WHAT'S IN THE BAG: MAGAZINES

Think of the stuff you bring to the range: is it a hodgepodge of kit and gear, or is it methodically selected and organized? Among the shooters I've encountered, they tend to fall into one camp or the other. In this series, What's in the Bag (yes, I stole that from the golf videos I watch on YouTube), I'll discuss what I take to the range, the different bags I use, the gear I bring, and the why behind it all. Everything serves a purpose, and if it doesn't, it doesn't belong. In the last edition of this series, we discussed an optics maintenance kit and its importance to the modern shooter. Having the right tools with you can ease the stress of problems at the range. In today's article, I'll discuss magazine storage and transportation solutions. But first, I must ask, how do you store and transport your mags? Do you keep them orderly or throw them into the range bag willy-nilly? In doing so, do you lose track of them, or do they get accidentally grabbed by a friend and never returned? Having a storage solution can alleviate this problem. I also find this prevents the issue of grabbing the wrong mag for the firearms you are taking (this is where a label maker comes in handy!), which always makes for a less-than-favorable range session.

The Idea

I own and shoot many types of firearms—pistols, and rifles—in a variety of calibers and configurations regularly. Keeping their magazines organized at home and on the road is key to a successful range trip, match, or training session. Whether you are a competitive shooter or a concerned citizen, these solutions can be adopted and scaled to fit your needs. Like in previous articles, I will discuss each solution and include links to websites if you are interested in them. Below are the various storage solutions I use and other items to make identifying magazines easier. This is scalable to fit your needs. And many items can be substituted to fit your budget. Regardless, the goal is to keep everything organized and improve efficiency.

STORAGE SOLUTIONS

MTM Ammo Cans: This might be the simplest way to carry magazines back and forth. MTM ammo cans come in various shapes, sizes, and colors. The ones I like the most are the 50 Cal cans. They provide ample space for most common pistol and rifle magazines. The plastic is high-impact and incredibly durable. The lids feature O-ring seals that ensure a tight fit and make them water-tight. MTM also manufactures ammo cans with magazine inserts for single and double-stack magazines, AR-15 magazines, SR-25 magazines, and others. They are also stackable and can bear quite a bit of weight for their size—15lbs for the 30 Cal ones.

MTM Mag Case: This is a great organizer and minimalistic as well! The downside is that MTM only makes models for compact pistol mags (Glock 19 size) and 10/22 mags. Regardless, I have several of these stored in a Packout™ organizer. They are easy to grab and go when I'm training with my carry guns (they are translucent as well). These are limited, but their inexpensive cost makes it worth it.

Milwaukee PACKOUT™ Organizer: The Milwaukee Packout™ is among the best organization systems available. It's scalable to fit most people's needs, and endless options exist. The 11-compartment parts organizer is the perfect size for pistol magazines. The organizer ships with dividers to customize the interior, or you can create your own if you are skilled with a 3D printer. I find this excellent for organizing your shop and convenient to take to the range, a competition, or a weekend class.

Milwaukee PACKOUT™ 2-Drawer Toolbox: I find the 2-drawer toolbox excellent for storing and organizing rifle magazines, making it the best option. The drawer compartments fit AICS 12-rd mags perfectly, while AR-15 magazines fit lengthwise inside. This might not be ideal for throwing in your car and taking to the range, but it is a great semi-permanent fixture in your garage or basement, helping keep things in order. When I go to the range, I pull out what I need, throw it in an ammo can, and I'm good to go.

TUFF Products 7010 10 IN LINE® Shoot-N-Store Magazine Pouch: I stole this idea from a friend. This pouch easily stores 10 double-stack magazines, making it easy for someone who trains a lot to grab. Its back has Velcro loops so you can attach it to a belt or even a sling, making it a bandolier (WOLVERINE!). Regardless, it's an inexpensive option to carry a lot of magazines.

Storage Essentials

Duct Tape: I like using colored Duct Tape to distinguish different mag types. For example, I wrap 300 BLK AR-15 mags with purple Duct Tape to easily identify them at the range (which works great when shooting with other people). It also helps determine which ones are yours versus your friends, other trainees, and competitors.

Sharpies: I use colored Sharpies to identify pistol magazines. I write what guns they are for on the base pads or along the magazine wall. Some magazines are easier to distinguish than others (Glock mags, for instance), but this helps define things clearly. (It's also a good idea to write your initials on them, so again, they don't accidentally wander off.)

Bluetooth Label Maker: I may be obsessed with organization. I like to label things so I don't have to think or remember what goes where. The Niimbot label printer is easy to use, and I find the app seamless. I've made labels for mag cases, ammo cans, and within the Packout organizers. Everything has a place in my shop.

Final Thoughts

Magazine storage and transportation solutions focus on making your life easier. Whether in your basement, garage, or the back of your truck, labeling and marking items improve any range day experience. I may go overboard, but it's about reducing stress. We have busy lives and limited time to train. There's no sense in wasting it looking for magazines or worrying about whether you brought the right ones. I've attended classes where people show up with incorrect magazines or forget them entirely. Talk about a bad day. This series is all about improving the shooting experience.