I have just been informed that until further notice the Smith & Wesson Shooting Sports Center has been closed.

This includes the store, public ranges and the ranges used for IDPA. This means that the IDPA program has also been stopped until such time as the Shooting Sports Center reopens.

I have no idea if this also affects any of the training classes.

Anyone know whats going on at S&WSC?

__________________
Shoot fast & live long
Warren

Statement issued by S&W. I know there have been complications with non-licensed persons using the public range and rental guns:

"Due to a number of business and infrastructure factors which include planned upgrades, we are electing to keep the SSC closed on a temporary basis. This closure applies to the general public, current members, law enforcement, IDPA members, VIP’s (without prior approval) and all Smith & Wesson employees. The closure will remain in effect until further notice. We anticipate a mid-summer opening.

During the coming months we will reassess the entire operation to assure alignment with our core business objectives and we plan to open as a private facility with a renewed purpose intent on supporting our commitment to the shooting sports industry. Our plans will encompass continued access to License-To-Carry (LTC) and other training programs as well as FirstShots®, IDPA events, Scout activities, Hunters Education classes and others."

Sad sad news...

__________________
Jorge

Wonder what the full circumstances are, but man that is some really poor timing as shooting competitions go into full-swing.

I was there today

I took a plant tour guided buy a super nice retired worked
I am Thankful that they allowed me to tour and Greatful to the gentleman who took us on tour
But I was quite let down that the center was closed

When I left I tried to be gratious and not show my disapointment

Hank

Don't tell me someone here took a picture of the place without permission and put it on the web...

__________________
Thirty characters. Exactly...

Sip could be close, a corporate executive/board reevaluation of the operation along with meeting corporate goals/security.

__________________
NRA Pistol/Rifle Inst. RSO

Is there anyone else on these forums who belongs to the S&W Range in Springfield, MA?
The one I joined 3 weeks ago with a 1 year membership that I shot at just once?
The one that closed for inventory for a few days 2 weeks ago and is still not open?
The one that according to S&W customer service today said that it may not open until the summer???
And if you want a refund you have to write them a letter?
What is going on with Smith & Wesson? The lack of information to paid members to this range is extremely disappointing.

I'm right there with you. I joined with a one year membership a few months ago. To say I'm a bit irritated by the whole thing would be a serious understatement. We paid good money to be able to use the facilities, and now they are saying they will be closed for months - if they even decide to reopen.

What really gets me is that there so far has been no attempt to contact members (they do have our names and addresses on file) to fill us in on what is going on and to offer our money back or to extend our membership if they reopen. They are the ones that abruptly closed for no apparent reason, but we are supposed to go out of our way to call them and write them a letter(?) letting them know if we want to continue our membership?

I don't know. I'll give them a week or two to see if they actually contact us or make some sort of concession to their paying members. After this little episode I am not so sure I would like to continue being a member - not with customer service like this!

I took the Handgun Techniques course yesterday, May 12, and it was last scheduled Shooting Sports Center (SSC) class until management makes decisions on how they are going to proceed forward with opening both the Academy and SSC. If you are interested in S&W continuing to offer civilian training courses, the best thing you can probably do right now is to let the President and CEO of S&W, P. James Debney, know that you want them to continue offering the them. I understand he has been getting alot of S&W customers expressing their concern about the closing and contacting him can't hurt.

It is thought that S&W is working on putting together a list of the existing SSC memberships and will be contacting members with options.

P. James Debney
Smith & Wesson
2100 Roosevelt Avenue
Springfield, Massachusetts 01104
United States

[email protected]
Phone: 413-781-8300
Fax: 413-731-8980

In response to an e-mail to S&W about my membership, they provided a 2 page FAQ.

I paid for a membership. What are my options?All paid memberships have been placed on hold until we re-open as a private facility. Details regarding new membership requirements will be issued to all active members once they are finalized. Members who desire a refund should submit a written request to the below address. Refunds will be issued on a pro-rated basis.

Any thoughts on whether I should ask for a refund or wait it out? Will remaining an "active member" have some form of additional priority or benefit over new ones who join (or rejoin) after it reopens as a private facility?

For those wondering WHY - This might give some insight:
Smith & Wesson shooting range closed - CBS 3 Springfield - WSHM

__________________
G21C,Shield.40,LCP

OH - NO
Felons lying. What's next?

I'd imagine that this happens at ranges EVERYWHERE

__________________
In dog years I'm dead.

Yep, but when the media starts spreading the news about where they trained, etc. you can bet that trouble is a brewing and whatever that will be isn't going to be good for the 2A side. Anti's get it in their head that now we'll need to get background checks done on a regular basis for people who want to use ranges, or the ranges will get the idea that they need to do that in order to ensure they aren't snared by potential lawsuits by victims of the felons who lied, and manipulated the system, so that they could train with their weapons they are going to use in the commission of their crimes. Not good. So, instead of remaining open and trying to work on things, they have chosen to close for now while investigating how to keep this from happening.

__________________
G21C,Shield.40,LCP

I would imagine that ranges will have to look at, if they have not already the legal impact of this to their business model. Three things pop in my head on first blush. 1) obvious legal ramifications if the range is the "training ground" for badguys. 2) impact on business from families who shoot at the ranges recreationally with felons in the environment. 3) business and liability insurance costs have potential to increase if insurers see an additional risk potential at ranges.

I looked at opening a range a couple of decades ago. Between the obvious environmental and safety requirements and costs of business and liability insurance I chose to find a different avocational business for a second biz. I can't imagine the hoops being easier to jump through now.

Amazing. The anti-gunners will make hay with this for sure. I suspect every gun range owner is holding his breath right about now.

__________________
Centennial Every Day

Local range here, if you don't have a pistol permit or an active military ID you don't shoot. Why the Shooting Center didn't follow this policy is beyond common sense. They deserve to be shut down even by their own hand.
DW

__________________
"NUTS"

Pistol permit? What is this crazy talk?

__________________
M&P .40, M&P 9c & Shield 45

I have searched and the anti gun community has not said a word. ZIP. I would imagine it will be insurance folks that raise a question if anyone does. Or, it might just stay an internal policy decision. This is only chatter on boards like this.

Well that's a drag; I'm flying to Mass. on Sat. for a week and that was definately on my to-do list. Does anyone know if they give tours of the factory?

If you're going to that area, you should definitely visit the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, and the municipal museum in downtown Springfield, which has exhibits on everything from S&W to Indian Motorcycles, which were built there.

I would also suggest visiting the New England Air Museum, next to Bradley International Airport outside Hartford.

For a neat dining experience in Springfield, I recommend the Student Prince Restaurant on Fort Street...great German food and beer!

Tours are done by groups only, and have to be arranged in advance.

About 10 years ago, I was in Hartford on business and had some time to kill. I was able to take the S&W factory tour with a group of high schoolers. Never hurts to ask.

Good luck.

Yep. I'm really shocked the anti-gunners haven't made an issue of this. All of the local ranges I shoot at have absolutely no way of knowing if the person shooting there is a felon or not. I'm sure the anti's will catch on soon enough and try their tricks.

__________________
Centennial Every Day

Currently, they only do them on Thursdays, which I forgot to mention. The tour guides are retired S&W employees who come in to do the tours.

They give a really good tour, nothing seems scripted. I've gone a number of times and each time I've seen and learned new things.

Photocosmo, you should definitely call and ask. Maybe they'll have a group tour while you're there that you can tag on to.

Thanks for all of the great suggestions and info, I'll be there for a week so I look forward to packin' in as much as possible including Boston(Red Sox game Tue. night, Freedom Walk, etc.), the Armory Site and hopefully some good Rouladen!

Any updates on the status for the range re-opening?