Recommended Equipment List
The following list contains items that I have found to enhance my comfort level and quality of participation during my personal training sessions. I hope it will help you compile your own.
I have added to this list over the years and always refer to it before every class; I use it as a check list before departure.
My goal is to help our students to be adequately prepared for training in northern Arizona.
Jeffery J. Jolly
Ball Cap
A hat with brim not only shades the eyes but also keeps those random empty casing from landing behind my shooting glasses.
Wrap around Protective Safety Glasses or side panels for prescription glasses
Clear for any night work.....darker lens for bright sunlight.
Hearing Protection
Quality Audio enhanced ear protection in years past was really expensive, recently their cost is equal to an upper end set of muffs that are not equipped with the electrically enhanced noise reduction. I personally find that after having my first pair of electronics, teaching or training without them is burdensome.
Seasonal and Training Appropriate Clothing
Class specific: Please read over the course description of the class you have chosen to attend and dress appropriately to perform drills. SHOTS Ranch is located Northern Arizona and we enjoy all four seasons.
(in cold weather, heating pouches or gloves for
hands & feet.....In hot weather, cooling neck-ties or bandannas).
Knee & Elbow Pads
Encouraged but not mandatory. Participation in advanced drills will often require going to the ground numerous times during training, students should consult the course description to decide if they will need knee and elbow protection for their specific course of training.
Hydration System or Bottled Water
Water is provided on all SHOTS Ranch ranges but I have found that it is convenient to have my water close at hand when needed.
Sunscreen
We are located in Arizona, need I say more.
Insect Repellant
SHOTS Ranch is fortunate to not have had any problems with a noticeable abundance of pesky insects. A few times over the years we encountered a hand full of flies that wanted to attend the range activities and in was really handy to have some insect repellant and spray to fort their attempts to disrupt our drills.
Personal Safety Kit
Band-Aids or small medical kit for scrapes or abrasions. SHOTS Ranch always has a field medical kit on site but at days end it is nice to have fresh band aids and the like when you clean up. JJJ
Snacks
While all programs at SHOTS Ranch have scheduled meal breaks and a system for purchasing meals is in place, energy foods and drinks are convenient to have depending on your own personal needs.
Spare Corrective Eye Wear
Contacts and spare glasses for anyone requiring them.
Appropriate and Comfortable Footwear
Your choice of footwear is very important. It must be comfortable as well as protective. Light weight and durable. You may already own something that fits into these requirements but if you are going to purchase new footwear, we suggest that you break them in prior to attending your training.
Range Bag
Range bags have come a long way over the years. They come in all shapes, sizes and materials. With all their enhancements, they appear to still only serve to provide their original intended uses; keeping your gear grouped and handy seem to top the list of services range bags are called upon to provide.
I have witnessed old duffle bags and fancy wiz-bang $200 gun specific special operators bags both work and fail because they were over loaded or in some other way ill packed. Range Bags are essential to convenience but the cost of such bag need not exceed your budget just to be fashionable. Yard sales and budget mail order catalogs can go a long way in helping you find a serviceable bag. My first car didnt come off of the show room floor. I bought something serviceable.
Hand Towels
Wet Wipes of some make are always a handy item. Towels and clean rags work to wipe your brow but the lead and carbon residue on your hands and face should come off before eating or drinking; the wet wipes work great for this application.
I suggest lead remover wipes or a stringent soap that really takes away the lead residue. Wet wipes clean off most soiling but you really need to get the lead off your hands before you ingest any food or drink.
Second Gun
Guns are mechanical devices. All mechanical devices, regardless of quality or type, sooner or later will fail. It would be very untimely for your primary gun to go down during your training event. I suggest bringing at least a second gun to all training. activities. If you have two similar firearms, that just may be the ticket. We have rental guns but if you already have a second gun, why not bring it along. It may never leave your bag but its good to have back up just in case.
Sufficient Number of High Quality Magazines or Speed Loaders
Magazines, historically, have proven to be the most common culprit in auto loader feeding and extraction failures. I suggest that you always try to purchase high quality magazines and take good care of them. I have found that while training, if I have a large number of preloaded (during a break) magazines in my bag, I never feel the least bit rushed while participating on the firing line.
Enough Ammunition
have taken advantage of added Professional Training at times just because I had additional ammunition along with me. I suggest that students who can afford extra training ammunition bring it with them. I have found that ammo requirements per class are just a recommended estimate by the Training Professionals course outline. JJJ
Range Tool Kit
SHOTS Ranch has a range tool kits available on site. It is a duplicate of my personal kit that I have used for decades. Things will break during training and that kit has saved my beacon many times along with countless others training with me. I suggest starting your own kit from the tools you already have and adding to it as needed. Many catalog gun suppliers (Brownells, Midway etc.) offer one that is ready made.
Tri-FLO and a tooth brush round out my range bag.
I also have a Stuck Bullet Rod in my bag. Used mostly for students bringing reloads to class.
Battery Supply
Many sighting systems, flash lights and hearing protection today function on batteries that are not readily found in local stores. If you are training with battery operated devices, I strongly suggest that you bring a sufficient number of them to complete your training and maybe a few more.
Quality Holster and Quality Accessories
A good holster can make a big difference in your safe and productive participation in any class. Training often requires many extraction and reholstering drills. Any holster that takes both hands to reholster can be troublesome. I suggest a reinforced top on leather holsters that allow for one handed reholstering. The reinforcement keeps the holster from closing upon extraction.
If you holster closes, you are left with no other option than using your weak hand to hold the mouth open while reholstering It can be done safely but it has to be done correctly each and every time.
Using a holster for training that mandates two hands for reholstering, (an acquired skill developed through proper training technique; one that if done improperly, can be deadly), is an additional skill set that you should give considerable forethought to. .
It is also my opinion that strong sided holsters are the best choice for most training events. The Kydex holsters that have open tops with the retention molded into the trigger guards will work well also. I personally do not recommend the one size fits all types that do not secure my firearm properly for training. Research should be done before purchasing a training holster.
Quality Magazine Pouches and Speed Loader Carriers
I have learned that carriers and pouches are equal in importance to holsters and slings in accompanying my armament. Before purchasing any needed accessory, I suggest researching all currently available models. Function, durability and comfort should be the qualities that you are seeking. My gear has lasted and served me well for decades because I was schooled at an early age to make sure to locate high quality pieces. Currently there is a huge assortment to choose from.
Quality Sling
A rifle sling has many applications and a wide variety of styles are available. A good sling makes training pleasurable. All SHOTS Ranch rifle training requirements include a rifle sling.
Duct Tape
A roll of duct tape and a few plastic garbage bags have been handy at training events. I also make sure to have a few ziploc bags along. JJJ
Cleaning Kit
A cleaning kit, coupled with my tool kit, has saved me a lot of aggravation in the field while training.
Lense Cloth and other cleaning products for Optics and Other Glass
I suggest lens covers and specific lens cleaning products to be added to your range bag. Leatherman Type Multi-Tool
I have found that my Leatherman has often helped me find range solutions during training.
Keep in mind that SHOTS Ranch will have a
well stocked Pro Shop for your needs.
Sincerely,
The Shots Ranch Staff
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