What range do you like?

Kelson1066 · Mar 31, 2014

PapiBarcelona said:
I always make mention of 340 Defense in Rippon/Franklintown, WV for the folks who live in the Capital region. I travel to WV a lot to our family farm, and have rode by this place a million times.

Straight up 270 for you, then stay on 340 right before you get to the WV/VA line. Probably 40-45 minutes to get there on a good day?

^This

Only public range in the area where I can practice drawing from a holster and shooting at multiple targets. Also one of the proprietors runs the Summit Point matches. :thumbsup:

OrangeAgent27 · Mar 31, 2014

WillyD said:
Kolholznik, won't you have to buy their ammo at Machine Gun Nest also?

Lordi, I am really looking forward to machine gun nest and I hope that isn't the case. However, if reasonable, then it's doable. I'm hoping for something similar to Freestate. Nice facility, friendly folks and good prices.

l730dc · Mar 31, 2014

Turbohugh said:
I was there this sat. Took a first time shooter with me. We got to MSAR at 11:30, was told there was a 2 hour wait, took our ticket, gave the lady a # for text messages. >Went to lunch, drove over to RealCo guns on Marboro Pike, and was promptly ignored for about 40 minutes.. Went back to MSAR, talked with people for another 40 minutes, and then we shot for about 2 hours.

...On a crowded saturday, I'd say magazine loading is a bit much in the waiting room, wont really save you any real time, and is more of a 'look at me' high profile move IMHO. .. Next people will be pulling out guns and cleaning them on the tables. Most people [I do] load your mags at home, or before you come inside, plenty of people filling mags in the parking lot, or wait until you have a lane.

Since its a public range they have to be aware of the people who are first timers, and may not be too comfortable with people having piles of ammo out and such.. That stuff will mushroom believe that.

Bumpfire/slidefire weapons, ya I can see them being a little unhappy about that. If you saw someone doing it, the range officer didnt see it for sure, they send you home for stuff like that.

The groupon people come in, shoot a box and leave. They rent guns. THey sign up for classes. They buy things. Those are the folks the business makes $$ on. Keeps the lease paid and the utilities on, employees employed. I say bring more of those Groupon and Livingsocial deal people. Maybe they will keep the prices low. The gun range doesn't make much $$ on people like me [and maybe you] who bring our own goodies to the party, and only need a lane,maybe a few targets. I will buy a box of ammo but for the most part I come prepared, and you probably do as well friend. If im by myself I don't even go on the weekends, because I can sit in the range for several hours shooting and doing practice drills.

All said MSAR is popular, and until more ranges open up who can offer a clean, fairly friendly atmosphere it will continue to be popular. If you're an 'advanced' or 'special' shooter you may be a person that is better suited to going to a private or members only range.

Can you imaging being in rifle range and sitting next to someone 'practicing' their bump fire ar? I wouldn't want to be near that.

After i told them it was semii.. they were ok with it.. then came back and said not to... they were saying that they know me.. they know I can handle it.. but said if they let me do it then they have to let everyone do it... which is somewhat understandable. .. they let me continue to shoot which was nice... It was just a buzzkill for me thats all... its already hard enough to fjnd a range that will let me shoot my pistol grip only shotgun.. now I have to find somewhere that will let me shoot my pgo shotgun and a slidefire..
Again.. understandable. . Just a buzzkill is all

I aim down the barrel of my shotgun.. but I know a lot of people fire from the hip with it.. so thats why some ranges dont let you (is what I assume at least)
and slidefire on a 22 or 223 is different than putting one on an ak or 50beowulf ar

What range would you all recommend that would be ok with both slide fire stocked ar and a pistol grip only shotgun

swinokur · Mar 31, 2014

Originally Posted by akrobatik
NRA range is very nice, but they run it like a pharmacy. They watch your every move, annoy the heck out you, and don't want your gun powder messing up their pretty white floors.

Kolholznik said:
To be fair, that really wasn't my experience. Sure, they kept an eye on me to ensure that I wasn't a nimrod doing anything unsafe but, after about 20 minutes or so they let me shoot in peace. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was also cool to finally visit the HQ of an organization I've belonged to for so many years. The only down-side was the guy in the lane next to me shooting a Desert Eagle .44 - concussion from that thing had me flinching a little, to put it mildly. Fortunately, he was done after about 50 rounds!

This has always been my experience at NRA as well. I have never had a single incident like the one described. Friendly and polite staff, clean and well run. I think sometimes people's bad expeirnces may be their own fault in some way. I'm not saying this is what happened but my experiences at NRA have always been excellent, and I'vs shot there monthly for more than a few years.

Kolholznik · Mar 31, 2014

OrangeAgent27 said:
Lordi, I am really looking forward to machine gun nest and I hope that isn't the case. However, if reasonable, then it's doable. I'm hoping for something similar to Freestate. Nice facility, friendly folks and good prices.

First chance I get this week, I'm gonna call The Machinegun Nest back and ask them a few more questions about that. I think Gilbert's has everyone worried that "Frederick's new(est) indoor range" is going to be just another indoor range gouging shooters on ammunition prices. Sorry but, the $40 price Gilberts quoted me on a 50-rd box of .45 ACP ammo turned me off completely. That price might be about right to some MoCo neophyte who only wants to shoot when his Viagra prescription is running-out but, for someone like me, wanting to have fun and eventually shoot competitively again, I thought $40 was...exorbitant. I'm trying to be nice but, I can buy Match-grade Winchester 230gr FMJ in 50-rd boxes for almost 50% less. Plus, I know they shoot great in my Sig and won't foul it all to hell after 100 rounds like the Beijing blue-light specials they're selling at Gilberts. No, I've come to the conclusion that Gilbert's doesn't give a rat's ass about guys like me, hence, they won't be getting my money. I'd rather drive an extra 20 minutes and take my family to the NRA Range and The National Firearms Museum instead. I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the museum? It's impressive. Going to Fairfax will make you proud to be an NRA member.

swinokur · Apr 1, 2014

Not to defend Gilbert's ammo prices, but Mo Co stupidly as a condition of granting a zoning variance to Dick Gilbert to build the range, required him to sell the ammo used at the range.

They didn't tell him what to charge for it however.

Ineedone · Apr 7, 2014

Usually goto Silver Eagle Group in VA, it's on the way home from work.

USAFRavenR6 · Apr 11, 2014

I usually got to Cresap but now that the weather is warming up its going to start getting packed early. Unfortunately only being open on Sundays causes a mad rush during the warmer weather.

I have been to Happ Baker one and it was nice, just a bit of a drive for me to get to.

I have a machine gun nest membership and am itching for it to open up so I can go shoot at my own desire. I prefer an outdoor range but I'm also ok with indoor as well.

I just got my Form 1 back and approved and put together my SBR yesterday and Im itching to shoot it. Does anyone know if Happ baker allows Class 3, specifically a SBR?

erwos · Apr 11, 2014

swinokur said:
Not to defend Gilbert's ammo prices, but Mo Co stupidly as a condition of granting a zoning variance to Dick Gilbert to build the range, required him to sell the ammo used at the range.

I've never actually seen any proof of this in writing. I've heard him say it, but I've never seen the documentation.

It's also been a very long time since he got the variance. Nothing is stopping him from approaching the council again and trying to get the variance modified.

swinokur · Apr 11, 2014

I actually once found County Council minutes where this was discussed. I can't find it now.

It's more advantageous to not change the system as it helps increase his profit margins. Doing nothing actually helps with the profitability.

He's got no shortage of business even with the restriction.

WillyD · Apr 11, 2014

OrangeAgent27 said:
Lordi, I am really looking forward to machine gun nest and I hope that isn't the case. However, if reasonable, then it's doable. I'm hoping for something similar to Freestate. Nice facility, friendly folks and good prices.

I just checked their website, and The Machine Gun Nest will let you use your own ammo, with typical restrictions (i.e., no green tip, only shotgun slugs, etc.). :thumbsup:

USAFRavenR6 · Apr 11, 2014

Anyone know if Hap Baker allows SBRs?

myright · Apr 25, 2014

I have had mostly good luck with MSAR. As of May first they are raising the price of the shotgun rifle lanes to $35 for 2 people. Almost doubling their current prices of $20. Pistol range will still stay the same of $20. Its a shame, My father and I were shooting almost every week. I do not know if we will continue to shoot there.

redeemed.man · Apr 25, 2014

MSAR mostly because I can shoot as long as I want for one low price. I usually stay a very long time whenever I go. My business is hosting an event at MSAR in June (see below). If you visit the gun vault ask Tony (he is a good dude) to show you some of the treasures they have in the back. They always have new guns that are not yet on the roster.

RugerFan · Apr 25, 2014

swinokur said:
Not to defend Gilbert's ammo prices, but Mo Co stupidly as a condition of granting a zoning variance to Dick Gilbert to build the range, required him to sell the ammo used at the range.

I was personally told by someone in the industry that MoCo NEVER required him to sell his own ammo, and it's a purposely perpetuated profitable myth.

"purposely perpetuated profitable myth"...say THAT ten times fast!

swinokur · Apr 25, 2014

I saw minutes from a County Council meeting where it was discussed. I believe it to be true. I can't find the minutes now.

"Someone in the industry" isn't much of a cite.

dohc97 · Apr 26, 2014

erwos said:
I've never actually seen any proof of this in writing. I've heard him say it, but I've never seen the documentation.

It's also been a very long time since he got the variance. Nothing is stopping him from approaching the council again and trying to get the variance modified.

If this policy can be modified, I would be there almost every weekend. I live about 2 miles away from this range.

damifinowfish · Apr 26, 2014

USAFRavenR6 said:
Anyone know if Hap Baker allows SBRs?

Join one of the AGC clubs and shoot at the Merriottsville Range were SBR's are fine to shoot.

Also 50 bmg, machine guns, and everything in between.

l730dc · Apr 27, 2014

myright said:
I have had mostly good luck with MSAR. As of May first they are raising the price of the shotgun rifle lanes to $35 for 2 people. Almost doubling their current prices of $20. Pistol range will still stay the same of $20. Its a shame, My father and I were shooting almost every week. I do not know if we will continue to shoot there.

Can anyone else confirm this?

redeemed.man · Apr 27, 2014

l730dc said:
Can anyone else confirm this?

Confirmed. This is true. Time is still unlimited though. Not thrilled about it but it is where I shoot.

What range do you like?

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