Shooting Sports Must Have Essentials

Let’s hear what are your must have sport shooting essentials.

Education:

The very first item on the list is an education about firearm safety and the firearms themselves. Without these two bits of essential knowledge, any involvement with firearm handling is too dangerous. Education is available on the Internet however it’s advisable for enthusiasts to obtain education and training from a shooting club.

Firearm Storage:

Before even acquiring a firearm, one of the first assets a shooting sport enthusiast has to acquire is secure storage for the firearm, accessories and ammunition. Most people look to buy a safe. The problem with safes is that they’re heavy, bulky, difficult to install especially anywhere other than the ground floor and even the best safe doesn’t offer any true fire protection. Consider instead a Secure-It firearm storage units. The same cabinets used in military armories & by law enforcement agencies worldwide are available to civilian buyers. Lightweight and Ultra Lightweight gun safes are also offered in different sizes and configurations. There is a storage solution for everyone. The panels arrive disassembled in a lightweight flat pack and can be assembled easily by a single person using common hand tools.

First Aid:

The next item we recommend is a Trauma First Aid Kit. Shooting after all is a dangerous sport and although several precautions are closely observed, accidents can happen.

Holsters:

Having the right holster can make the world of difference to your concealed carry wardrobe. The proper holster made specifically for your make and model firearm ensures a correct fit that covers the trigger completely and holds the weapon securely in place. Should you need to run, jump over an obstacle or throw yourself behind cover, that holster ought to be able to keep the firearm where it’s supposed to be until you’re ready to pull it out and when that time comes, the holster must allow that to happen seamlessly without hanging up or coming off your waistline with the weapon.

Some considerations for holsters intended for in the waist band (IWB) or appendix carry in the waist band (AIWB) holsters includes a claw which pushes against your belt and forces the end of the grip closer to your body for a more snug fit that stops the grip from sticking out. If your weapon has a red-dot you’d want to order a holster that makes accommodation for that. Perhaps your firearm is fitted with a weapon light. You’d want to know which make and model light so that you order the right holster when you place your order.

Holster options are near endless in terms of materials, carry positions, colours and patterns. One of the most important considerations is definitely comfort. Carrying around a firearm all day is not the most comfortable thing to do but it’s necessary. What’s not necessary is having a holster that creates unnecessary discomfort for the mission at hand. You ought to have a variety of holsters for example an ankle holster, under the arm, belly band, across the chest, outside the waist band (OWB), drop low. This way you don’t have to dress around your firearm because you have options. What’s important however is that you train with each one to know your strengths and weaknesses with each.

Belts:

Closely related to having a good holster is having a belt designed for carrying a firearm. The belt you wear needs to have the stiffness required for holstering your firearm. Your regular fashion belts are not adequate for the task at hand but your gun belt doesn’t have to be ugly or even look like a tactical belt. Chapters can be written about the benefits of a good belt and volumes more about the aesthetics of modern gun belt designs. The reality is that there is a lot to explore and that’s exactly what you ought to do because there are technologies and designs out there that are worth your attention.

Eye & Ear Protection:

For every shooter, a set of eye and ear protection is essential for trips to the range. Ejecting shells, burning gun powder and slivers of lead and brass are all part of the shooting sport and those objects moving at high speed can cause damage to eyes and repetitive high decibel gun fire can quickly cause permanent damage to your hearing. I actually recommend doubling up when it comes to ear protection using inserts and earmuffs. You have a choice between passive and electronic ear protection.

Safety glasses are available with polarized lenses, anti-fog, clear glass, smoked, coloured frames, with or without nose bridges but don’t over think it. Just get a pair that’s comfortable and fit well.

Extra Magazines:

You’re going to need spare magazines. Mags will get banged up in training when you drop them and step on them sometimes during drills. You’re going to want to preserve a couple crisp mags for carry duty. You’ll need at least three mags. One for inside of the weapon and the other two as spares. Remember to occasionally disassemble magazines and thoroughly inspect and clean them.

Cleaning Kit:

You’ll be cleaning often if you’re training as often as you should be. Having a cleaning kit is important to maintaining a properly functioning firearm. The kit ought to have cleaning pads, cleaning swabs , a nylon brush, a bore jag, a bore snake that matches the caliber of your firearm, cleaning rod, cleaning solvent, gun oil, micro fiber cloths.

Flash Light:

While a flash light can be a part of your cleaning kit, it’s an essential tool all by itself and deserves special mention. Flashlights are now small and powerful and will eventually come in handy once you own a firearm. You may also want to get a cleaning mat.

If you can think of other must have essentials, be sure to let us know about it.

Must Have Essentials

Safe – Secure-It Safe

Trauma First Aid Kit

Holster

Eye Protection

Ear Protection

Proper belt

Cleaning Kit – List Items

Flash Light

From extra magazines to a change of clothing and gun oil, being prepared at the range is important, so pay attention to our recommendation on must have essentials.