The Bag of Holding measures roughly 2 feet by 4 feet long and appears as a nondescript cloth sack. Its uniqueness comes from the fact that it holds an extraordinary amount, up to forty times its own weight, and weighs the same regardless of how full it is. –  from the Dungeon Master’s Guide.

Those of you who may be closer to my age when pen and paper instead of flat screens and wireless controllers ruled kids imaginations may recognize the mythical and exceptionally useful Bag of Holding from Dungeons & Dragons. As players so many years ago we all recognized its value but cared little about acquiring one. You could remove it from the loot table for all we cared. We simply didn’t play the game considering how we carried our fortunes, gear, and magical odds & ends. What fun is worrying about how much all that stuff weighs and how we might realistically lug it around after all.

Why reference some obscure magical item from an antiquated role-playing game? Because when it comes to my range bag, the Bag of Holding is exactly what I want! The Midway USA Competition Range Bag System may not be magical but it sure holds just about everything I can imagine needing and then some. Unfortunately, unlike the Bag of Holding, it can get pretty heavy.

The MidwayUSA Competition Range Bag sold by MidwayUSA retails from $69.99 – $79.99 but can periodically be found on sale for as little as $39.99. The bag can be purchased in black, charcoal, coyote, multicam, and olive drab. The technical specifications below are taken directly from MidwayUSA’s website:

Material: PVC Coated Polyester

Capacity: 2404 C.I.

Weight: 6.06 lbs.

Length: 22″

Width: 15″

Height: 10″

Main Compartment: 17″ x 10″ x 10″

2 removable padded pistol rugs with zippers 8-½” H x 12″ W fit most large frame semi-auto pistols and revolvers with barrels up to 6″

Removable stage bag/ammunition carrier with carrying handles for portability 15″ L x 5″ W x7-½”H

Front:

2 Padded zippered pockets (8″ L x 2″ W x 8″ H)

MidwayUSA Logo Embroidered

Rear: 8″ x 2″ x 16″

8 magazine pouches

Internal padded pocket 8″ x 15.5″

12 various sized internal elastic accessory holders designed to hold brushes, jags etc for calibers from 50 down to 17

Left: 4″ x 2″ 8″

1 padded bottle holder with drain hole

Right: 8″ x 2″ x 8″

5 internal elastic accessory holders (1.25″ x 2.5″)

Shoulder Carry Strap: Yes, 2″ W x 52″ L removable carrying strap with shoulder pad and chrome plated steel clasps

Handle Carry Handles: Yes, wraparound with hook & loop closure

Includes:

Removable stage bag/ammunition carrier features:

2 Padded zippered pockets (7-½” H x 15″ L)

2 Padded moveable hook and loop equipped compartment walls

2 Chrome plated steel D-rings for quick attachment of the carry strap

Full wrap-around nylon handles

2 removable padded pistol rugs features:

8.5″ x 12″ will fit most large frame semi-auto pistols and revolvers with barrels up to 6″

Total Number of Pockets: 9

As you can see from the specs above, this is a substantial bag. The MidwayUSA Competition Bag includes 5 separate bags. The large outer shell, or the main bag. A smaller tote-like bag that fits neatly inside. Two smaller handgun sleeves, and a convenient drawstring brass holder. This is a well thought out design and each of these individual bags has proven very useful. The fact that it all fits inside the bag and can be used as needed without getting in the way is a huge bonus. Although I very rarely remove the interior tote/stage bag I can see the value of being able to pick this bag up separately to move selected gear to another stage without having to lug the whole bag with you. The pistol sleeves are well made and have a soft, non-abrasive interior and eliminate the need for separate cases to transport a couple of pistols. The brass holder is awesome. As a reloader I fill this little bag up every time I go to the range. The main bag of course has a multitude of pockets, pouches and accessory holders. It is an excellent and well made bag by itself. Now some of you might be thinking: “How much stuff do I really need to bring to the range?” That depend of course. I usually go to the range with the intent of shooting two or three different firearms. This bag of course easily meets those needs. What I like particularly about this bag is that no matter what I am shooting that day, I need to do very little to prepare except check to make sure I have enough ammo and perhaps magazines for what I am shooting. Everything else I might need I know I will have. Here is a picture of the contents of my bag:

Including:

• Various targets for both rifle and pistol shooting
• Staple gun and staples
• Two pairs of tactical/shooting gloves
• Ear protection
• Spare ear plugs as well as a bag of disposable plugs
• Cold weather cap
• Wet wipes
• Mult-Tool
• Mini screwdrivers
• Allen wrenches
• Chamber flags
• Elbow pads
• Maglula universal pistol magazine loader
• Spare batteries
• Ipod
• Pens
• Towel
• Eye protection along with two spare pairs
• Various magazines for some of my most commonly fired guns
• Ammo: generally 9mm, .223 and .22 LR

Everything fits neatly inside, organized and easily accessible. And believe it or not, with room to spare! The bag isn’t light though. Mine weighs about 29 pounds with the contents you see above. Time is one of my most precious commodities and when I’m getting ready to head to the range the quicker and more efficient I can be the better. I can open my safe and case my firearms, take a quick peek in my bag to check my ammo and I am out the door. The MidwayUSA Competition Range Bag is a rugged, quality bag that provides any shooter a modular system to transport nearly everything needed for a typical or even not-so-typical day at the range.

JD