Hello... I have a S&W Shield .40. I have a blue S&W hard case for it. I was wondering which people like better for trips to the range? Soft cases or hard cases? Can you guys recommend both types for my pistol? Which do you prefer and why? I like the Pelican cases, but a little expensive. Thanks.

I like MTM's hard cases personally. They're affordable and get the job done, but aren't particularly robust if a heavy-duty option is intended.

I take mine in a range bag that has divider's for 4 pistols. That is more than I take most times anyway as I also pack ammo and ears and eyes in the range bag as well.

Nothing special.

I have several Eddie Bauer duffles of various sizes I use for handguns, ammo and the plethora of stuff I might need. One small bag is plenty for my needs for a day.

Fitted bags and cases are fussy, expensive and do nothing better than the duffles.

Soft range bag. Room for pistols, ammo, ear & eye protection and anything else I may need.

Wife and I use a husky soft side tool bag from Home Depot. $13. Holds ammo, both guns till we are ccw and can carry in holsters, ear protection, and eye protection. Zips up for visual security. Plenty of room for more if needed.


I too see no reason to spend more $$$ than I need. Shooting is expensive enough.

I use a Carhartt tool bag, because they make good stuff and my wife works there. The employee discount doesn’t hurt either!

Pistols are in rugs and there’s plenty of room for ammo, tools, hearing protection and cleaning supplies. I like that I can carry everything inside in one trip!

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"I also cook."

I use a range bag with ammo stacked in the bottom with guns on top in Soft Armor holsters.

Rangebag with pistols and revolvers zipped up safely in gun rugs. Room for a couple of sets of eyes and ears, targets, staple gun, a couple bottles of water, etc. I preload mags and moonclips and keep them in a separate plastic Plano ammo box.

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USS Brewton FF1086
SWCA#3597

I use a 5.11 soft range bag with dividers for pistols, ammo and magazines. Has space in it as well for eye pro, ear pro, some cleaning supplies and a water bottle. I hate going back and forth for stuff so I like having it all there in my bag when and where I need it. Prior to that I used a hard case like the one provided or an MTM case, as well as a small range bag that could hold about two boxes of ammo, ear plug and a bottle of gun oil. Worked for a while until my range days starting lasting into multiple hour excursions lol

I use a bag I received when attending Taser instructor school. It’ll hold several guns in rugs with ammo, ears, eyes, etc l

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213th FBINA

I use a large range bag I bought at Academy Sports six years ago. I have abused the heck out of it, and it is still going strong. I go to the range once a week and take two pistols, several magazines each, and 250-300 rounds. Additionally, my bag carries half a dozen targets, eye and ear protection, and various tools and spares. It typically weighs at least 30 lbs by the time I get it all loaded up. Below is a link to the bag. The one I have is the Academy brand, but they don't show it on their website now. The one they do show is called the "Marksmen", and it appears to be identical to mine, except it is the "Tactical Performance" brand. I guess everything these days has to be labelled "tactical" to sell well.

Tactical Performance™ Marksmen Range Bag | Academy

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What, me worry?

I have range bags of assorted sizes, depending how many guns/how many accessories I need to take. One piece of advise, the bigger the bag, the HEAVIER it gets!! LOL :-)

I use a plain old backpack for range trips so as to keep a low profile. I live in an apartment complex and I don't want to give any hints I have guns.

I rarely take more than 2 guns, and for that I've got a Doskocil foam-lined hardcase for both guns. I also use this case when flying with guns. I can fit that, ammo, and other accessories in my backpack, but it's pretty packed. If I bring one more, the 3rd gun goes in a gun rug. If I bring 4 guns, which is unlikely, I'd probably put them all in gun rugs to save space. Don't think I have enough room in my bag for any more guns than that. But I rarely bring more than 2 guns to the range (not counting the gun(s) I'm carrying on my person). I also don't spend a lot of time at the range, typically an hour at the most.

I usually carry only one gun to the range at a time. I keep it in a zippered soft bag, and put that along with ammo, ears, eyes, etc into a mil-surp ammo box. if the gun is 6" I usually have to use the so-called Fat 50 box, which is a little wider than the standard 50 cal size.

I have multiple soft pistol cases, sizes vary small to large to cover anything from my smaller Shields to Full size MP’s to 22’s. Each with places to hold some mags, etc.
Then depending on what range I’m going to and what i’m taking with me, I’ll toss the cases, ammo, eyes and ears, and targets into either a sturdy backpack or duffle bag.

I have a midway range bag and they’re hard to beat imo. If you wanna go with a backpack look up reebow Tactical backpack on amazon. I have a few of their bags and they’re pretty solid and cheap.

For handguns I use a Pachmayr Pistol Case. It will hold three guns, spotting scope, ammo and tools. I don't think they are made anymore. I see them on Ebay and they owners want a fortune for them. Holds everything you need.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

Another vote for the Midway Range Bag. I started with the smaller one but eventually wound up with the largest. The guns go in any soft gun rugs like Uncle Mike’s or Bulldog. The only thing I have to carry in addition to the range bag are the targets.

I'll second the soft gun rugs. I have all the boxes for them but that's too much bulk for me especially when taking multiple guns. I can usually get what I need in one range bag but occasionally need and extra smaller bag.

I use these various rugs for range trips. Some hold more than one gun.

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I prefer a hard case to protect my pistols. I bought this Doro case last year and I'm very happy with it.

I use a duffel bag that has the BUICK logo on it. My Dad got it when he bought a Buick in the 90's. Carries everything I need. I put my handguns in cheap foam cases that are $5 at the local Bass Pro. What I have works well for me, so no need to spend money on a range bag.

Cheap gatemouth tool bags work great for me. I don’t like taking a ton of guns with me anyway-maybe two, or three maximum. I’ll use cheap nylon universal holsters for transit, or a gun rug if i have one that fits.

Midway does some very rugged range bags. When I was doing USPSA events, I was using the Large ($50) Midway competition bag and my Wife used the smaller ($25) competition bag.

For the indoor range, I simply use a 2-Pistol cordura 'portfolio' style case similar to this one from WalMart for $15.
Discreet Pistol Case - Walmart.com - Walmart.com

I used to have a random vinyl shoulder bag and put a jumble of guns in gun rugs inside, but my sister got me a RangeMaxx range bag that has a place for a pistol on each side, pockets for magazines etc on the sides, and plenty of room in the middle for ammo and ear/eye pro. Everything but targets! I just love it and wish I'd gotten one much earlier.

Having a bag with pockets or slots for pistols really saves a lot of bulk, vs. rugs.

Thanks for the tip. I looked it up and ordered one. Also available from Amazon. I like the fact that it does not look like a gun bag.

Don't some states have very specific laws about transporting firearms? Some require locked cases for handguns with ammo apart from the firearm, etc. Surprised no one brought this up.

This what I was referring to about a Pachmayr Pistol Case. You do not see a lot of them used anymore.......

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

I've had great luck with the Plano hard case from Cabela's
or Bass Pro, just to save the original case. I was rear-ended
in a rainstorm, when another car rear ended me at 60 mph
while I was stopped. The car was totaled, the trunk area
collapsed, the cases were destroyed, but NO damage to the
pistols (M&P9 2.0, SDVE9) or the rifle (M&P sport 2) From
that point forward, I was sold.

Could be but not sure. I would move if the state I lived in got that bad.

This is what I use and can carry 600rnds 9mm in the top. Bought on Amazon, its called Case Club. Handles 4 guns, 12 mags, a lot of ammo, and anything else. I consider it a top purchase for my shooting fun.
465140

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Is that a gun No a lifesaver

I just went ahead and bought this. No need to worry what neighbors will think

as I have my car parked in an attached garage.

Holds everything I need and still a little more room to spare.

Smith & Wesson(R) Recruit Tactical Range Bag | Smith & Wesson

Who cares what the neighbors think?

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

I use a soft Cabela's fishing bag. lots of compartments and pockets. Has large fishing logo so no one knows it contains guns. come in many sizes and fairly cheap.

Not everybody lives in neighborhoods/communities that are ok with guns, and won't cause problems for you. Not to mention potential thieves. As I mentioned before, I live in an apartment complex with no attached garage, and I don't want to give any hints I have guns.

Feel sorry for you all............

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

Gun goes in smallest rug that fits and it goes into my Midway Waxed Canvas Pistol Range Bag. It's not the most efficient rage bag but could very well be the coolest. Currently on sale for $99.

Use a holster.

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Freedom isn't free.

Dick's sporting goods range bag and a couple of Amazon US Peacekeeper pistol case/rugs for $7 bucks each here.
Targets, mags, ammo, cases, ears, and glasses all go in the bag.

I use Pelican Vault "hard side" cases with cut it yourself foam, no pluck out foam for me. The first one I bought is advertised as two guns, it can accommodate three full frame 6.5" barrel revolvers if you cut the foam so the guns are upright. You could squeeze another one in but not much foam at all between the revolvers.

The second Pelican Vault "hard side" is not specifically described with how many guns it can hold. I bought this case going off the internal measurements. It accommodates six full frame 6.5" barrel revolvers and retains 2" of foam between the guns and also the sides of the case.

I like the Pelican Vaults, weather proof, multiple hasps for locks and they seal with a rubber strip in the bottom and a "knife edge" in the top. If you want to do a different configuration replacement foam is avaiable.

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U.S. Coast Guard, retired CPO

Camera bags work well and have dividers to keep lenses from knocking around. I do not know if that is camouflage from thieves but I do not think most people hate photographers.

For rifles and long barreled shotguns I favor a hard case especially if I'm taking my Pedersoli 1974 Sharps Infantry rifle in 45/70. Or my Colt HBAr, For pistols and revolvers I use a soft case except if I have enough of the black plastic foam or sponge rubber that goes in the cases. Otherwise I use a lowe's largest tool bag I can find. will usually hold 4 handguns plus ammo,targets,stapler, and targets and earmuffs. i have a small suitcase type container that used to hold scientific instruments that holds a fold up benchrest type rest and a couple sandbags plus spotting scope and small camera type tripod. And depending on the condition of the range chairs a small swivel seat. And I usually do not have that many firearms traveling with me. Frank

Pistol rugs in a small duffel bag with ammo, eyes/ears, mags, small screwdrivers, sharpie ...

... Unless I’m making an entire day of it. Then it’s the aforementioned plus a backpack w/ more pistol rugs in it, a Plano 4-gun hard case, rifle/shotgun cases, targets, stapler, and ammo cans get added to the PVC target stands that live in the bed of my truck.


YMMV ... mine does from trip to trip.

Love mine M&P Officer tactical range bag

You do not see many of these at the range but it is a great range bag.

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Gun in a sweat sock, then in soft range bag. Keep them in socks in safe also.

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

It's what I use too.

No, but those cases scream expensive camera gear inside. A friend of mine converted old school Samsonite hard sided luggage from Goodwill, and a rolling cooler, into camera equipment cases. No one is going to steal bologna sandwiches and smelly underwear.

Not many folks use them anymore. Nice to see someone else does too.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

I'm part of a Bullseye Pistol League. Seeing those tiny .22 holes at 25 yards is kinda hard.