Why Every Shooter Needs a Range Checklist

It always happens on the day you’re most excited to hit the range.

A new handgun. A box of fresh ammo. Targets packed. Ear pro clipped to your bag. You roll into the parking lot, grab your gear, head inside… and realize you left your eye protection sitting on the kitchen counter.

Now you’ve got a choice:

• Drive all the way back home, burning time and gas.

• Or buy/rent another pair at the range counter.

Most shooters have been there. Some have forgotten ammo, others left their magazines in the garage, and a few even showed up without their gun. (Yes, really.) No matter what it is, forgetting gear can turn what should be a fun, focused training session into frustration and wasted money.

The Real Cost of Forgetting

When you forget something essential at the range, you don’t just lose convenience — you lose:

• Time → Driving back home or cutting your range session short.

• Money → Buying ammo at range prices, renting safety gear, or paying extra fees.

• Focus → Instead of working on accuracy or drills, you’re distracted and annoyed.

Even small items like tape, targets, or a multitool can derail your session. If your optic loosens or your target won’t stay put, you’re stuck improvising instead of training.

Why a Checklist Solves the Problem

A simple checklist is the easiest way to prevent these headaches. Just like pilots run through a checklist before takeoff, shooters can save themselves stress by taking two minutes to confirm the basics are packed.

A checklist:

• Ensures safety gear (eyes & ears) are always in the bag.

• Confirms you’ve got the right amount of ammo and magazines.

• Reminds you of personal items like water or ID that are easy to overlook.

• Builds consistency → the more you follow the same process, the less you forget.

Build Your Routine

Start with the essentials: firearm, ammo, mags, eyes, ears. Then expand with useful extras: a small tool kit, first aid kit, cleaning kit, water bottle. Keep the checklist printed in your range bag or saved on your phone.

Before heading out, take 60 seconds to run through it. That one minute can save you an hour of frustration and a chunk of cash at the range counter.

Don’t wait until you’re standing in the bay empty-handed. Print out our basic range checklist below, and let it do the remembering for you!