There are many range bags available on the market today. Gun owners who are interested in organizing their equipment and accessories properly have a lot to choose from. It can get pretty confusing, sometimes. Some bags are meant for everyday civilian carry, while others are geared more towards professional use by law enforcement or military.

A range bag, by definition, is a bag meant to be used by the average shooter when going to the firing range. It can be used for more than that, of course. Many range bags can double as hunting bags, on-the-go bags, and even diaper bags! But, essentially, a range bag is made for that specific purpose. They usually comes with one or two pouches and pistol rugs, for safekeeping a weapon while in transit.

There are several range bags which were very popular from the very beginning, and which have become best-sellers over time. They have proven themselves time and time again, and they manage to stand out thanks to their construction, their storage abilities, and their overall value. We are going to discuss them, and their pros and cons.

Best in Show: Gunmate vs Blackhawk vs Explorer

The three range bags which we consider to be the best out there, for the average shooter, are ones manufactured by Gunmate, Blackhawk, and Explorer. These companies are well-known, in and out of the United States, and they are respected by those who have had the chance to use their products. The specific models in question are:

Gunmate Range Bag

Blackhawk Sportster

Explorer Rangemaster

These are the top three range bags being sold today. They come highly recommended, are fit for a shooter on a budget, and – most importantly – they do what they are meant to do, and they do it well. With any one of these bags, you get an item which is worth the money, and is a great investment.

We will be examining the following features: dimensions, materials, compartments (and pistol rugs), price, and warranty as they relate to Gunmate vs Blackhawk vs Explorer.

Dimensions

• Gunmate Range Bag
  • Width: 16 inches
  • Height: 8 inches
  • Depth: 7 inches
• Blackhawk Sportster
  • Width: 16 inches
  • Height: 8 inches
  • Depth: 9 inches
• Explorer Rangemaster
  • Width: 18 inches
  • Height: 14 inches
  • Depth: 10 inches

All three bags come with a removable shoulder strap, and two carry handles. The Explorer’s strap and handles are padded, but the others are not. The Gunmate shoulder strap does come with a small shoulder piece, made of tough plastic.

Materials

Gunmate Range Bag: Nylon

Blackhawk Sportster: 600 D Polyester

Explorer Rangemaster: 600 D Polyester

Compartments

A range bag should ideally have at least one pistol rug, as well as a place for magazines. An option to lock the compartments is also a necessity, and in some places (looking right at you, California) it is even the law.

• Gunmate Range Bag
  • Main compartment with adjustable Velcro partitions
  • Two lockable side compartments with a pistol rug in each

• Blackhawk Sportster
  • Main compartment with adjustable Velcro partitions
  • Two lockable side compartments with a pistol rug in each

• Explorer Rangemaster
  • Main compartment with adjustable Velcro partitions
  • Front and rear compartments with magazine pouches and two pistol rugs
  • Two zippered side compartments for additional weapons and accessories

Price

These prices are only an average price. You could find them for more and you could find them for less, but these are the going rates for the top 3 range bags.

Gunmate Range Bag: $25

Blackhawk Sportster: $30

Explorer Rangemaster: $50

The Explorer’s price is the highest, and rightly so. It has more compartments and pockets, which make a difference. The carrying handles and strap are padded, which also brings the price up a little. All things considered, these bags are priced in accordance with their features and abilities.

Warranty

Gunmate Range Bag: 12 months

Blackhawk Sportster: Lifetime

Explorer Rangemaster: Lifetime

All three bags are practical, useful, and durable. These represent the best of the best for the average shooter. If you arrange your bag properly, you could probably fit between 3 – 5 pistols in these bags, and still have room for all the necessary accessories.

Conclusion

The idea behind the range bag is simple: have everything you need by your side, so you spend more effort on shooting, and less on locating what you need. This saves time, money, and energy all at once. Some people may wonder why it would be necessary to purchase a range bag to begin with. Technically, any ordinary bag or pack can become a potential range bag. While that statement is not untrue, let’s face it: some bags are better than others. Stuffing your guns, ammo, targets, eye and ear protection, and cleaning accessories into a backpack (or other less-appropriate storage apparatus) will most likely result in a mess of loose boxes, bullets, bottles, and brushes. Not exactly fun. A firearm is a deadly weapon, and it needs to be treated with respect. If you’re going to train – do it right.

With a range bag, you know exactly where your stuff is. These bags are built to last, made of sturdy nylon and high-strength polyester, and the partitions make it even easier to arrange your gear. They are the perfect bag to take along for a day at the range, be it outdoor or indoor. These bags are made with strong enough material, so even though they are not defined as waterproof by their manufacturer, they are somewhat water resistant. Your mileage will definitely vary, but this has been my impression.

The ability to lock your bag, and its designated gun-holding compartments in particular, is another major plus. The zippers on these bags are high quality, and they provide the necessary space needed to insert a small lock. This is a feature which you will not necessarily find with a different bag.

Now, look. I am certainly not trying to push something on those who do not need it. If all you ever do for practice is take a single gun to the range, along with maybe one box of ammo – these bags may not be for you. If that is your thing, then I agree that these bags are unnecessary. Their multiple compartments, slash pockets, and magazine pouches become quite useless. These bags are primarily meant for shooters who have some equipment to carry, and who want to do so in a secure, fast, and easy manner.

Furthermore, once the sun has set on your day at the range, you can use this bag for so many other activities. Its ease of access and durability make it ideal for hunting, hiking, camping, survival, and any other outdoors-y kind of thing. I have even heard of those who use a range bag as a diaper bag, taking advantage of all of the compartments and pockets.

One thing is clear: these bags deliver.

The post Gunmate vs Blackhawk vs Explorer – Top 3 Range Bags appeared first on Gunivore.

There are some accessories that gun owners buy before others. Usually, these consist of a holster, perhaps a sight. One accessory which should not be overlooked is a range bag. Essentially, this is a carrying bag designated specifically for use at the range.

Blackhawk has released a variety of tactical and utility bags. Some are suited for shaving kits or camping gear, others are fit for medical equipment. And, a few of those bags – the Blackhawk Sportster Series Range bags – are meant for those of us who regularly make our way to the firing range.

No two ways about it – you have to be organized. A big part of owning a firearm of any kind is training with it. Whether it is for the purposes of competition, home defense, every day carry, or work-related carry – you need to know what you are doing with your weapon of choice. It is part of your personal responsibility as the carrier of a deadly weapon, and – for the average gun owner – that means spending time at the shooting range.

Top Notch Gun Carrying Gear

The Blackhawk Company has been making top notch accessories of all kinds, ever since 1990. This company has it all: holsters, stocks, clothing, armor, lights, gloves, bags, packs, and even knives. It’s a great line of products, and it is guaranteed to be made of only the finest materials. Blackhawk never was one to skimp on quality, even if it does cost a little more.

Two bags in particular are worth talking about when it comes to the shooting range: the Sportster, and the Sportster Deluxe. These are two of Blackhawk’s most popular bags, and it is not very hard to see why. They are designed specifically for a shooter’s needs, and they have proven themselves very useful. The Sportster series bags are made of very durable 600 Denier polyester. This isn’t ordinary polyester by any means. It is a dense material, meant primarily for heavy-duty uses, and it is not by chance that Blackhawk chose it for these unique range bags.

Shooters’ bags are ordinarily packed with a lot of equipment, because, well, you need a lot of equipment at the range. Guns, ammunition, hearing protection, eye protection, targets, extra magazines, oils and lubes, brushes, etc. All of this gear can add up to a significant amount of weight, and you need to have a bag which can carry that load. Literally.

Obviously, there are other ways to carry equipment, but what makes range bags unique is that they are intended for this particular use. Let’s go a little bit more in-depth, and see what each bag features.

Sportster Pistol Range Bag

• Color: Black
• Width: 16 inches
• Height: 8 inches
• Depth: 9 inches

The Sportster pistol range bag comes with a removable shoulder strap, as well as two handles. The strap has a sturdy hook and loop system, and the stitching on this bag is very solid. It provides the Sportster with a lot of endurance. I didn’t test how much this bag can carry, so I wouldn’t know the limit. Let’s just say it can carry enough.

As far as storage space goes, there is a roomy, divided main compartment, along with two smaller side compartments. The main compartment is opened with a dual zipper slider handle. Once unzipped, a Velcro fastened pull-out flap can be rolled away, to reveal the compartment’s contents.

Inside, there are several dividers. These are also fastened with Velcro, so you can rearrange them however you like. There are those who remove them completely, and are left with a large undivided space at their disposal.

The bottom of the bag is tough plastic, and it feels like it can last. You need some resistance when you are carrying a lot of ammo, etc., and this bag certainly provides it.

The two side compartments are identical. They are meant primarily for the handguns themselves, and they come with a removable pistol rug, which is very gentle on the weapon. These compartments can handle any full sized handgun, plus there is a single divider for storing things like charts, markers, or pens.

The zippers on this range bag are large Coil Zippers. While these are not as familiar as perhaps KKY, it is a good zipper nevertheless, and you can count on it. Now, on to the deluxe version.

Blackhawk Sportster Deluxe Range Bag

• Color: Black
• Width: 15 inches
• Height: 11 inches
• Depth: 10 inches

At a glance, the Sportster Deluxe range bag looks a lot like the original Sportster. It has the same configuration of two carry handles, shoulder strap, and dual zipper main compartment. But, the deluxe does have several extra features, which differentiate it from the Sportster.

The deluxe has three compartments, with large dual Coil Zippers, along with a single pouch which holds a padded gun rug. Within the main compartment are three pockets – two meant for firearms, and a smaller one – and a large storage area. Enough for anything you may need for a typical day at the range.

But that is just it. This particular bag doesn’t stop at the range. The deluxe is designed for more than the firing range, and it can serve you well in any outdoor activity. Technically, so could the Sportster, but the deluxe has multiple pockets, and multiple rows of webbing for attaching any accessories or tagalong pouches.

Our Blackhawk Range Bag Review

The greatest thing about these bags is that they are fit for pretty much any budget. The Sportster averages at $30, and the Deluxe at $45. These are very reasonable prices, in my opinion, and the value and quality cannot be contested. Blackhawk knows how to make great accessories, and the Blackhawk tactical range bag is no exception.

I’ve heard people say that buying a range bag is an unnecessary, borderline frivolous act. “Why not just take a duffle bag?” they wonder. Well, yes. You could use any kind of bag, really. But nothing compares to a storage unit that has been specifically designed for the needs of a regular range goer.

The materials used, the compartments, the stitching, the ease of access (or lack thereof) – these are all part of what makes this bag so perfect for the shooting range. And if you are thinking about getting yourself a bag, Blackhawk is totally worth the money. A quality item for a fair price. You will not be disappointed.

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