We’ve all been there: you pull up to the range, bring your bag, get your gun out, and that’s when you realize you left that one critical thing you needed. Maybe it’s your ear protection, that new holo sight you wanted to try out, or, worst case scenario, literally all of your magazines. There’s nothing more frustrating (and, if you’re there with your buddies, a little embarrassing) than having to waste an hour driving back to your house, grabbing what you forgot, and coming back.
Whether you’re a new shooter getting ready for their first trip to the range or an experienced gun owner who’s just a little forgetful, here’s our handy range day checklist for what to bring to the shooting range.
The Basic Necessities
In addition to proper gun range etiquette, there are a handful of things you will need to have when you go to the range. Let’s go over the absolute necessities all shooters should bring.
1. Your Gun
This should be obvious, but the first item on anybody’s range day checklist should be their firearm. It’s a little hard to practice your shooting if you leave it at home. Before you head out, it should be the first thing you put in your range bag.
Even if you want to rent a gun instead of bringing your own, many ranges won’t rent to individuals who didn’t bring their own gun. If you really don’t want to bring a gun or be covered if you forget it, you’ll need to bring a friend with you.
2. Ammunition
Your gun won’t do anything but look cool if you leave the ammo you need at home. That’s why the next thing on your range day checklist needs to be your ammunition.
It’s not just the rounds you’ll need. While guns that don’t use magazines (like most shotguns) can get by with a baggie full of shells or cartridges, that isn’t the case for most semi-auto weapons. For example, if you have an AR-15 or Glock, then AR-15 magazines and Glock magazines are a must. Just make sure you grab mags with the right caliber ammo — the only thing more frustrating than leaving a mag at home is the bitter realization you didn’t bring the right one.
3. Range Bag
While guns and ammo are the bare minimum, knowing what to bring to the shooting range won’t do much if you don’t have anything to put it in. That’s why the next item on our range day checklist is a range bag.
If your gun is small enough, you can get by with just a normal backpack. However, there are also specialized range bags with separate compartments and organizational pockets that make carrying your firearm, ammo, and everything else easier. Just go through the entire bag before you leave to make sure you really did pack everything you’ll need!
4. Ear Protection
There are many quiet and tranquil places in your neighborhood. A gun range is not one of them. To prepare you for the noise of your range, ear protection is a critical part of our range day checklist. There are two types of ear protection to choose between: earmuffs and earplugs.
Earmuffs are easy to wear and remove, allowing you to have ear protection that can be quickly slid off if necessary. However, they can get uncomfortable over long shooting sessions, and the pads turn your ears into saunas if you’re using them in hot, humid climates.
Earplugs go directly into your ear canal, providing better hearing protection with a much smaller bag footprint — but they’re only better if properly fitted. If you don’t push your earplugs in all the way or insert them at an angle, your ears will pay the price.
5. Eye Protection
Your range day checklist shouldn’t just include ear protection in what to bring to the shooting range. Eye protection is just as important. All it takes is a cartridge with excessive powder, a ricocheting piece of a bullet, or stray debris at an outdoor range to turn your day at the range into a day at the hospital.
6. ID and Gun Permit
Every gun range is going to ask to see your documentation. Make sure you have your ID, carrying permit, and anything else you need to show you’re a responsible gun owner.
Additional Gear To Bring
While everything above was the bare minimum of what to bring to the shooting range, there are a few optional items you may want to bring, too. Let’s dive into the optional (but strongly recommended) part of our range day checklist.
1. Water and Snacks
If you plan on spending at least a few hours at the range, you don’t want to deal with being hungry and thirsty while you shoot. Bring some provisions with you.
2. Weather Protection
While outdoor ranges give you access to fresh air, you also have to deal with the weather. Stay prepared for whatever challenges Mother Nature throws at you with sunscreen, bug spray, and a hat. If there are signs of rain, bring some rain gear, too.
3. Cleaning Supplies
While full teardowns of the weapon don’t have to be done very often, a quick post-range wipe-down keeps your gun in peak condition. If you want to do that at the range instead of at home, your range day checklist should include a basic cleaning kit and wipes for removing lead and grime.
4. Emergency Items
Emergencies rarely happen, but when they do, you need to know what to bring to the shooting range to be prepared. For bullets stuck in barrels, you’ll need a squib rod. If someone gets injured at the range (which, if a gun was involved, is always bad), a first aid kit is critical.
Get Ready for the Range With Wing Tactical
Wing Tactical isn’t just your source for range day checklists. Since 2013, we’ve been stocking high-quality gun parts and accessories for firearm owners like ourselves. Explore our selection of AR-15 parts and Glock parts, all carefully vetted and tested to confirm they meet our quality expectations before being listed. Plus, our customer service team is always available to help if you have any questions. Get what you need today at Wing Tactical!