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Posted: 8/20/2024 12:00:00 PM EDT
| I have a fairly decent length drive to my nearest range. It's always nice to have basic tools on hand to avoid wasted trips if anything goes wrong. Things like screwdrivers, bits, suppressor tools, punches, lube/grease, small hammer, etc. I was just curious if anyone has any suggestions for storing/transporting tools in a nice compact kit format. I hate dumping everything in a larger backpack and digging through pouches to fish out tools. I was thinking about possibly using the Magpul Daka large utility organizer, but I'm sure there are tons of other options. I was just curious what others are using. |
I just throw my work tool bag in the truck. This one wore out over a 15 year period and I replaced it with a larger version. No pics of that one, but same tools.  You need a good selection of metric, standard, and spline type L-wrenches if you have a lot of different RDC on pistols and rifles. There is no standard for the hardware they use. Also note the red and blue loctite. My new kit includes a Fluke multimeter, wire ties, gloves, reading glasses, and a hammer.  My gun box usually has a USGI cleaning kit, which covers a lot of firearms types. It can also be used for barrel clearing of a stuck projectile. |
Preferred pronoun: MARINE
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Originally Posted By wildearp: I just throw my work tool bag in the truck. This one wore out over a 15 year period and I replaced it with a larger version. No pics of that one, but same tools. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/41996/tools_3_JPG-2843094.jpg You need a good selection of metric, standard, and spline type L-wrenches if you have a lot of different RDC on pistols and rifles. There is no standard for the hardware they use. Also note the red and blue loctite. My new kit includes a Fluke multimeter, wire ties, gloves, reading glasses, and a hammer. My gun box usually has a USGI cleaning kit, which covers a lot of firearms types. It can also be used for barrel clearing of a stuck projectile. That looks great! |
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Just review what tools you would need and simply place those in a Home Depot, etc. tool bag. For instance, metric, standard and torx sets, small adjustable wrench to go at least 1/2" a couple slot tip screwdrivers, maybe a Leatherman tool. Of course just like anything else, you could invest/waste money on something you tote back and forth forever but never use but can post pictures of to brag, all depends on what you want. Don't fall into the trap of "having" to do surgery on a rifle at the range, meaning are you really going to need a vise, complete set of torque tools, hammer, armorers wrench, torch, kitchen sink and dog treats, etc. |
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Originally Posted By mark5pt56: Just review what tools you would need and simply place those in a Home Depot, etc. tool bag. For instance, metric, standard and torx sets, small adjustable wrench to go at least 1/2" a couple slot tip screwdrivers, maybe a Leatherman tool. Of course just like anything else, you could invest/waste money on something you tote back and forth forever but never use but can post pictures of to brag, all depends on what you want. Don't fall into the trap of "having" to do surgery on a rifle at the range, meaning are you really going to need a vise, complete set of torque tools, hammer, armorers wrench, torch, kitchen sink and dog treats, etc. That's exactly what I'm trying to do.... find a small/medium case (preferably soft) for my tools that I can easily throw into my range backpack (which I use more broadly for gloves, ear pro, eye pro, suppressor mitt, snacks, etc.). As noted, I'm tired of digging through my backpack into various pouches to retrieve a screwdriver or a punch or a T25 bit. I'm just looking for suggestions on what specific cases other people are using to keep their tools isolated/organized. There are a ton of different options out there offering a variety of sizes, pouch/pocket layout. I'm just curious if anyone has a specific case that works well for them (Magpul Daka, Maxpedition, find on Amazon, etc.) |
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It depends on what you want to spend on this, maybe you already have the tools in the garage? I you do, the below is cheap, easy and effective. It's endless as far as what you need/want, the tool bags are simple and will hold what you need, they also work great for magazines, etc. examples https://www.homedepot.com/p/CAT-Tool-Storage-12-in-1-Pocket-Black-and-Yellow-600-D-Polyester-Document-bag-Can-be-Used-to-Organize-Documents-84666/330187518 https://www.homedepot.com/p/CAT-Tool-Storage-8-in-3-Pockets-Black-and-Yellow-600-D-Polyester-Document-bag-3-Assorted-Sized-84665/330187517 One example, get the SAE and Torx sets https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Long-Arm-Hex-Key-Set-MM-13-Piece-HLAHKM13PC-06/317213852 |
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https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/81400/10002/-1 Or https://bucketboss.com/collections/tool-storage-and-organization/products/gatemouth-12-tool-bag Or https://bucketboss.com/collections/tool-storage-and-organization/products/super-roll Or some other bag from Bucket Boss . A surplus military tool bag might work for you. |
Keep your powder dry, and watch your back trail.
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Originally Posted By KD27: I have a fairly decent length drive to my nearest range. It's always nice to have basic tools on hand to avoid wasted trips if anything goes wrong. Things like screwdrivers, bits, suppressor tools, punches, lube/grease, small hammer, etc. I was just curious if anyone has any suggestions for storing/transporting tools in a nice compact kit format. I hate dumping everything in a larger backpack and digging through pouches to fish out tools. I was thinking about possibly using the Magpul Daka large utility organizer, but I'm sure there are tons of other options. I was just curious what others are using. I live like 5 minutes from the range. I could walk there to be honest, lol. I had some problems sometimes and would just come home, fix it, and go back usually under an hour. So my thought is sell your house and move closer. I learned my lessons about "fixing" things at the range. I think unless you're one of those people who is super relaxed and can keep cool, I had incidences where I stripped the screw that came loose. I just like sitting down and looking it over and being able to apply good pressure on it. However, I think the biggest issues I found would be.... 1) Loose screw. Usually on the optic or handguard. So I would carry things that could tighten it. 2) Broken carrier or bolt parts. I just carry a complete assembly with me and just swap it and worry about fixing it at home. Usually a nice gerber multi tool. There's this leatherman that you can get like the complete torx and bit set that works wonderfully. I think it was called the MUT but I don't have it any longer. You had to buy the kit separately but it worked really well. |
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Originally Posted By dalle0001: I live like 5 minutes from the range. I could walk there to be honest, lol. I had some problems sometimes and would just come home, fix it, and go back usually under an hour. So my thought is sell your house and move closer.  I used to live close to a range. Owner got divorced and had to dump it, nobody would buy it. Range is a truck yard now.  If you have more than a few tools, you don't want a bag or box. The tool you need will always be on the bottom. |
Preferred pronoun: MARINE
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SC, USA
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I bought a pretty big canvas range bag from Midway some years back. It has two big outer pockets, a couple of small sleeves on the inside and one big main section. I have a few small plastic boxes with tools and useful items that are always in the main compartment along with my eyes, ears, binos, etc. Targets go in one of the outer pockets and the other has a bunch of binder clips and cheap wooden clothespins for hanging targets (my local range has chicken wire and plastic mesh stretched between posts for hanging targets). Also inside: an altoid tin full of high NR 3M foam ear plugs, a 3' piece of string trimmer line to check for squibs, some paracord, basic first aid, pens, sharpie, notepad, etc. Since I nearly always bring my 10-22* to the range, I keep a plastic box with a dozen mags, tech sight tool, etc. in the range bag all of the time. *IMO, unless a problem with a gun at the range is obvious and easily fixed (e.g., loose mounting screw), I'd rather just take it home to diagnose/repair and move on to shooting another firearm. I usually bring 2-3 rifles and 2-3 pistols/revolvers anyway. |
| I keep my tools and cleaning crap in Savior Sacks. I ordered a four pack of the Sedona Red ones so it would be easy to ID in my range bag. They are marketed as ammo bags and do a great job at that as well. Usually on Amazon for around $20ish for a four pack. |
Wanted: Bikini cover for old school Trijicon 1x24 Reflex sight. IM please.
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I use one of these bags I got on amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09M66VQBZ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1 You can see what is in the bag. Been using one of these as my range toolbag for a while now, it's holding up well. |
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