What’s In Your Range Bag, Casey Reed?

by
posted on July 8, 2019
caseyreed1.jpg

United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) Grand Master Casey Reed is a five-time Minnesota USPSA State Champion and most recently—2018 Limited 10 National Champion. When he isn’t competing, he works as a full-time engineer at Federal Ammunition.

Read on to learn more about Casey.

What are your first memories of handling a firearm? 

I first picked up a firearm when I was about 7 years old. It was a .22 LR rifle. My parents live on 10 acres in Minnesota so my dad would let me shoot all the time, including plinking at pop cans and squirrel hunting in the backwoods. My dad was big into hunting—so I spent most of my childhood shooting both rifles and shotguns.

Tell us about how you got your start in competitive shooting.

I started competing in 2012 when I turned 20 years old. I spent most of my childhood hunting with rifles and shotguns, but I had no idea about competition. I never even shot a centerfire pistol until I was 19. A coworker at Federal Ammunition introduced me to USPSA shooting. I was an intern at the time, and he brought me out to watch a match.

I thought it looked fun, but really just planned on shooting it occasionally. A few weeks later, I shot my first match with a Glock 34 and was instantly hooked. Since I’m an extremely competitive person this went from an interest, to a hobby, to a passion to an obsession in a matter of months. Nowadays, I spend most of my free time training and trying to be the best practical-pistol shooter in the world.

What firearms and other gear do you use for when you are in competition?

When I started competing back in 2012, I used a Glock 34, then I started using a CZ SP01 Shadow. Now I have the EAA Tanfoglio Stock 2 chambered in 9mm and I love it.

Tell us about your range bag and what you carry in it besides your firearms. 

I use a CED/DAA Deluxe Professional Range Bag. This range bag is perfectly sized for me. It’s large enough to carry all of my gear, yet still small enough for travel. It has plenty of pockets and a great layout—making it an extremely efficient bag.

A few other items he carries in his range bag: 

  • Safety glasses and ear protection
  • Small tools kit with punches, screwdrivers, etc.
  • Small spare-parts kit
  • Mag cleaning brush
  • Uplula mag loader
  • Range towel
  • Slip-on kneepad

Casey Reed


What do you do in your free time?

Most of my free time is spent shooting competitively. Although you may also find me hunting, ice fishing, playing pool and going to the myriad of breweries found all around the state of Minnesota.

What would you tell someone interested in finding out more about your sport? 

I always suggest going to USPSA.org to gather info about any action-shooting matches in their local area. Then attend a match, watch and ask questions. Competitors are always willing to help. The Coming Events section of SSUSA is also a great resource.

Any tips for new competitive shooters? 

Start shooting matches right away. Don’t think you are not good enough. Get experience, ask questions and watch the best guys shoot. Shooters now post so much content on social media and YouTube that you can learn by using those sources. Learn the fundamentals and practice every day. I suggest that new shooters practice five minutes a day—rather than 30 minutes only once a week.
Read more Range Bag articles:

Latest

2014 Nra World Shooting Champ 1
2014 Nra World Shooting Champ 1

Classic SSUSA: The Inaugural NRA World Shooting Championship

Begin with 159 world champions, run them through 11 shooting stages, all with standard guns provided by the match sponsors, and you end up with a new trophy and $50,000 awarded to the inaugural NRA World Shooting Champion.

Legends: Sue Ann Sandusky 1952-2024

The shooting sports community mourns the loss of Sue Ann Sandusky, a three-time NRA All-American, Army veteran and Distinguished service rifle shooter, who sadly passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024.

Gunwerks Spike Feet Set Designed To Improve Grip And Add Stability In Uneven Terrain

This new set of spike feet for the Gunwerks Elevate 2.0 bipod promises to maintain a solid grip in tough terrain.

XS Sights Expands DXT2 Pro Series, R3D 2.0 Lineup For SIG Sauer, Smith & Wesson, Springfield Armory And FN Pistols

XS Sights adds models to the DXT2 Pro Series and R3D 2.0 lineups that will fit SIG Sauer, Smith & Wesson, Springfield Armory and FN pistols.

Modern Technology Implemented To Surmount Logistical Hurdles: 1958 National Matches

The more than 4,000 shooters at the 1958 NRA National Matches were greeted by advanced technology used to speed up administrative tasks during the most populous period in National Match history.

Looking Back At The 2009 NRA National High Power Championship

With a single X-shot determining the winner of a 300-yard shoot-off and a surprise at the awards ceremony, the 2009 NRA High Power Rifle matches held everyone’s attention right to the end.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.