I've gone to Free State about three dozen times in the last year and only had to wait (about fifteen minutes) once. Generally, I go in the afternoon, 2-5pm period, on weekdays.
I got there about 1pm. I usually get there around that time since weekends are the only time I can get up that way. Most times I wait an hour on average, but that is about the max I'm willing to stand around. When we walked in, it did not look like a lot of people and definitely less than the days I've waited for an hour. Not sure what was going on to make it close to 3.
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They had security guards certifying early while I was there. Scarey how they cant follow simple instructions. "Strong hand single handed" "support hand single handed" "THREE rounds" c'mon, these men and women are carring loaded firearms?
I've gone to Free State about three dozen times in the last year and only had to wait (about fifteen minutes) once. Generally, I go in the afternoon, 2-5pm period, on weekdays.
I have seen the security guards miss a human sized target at 7 yards with a shotty. I packed up and left....
A lot of date nights happen at free state and thugs in training also. I have seen a lot of gangsta stances you know glock point down range with grip in the 3 or 9 o clock position.
When I see "That Guy" with his girlfriend, and her girlfriend, with three rentals and house ears and eyes roll into the range, we roll out.
Same when sidewinders show up.
Went to Freestate yesterday after work (3pm) to finally try out my new AR pistol...
I was so mad, I had to wait like 37 seconds to get a lane...
12 lanes, and 11 lanes open...
Common knowledge, for YEARS, that if you do not want to wait, then you do not even go there between Friday evening and Sunday afternoon.
I am a member there, but if my sons want to go shooting on a weekend, we head to Belair and guess what? WAIT, for one of their FIVE lanes to open up.
A safe assumption would be that Freestate is there to make money.
Between Homeland Security, and other LE related daily weekday training, they make steady, guaranteed money, unlike the spotty, inconsistent money they make from ones who may go there 1 or 2 times a year, without making a phone call first. They post on Facebook everyday saying if they have training there or not, if the lanes are opening up late, or closing early, so if you don't have FB, then make a 10 second phone call...
As for the date night/rent-a-gun people...
I think ANYONE who rents (or otherwise has never shot), a firearm should absolutely, positively have to take some sort of a crash course on how it functions, and at least some basic range safety. They used to have them in one of the rooms, lasted about 15 minutes, for like $10 or something.
Went to Freestate yesterday after work (3pm) to finally try out my new AR pistol...
I was so mad, I had to wait like 37 seconds to get a lane...
12 lanes, and 11 lanes open...
Common knowledge, for YEARS, that if you do not want to wait, then you do not even go there between Friday evening and Sunday afternoon.
I am a member there, but if my sons want to go shooting on a weekend, we head to Belair and guess what? WAIT, for one of their FIVE lanes to open up.
A safe assumption would be that Freestate is there to make money.
Between Homeland Security, and other LE related daily weekday training, they make steady, guaranteed money, unlike the spotty, inconsistent money they make from ones who may go there 1 or 2 times a year, without making a phone call first. They post on Facebook everyday saying if they have training there or not, if the lanes are opening up late, or closing early, so if you don't have FB, then make a 10 second phone call...
As for the date night/rent-a-gun people...
I think ANYONE who rents (or otherwise has never shot), a firearm should absolutely, positively have to take some sort of a crash course on how it functions, and at least some basic range safety. They used to have them in one of the rooms, lasted about 15 minutes, for like $10 or something.
It would be great if I had a range close enough to be able to shoot on weeknights when crowds were next to non existent. Some of us only get the weekends to shoot because of location and work. Only close spot is 12th precinct gun club which I'm thinking about joining to have that ability (plus they have archery so a reason to get back into a bow).
Freestate still makes all new shooters take a quick (free) safety/operation class before renting or shooting. The problem is you have to honestly admit you've never shot before. So a lot of the people come in and say "oh yeah I've done this before" and are set free to endanger everyone else.
No argument here. I've left while shooting, or walked out before even requesting a lane, due to what was obviously newbies and an container full of rental guns. Not a fan of that either. A way to ensure some sort of safety would be to REQUIRE a safety class for anyone who is not registered, as having shot there before. They have the means to do so, since all, even members, are required to log onto their I-pads and update their info every year, and new visitors are as well.
It would be great if I had a range close enough to be able to shoot on weeknights when crowds were next to non existent. Some of us only get the weekends to shoot because of location and work. Only close spot is 12th precinct gun club which I'm thinking about joining to have that ability (plus they have archery so a reason to get back into a bow).
We need to convince someone to open an indoor range at the old Giant on Route 2. It justs sits there and rots except for Halloween and Christmas.