You can make your way into shooting sports without anything but a rifle or a handgun and a pair of safety glasses. But, as you get even more familiar with the experience at the shooting range, you will find those gun enthusiasts and regular shooters at the club have their own range bags with shooting range gear.
Of course, there’s an option to rent safety gear and equipment, but if you plan to visit the range often, it’s better to bring your own. Buying a few more items to add to your range bag whether that is walther ppq aftermarket parts, extra ammo, or even a new range bag, will make your time at the shooting range worthwhile without hurting your wallet. You can always save up for premium gear once you have become more engaged.
But now, let’s focus on the essentials you will need at the range. Be sure to read feedbacks and guides on guns and shooting range gear at Hold Right Edge!
Eye Protection
This gear is not optional. You should wear this gear as soon as you step into the shooting range to protect yourself from flecks of hot powder, target shards, and freak ricochets. It not only protects you, but it can also help you see your targets better. And with tinted lenses, shooting glasses enable you to see your targets under different light conditions.
Lenses with a purple, gray, or brown tint work well in the bright sunlight. Orange and red tinted lenses make orange-colored targets stand out, and they also make a good overall choice. Yellow-tinted lenses are good in a haze, while clear lenses work best at night.
It’s best to choose the lightest tint that works for you without having the need to squint. It’s difficult to see targets with dark-tinted glasses. There are also prescription glasses, as well as bifocals available in the market.
Ear Protection
You don’t want to lose your hearing from loud gunshots, right? Then this is another non-optional shooting gear. Using hearing protection is important whether you’re blind or at the range. Your hearing can get permanently damaged from echoes of gunshots under a blind roof or from a muzzle blast near your ear.
Foam earplugs are easily accessible as most clubs sell them. They can provide excellent ear protection when you use them as directed. On the other hand, Molded earplugs provide an added protection benefit as they are impossible to insert incorrectly.
The advanced types of ear protection are more expensive. They feature microphones that increase normal sounds like conversations but block loud gunshot noises.
Amplified muffs are becoming inexpensive while still providing excellent protection to your ears; and letting you hear conversations, including duck-blind jokes that lighten up everyone’s mood!
Perhaps you can wear earmuff protectors over earplugs to get the best protection.
Hard Gun Case
Another must-have essential for every shooter is a hard gun case. It’s excellent for transporting your gun to the range. Some shooters prefer a sleeve or soft case to protect their gun, but for safety reasons, you may want to use a reliable hard gun case.
Shell Pouch
This is a must-have for trap and skeet shooting, where shooters need to carry a case of shells from one site to another.
Shooting Vest
This comes with pockets designed to carry shells, glasses, and choke tubes. There are also vests that are designed to soften the impact of recoil with their built-in shoulder padding, hold empties in the back pouches, and secure keys and other accessories with their D-rings feature.
Shell Catcher or Brass Catcher
This is also an essential gear for every shooter, especially used for trap shooting with an auto-loader firearm. A shell catcher basically collects fired cartridge cases and prevents them from dropping to the ground. Some shell catchers are clipped onto the receivers of many well-known guns.
Range Bag
This comes in handy when going to the trap or skeet shooting field, as well as sporting clays. These activities require you to position yourself far from your vehicle. You may need a bag that contains boxes of shells, a punch to take out trigger group pins, and a cleaning rod to clear out wads stuck in the barrel.
The bag should be large enough to carry additional essentials such as a gun cleaning kit, gloves, and an emergency trauma kit or first aid kit. Choose a gun range bag that is of good quality and flexible enough for different range trips.
Gun Belt
You may want to use a shooting belt to handle your reloads if you plan to shoot hard and fast. A simple gun belt or shooting belt allows you to carry a handful of magazines at the same time. There are shooting belts that are more casual for daily use, while some are specifically designed for shooting competitions.
Conclusion
When at the range, be mindful of your safety as well as others while you improve your shooting skills. Your range bag should contain all the essential gear you need including a trauma kit. Always observe safe gun range practices.
