Maryland Small Arms Range - What an experience! (in a bad way)

[MikeCee]

Bought my first handgun at MSAR (the old range) and fired it for the first time there as well. My wife learned to shoot in their classroom. I must have been there 50-60 over a ten year period and took a number of friends and family there, many of those for their first time.

We'd occasionally see the "gangster wannabees" there, including one guy who was trying to teach his girlfriend to shoot by showing her how to "dominate the gun" which involved jerking his arm forward and firing everytime his arm reached full extension.

The last time my wife and I went we had huge problems with the guy next to us who decided to check out my wife's Browning without asking. Yes, he just reached over and picked it up. Things got very testy when I told him to put it down. When I got back into my lane and started shooting, he shot my target off the black. I put my revolver down, stepped out and called him on it. He just took his range bag and walked away.

He was sitting at a table joking around with some LEO's when I came out (that worried me). As I was checking out, I asked the guy behind the counter about him who confirmed that he was a PG County police officer and a good-friend of the owner.

We never went back.

 

[mranaya]

He was sitting at a table joking around with some LEO's when I came out (that worried me). As I was checking out, I asked the guy behind the counter about him who confirmed that he was a PG County police officer and a good-friend of the owner.

We never went back.

This really sounds like a disastrous gun environment, fully supported by the owners. I had planned on checking this place out--thanks for the warning.

 

[reckless1911]

Too much drama here.... just go shoot your guns, worry about yourself and go home.

 

[heavy1metal]

Shot there this past weekend (new place ofc) with a buddy - was in the rifle lanes. There was a wait so I decided to peep into the pistol lanes to people watch. Saw some sideways standing one arm-toting shooters, was happy to learn the rifle lanes didn't have the same minded people. Saw one guy holding the gun in hand painting the person he was talking to.

So if you go, try to get a rifle lane. I don't think most of the customers realize it's just a deeper lane.

 

[Wayne1one]

I saw a street thug renting a short barrel pistol grip shotgun and I figured that he was in training for liquor store holdups. Someday, I would come up against him at work.

I take it that you are an LEO? If so I would love to find out where you work!

I would also like to find out how to differentiate between a "street thug" and an ordinary citizen, please help!

 

[Wayne1one]

Too much drama here.... just go shoot your guns, worry about yourself and go home.

This!! Worry about your dam self and stop judging others!!

 

[FTJoe]

Shot there this past weekend (new place ofc) with a buddy - was in the rifle lanes. There was a wait so I decided to peep into the pistol lanes to people watch. Saw some sideways standing one arm-toting shooters, was happy to learn the rifle lanes didn't have the same minded people. Saw one guy holding the gun in hand painting the person he was talking to.

So if you go, try to get a rifle lane. I don't think most of the customers realize it's just a deeper lane.

and that's the secret. always bring a rifle and get a rifle lane to shoot both rifles and pistols. I've never seen bad behavior in the rifles lanes.

some of the folks that shoot in the pistol lanes can't/don't own pistols (or rifles). MSAR rents pistols, so the folks who can't/don't own pistols will rent them (no background check to rent, just 21yo) and spend a few hours in the pistol lanes shooting a rented gun in a manner that may not be approved by responsible gun owners. they were either never taught the correct way (handling or shooting), or are just showing off for their friends.

one drawback in the rifle lanes will be increased noise, but I always wear double hearing protection indoors.

 

[Domino]

If you don't like the "uneducated" or "undesirable" firearm patrons who frequent MSAR -- don't go! Quite frankly, I have seen the same thing at many outdoor ranges. Everyone needs to begin somewhere. IMO the indoor/outdoor range staff is friendly and WILL answer questions - if you ask. Newbies tend .to be intimated by some of the "know-it-alls. We ALL needed to be taught the basics of firearm sometime in life. Safe gun handling is EVERYONE's responsibility

 

[Traveler]

I did not have to read any range rules or safety briefing at MSAR the first time I went. I found that to be unusual. A basic safety briefing rather than them assuming my friend and I knew what we were doing would have been reassuring.

 

[TexasBob]

If you don't like the "uneducated" or "undesirable" firearm patrons who frequent MSAR -- don't go! Quite frankly, I have seen the same thing at many outdoor ranges. Everyone needs to begin somewhere. IMO the indoor/outdoor range staff is friendly and WILL answer questions - if you ask. Newbies tend .to be intimated by some of the "know-it-alls. We ALL needed to be taught the basics of firearm sometime in life. Safe gun handling is EVERYONE's responsibility

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Love the place and they got great people working there, 1000% improvement over the old range. Wish Carl would join MDS as a IP!
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[Alutacon]

I take it that you are an LEO? If so I would love to find out where you work!

I would also like to find out how to differentiate between a "street thug" and an ordinary citizen, please help!

ah, I thought he worked at a liquor store LOL

 

[aquashooter]

As a retired LEO, I think I know firearm safety. It was drummed into me every time I qualified. However, it may be a good idea for 1st time shooters to sit through a safety class. I think Gilbert's does. I don't know about other ranges.

 

[Dirichlet]

I was at MSAR on Tuesday after work, and had one of the rifle ranges to myself. That's my 4th time at the new facility, and I have no complaints thus far.

 

[fire_medic]

MSAR not releasing until ND

MSAR continues to refuse to do an 8th day release like 30+ other firearms dealers in Maryland are doing. Even after the ATF and the MSP have confirmed that it is legal to do so.

 

[L0gic]

MSAR continues to refuse to do an 8th day release like 30+ other firearms dealers in Maryland are doing. Even after the ATF and the MSP have confirmed that it is legal to do so.

Are they at least telling current and new customers to plan on getting a HQL since at this point, paperwork will not be back by 10/1? If not I can see that as misleading the customer and ammo for a lawsuit.

 

[Robert1955]

MSAR continues to refuse to do an 8th day release like 30+ other firearms dealers in Maryland are doing. Even after the ATF and the MSP have confirmed that it is legal to do so.

When I stopped in last night, 8/13, to pick up my 4/19 purchase I asked politely why they have not worked out a 8 to 10 day release policy. The guy working my transfer said we have a very good reason and started digging behind the counter. He then pulled out a xerox copy of the scumpaper article about the 30 firearms released before the MSP finished and had to go collect. I just said really????? and completed picking up my G17. Don't plan on giving them another penny.

 

[fire_medic]

When I stopped in last night, 8/13, to pick up my 4/19 purchase I asked politely why they have not worked out a 8 to 10 day release policy. The guy working my transfer said we have a very good reason and started digging behind the counter. He then pulled out a xerox copy of the scumpaper article about the 30 firearms released before the MSP finished and had to go collect. I just said really????? and completed picking up my G17. Don't plan on giving them another penny.

30 out of an estimated 30,000, so .001%.

 

[myuen021078]

No experience buying or transferring anything at MSAR, but i liked the range there, $20 all you can shoot with 50 yard rifle lanes.

 

[L0gic]

When I stopped in last night, 8/13, to pick up my 4/19 purchase I asked politely why they have not worked out a 8 to 10 day release policy. The guy working my transfer said we have a very good reason and started digging behind the counter. He then pulled out a xerox copy of the scumpaper article about the 30 firearms released before the MSP finished and had to go collect. I just said really????? and completed picking up my G17. Don't plan on giving them another penny.

My response would have been "So have those dealers been shut down? No? Ah, because they were within their legal right to release, they just should have had a contingent release instead of no release at all"

 

[ASTC]

As indicated in the original post, this happened at the "old" Md. Small Arms Range. The new range at 9801 Fallard Court is a vast improvement over the old one. Better target carriers, better air flow, etc. I don't think you can shoot down the lights at the new range - - even if you tried. $20.00 for a lane with 2 shooters all day doesn't seem to be an unreasonable price. You can bring your own ammo and fire handguns, rifles and shotguns. If you haven't been there, check it out. Weekends are busy so you might want to try it during the week.