diff --git a/doc/lua_api.txt b/doc/lua_api.txt
index 6a4d19838..891a807c5 100644
--- a/doc/lua_api.txt
+++ b/doc/lua_api.txt
@@ -1868,6 +1868,7 @@ Item definition (register_node, register_craftitem, register_tool)
     wield_image = "",
     wield_scale = {x=1,y=1,z=1},
     stack_max = 99,
+    range = 4.0,
     liquids_pointable = false,
     tool_capabilities = {
         full_punch_interval = 1.0,
diff --git a/src/game.cpp b/src/game.cpp
index ff694d12e..3f14f09d4 100644
--- a/src/game.cpp
+++ b/src/game.cpp
@@ -2488,7 +2488,12 @@ void the_game(
 		
 		//u32 t1 = device->getTimer()->getRealTime();
 		
-		f32 d = 4; // max. distance
+		f32 d = playeritem_def.range; // max. distance
+		f32 d_hand = itemdef->get("").range;
+		if(d < 0 && d_hand >= 0)
+			d = d_hand;
+		else if(d < 0)
+			d = 4.0;
 		core::line3d<f32> shootline(camera_position,
 				camera_position + camera_direction * BS * (d+1));
 
diff --git a/src/itemdef.cpp b/src/itemdef.cpp
index e7498ce55..4ac23d0fc 100644
--- a/src/itemdef.cpp
+++ b/src/itemdef.cpp
@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@ ItemDefinition& ItemDefinition::operator=(const ItemDefinition &def)
 	groups = def.groups;
 	node_placement_prediction = def.node_placement_prediction;
 	sound_place = def.sound_place;
+	range = def.range;
 	return *this;
 }
 
@@ -109,6 +110,7 @@ void ItemDefinition::reset()
 	}
 	groups.clear();
 	sound_place = SimpleSoundSpec();
+	range = -1;
 
 	node_placement_prediction = "";
 }
@@ -146,6 +148,7 @@ void ItemDefinition::serialize(std::ostream &os, u16 protocol_version) const
 		//serializeSimpleSoundSpec(sound_place, os);
 		os<<serializeString(sound_place.name);
 		writeF1000(os, sound_place.gain);
+		writeF1000(os, range);
 	}
 }
 
@@ -198,7 +201,7 @@ void ItemDefinition::deSerialize(std::istream &is)
 	// If you add anything here, insert it primarily inside the try-catch
 	// block to not need to increase the version.
 	try{
-		
+		range = readF1000(is);
 	}catch(SerializationError &e) {};
 }
 
diff --git a/src/itemdef.h b/src/itemdef.h
index 08c9c8358..f993fdbac 100644
--- a/src/itemdef.h
+++ b/src/itemdef.h
@@ -68,6 +68,7 @@ struct ItemDefinition
 	ToolCapabilities *tool_capabilities;
 	ItemGroupList groups;
 	SimpleSoundSpec sound_place;
+	f32 range;
 
 	// Client shall immediately place this node when player places the item.
 	// Server will update the precise end result a moment later.
diff --git a/src/script/common/c_content.cpp b/src/script/common/c_content.cpp
index 11f749160..7b80cc5ee 100644
--- a/src/script/common/c_content.cpp
+++ b/src/script/common/c_content.cpp
@@ -100,6 +100,8 @@ ItemDefinition read_item_definition(lua_State* L,int index,
 	}
 	lua_pop(L, 1);
 
+	def.range = getfloatfield_default(L, index, "range", def.range);
+
 	// Client shall immediately place this node when player places the item.
 	// Server will update the precise end result a moment later.
 	// "" = no prediction