Gear & Equipment

Below is a selection of gear that is personally used and recommended by your instructor. This list is constantly evolving as better options emerge.

You do not need any of this gear before attending a class. If you’re new, just bring what you have and we’ll work with it. Use this as a resource when you’re ready to invest in better equipment.

If something isn’t on this list, that doesn’t mean it’s bad — it just hasn’t been personally vetted or recommended yet. Affiliate links will be added to this page to help you find items quickly. Questions? Reach out at dan@prtg.co.

Eye Protection

Brass, fragments, and ejected cases move faster than you can react — dedicated shooting glasses are non-negotiable on any range.

goodAny safety glasses from a hardware store
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goodWalkers Sport Shooting Glasses — solid entry-level option
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premiumWiley X Guard Advanced — ballistic-rated, wrap-around coverage
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Ear Protection (Ear Pro)

A single unprotected gunshot can cause permanent hearing damage. Electronic muffs let you hear range commands and conversation while blocking the blast.

goodWalkers Razor Slim / Ultra Low Profile Electronic
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goodHoward Leight Impact Sport Electronic
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goodDecibullz Percussive Moldable Earplugs
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premiumOTTO Engineering NoizeBarrier
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Many shooters double up — passive foam plugs worn under electronic muffs. This is common at indoor ranges. Never layer two active/amplified devices.


Medical / IFAK

Gunshot wounds are survivable if treated in the first few minutes. Purpose-built trauma gear is the difference between a bad day and a catastrophic one.

premiumNAR Public Access Bleeding Control Individual Kit
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premiumMountain Man Medical “The Yellowstone”
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premiumWarrior Poet Society Belt Mounted IFAK
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premiumSnakestaff Systems ETQ Gen 2 1.5″ Tourniquet + Snakeskin Pro + Discreet Carry Clip
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premiumLive the Creed EDC Pocket Trauma Kit
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recommendedBlue Force Gear Micro Trauma Kit
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Belts

Standard dress belts sag and shift under the weight of a holstered firearm. A dedicated gun belt keeps everything locked in place and draws consistent.

recommendedBlue Alpha Belts – Low Profile EDC Belt
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recommendedBlue Alpha Belts – Low Profile “Inner” Belt (for use with holster rigs)
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recommendedKore Essentials Gun Belts — EDC and dress belt options
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recommendedHank’s Gun Belts
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recommendedMastermind Tactics Covert Belt
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recommendedNeoMag Beltless Receiver — beltless holster mounting system
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recommendedNeoMag BAT Strap — add-on for Beltless Receiver
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IWB Holsters (Inside the Waistband)

Your holster must be made for your specific firearm, full Kydex or firm leather, fully enclose the trigger guard, and have adjustable retention. Soft or generic holsters cause negligent discharges.

premiumTier 1 Concealed — Axis Elite (retention based on gun)
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premiumTier 1 Concealed — MSP / MSP Pro (for weapon-mounted lights)
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recommendedMcKintaec Holsters – Kina Flex Rig
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recommendedANR Design IWB Holsters
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recommendedKSG Armory Holsters
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recommendedTenicor
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recommendedFor Women: Flashbang Holster, Elegant and Armed, GunGoddess, Dene Adams
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recommendedCarry Purses: Gun Tote’n Mamas
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Discreet Carry Concepts (DCC) belt clips are significantly better than most standard clips. UltiClips are also a strong option.


OWB Holsters (Outside the Waistband)

OWB is the recommended starting point for new shooters learning the draw — more forgiving, less clothing management, easier to build fundamentals.

goodVersa Carry Compound
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goodGalco Holsters
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premiumCrossbreed Holsters
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premiumBravo Concealment
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premiumTenicor OWB
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premiumG-Code OSH (OWB) Holsters
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Most IWB brands listed above also offer OWB versions.


⚙️ Holster Rigs & Systems

A modular interface (RTI, Safariland QLS, or Bladetech) lets you swap holsters across platforms without buying a new rig — worth it if you plan to attend multiple classes or compete.

recommendedG-Code Scorpion Assaulters Starter Kit — battle belt
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recommendedOdin Holsters Battle Belt Gear Kit
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recommendedComplete Rig Kits — Ben Stoeger Pro Shop
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recommendedGhost Holsters Thunder Elite Rig Set
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recommendedDouble Alpha Holsters and Rigs
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recommendedBlack Scorpion Gear Pro Competition Rig
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Magazine Pouches

Dropping a magazine mid-reload is a training distraction that turns into a bad habit. A solid pouch keeps mags accessible, consistent, and secure.

goodAny Kydex or adjustable magazine pouch
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premiumTier 1 Concealed IWB or OWB Mag Pouches
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premiumG-Code Scorpion Magazine Carriers & Belt Attachments
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premiumBladetech Mag Pouches
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Red Dot Optics (Pistols)

A red dot dramatically speeds up target acquisition and improves accuracy under stress. Most modern pistols are optics-ready.

recommendedC&H Precision
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recommendedHolosun
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recommendedVortex
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premiumAimpoint Acro Red Dot
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premiumTrijicon
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Weapon Mounted Lights (WML)

In a low-light situation you need to positively identify your target before acting. A WML keeps both hands on the gun while putting light on the threat.

goodOlight PL-MINI 2 Valkyrie
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goodOlight PL-Pro Valkyrie
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goodStreamlight TLR-7 HL-X Sub
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premiumSurefire X300U-A
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premiumModlite Systems PL350C (Compact)
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premiumModlite PL350-PLHv2
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Pistol Accessories & Upgrades

Aftermarket add-ons that improve the feel, control, and ergonomics of your pistol.

recommendedTalon Grips — aftermarket grip tape for improved control
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recommendedApex Development Med Mod
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Range Bags

A bag with a built-in gun sleeve gets your firearm into the shooting position quickly. For EDC bags, look for a fixed, dedicated firearm compartment — and skip the tactical look.

goodOsage River Range Bag (removable pistol pouches)
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goodAny bag from Walmart, Bass Pro, or Amazon will work to start
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premiumSavior Equipment (soft cases)
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premiumCondition 1 Firearm Cases (hard cases)
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premiumEberlestock Bang Bang Range Bag
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premiumEberlestock Concealed Carry EDC Bags
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premiumViktos EDC Bags
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premiumVertex EDC Bags
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recommendedCompetition/Range Carts: Double Alpha Bags & Carts, S3 Range Carts
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Gun Tools

Field-stripping and minor adjustments happen at the range. Having the right tools means you’re self-sufficient when something needs attention.

recommendedFix-it-Sticks — get the kit that includes cleaning tools
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recommendedMultitasker Twist
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recommendedMultitasker Nano
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Cleaning Gear

A dirty gun is an unreliable gun. Regular cleaning preserves function and extends the life of your investment. Start simple — a basic kit is better than nothing.

goodAny cleaning kit from Walmart, Sportsman Warehouse, Bass Pro, or local gun shop
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goodOtis 9mm Cleaning Kit
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goodBreakthrough Cleaning Kits
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premiumIosso Eliminator Bore Brush
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premiumMontana X-Treme Patch Grabber Jag
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premiumButch’s Triple Twill Cleaning Patches
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premiumVFG Intensive Cleaning Pellets (9mm)
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premiumVFG Comfort Cleaning Pellets (9mm)
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recommendedBore Tech Eliminator — solvent
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recommendedBore Tech Extreme CLP
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recommendedMil-Comm TW25 Gun Grease
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recommendedBreakthrough Solvent & CLP
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Safe Storage & Handling

Proper storage keeps firearms out of the wrong hands. Chamber flags and dummy rounds make dry fire safer for everyone in your home.

recommendedMDT Chamber Flags
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recommendedBarrell Blok
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goodHornady Rapid Safes
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premiumSnappoint 9mm Dummy Rounds
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premiumVaultek Safe Systems
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premiumStopbox Safe Systems
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Training Tools

Dry fire is where most skill development actually happens. These tools make solo practice more effective and measurable.

recommendedMantis X10 Elite — shot analysis and training feedback
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premiumCool Fire Trainer — recoil-simulating dry fire insert
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recommendedDry Fire Scaled Down Targets
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premiumAce Virtual Reality Virtual Range (Meta Quest 3/3s compatible)
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