears in there, too. The image below is again not mine, but you get the idea:

Sensitive content, not recommended for those under 18

Show Content

M3T (Multi-Mission Medical) TACO®
and
ITK - Individual Trauma Kit

I rigged the kit with an ITS Med Insert ( ITS Medical Insert | ITS Tactical Store ) which serves as a pull-out for the kit, if I just leave that pocket a bit less than full zipped.

The smaller of the two end-pouches on the opposite side from the above holds my personal-care stuff. Think boo-boos: Band-Aids, Ibuprofen/acetaminophen, tape, etc.

The main compartment holds my pistols - two fits very nicely by taking out the pistol rugs and the tote, and instead using their "Tactical Pistol Case."

MidwayUSA Tactical Pistol Case

I can fit two full-sized handguns in each case, stacked "L7" format, and there's six usable pistol mag slots up front (the end ones are tight, and I end up using one to hold a Sharpie marker [for marking targets], a pen [for taking notes], and a paint-pen [for marking screws/nuts after I set them], along with a couple of packs of foam earplugs just in case I forget my muffs), in which I store my six main training/range mags for my full-size XDm9s. I use one of the two zippered pockets to fit two fifty-round boxes of ammo, side-by-side (so that I'll always have ammo to spare), and the other pocket I put the training/range mags for my 3.8 Compact: five more full-size 19-round XDm 9mm mags with size-large SA X-Tensions, and top that off with a 13-round "flush" mag with a Pearce +0 "pinky rest" extension. There's enough room with the pistols to hold an UpLula loader, too.

I usually use the included "brass bag" to hold my range ammo, and it fits nicely in along with the above pistol case. While I use it as a simple ammo bag for range sessions, for handgun classes, I will dump about 50 to 100 rounds at a time into it (due to weight) so that I can stuff mags as the instructor talks/demos at the beginning of evolutions or during down-time between shooters. To facilitate this, instead of the aluminum clip it comes with, I've replaced it with an ITW Tac Link so that I can easily carry it clipped to my jeans' belt-loop on my strong side, behind the hip.

There's just enough room left in the bag for a small tube of D-Wipes, if I've got my eyepro case sitting in the outside "drink holder." Otherwise, the D-Wipe can can go in that space, leaving even more space for stuff in the main compartment (like a large roll of duct tape). There's a couple of side pockets in the main compartment as well, and I tend to put my range/class notes in one, while the other holds a few targets, a box of pasties (although I'm switching away from this and just going to paper tape), and a staple-gun along with spare staples.

I also have a Competition Electronics PocketPro that lives in there, too.

-----

When I attend carbine classes, I will take along another small bag (an old carry-on bag that we no longer use for travel) that holds dedicated spare components for my ARs. As with the handgun, when I go to a class, I bring a spare - there's little learning to be had if I'm busy tearing a gun down and trying to fix it in the middle of a class, so I'd rather just grab my backup and go - but I still like having spare components so that I can choose to remediate, say, during lunch or simply a slightly longer break.

My rifle bag holds more specific tools for use on my ARs, too, like a Leatherman Rail and a Multitasker Series 3 and Twist, along with their bits.

 

Thanks for the replies. You have given some great help with what I should add to my bag. Let's go shopping!

 

Small screwdriver set with hex/torx bits. Spray lube (pick a brand). Mag loaders. Stapler and extra staples. Target Dots (I just recycle 8x11 paper); extra mags for that gun; "dirty" towel, plus a "clean" towel; eye protection; extra earplugs; shooting gloves; Howard Leight earmuffs; lots of ammo; and a notebook with two pencils.

My range bag was one of the best presents my wife ever got me; I've used the same one for 22 years now.

 

Besides the regular shooting gear- a small flashlight, SOG multi-tool, SAE & metric folding hex key sets, small 6 oz. deadblow hammer, boo-boo 1st aid kit, trauma IFAK, sharpie, tape, individually packed hand cleaning wipes (you don't want to stop for a lunch break and eat with lead & powder residue for condiments.)

 

What I have duly noted is the inclusion of a first aid kit. Sure, something for common slide bite but a GSW trauma pack really has made me seriously rethink about being way out at the farm with a group and a ton of guns. At least my wife is an old ex-EMT but my daughter is a career long surgical nurse practitioner. Perhaps she can throw us something together for our bag. (I know I LOVE all those issued but never used surgical 'shop rags' and AA batteries she brings me!) Might make a good thread too but where to post it?

Also, you know there is practically nothing on anyone's GSW trauma kit in search???

 

Also, you know there is practically nothing on anyone's GSW trauma kit in search???

Actually this is most unfortunately not uncommon, at all, in most shooting communities.

Attitudes are changing: as of the last couple of years, it has become cool to sport a range-use IFAK - (I)ndividual (F)irst (A)id (K)it - much as the military and law-enforcement sector does, but in the years prior, this was definitely not the case.

These are not "boo-boo" kits. These are precisely those gun shot wound trauma packs that you speak of.

What I have duly noted is the inclusion of a first aid kit. Sure, something for common slide bite but a GSW trauma pack really has made me seriously rethink about being way out at the farm with a group and a ton of guns. At least my wife is an old ex-EMT but my daughter is a career long surgical nurse practitioner. Perhaps she can throw us something together for our bag. (I know I LOVE all those issued but never used surgical 'shop rags' and AA batteries she brings me!) Might make a good thread too but where to post it?

As I noted above, these types of kits are now very common, and the most popular one is perhaps the Dark Angel Medical D.A.R.K., which is now in its third iteration:

D.A.R.K. Trauma Kit Gen 3

Dark Angel Medical also offers training - Our Training - not designed as certification: just knowledge and practical capabilities for anyone who is interested. Enrollment typically fills well before each class date.

They're by far not the only ones, however.

As I noted above, the HSGI M3T/NOLATAC ITK is also a widely known combo, as are the Fatboy/Tallboy pouches and kits from ITS Tactical. Another popular IFAK that you will see being carried by shooters or stored in their range-bags are the offerings from Blue Force Gear, and North American Rescue, the makers of the CAT - the (C)ombat (A)pplication (T)ourniquet, offer several different pre-made IFAK options on their website as well, as does Tac Med Solutions. Eleven 10 (1110)/Cleer Medical is yet another popular choice.

Various tactical nylon makers also have empty, designed-for-purpose pouches for this very need, like the offerings from ATS, FirstSpear, Marz Tactical and Velocity Systems. Oftentimes, these pouches are designed as a part of a two-tier platform that allows the individual shooter the ability to ready-access this pouch for self-aid while mounting it behind the individual (via various VELCRO or other "cut-away" attachment methods), thus saving critical space for mission-oriented gear.

EDC IFAKs are also becoming popular. The aforementioned Dark Angel Medical offers a "Pocket D.A.R.K. Mini" as well as a larger "Pocket D.A.R.K." Cleer/1110 also has a similarly compact package, and Adventure Medical Kits offers a similar item as well, with their Trauma Pack Pro (which is what I carry, opposite my wallet on my other butt-cheek - I prefer this kit as it offers me space to stock "boo-boo" supplies there, too, without compromising the quick-access nature of the tourniquet [I know, not TCCC-Approved, but I have my reasons for carrying this one as EDC; I also have a Gen 7 CAT on me, EDC, parallel to my belt - I have also replaced the QuickClot sponge with Combat Gauze), as the latter is much more frequently used in my role as daddy.

Punch any of these names into Google, and you'll be able to easily find the kits/items.

This is not to discourage you/your daughter from coming up with either your own kit for personal use or, for that matter, to market yet another option. This market is far from being saturated, and new innovations arise daily to help aid both range/duty use as well as concealed-EDC. Another product would definitely be appreciated.