A successful range trip means being well prepared, safe, and efficient. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor, a new gun owner, or simply honing your skills, the right shooting range accessories can make a difference experience. Essential items improve your safety, and maximize your comfort so you can learn and improve with every shot.
At RKB Armory, we share your passion for shooting and understand the importance of reliable, high-quality gear. That’s why we’re dedicated to providing exceptional optics and the most important shooting gear that completes your setup. Join us as we explore the must-have items that will transform your next range session from good to great.
Safety First: Non-Negotiable Protection
When you step onto the firing line, your safety gear is non-negotiable. Protecting your hearing and eyesight is paramount, and skimping on these essentials can lead to permanent damage.
Hearing Protection: Gunfire’s loud, concussive force can cause irreversible hearing loss. Investing in quality ear protection is critical.
- Passive vs. Electronic: Passive options, like foam earplugs or traditional earmuffs, simply block sound. They’re affordable and effective. However, electronic ear protection is highly recommended. These earmuffs amplify ambient sounds (like range commands or conversations) while instantly suppressing gunshot noise to safe levels. This allows for better situational awareness and communication on the line without compromising protection. Look for a high Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) – generally, 22 NRR or higher is suitable for firearms. For indoor ranges or when shooting high-calibre firearms, consider doubling up by wearing foam earplugs underneath electronic earmuffs for maximum protection.
Eye Protection: A stray piece of brass, a ricochet, or gas blowback can cause severe eye injuries. Eye protection is vital.
- ANSI Z87.1+ Standard: Always ensure your shooting glasses meet or exceed the ANSI Z87.1+ standard, which certifies them for high-impact resistance. Regular eyeglasses are not sufficient.
- Lens Tints: Clear lenses are standard for indoor ranges. Consider different lens tints for outdoor shooting: amber or yellow can enhance contrast on cloudy days, while polarized or darker shades are great for bright sunlight.
- Fit and Comfort: Choose glasses that fit snugly but comfortably and don’t interfere with hearing protection.
First Aid Kit: While we hope it’s never needed, a well-stocked kit is essential for any range trip.
- Basic vs. Trauma Kit: At a minimum, have a basic kit for minor cuts, scrapes, or burns. For more serious incidents, primarily at unsupervised outdoor ranges, a comprehensive trauma kit containing items like a tourniquet, pressure bandages, and chest seals is highly recommended. Preparedness is key, and having these supplies on hand can be life-saving.
The Hub: Your Indispensable Range Bag
Think of your range bag as your portable command center for a successful shooting session. It’s more than just a place to carry your gear; it’s a critical tool for organization, efficiency, and safety.
What to Look For in a Range Bag:
- Durability and Construction: Look for bags made from rugged materials like durable nylon or canvas, with robust zippers, reinforced stitching, and strong handles or shoulder straps. It needs to withstand the weight of loaded magazines and ammunition.
- Compartments and Organization: The best range bags feature multiple dedicated pockets and compartments. These are ideal for separating your firearms, magazines, eye and ear protection, tools, and other small essentials, preventing them from shifting around or getting damaged.
- Capacity: Choose a size that suits your needs. A smaller bag is sufficient for a single pistol and a few ammo boxes, while a larger tactical bag might be necessary for multiple firearms, extensive gear, and extended range sessions.
- Comfort: Padded shoulder straps or comfortable carry handles are essential, especially if transporting a heavy load.
What to Pack (Beyond Safety Gear):
- Ammunition: Always bring a sufficient quantity for your planned shooting, stored safely in dedicated ammo boxes or their original packaging.
- Magazines: Pack plenty of loaded magazines to maximize your shooting time and minimize interruptions for reloading on the line.
- Magazine Loader: A magazine loader (like a Maglula Uplula) is a game-changer. It saves your thumbs from pain and significantly speeds up the reloading process, allowing you to spend more time shooting.
- Firearm Cases/Holsters: If you’re practicing drawing from concealment, always transport your firearms safely in a designated case or a quality holster. Ensure local laws regarding transport are followed.
Enhance Your Performance: Tools and Comfort
Once safety is covered, the next step is to equip yourself with tools that improve your accuracy, streamline your practice, and ensure your comfort at the range.
Maintenance & Reliability:
- Cleaning Kit: A compact cleaning kit is essential. While deep cleaning is typically done at home, a small kit with a bore snake, patches, cleaning solvent, and gun oil can be invaluable for quick cleans between drills, clearing minor malfunctions, or addressing carbon buildup during high-volume shooting.
- Multi-Tool: A good quality multi-tool with various bits can be a lifesaver for minor adjustments to sights, tightening loose screws on accessories, or quick repairs.
- Spare Batteries: Always carry spare batteries for your electronic ear protection, red dot sights, weapon lights, or any other battery-powered accessories. Nothing disrupts a range session like dead batteries.
- Dummy Rounds/Snap Caps: These are invaluable for dry fire practice, function checks, and safely performing malfunction drills without using live ammunition.
Improved Accuracy & Practice:
- Targets: Don’t rely solely on what the range provides. Bring a variety of targets – standard paper targets for precision, reactive splatter targets for instant feedback, or even specific training targets designed for self-defence or competitive drills.
- Target Stands/Stapler/Tape: If you’re at an outdoor range, a portable target stand, a heavy-duty stapler, or even strong tape can help you set up and patch your targets.
- Spotting Scope / Binoculars: Especially for long-range shooting, a spotting scope or a good pair of binoculars is essential for seeing your impacts on paper at distance without having to walk downrange.
- Shooting Rest / Bipod: A stable shooting rest or a good bipod will significantly improve your stability when sighting in new optics, testing ammunition, or achieving maximum precision.
- Shooting Mat: For those who shoot prone, a comfortable shooting mat provides cushioning and insulation from the ground, especially at outdoor ranges.
Comfort & Efficiency:
- Shooting Gloves: Protect your hands from heat generated by the firearm, reduce recoil sting, and provide a better grip, especially during extended shooting sessions.
- Brass Catcher: If you reload your ammunition or simply prefer a tidy range space, a brass catcher attaches to your firearm and collects spent casings, making cleanup a breeze.
- Shot Timer: For competitive shooters or those working on improving their speed and efficiency, a shot timer provides invaluable feedback on split times and overall drill performance.
- Notebook & Pen: A simple notebook and pen are excellent for recording data, noting observations about ammunition performance, tracking drill progress, and planning future training.
- Hydration & Snacks: Stay energized and focused throughout your range session by bringing water and light snacks.
Beyond the Basics: Advanced & Specialized Gear
As you progress in your shooting journey, you might need more specialized shooting range accessories to meet specific training goals or competitive demands.
For the Serious Enthusiast:
- Concealed Carry (CCW) Specifics: If you carry concealed, dedicate range time to practicing with your actual Everyday Carry (EDC) setup – including your holster, belt, and typical carry method. This builds confidence and proficiency in real-world scenarios.
- Battle Belts / Competition Rigs: For tactical training or competitive shooting, a dedicated battle belt or competition rig allows you to carry multiple magazines, an IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit), specialized pouches, and other mission-specific gear efficiently.
- Optics Tools: In addition to a basic multi-tool, you might want specific wrenches for scope mounts, a precise torque driver for mounting optics to manufacturer specifications, or tools for adjusting iron sights.
- Bore Sighting Tools: For quick and easy initial zeroing of a new optic, a laser bore sighting tool can quickly get you on paper, saving time and ammunition.
- Advanced Cleaning Tools: For thorough gun cleaning supplies, you might invest in specialized chamber brushes, barrel rods, and specific solvents for different firearm types or calibers.
Competition Specifics:
- Competitive shooters often have specialized needs, including dedicated shot timers, quick-draw holsters, specific magazine pouches, and even range carts to transport all their gear efficiently between stages.
Gear Up for Success
Every trip to the shooting range is an opportunity to learn, improve, and enjoy your passion. Being well-equipped with the right shooting range accessories ensures a safe, productive, and ultimately more enjoyable experience. Each item plays a role in your success, from foundational safety gear like hearing protection and eye protection to performance-enhancing tools like a quality range bag and spotting scope.
Remember, your ideal supplies will evolve as your skills grow and your shooting interests diversify. At RKB Armory, we are your trusted partner for high-quality shooting gear and expert advice. We carefully select our products, including new and meticulously inspected pre-owned optics, to ensure you have access to the best equipment for your needs.
Invest in your range experience, invest in your safety, and invest in your skill.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shooting Range Accessories
What are the most critical shooting range accessories for a beginner?
For beginners, the essentials are top-quality hearing protection (electronic earmuffs are highly recommended for communication), ballistic-rated eye protection (shooting glasses), sufficient ammunition for your firearm, and a sturdy range bag to safely and conveniently transport all your gear.
Why do I need electronic hearing protection?
Electronic hearing protection is highly recommended because it intelligently amplifies safe ambient sounds like range commands and conversations, while instantaneously suppressing dangerously loud noises, such as gunfire, to a safe decibel level. This feature allows for improved communication and situational awareness on the firing line without compromising hearing protection.
What type of targets should I bring to the range?
The type of targets you bring depends on your training goals. Standard paper targets are excellent for precise grouping and zeroing your firearm. Reactive targets (like splatter targets or self-resetting steel) provide immediate visual or auditory feedback, which is fantastic for faster-paced drills. Always ensure that any steel targets are rated for your calibre and used with appropriate safety distances and backstops.
Is a cleaning kit essential for every range trip?
No. But some lubrication may be needed. While a thorough deep clean is typically performed at home, a compact cleaning kit is helpful at the range. It allows quick maintenance, such as running a bore snake through the barrel, wiping down the action with a patch, or applying a drop of gun oil to key points. This can prevent minor malfunctions and keep your firearm running smoothly, especially during extended shooting sessions.
What’s the benefit of a magazine loader?
A magazine loader, such as a Maglula Uplula, offers significant benefits: it saves your thumbs from pain and fatigue, particularly after loading many magazines; it drastically speeds up the loading process, meaning you spend less time preparing and more time shooting; and it can extend the life of your magazine springs by preventing over-compression during manual loading.
🎯 Elevate Your Next Range Day!
Ready to optimize your shooting experience with the best shooting range accessories?
- Discover premium safety gear, robust range bags, and essential tools at RKB Armory: https://www.rkbarmory.com/shop/
- Learn more about RKB Armory’s commitment to quality and service, a veteran-led business founded on integrity and precision: https://www.rkbarmory.com/about/
- Looking to upgrade your optics? See our comprehensive range of new and meticulously inspected pre-owned options: https://www.rkbarmory.com/shop/.
- Considering selling your current optic? Get a hassle-free, no-obligation quote from us today: https://www.rkbarmory.com/sell-your-optic/
- Have questions or need personalized advice on building your ideal range setup? Contact our knowledgeable team directly! https://www.rkbarmory.com/contact/
Gear up for success with RKB Armory – where precision meets passion!
