What is the best or worst range bag you ever bought?

jeepCJ · September 17, 2000, 11:50 AM

Want to stay aroung $100-125, I am sure you have all wished you "hadn't bought that bag"? I will be carrying 2 1911 styles, 8 mags average and the usual amount of gear for an average IDPA shoot. I have picked up a few of the no-name $60 bags at gunshows that looked OK at the time only to be disapointed later when I packed um up full and they were very flimsy. Does anyone use the Dillon bags? Do they have mag holders in them? They really don't say?
-Dave

VaughnT · September 17, 2000, 01:38 PM

I just purchased a Small Pro Deluxe from Bagmaster and would encourage you to not.

It isn't that these aren't well made bags, or that the company isn't great (they were extremely helpful in selecting the right bag for me needs), it's just that the bag isn't well designed, IMNSHO.

There are no mag loops. The interior is one large space broken up two panels that velcro to the sides for adjustment. And the gun pockets are on the long sides. This makes them unnaturally long for the 1911, with lots of wasted room, and not too tall.

Overall, I think this might become a camera bag.

Now I'm looking at spending $165 for a Waller rangebag. The pic in the magazine shows a model that has mag loops, great departmentalization, and some more. Very interesting.

Of course, another option is the cheap plastic toolbox from Lowe's. With your guns and optics in protective cases, you can carry all of you stuff with you and have a handy place to sit when you get there.

------------------
When Reason Fails.....

jeepCJ · September 17, 2000, 03:45 PM

Thanks Vaughn,
Bagmaster was one of the ones I had gone to online and they look good from the pix, I have been told to stay away from Uncle Mikes as well. It is incredable how many "Pro-bags" don't even have mag pouches or some small pockets to organize little stuff, just a few big spaces that everything gets jammed into.
-Dave

Geldor1 · September 17, 2000, 04:48 PM

I have a Dillon range bag. I don't shoot IDPA, only at the local indoor range. When I go to the range, I usually take 3 - 4 pistols and about 200-300 rounds for each one. Holds everything I need. There are 2 full size zippered pouches , 1 on each side of the main compartment. In 1 of the pouches, there are 2 pockets that I can hold 8 - 10 G17 mags. In the main compartment, there are 3 pouches with a velcro flap. I used to carry all my range 'stuff' in a gym bag. Man, don't know why I didn't buy a Dillon bag years ago. Hope this helps.

------------------
Gun control means hitting your target!!!

Imbroglio · September 18, 2000, 03:28 PM

I have a large Assault Systems range bag and it is really well made. I have loaded the thing up to the point where I could barely even carry it and it held up just fine. The features are:

Large zippered outer compartment.
Removable inner compartment that has:
2 inner zippered handgun compartments with removable dividers.
2 removable 4 slot mag holders.
2 removable center compartment dividers.
Heavy duty webbing and stitching all around.

I think I paid around $120 from Entreprise.

JoeHatley · September 18, 2000, 04:06 PM

Best: MPI range bag from Midway

Worst: Paper sack from grocery store

Joe

------------------
Go NRA

jeepCJ · September 18, 2000, 06:34 PM

Thanks for all the input, going shopping now!!!
-Dave

bk40 · September 20, 2000, 01:04 AM

Best? Green Mountain Sport Specialties "big bag". Pricey, but well worth it for all the features it has.

Bagmaster's are good also.

mib2000 · September 20, 2000, 01:11 AM

Good idea for a thread.

Second the motion for Green Mountain Sport Specialties. Have owned their "Todd Jarrett Model." Super well-designed, bombproof construction.

Because I have to lug a lot of gear around at three-gun tactical matches, I now have gone to the Dillon "Range Pack." Again, cool design (it's a backpack) and well-made, heavy duty nylon with solid stitching.

------------------
Check chamber,
mib2000

Joe 543 · September 20, 2000, 02:46 PM

Get the Shooting Systems range bag! Best there is. Formerly Assault Systems.

Joe

It's been a while

Ledbetter · September 21, 2000, 12:41 PM

On a budget? Try a milsurp ballistic nylon tool pouch. Mine holds stapler, ammo, mags for four guns, can of remoil, pair of spotting binocs, rags, small tools and spare parts. Has six exterior pouches (each big enough for three BHP-sized mags), two large side compartments, one large interior compartment.

Something like $40. Check cheaperthandirt.com.

Worst range bag? Does S&W make one?

Regards,

Ledbetter

September 17, 2000, 11:50 AM	#1
jeepCJ Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2000 Location: Winter Haven, Sunny Florida Posts: 100	Want to stay aroung $100-125, I am sure you have all wished you "hadn't bought that bag"? I will be carrying 2 1911 styles, 8 mags average and the usual amount of gear for an average IDPA shoot. I have picked up a few of the no-name $60 bags at gunshows that looked OK at the time only to be disapointed later when I packed um up full and they were very flimsy. Does anyone use the Dillon bags? Do they have mag holders in them? They really don't say? -Dave

September 17, 2000, 01:38 PM	#2
VaughnT Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2000 Location: Western SC Posts: 663	I just purchased a Small Pro Deluxe from Bagmaster and would encourage you to not. It isn't that these aren't well made bags, or that the company isn't great (they were extremely helpful in selecting the right bag for me needs), it's just that the bag isn't well designed, IMNSHO. There are no mag loops. The interior is one large space broken up two panels that velcro to the sides for adjustment. And the gun pockets are on the long sides. This makes them unnaturally long for the 1911, with lots of wasted room, and not too tall. Overall, I think this might become a camera bag. Now I'm looking at spending $165 for a Waller rangebag. The pic in the magazine shows a model that has mag loops, great departmentalization, and some more. Very interesting. Of course, another option is the cheap plastic toolbox from Lowe's. With your guns and optics in protective cases, you can carry all of you stuff with you and have a handy place to sit when you get there. ------------------ When Reason Fails.....

September 17, 2000, 03:45 PM	#3
jeepCJ Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2000 Location: Winter Haven, Sunny Florida Posts: 100	Thanks Vaughn, Bagmaster was one of the ones I had gone to online and they look good from the pix, I have been told to stay away from Uncle Mikes as well. It is incredable how many "Pro-bags" don't even have mag pouches or some small pockets to organize little stuff, just a few big spaces that everything gets jammed into. -Dave

September 17, 2000, 04:48 PM	#4
Geldor1 Member Join Date: April 10, 2000 Location: Florida USA Posts: 17	I have a Dillon range bag. I don't shoot IDPA, only at the local indoor range. When I go to the range, I usually take 3 - 4 pistols and about 200-300 rounds for each one. Holds everything I need. There are 2 full size zippered pouches , 1 on each side of the main compartment. In 1 of the pouches, there are 2 pockets that I can hold 8 - 10 G17 mags. In the main compartment, there are 3 pouches with a velcro flap. I used to carry all my range 'stuff' in a gym bag. Man, don't know why I didn't buy a Dillon bag years ago. Hope this helps. ------------------ Gun control means hitting your target!!!

September 18, 2000, 03:28 PM	#5
Imbroglio Member Join Date: May 16, 2000 Posts: 76	I have a large Assault Systems range bag and it is really well made. I have loaded the thing up to the point where I could barely even carry it and it held up just fine. The features are: Large zippered outer compartment. Removable inner compartment that has: 2 inner zippered handgun compartments with removable dividers. 2 removable 4 slot mag holders. 2 removable center compartment dividers. Heavy duty webbing and stitching all around. I think I paid around $120 from Entreprise.

September 18, 2000, 04:06 PM	#6
JoeHatley Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 1999 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,135	Best: MPI range bag from Midway Worst: Paper sack from grocery store Joe ------------------ Go NRA

September 18, 2000, 06:34 PM	#7
jeepCJ Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2000 Location: Winter Haven, Sunny Florida Posts: 100	Thanks for all the input, going shopping now!!! -Dave

September 20, 2000, 01:04 AM	#8
bk40 Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 1999 Location: Mississippi Posts: 1,004	Best? Green Mountain Sport Specialties "big bag". Pricey, but well worth it for all the features it has. Bagmaster's are good also.

September 20, 2000, 01:11 AM	#9
mib2000 Member Join Date: July 31, 2000 Location: USA Posts: 25	Good idea for a thread. Second the motion for Green Mountain Sport Specialties. Have owned their "Todd Jarrett Model." Super well-designed, bombproof construction. Because I have to lug a lot of gear around at three-gun tactical matches, I now have gone to the Dillon "Range Pack." Again, cool design (it's a backpack) and well-made, heavy duty nylon with solid stitching. ------------------ Check chamber, mib2000

September 20, 2000, 02:46 PM	#10
Joe 543 Member Join Date: December 21, 1998 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 92	Get the Shooting Systems range bag! Best there is. Formerly Assault Systems. Joe It's been a while

September 21, 2000, 12:41 PM	#11
Ledbetter Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2000 Location: California USA Posts: 4,533	On a budget? Try a milsurp ballistic nylon tool pouch. Mine holds stapler, ammo, mags for four guns, can of remoil, pair of spotting binocs, rags, small tools and spare parts. Has six exterior pouches (each big enough for three BHP-sized mags), two large side compartments, one large interior compartment. Something like $40. Check cheaperthandirt.com. Worst range bag? Does S&W make one? Regards, Ledbetter