Gun cases for trips to the range?

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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.
 
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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.


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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.
 
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!
 
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.
 
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
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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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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