Range tool kits? What do I need? (Read 2009 times)

Rico808

Range tool kits? What do I need?
« on: May 31, 2022, 06:53:58 PM »
Few weeks ago while I was at the range.

I got my bolt stuck 🤦🏾‍♂️ I was learning how to bore sight my MPX. 

Lucky RSO was there to help me with some tools. Uncle scolded me for not bringing a rag lol.

Which made me think that I should have a tool kit for the range.

I don’t know what to buy? Any suggestions?

Is there AAA but for the range 🤣?
Living life on the edge. Just trying to spread my 2A wings as far as I can.

When you stand for nothing, you fall for everything

drck1000

Re: Range tool kits? What do I need?
« Reply #1 on: May 31, 2022, 06:58:07 PM »
Depends what guns and what you have on them. I usually have a screwdriver set with variety of bits. Flat head, Philips, torx and Allen. That one pouch is about 90% of what I’ve needed. If doing stuff with scopes, I’ll take my kit with torque limiters.

For .22 lr, I have a cleaning rod in the bag, mostly for stuck cases. For pistols, if I’m zeroing, I’ll take either sight tool or delrin punch and small hammer to drift sights.

dafrtknocker

Re: Range tool kits? What do I need?
« Reply #2 on: May 31, 2022, 07:45:16 PM »
Extra Batteries for ear-pro and red dots and all the sight tools if something is loose.

Flapp_Jackson

Re: Range tool kits? What do I need?
« Reply #3 on: May 31, 2022, 08:46:05 PM »
Extra Batteries for ear-pro and red dots and all the sight tools if something is loose.

Second the sight tools.  Any AR-15 or AK-47 sight tools are a must.  Even if the sights are zeroed, you never want to be unable to make adjustments.

I recommend setting out each firearm, especially those with lasers, back straps, optics/red dots, weapons lights, and other accessories such as angled foregrips and slings.  Locate all the necessary tools to install, remove and adjust every fastener on every gun.  I'd also include a cleaning rod that screws together in sections, a small brass mallet, and a Glock Tool or set of small punches.

If you shoot ARs, include a spare parts kit in case you lose/break/wear out a spring or pin.

Put all the tools in one container. For organization, maybe get a small, clear plastic organizer box with dividers. That way, whether you're at home or the range, you'll have every possible contingency covered, and the tools can be located quickly.

If you have room, you can include the extra batteries mentioned in the box, so you aren't caught with a dead red dot or laser.

Get some screwdrivers that work with your fasteners, such as flathead drivers with the squared end, to avoid stripping certain screws.

If you shoot steel plates, maybe extra hardware that can get damaged, or or for target frames that might.  I also carry a Leatherman with pliers.

Cleaning supplies would be good, such as rags, patches, brushes, or a bore snake.  A small can of Ballstol can come in handy, too.

Whatever lube you use on the guns, bring a little just in case a gun appears to need a little more.  If you clean and oil your guns before each range visit, this shouldn't be needed, but what happens when you take a gun out to shoot that hasn't been used/cleaned in months?

If you shoot corrosive ammo (Mosin), bring a couple ounces of ammonia Windex or other base liquid to neutralize the acid from the ammo, so it's not eating your barrel before you get time to really clean it.

You'll know what's needed when you set out the guns to do the inventory.  If you need a 1911 bushing tool to break it down or a jeweler's screwdriver to adjust a sight, you can make that call as you go.
« Last Edit: June 01, 2022, 12:55:03 PM by Flapp_Jackson »
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world;
the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself.
Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.
-- George Bernard Shaw

changemyoil66

Re: Range tool kits? What do I need?
« Reply #4 on: May 31, 2022, 10:21:41 PM »
Or buy 2 of every gun.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

tim808

Re: Range tool kits? What do I need?
« Reply #5 on: May 31, 2022, 11:28:32 PM »
As mentioned before….oil/lube,
Pick - in case you have to remove a fired 22lr case stuck in the chamber
Sets of allen/torx wrenches (I leave them in the car)
Barrel cleaning rod (I leave it in the car)

I rarely need to use tools so I leave most of them in the car

I always oil my ar before shooting.

The only tool I use all the time is the pick….because I mainly shoot 22lr since ammo is expensive

I torque my scope rings and the receiver/stock the night before

Put silver perm marker on the scope by the rings so I can see if the  scope is slowly moving from recoil….and tighten the rings if needed

I try to bring at least 2 guns….in case one has issues but that is rare since I mainly use bolt guns.

Extra batteries for ear pro.

I avoid red dots….prefer scope or micro prism or Lpvo with etched reticle….to avoid worrying about dead batteries

Shell catcher from folding laundry hamper

Good luck!
« Last Edit: May 31, 2022, 11:34:57 PM by tim808 »

drck1000

Re: Range tool kits? What do I need?
« Reply #6 on: June 01, 2022, 08:13:21 AM »
Another consideration is if one is a minimalist, or cover every contingency and maximize the range day/time.  I am more minimalist, where I don't want to carry a bunch of stuff.  That said, I do see value and have been helped by those that have extra gear or have larger variety of tools handy.

For a typical range day on the rifle or pistol range, I'm typically planning on doing something specific.  If I don't have the tools, likely end of the range day if I can't find someone else at the range.  However, for when going to a class, particularly on the mainland, I've gone with having more, including backups, in order to maximize the range time.  I've had stuff like optics or even backup guns help others in the class.  The only thing I've had break is a safety selector/lever on an AR lower where a backup AR was needed.  No one had a backup safety selector. 

Many firearms in common usage by military and LE, there are typically means to make corrections or adjustments without tools.  Plus, many ways learned from experience on how to get by with stuff you'll typically have on hand, like spent casing. 

QUIETShooter

Re: Range tool kits? What do I need?
« Reply #7 on: June 01, 2022, 08:37:03 AM »
I have one of those dual rifle tactical type of rifle cases.  It has a lot of storage pockets made for mags and ammo.  It also has little pockets for miscellaneous stuff.

I use old prescription pill bottles to store stuff like hex wrenches specifically for a certain part of the rifles.  These pouches also house specific screwdrivers, punches, and wrenches that are specific to the rifle part.  I try not to carry complete sets of wrenches, drivers, and such.

So that's what I carry in the rifle cases along with the mags, ammo, and a government issue M-16 cleaning kit.

I also have a range bag.  This bag has a stapler, blue mask tape, and C-clamps for whatever I may come across in setting up my target stand.  It also carries my binoculars, ear protection muffs and plugs, targets, markers, and bullet hole cover stickers along with a small notepad and pens.

I also stuff a Yeti water bottle in the bag, along with a small insulated bag for my sandwich and snacks like snickers and chips or cookies.

So typically when I approach the range, I have my rifle case on my back with shoulder straps, the target stand in one hand, the range bag is slung over my neck and to the side, and my brass catcher thing a ma jig in my other hand.
Sometimes you gotta know when to save your bullets.

changemyoil66

Re: Range tool kits? What do I need?
« Reply #8 on: June 01, 2022, 08:47:54 AM »
TBH, I don't bring much tools to the range, but below is what I do bring:

1) Spare battery for RDS on rifle (in compartment on buttstock)
2) Hex key tool for RDS on rifle (in compartment on buttstock)

All tools/parts are in the buttstock that I purchased for this reason. I had my RDS go down twice during an exercise for skill builders. So it was good practice to switch to back up irons.  And I changed the battery one the exercise was completed.  My RDS does not have a low batt indicator, nor does the dot get lighter.

Also I never loctited the RDS on either, just cranked on as hard as I can with the supplied star key.  So this is why I have the tool in the buttstock too.  But so far since 2016, it has never come loose. And Mrs. CMO's one since 2019ish.  We have the same RDS on our AR's.

oldfart

Re: Range tool kits? What do I need?
« Reply #9 on: June 01, 2022, 09:05:08 AM »
A side note.
If you shoot a 1911 pattern pistol.
Every tool you need to break it down to bare frame is contained in the pistol.
What, Me Worry?

stangzilla

Re: Range tool kits? What do I need?
« Reply #10 on: June 01, 2022, 11:16:21 AM »
I always have some sort of CLP, a screwdriver with various heads (flat, phillips, hex, torx), sight adjustment tool for whatever i'm shooting that day, squee-gee in case it was raining earlier and I have to wipe up water, ziploc bags to put spent brass in, hand wipes, extra ear plugs

rpoL98

Re: Range tool kits? What do I need?
« Reply #11 on: June 01, 2022, 11:50:07 AM »
threaded, sectional brass cleaning rod for knocking out stuck cases.
small punches
delrin punches
screw drivers, hex key, torx
small hammer,
etc

here's the boat anchor I'm lugging around at the range:


admittedly serious overkill.  I'm a tool junkie.  seems like folks' guns are working better nowadays.  years ago, I had to pull out the tool kit frequently, nowadays, it's just to fix my own malfunctioning stuff.  or folks are shooting less because no ammo, costly ammo.
« Last Edit: June 01, 2022, 12:10:33 PM by rpoL98 »

Rocky

Re: Range tool kits? What do I need?
« Reply #12 on: June 01, 2022, 12:32:29 PM »
“I ask you to judge me by the enemies I have made.”
                                                           Franklin D. Roosevelt

aaronc5362

Re: Range tool kits? What do I need?
« Reply #13 on: June 01, 2022, 01:47:26 PM »
1.Cheapo multi tool
2.Had a snap on small screwdriver set lying around
3. Knife
4. A quarter
5. A1/a2 tool
6. Ncstar glock tool. (Its prob the best item they sell) lol
7. The oem tool from aimpoint

I think thats all I bring. Never had a stuck case before. But recently I saw a video from tactical hyve and they use a paint can opener. Had 1 lying around so I put it in my bag. May prove useful 1 day but I use factory ammo only. I do have a sectional rod by avid somewhere I may put it in my bag as well if I can find it. As someone else said... I always prelube my guns before hitting the range so I dont bring any.

The best thing to do is to bring multiple guns so of 1 goes down you got something else to play with. This past march my Xdm guide rod broke on me. But I brought 4 other pistols so I wasnt mad that much. Make the 15-20 mile round trip worth while imho.