While I am a newbie to md shooters and also one to firearms, I felt it would be nice and informative to many to post a review about this establishment. Also so you guys know, I own a slightly similiar business to a Firing Range / Gun Store. I own a european auto performance shop, and the similarities are based on the fact we both deal with customers who are enthusiast of all skill and knowledge levels. People that are very passionate and spend a lot because of this passion.
Now to the review. At this point I have been to free state 3 times. It all started with a phone call. I had to call and confirm they were actually open until 10 pm (which i almost fell out of my chair when i read that ). After the quick call I made it a point to get out of the shop asap and head down there. I got there around 5 pm saturday and they were pretty busy. I was immediately acknowledged and asked to wait a few minutes while they process some people who arrived before me. During the wait i looked around a good bit and it is obvious they are a new company. However, I was impressed by the lay out. There is a pool table in the waiting area, and the facility is very clean. Also the details are very nice. It is easy to tell these guys put pride and thought into the facility. Things like hardwood floors, and spacious classrooms are often overlooked or taken for granted, but very aprreciated by me. Also they have a gun smiths work bench out in the waiting area, this is extremely cool to me, and I cant wait to watch something in action there.
Now, Terry found some time to greet me and our converstion started after an introduction and handshake. We chatted for a bit, and I made sure to tell him i was relatively new to the hobby and not to familiar with this world. He then took a great deal of time to show me around the facility, and even show me how to operate there very state of the art range. We took time to discuss the firearms I wanted, and his views on them, which were very informative. I immediately signed up for a years membership at this point. He also spent some time with me discussing options for my 870 to make it "range legal", as it had a pistol grip. We spent some time thumbing through a catalog and discussing pro's and cons of the different stocks i was interested in. At this point terry had to leave to help some customers, and Randy immediately slid in to finish up my ordering and answer my questions. In addition to the butt stock i also bought quite a few additional accessories.
My second visit was this past friday, the day I took delivery on my Colt Carbine AR15. I got out of my shop late and made it to Freestate around 9:30. As I am new to firearms I though it would be best to have it inspected. Despite the guys cleaning up to start closing, Bob came over and quickly disassembled to the weapon and proceeded to explain the mechanics of it to me. I did not intend to fire that night as it was too close to shut down time, however they insisted upon it. After a thumbs up by Bob, I bought some ammo (great price ) and was off into the range. Randy came out with me and there was another gentleman there who spent a great deal of time talking AR's with me (sorry the name escapes me) was there as well. Randy loaded my magazines so I could get maximum firing time, and they even stayed open later so we could continue firing. Also the next Saturday I showed up with a picatinny rail I ordered and they helped me install it free of charge.
I can go on forever, but based on statistics, most of you lost interest reading this a while ago lol. I want to close with this, being new to any hobby we all look for somewhere to be a part of. The way the folks at Freestate have treated me has earned them my business, respect, and friendship. I genuinely want to go back not only to fire off some rounds, but to also see my new friends there and annoy them with more noob questions. I highly reccommend anyone who has not been there go check them out. As new as I am to doing this, I have felt cold establishments too many times, this was a welcomed change of pace. Free State, keep up the good work!!!
Now to the review. At this point I have been to free state 3 times. It all started with a phone call. I had to call and confirm they were actually open until 10 pm (which i almost fell out of my chair when i read that ). After the quick call I made it a point to get out of the shop asap and head down there. I got there around 5 pm saturday and they were pretty busy. I was immediately acknowledged and asked to wait a few minutes while they process some people who arrived before me. During the wait i looked around a good bit and it is obvious they are a new company. However, I was impressed by the lay out. There is a pool table in the waiting area, and the facility is very clean. Also the details are very nice. It is easy to tell these guys put pride and thought into the facility. Things like hardwood floors, and spacious classrooms are often overlooked or taken for granted, but very aprreciated by me. Also they have a gun smiths work bench out in the waiting area, this is extremely cool to me, and I cant wait to watch something in action there.
Now, Terry found some time to greet me and our converstion started after an introduction and handshake. We chatted for a bit, and I made sure to tell him i was relatively new to the hobby and not to familiar with this world. He then took a great deal of time to show me around the facility, and even show me how to operate there very state of the art range. We took time to discuss the firearms I wanted, and his views on them, which were very informative. I immediately signed up for a years membership at this point. He also spent some time with me discussing options for my 870 to make it "range legal", as it had a pistol grip. We spent some time thumbing through a catalog and discussing pro's and cons of the different stocks i was interested in. At this point terry had to leave to help some customers, and Randy immediately slid in to finish up my ordering and answer my questions. In addition to the butt stock i also bought quite a few additional accessories.
My second visit was this past friday, the day I took delivery on my Colt Carbine AR15. I got out of my shop late and made it to Freestate around 9:30. As I am new to firearms I though it would be best to have it inspected. Despite the guys cleaning up to start closing, Bob came over and quickly disassembled to the weapon and proceeded to explain the mechanics of it to me. I did not intend to fire that night as it was too close to shut down time, however they insisted upon it. After a thumbs up by Bob, I bought some ammo (great price ) and was off into the range. Randy came out with me and there was another gentleman there who spent a great deal of time talking AR's with me (sorry the name escapes me) was there as well. Randy loaded my magazines so I could get maximum firing time, and they even stayed open later so we could continue firing. Also the next Saturday I showed up with a picatinny rail I ordered and they helped me install it free of charge.
I can go on forever, but based on statistics, most of you lost interest reading this a while ago lol. I want to close with this, being new to any hobby we all look for somewhere to be a part of. The way the folks at Freestate have treated me has earned them my business, respect, and friendship. I genuinely want to go back not only to fire off some rounds, but to also see my new friends there and annoy them with more noob questions. I highly reccommend anyone who has not been there go check them out. As new as I am to doing this, I have felt cold establishments too many times, this was a welcomed change of pace. Free State, keep up the good work!!!
