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Choose a range bag for the equipment you actually carry

By the Plain Prepper editors. Updated 2026-10-17.

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Quick answer

Choose the Allen Eliminator Rangemaster 8305 for an open gear bag with a rigid bottom and a separate pistol rug. Choose the Savior Specialist RA-3GUN-WS-OG when individual padded sleeves and lockable zipper compartments are important. Both organize equipment for carrying. Neither should be treated as a rated home safe or as a complete airline firearm container.

Two ways to organize a trip

We compared opened maker pages and exact model listings. This guide covers bags and storage accessories only. Lay out the equipment you actually bring before choosing: a large bag can be unnecessary for a short visit, while a small bag may force you to leave protection or essential supplies in another carrier.

Allen identifies model 8305 as a polyester bag with a 23 liter capacity, rigid bottom with feet, exterior pockets and an included pistol rug. Savior’s selected green Specialist model uses separate pistol sleeves and compartment dividers. A volume figure and a sleeve count describe different kinds of space, not a direct capacity ranking.

Bag	Organization	Check
Allen 8305	Open bag + rug	Usable fit
Savior	Separate sleeves	Edition + fit

Choose pockets or separate padded sleeves

The Allen maker page describes an easy opening zippered top, double web handles with padded grips, molded exterior pockets and an internal pocket for smaller accessories or the folded rug. Choose that arrangement when you want a bag for equipment and a removable work surface rather than individual enclosed sleeves.

The Savior page lists three cushioned, individually lockable sleeves, an adjustable center divider, a lockable main compartment and a lockable front pocket. It also lists removable magazine storage, side pockets and a shoulder strap. Choose it when keeping items in their own removable sleeves is the organizing priority.

Do not choose from the number of pockets alone. Consider what must remain separate, what you need to reach without emptying the bag and whether a full bag can be carried comfortably. A pocket shown holding an accessory does not mean the accessory is supplied. Check the itemized package contents, especially locks and any pictured equipment.

Compare usable dimensions with your equipment

Savior lists external dimensions of 18.5 by 9 by 12 inches and an internal main space of 13 by 8.5 by 9 inches. Its sleeve interior is 11.5 by 7.5 inches. The maker states dimensions in length, height and width order unless otherwise specified. Use the sleeve measurements when sleeve fit is the actual concern.

Allen’s page lists capacity rather than an equivalent internal drawing. Its 23 liter label does not establish that a particular boxed accessory, case or pair of ear defenders fits beside everything else. Ask for the missing usable measurement when that measurement determines your purchase.

Create a simple packing list and compare the actual shapes with the compartments. Keep bulky equipment, small loose items and any required locked container distinct in that plan. Do not assume a soft bag will preserve its full rectangular dimensions under every load. No loaded carry or capacity measurement was performed for this guide.

A carrying bag is different from locked storage

ATF recommends unloading firearms before storage, keeping ammunition locked separately and keeping keys and combinations out of children’s reach. A range bag’s organizational pockets do not replace those practices. Decide where the equipment will go when you arrive home before treating the bag as a storage solution.

The Savior has lockable zipper sliders, but this guide establishes no burglary or fire rating for either bag. A pistol rug is padding and a work surface, not proof of access control. If you need a locked enclosure, see the handgun lock box guide and evaluate its fit and limitations separately.

ATF also warns that locking vehicle doors is not secure firearm storage. For temporary vehicle storage it advises using an appropriate secure device out of sight and returning firearms to secure home storage on arrival. Do not leave a carrying bag in a vehicle as a substitute for that storage plan.

Do not infer airline suitability from lockable zippers

TSA requires an unloaded firearm in a locked hard sided container as checked baggage only, with declaration to the airline. The container must completely prevent access. These gear bags are not selected as complete substitutes for that container. A soft bag with a small padlock is a different product form.

If you are buying for a flight, start with the current TSA and airline requirements and the laws along the route. Our rifle case comparison covers hard case fit and closures, including why marketing language does not settle airline acceptance. The correct choice depends on the packed container and travel conditions, not the bag’s product title.

Keeping gear organized on a bench and complying with transport requirements are separate jobs. Write down which job matters before ordering. This guide does not provide an ammunition packing procedure or determine the legal adequacy of a particular trip.

Match the model and the supplied edition

Allen’s current maker page names SKU 8305 and UPC 026509008866. The checked Amazon listing B019KAQYHI prints model 8305. Its title calls the finish Coffee/Black, while the maker calls the product Tan and lists Multicolor. Use the model and product images together; do not rely on a finish name alone.

Savior’s maker variant data identifies OD Green as RA-3GUN-WS-OG, matching the Amazon model on B0BVX76S4V. The current page describes a refreshed lighter polymer frame; the listing emphasizes a rigid compartment frame. Confirm the supplied edition and included sleeves if those details decide your purchase.

The checked New Allen offer was sold by Amazon, and the New Savior offer by Yuge Distribution on October 17, 2026. These are the offers observed, not permanent seller promises. Inspect the current seller, condition, package contents, return terms and maker warranty eligibility before ordering. This comparison makes no claim about protection in a drop or a forced entry attempt.

What to look for when you buy

Questions people ask

Can I use either bag as a gun safe?

No burglary or fire rating was established for either bag. Padding, pockets and lockable zippers do not establish the protection of a rated enclosure. Follow ATF storage guidance and evaluate secure storage separately.

Which has individual removable sleeves?

The Savior Specialist has three padded, individually lockable sleeves on its current maker page. Allen’s 8305 includes a separate rug rather than the same sleeve arrangement.

Does the advertised volume guarantee my gear fits?

No. Allen’s capacity and Savior’s compartment measurements are different descriptions. Compare actual usable dimensions with the full load, and obtain missing measurements before ordering.

Can I check a firearm in a soft range bag for a flight?

TSA requires an unloaded firearm secured in a locked hard sided container as checked baggage, declared to the airline. These bags are not selected as complete substitutes. Check the full current official and carrier requirements.

Does the bag include everything in the product pictures?

Do not assume that. Confirm the exact package contents, including sleeves or rug, and buy any suitable locks separately when they are not included. Pictured firearms and other equipment are not implied contents.

Sources

• Eliminator Rangemaster 8305 features, identity and capacity (byallen.com), Allen Company
• Specialist range bag current features, sizes and variant codes (saviorequipment.com), Savior Equipment
• Safety and Security for Firearm Owners, July 2024 (atf.gov), ATF
• Transporting Firearms and Ammunition, TSA (maker page: www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition)

Sources checked 2026-10-17.