Sizing Help for Bags, Pistol, Rife and Shotgun Cases

Who would have thought that buying firearm accessories could be just as daunting as surprising that special girl with a cashmere sweater this Christmas?  Just like us ladies, every gun is a different height, widths and each owner has different needs.  The number one reason Bang Bang Boutique gets returns is because the case or bag was smaller or larger than expected.

And to be honest, it is hard judging the size of something on the internet!  Fear not! The goal of this post is to help you though any size question you may have.

All our cases and bags list their dimensions.  When you are deciding if you want to buy, it would be good to get out a ruler so that you can physically see what the size is going to be.   

Lastly, don't forget to measure your firearm to make sure it is going to fit in the case you have chosen!  

Range Bags:

Let’s start with the small range bag and small printed range bag which are both the same size.  This is a small power house.  To see how much it can hold, I suggest watching our YouTube video below.  Here’s a picture of this bag next to my toaster.

 

Small Range Bag Measurements:

• Outside Dimensions: 12" x 7.5" x 6.5"
• Main Compartment Inside: 9.5" x 7.25" x 5"
• Side pocket Inside: 1.25" x 7.25" x 5"
• Front pocket inside: 8" x 3" x 1.25"

Even though its capacity exceeds expectation, this bag is too small for some.  For these indiduals, they may be more inclined to choose the Hand Gun Range Bag, which is quite a bit bigger and more versatile. With this bag, there is a removable inner compartment that stores your ammo and hand guns.  If you wanted, you could remove the insert and use the bag for other purposes.

Here’s a picture of it with the small range bag.

• Main Compartment: Height – 9.5"; Width - 18"; Depth – 6.5"
• Front Compartment: Height – 9.5"; Width - 18"; Depth - 2" 
• Handgun Carrier: Height – 8"; Width - 17"; Depth – 6"
• Total Volume: 1450 cubic inches

 
Our largest bag is the Hand Gun Range Duffel.  This bag is seriously large.  Over double the amount of cubic space than the Hand Gun Range Bag.  If you have a lot of gear and worry about running out of room, this duffel has you covered.

• Main Compartment: Height – 9"; Width - 10"; Length – 21"
• End Pockets: Height – 9"; Width - 10"; Depth - 3"
• Side Pockets: Height – 7"; Length - 21"; Depth - 3"
• Handgun Carrier: Height – 8"; Width - 17"; Depth – 6"
• Total Volume: 3300 cubic inches

Pistol Rugs:

The oval pistol rug comes in four sizes.  Below, an example of the type of gun it can hold along with its inside dimensions are listed.  These measurements are taken at the highest and widest points of the pistol rug.

• xSmall – Fists a 22/25 Auto (5” x 3.5”)
• Small - Fits a .38/380 Auto (8.75" x 5.25")
• Medium - Fits up to a Large Frame Auto or 4" Revolver (11" x 6")
• Large - Fits up to a 6" Revolver (13" x 7")

It is better to buy a little big than too small.  If the overall length or height of you handgun is within 0.5” of the measurement listed, I recommend going up to the next size.  If you are on the edge of a measurement, remember you also have to account for the overall thickness of your gun – which can make getting that zipper all the way around a little tough.

For example, if you have a gun that is 6.5” long and 5” high, you should consider choosing the medium pistol rug or else you may find the small a bit too snug.

These same guidelines apply for our Pistol Case with Magazine Pouch. Pictured below is out most popular size the 11" x 7" in the Purple Leopard pictured with the smaller version in Pink Camo which is 11" x 5".

Cody PistolClutches come in one size to accommodate all type of hand guns. 

 
Approximate interior dimensions: 11.5"w x 6.5"h x 1.5"d

Overall exterior dimensions: 13.5"w x 8"h

That is just slightly larger than the medium oval pistol rug, as can be seen in the above picture.  A common question I get for this one is will it fit in the Small range bag – and the answer is no.   It will easily fit into the Hand Gun Range Bag or Duffel. 

A lot of ladies buy this one in hopes of being able to put it in their purse – understandably since it is so darn gorgeous.  It will fit in purse that is large enough, but make sure to measure your purse before you buy!

Our last option for hand gun cases is our Deluxe Handgun Cases which come in three sizes: 

Deluxe Case for Thompson/Center Handguns with Scope: Height - 11"; Length - 23"

Deluxe Case for Thompson/Center Handguns: Height - 8"; Length - 23"

Deluxe Handgun: Height - 8"; Length - 14"

More often than not, we get orders for the Deluxe Hand Gun at 8”x14”.  This is going to fit any standard hand gun.  It is a little longer than the Cody Clutch.

(If you are wondering, those are 13.5" square floor tiles - just a little something extra to help you envision the size of these cases)

Some of you may be wondering if buying a case that is a little too big may be a problem, because your gun is more likely to move around. All our hand gun cases are lined with soft, non-marking material.  Also, all of these cases have at least a 1/4" thick padding, so even if it is a little too big, the case will be hugging that hand gun of yours safely without too much movement.

Rifle and Shotgun Cases

These are the easiest, in my opinion, because the sizes are listed in the length of your most common rifle/shotguns.

So if you have a shotgun that is 48” long, you get the case that is 48” long.  This applies to our Rifle/Shotgun Case, AK Case, AR Case, Special Weapons Case and the Deluxe Rifle/Shotgun Cases.

The Cody Rifle Cases can accommodate up to a 42" rifle and the Cody Shotgun Case can accomodate up to a 52" Shotgun.

 

Purses

Finally, let’s discuss how to determine if one of the lovely Gun Tote’n Mamas purses will fit your firearm.  Every purse listing starts with the types of guns the purse holster fits.  If you don’t see your gun listed, there is a link to a PDF that has a table.  In this table you will find the guns specified in the listing along with their dimensions.  

If your hand gun matches up with the dimensions of a handgun that is known to fit the purse then you are good to go!  If it is not clear, don’t hesitate to ask first before buying.

 



As an example, my full size Springfield XDM is not listed for any of the purses.  It is a little over 8” long and about 5.5” high.  I know it will fit into the Raven Crossbody bag because a Glock 17 (G17) fits and its dimensions are the same as my XDM.

Provided are a couple pictures showing the holster compartment of both the Raven with the Springfield XDM and the Embroidered Shoulder Clutch with a Ruger LCP.

 

Hope that makes your selection easier!  We are here to help.  Leave any sizing questions you may have in the comments, or contact us at sales@bangbangboutique.com.

Happy shopping!

Choosing an Instructor Belt

At some point during your shooting experience, you may realize you want to carry your gun in a holster on a belt.  Perhaps you go to a range that allows you to draw from a holster, perhaps you want to start competing or maybe you want to open carry.  Whatever your reason, you will need to make sure you buy a belt that can support the weight of your gun and typically a pants belt will not pass the test.

You have quite a few options when it comes to tactical belts.  There are three main types: leather, nylon and a two belt system.  When deciding on a belt, the most important thing is to decide how it is going to be used and that it is designed to hold the weight of all the gear you place on it.

Leather belts can be simple to quite beautiful.  These are a great option for the person looking to open carry and want a belt that blends with their everyday clothing.  Unlike regular dress belts, a leather gun belt will have an internal stiffener to make it much stronger and able to carry the weight of extra gear.  Another consideration is to buy the appropriate holster that fits the width of your belt.

The two belt system is super convenient!  This is the “go to” belt for many serious competitors.  The base belt, the one that will go through your belt loops, is made of Velcro.  The top belt holds all your gear.  The advantage to this belt is that you can arrange all your holsters and magazine holders exactly the way you want them once.  Every time after, you just slap your belt on and go!

The last of the options noted is the nylon synthetic belt.  This is also known as an instructor belt.  It is the most basic of the three options and the most cost effective.  They come in a variety of colors and are suitable for competition.  This is the first belt for many people when they are learning to draw from a holster.  

To find the right belt, keep in mind these considerations:

1)      Does the width of the belt match your belt loops?  The most common size is 1.5”, but I have encountered instructor belts that are much wider and they do not fit through jean belt loops.  Belt loops are important!  They help organize and compartmentalized your gear on the belt, not to mention it holds the belt in place so it doesn’t slide off.  If the belt is too narrow, you risk the belt shifting up and down.  For most pants, 1.5” width is going to work, but it is worth double checking. 

2)      Will the belt fit your holster or magazine pouches?  Some holsters and pouches are adjustable and these are awesome.  Some are set at a fixed width and this can be problematic.  If your belt width is too thick, then obviously your holster or pouches won’t even go on.  If it’s too narrow, they are going to be sliding around on you.  They should fit snugly on the belt so they maintain the position you set them in.   Make sure your potential belt fits your existing gear, or be prepared to replace it!

3)      For nylon-synthetic belts in particular, the thickness of the nylon web can cause fit issues.  This type of belt typically utilizes a buckle and Velcro closure system.  The area where the Velcro close doubles the thickness of the belt in that area and may not fit through most belt loops.  Depending on how the belt fits you, you may be able to attach the Velcro over the belt or tuck the extra length under the belt.

Depending on the fit and your preference, you can attach the Velcro over your belt loops, or tuck the tail behind the belt.

4)     The belt needs to be stiff enough to support the weight of the gear on your belt.  Additionally, it needs to withstand the force of you pulling your gun or extra magazines while in action.  You don’t want something that will fold over or twist on itself.  On the instructor belt you can gauge the belt’s stiffness by the number of rows of stitching going lengthwise across the belt.  Typically, the more rows the stiffer the belt.  Look for 5 rows of stitches.

5)      Look at the quality of components on the belt buckle.  Nothing is more durable than metal, however many instructor belts use plastic components.  True story – the husband and I went hiking a couple of years back and he bought what seemed like a rugged nylon gun belt to hold his gun, but it had a plastic buckle.  On our way back up out of the canyon, we took a break and as he was re-adjusting his pack and belt, the plastic buckle snapped and the belt fell off.  Luckily for us the gun didn’t go down in the canyon.  After that experience you can bet we spring the extra for durable metal components!

6)      The fit is also very important to get right.  The belt needs to fit snug on your hips.  To get the correct fit measure around where you normally where your belt and then add 3”.  You need the little bit of extra length to pull the belt tight and have enough to secure it to the Velcro or tuck behind the belt.  If you are in-between sizes, go up to the next size.  It is OK if there is an open area of open Velcro after attaching the belt – just as long as it attaches!

Bang Bang Boutique offers an instructor belt that fits the above criteria and may be an excellent option for you!  Be sure to check it out!

Complete your belt with one of our colorful print holsters!

Bangels Profiles June 23, 2012

Here is our second installment of Bangel profiles.  What I think is so cool about this is seeing all the different skill levels and involvement from these ladies.  There is someone here we can all relate or aspire!

Karen L., a certified NRA instructor from Florida who thinks it is wonderful to learn from other women who shoot.  She is a big fan of Steph from Sons of Guns and enjoys target shooting with one of her four pink firearms: 380 and 38 Chic Lady, Mosquito 22 and a Mossberg 22 rifle.  She started shooting at age 44 on a double date with her hubby and another couple.

Joyce L. picked up shooting at age 50 and stopped only five years later.  Now, just shy of her 65^th birthday she is picking her firearms up again with no plans to stop!  She was first introduced by her husband, but the second time around she is hitting the range with her son.  She owns an S&W 38 and a brand new Sig Sauer P238 with pink hand grips which go well with her pink ear protection!  Some extra items she keeps in her range bag include Purell, extra clips, tissues, lip stick and chap stick.  As a retired Construction Cost Accountant, she enjoys Bingo, BUNCO, hand and foot cards and going out to lunch with the various ladies clubs she belongs to.

Jenn got hooked on shooting after a coworker let her shoot his Kimber 45.

Jenn M. is a professional landscaper who grew up with non-shooters, but when she moved to Montana and wanted to try it.  A construction buddy brought his Kimber 45 to work one day so she could shoot it, and she was hooked.  A member of the Big Fork Gun Club, she enjoys going to the pistol range, shoots clays and practices long-range rifle for hunting.  She has two memorable moments in hunting – once when she dropped her first deer with one shot and the other when she made a poor shot and had to track a deer for 5 hours and 3 miles.  “It brought home the power of what we do when we hunt” she states.  Jenn has an enviable collection of firearms which include a Mossberg 410 (her favorite), a Winchester 100 308, Browning A-Bolt 25-06, Taurus PT145PRO; Charles Daly 20GA side-by-side, and is having a custom AR15 in 6.5 Grendel made as I type.  When she is not hunting, she enjoys her dogs, gardening, cooking, hiking and motorcycling. 

If you are a lady who wants a chance to be featured and to be notified of new products and discounts, submit your own Bangel profile here: http://www.bangbangboutique.com/bangels.html

Hello Bangels

A Bangel (Bang + Angel = "BANG - JEL") is a women who shows confidence and style on and off the range.  She does not settle for the basics - she strives to express herself in everything she does.

A few months back we thought it would be great to know our followers’ story with firearms: how they started shooting, what gun they liked the best, and who they are outside the range.  We have received over 30 applications so far.  Each week we will feature the stories of 2 – 3 ladies.

Bang's Bangels receive a special newsletter, discounts and are the first to hear when new products are available.  If you think you have what it takes to be a Bangel , you can submit your application here – provide as much or as little information as you want. A picture earns you bonus points with a bigger initial discount code and we may use your picture on our web site and blog.

With no further ado - introducing our first three Bangels:

Jennifer K. a hotel manager from Michigan got into shooting because her then boyfriend, now husband introduced her to firearms.  She now belongs to the NRA and the MichiganCoalition for Responsible Gun Owners (MCRGO).  She owns a PK380 and enjoys target shooting.

A Small Range bag is a great option for the ladies like Jamie who are looking to carry her own gear to the range.

Jamie B. is a student working on a BA in Psychology and lives in Modesto, CA.  When she is not studying, she is working for a large grocery store chain.  Jamie is fairly new at shooting, being recently introduced to the sport by her husband.    She owns a Bersa Thunder 380 and a Ruger LC9 and says most people are very surprised that she is a gun owner.   Jamie is excited to get her own range bag so she will no longer have to share with her husband.  She carries the basic: gun, ear and eye protection. When it comes to women participating in shooting, she says: “I think it is great that women are more involved with shooting sports. I think all women should learn how to shoot. It is empowering and as a woman, I feel that I want to know how to protect myself if ever needed.”

Mandy in action, complete with her awesome pink holster belt!

At 28, Mandy V. (pictured above) was encouraged by her husband to learn to shoot for her own protection.  Now she actively participates in USPSA matches wearing her pink range belt and pink Hand GunRange Duffel that Bang Bang Boutique had custom made for her!  Mandy’s most memorable moment as a firearm owner was her first USPSA match and she admires Travis Tomasie.  When not shooting, Mandy is a CT tech in Alabama.  She owns a Glock 26, AR15, and her favorite, an STI Edge.  Mandy encourages more women to pick up the sport, stating “There aren’t enough of us!”

Mandy's bag is the one featured in our webstore!

USPSA Action Shooting: At The Firing Line

The day of my first USPSA match, I was pretty nervous.  Would I remember all the rules?  What if I miss all the targets?  Could I actually do this? 

I was pretty intimidated since there are so many people there who have been shooting for years.  But the thing I had to remember - is each on of them had showed up with butterflies in their stomach at their first match too.   Even the top shots started somewhere.  A couple of the experienced shooters shared with me what their first matches were like and that help to ease my concerns.

My husband and I showed up at about 7 am and we were put right to work setting up the courses.  One thing I learned right away is to pack a pair of working gloves.  Between setting targets, lifting tables and spray painting no shoot zones - your hands will thank you.  Getting there early has its benefits since you get time to examine each stage before the match begins and talk with other shooters on the best way to approach each one.

Each of the six courses had been designed by one of the members of the Southern Arizona Practical Shooters.  A lot of time and thought goes into the course design.  Above all it must be safe.  Second it has to offer challenge by providing the shooter a balance of accuracy, power and speed.  Since no one wants to shoot the same stage twice each one must offer something different.

Each stage had instructions.  The shooter has some flexibility on how they can approach the course, but starting positions and other criteria may be specified.  On this day, one of the stages required the shooter to remove their firearm from a briefcase on a table.  I also heard of another set up that required the shooter to punch in 911 on a calculator before beginning the course.  These obstacles are designed to mimic real life situations.  Although they may sound simple, in the heat of a competition it can be a bit more complicated and could add time to your score.

The competition begun about 9:00 and I was place on a squad with Deb and her husband Gary.  Since I was the newbie, I shot last.  This gave me the opportunity to watch how the other shooters approached the course and to think about how I would tackle it.  Each time I went through a stage either Deb or Gary coached me.  Between the nerves and the newness of it all I really needed it.  They both reminded me to keep safety first as well as critique my stance, grip and other ways I was shooting.

Gary helping me navigate this stage

I have a tendency to shoot low and to the left.  Try as I may to fix this, it still haunts me.  During practice, we discovered if I aim high, my accuracy improves.  So as I approached the fist stage, Deb reminded me to aim for the targets heads.  I did, but perhaps a bit too well.  I missed every single target!  Oh well, at least from this point out all I could do was improve.  After I calmed my nerves I vowed to slow down.

My shooting did improve from there.  On the next stage, I hit every target including a reactive swinging target and a row of metal disc.  I really like shooting down metal targets.  The highlight of the day though was plinking off every disc off the Texas Star without running out of ammo.

Deb Ferns coaching me through the Texas Star

All in all - my competition was a great experience.  I met some of the greatest people and loved feeling like I was a part of a team.  Then there is the "bad ass" factor as I sauntered around with my pistol and ammo on my hips.  My inner Laura Croft was beginning to emerges (aside from the times when I hit said pistol or ammo on a post or door frame I was passing by - my inner dork is strong).  My husband noticed that I seemed to be 3" taller and projecting a lot of confidence.  He was proud of me even when I missed all the targets - congratulating me on attempting something that is new and that some people would be to scared to do.

Me, feeling pretty tough and confident.

Helpful Links:  A Guide to Your First USPSA Match