My son wants to go shooting......

[rwsmith]

So I called up Bullseye Bill's (formerly ATP) and asked if there were any changes to their range policy/procedures. They told me that the sessions were now $50/hr. and the range was down until they upgrade the ven.tilation. Well the ventilation surely needed upgrading but it sounds like they want to pay for it right off the bat.

Palmetto State Armory is almost the same distance in the other direction so I called them. They sounded a lot more amenable, $20/hr, and only a few restrictions on ammo. AT LEAST that is what a 'person' told me on the phone. Nowadays, I fully expect to be unpleasantly surprised when I actually show up expecting what I was told happens happens. But, I'm all loaded up and will check it out tomorrow. I'll report back yea or nay.

PS: It's just as well because there was a lot I didn't like about ATP but it was cheap and available (Usually. They'd tell you the range was open and then when you got there they would say that Naval security had the range until 12:00 and it would be 12:30 before they actually cleared out of there. That's just ONE gripe)

 

[6string]

Here are my highly biased and opinionated thoughts:
For the most part, I can’t stand those gun store ranges. They’re all about gouging their customers. Usually, too, they’re poorly lit and ventilated. And, usually, you can count on stupid rules like, “if the brass hits the floor, it’s ours”, or “you have to shoot our targets and/or ammo”, or the classic “no lead bullets”.

The ROs are usually a bunch of…well, you know….
And, there’s too many fools with guns.

If you can join a local club, that’s always the best bet.

Failing that, since you’re in the Charleston area, why not try the Twin Ponds Rifle & Pistol Range? Decent outdoor covered range. It’s part of the Francis Marion National Forest. Open daylight hours, Tues-Sat. I think it’s still free.
Go during the mid-week and you’ll have no trouble finding shooting space. (Weekends can be very busy!)

My personal PSA: when using these public ranges, be sure to clean up and pack out all your garbage, so they don’t get shut down.

 

[SWFan27]

Here are my highly biased and opinionated thoughts:
For the most part, I can’t stand those gun store ranges. They’re all about gouging their customers. Usually, too, they’re poorly lit and ventilated. And, usually, you can count on stupid rules like, “if the brass hits the floor, it’s ours”, or “you have to shoot our targets and/or ammo”, or the classic “no lead bullets”.

The ROs are usually a bunch of…well, you know….
And, there’s too many fools with guns.

If you can join a local club, that’s always the best bet.

Failing that, since you’re in the Charleston area, why not try the Twin Ponds Rifle & Pistol Range? Decent outdoor covered range. It’s part of the Francis Marion National Forest. Open daylight hours, Tues-Sat. I think it’s still free.
Go during the mid-week and you’ll have no trouble finding shooting space. (Weekends can be very busy!)

My personal PSA: when using these public ranges, be sure to clean up and pack out all your garbage, so they don’t get shut down.

I agree, and I pay an annual membership fee for an outdoor gun club/range. I can go 365 days a year and shoot whatever I feel like bringing with me.

 

[6string]

I agree, and I pay an annual membership fee for an outdoor gun club/range. I can go 365 days a year and shoot whatever I feel like bringing with me.

It’s getting harder and harder to find nice gun clubs. I think these range/stores have really cut into that, given the “instant gratification” mentality that those places feed into.
There’s a LOT to be said for a good club where prospective members must pass safety training and even a background check. It’s always good to weed out the yahoos and crazies, of which there are more than ever. Plus, you get the camaraderie of responsible, like-minded shooting enthusiasts.

Not only do you have the access and freedom you mention, but you don’t have to be constantly looking around to see if some bonehead is obliviously pointing a loaded gun in your direction!

 

[LVSteve]

One thing I can say for Vegas is that we have quite a few indoor ranges at reasonable cost. In many, I suspect the tourist traffic that wants to shoot full auto keeps the money rolling.

Shooting outdoors here can be miserable. Clark County has continually expanded its 'no shoot' zone over the years. We are now at the point that for the time and gas money involved, you may as well hit an indoor range.

 

[SWFan27]

One thing I can say for Vegas is that we have quite a few indoor ranges at reasonable cost. In many, I suspect the tourist traffic that wants to shoot full auto keeps the money rolling.

Shooting outdoors here can be miserable. Clark County has continually expanded its 'no shoot' zone over the years. We are now at the point that for the time and gas money involved, you may as well hit an indoor range.

My dad belongs to the gun club/range in Boulder City, NV. That is most awesome range I have ever been to, but I hear they do have a waiting list to join. And there are a couple months a year where the heat can beat some of the fun out of our trips there. We usually go early before it gets really hot. I have never been to an indoor range myself.

 

[hardluk1]

I always felt like my time was wasted at an indoor range . Hate being near a magnum revolver , brass pick up rules and the occasional hot brass that makes it over a lane divider , then there's the cost of range ammo many require .

Do to indoor ranges rules and compromises we have built our homes on a few acers in a rural county and have had a handgun practice range at home for the last 27 years and only visit outdoor ranges with a rifle or certain handguns .

 

[Baxter6551]

6string - that Twin Pines range looks great. Looks very well built and maintained. You are lucky to have it.
I worked a season as Range Officer at a State run range here that had a similar setup although sadly only out to 100 yards. It was only open weekends so it was busy all the time. For the most part the clientele were sane and safe. There are only 3 state run outdoor ranges in the entire state here.

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

My last trip to a LGS range the .38 reloads were $2.a box with a brass exchange. I taught on a 6 man indoor range for my department, 18 years. I never want to shoot indoors again. Also taught on a Police Academy outdoor range for 18 years. Much nicer.

Now a retired geezer I'm a RSO with a private club. Do safety classes once a month.My personal range time is with the other geezers on weekday mornings. Ah, retired an almost empty outdoor range 5 miles away with shooting friends who don't point their guns at you, priceless.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

Here are my highly biased and opinionated thoughts:
For the most part, I can’t stand those gun store ranges. They’re all about gouging their customers. Usually, too, they’re poorly lit and ventilated. And, usually, you can count on stupid rules like, “if the brass hits the floor, it’s ours”, or “you have to shoot our targets and/or ammo”, or the classic “no lead bullets”.

The ROs are usually a bunch of…well, you know….
And, there’s too many fools with guns.

If you can join a local club, that’s always the best bet.

Failing that, since you’re in the Charleston area, why not try the Twin Ponds Rifle & Pistol Range? Decent outdoor covered range. It’s part of the Francis Marion National Forest. Open daylight hours, Tues-Sat. I think it’s still free.
Go during the mid-week and you’ll have no trouble finding shooting space. (Weekends can be very busy!)

My personal PSA: when using these public ranges, be sure to clean up and pack out all your garbage, so they don’t get shut down.

Second this strongly. I started shooting at public outdoor ranges and even at 20$ per trip it adds up. I shoot enough that I joined my local Rod & Gun Club, best 250$ of my yearly shooting budget. I can go anytime that is legally allowed in my jurisdiction and there is a swing gate with a combo padlock to get in, so you just let yourself in. Better yet, with a shotgun, rifle, and pistol range (with targets members have donated or built as I did) you can pretty much ensure you will have one of the three all to yourself. Maybe it is just me, but I do not particularly enjoy shooting next to strangers. I am sure most are nice people with respect for firearm safety, however, I would rather just shoot alone or with close friends/family.

I understand that many do not have as affordable a club or one nearby, but if possible it is significantly better than public ranges. Also no annoying range officers is a big plus, even if some older members got on me for shooting at 8 am thinking my rimfire was centerfire, until I showed them it was. They were cool after that though, and as a courtesy I shoot subs at 8 just to avoid angering the older members. Do not have to though, which is cool.

I think the ultimate goal is to buy enough land where I can shoot on my own property. That is true freedom, and when we eventually move to a bigger house in the next few years that is my only requirement. My wife can decide all other aspects, I just want enough land to shoot.

 

[mikerjf]

How do you find private clubs? I have a choice of gun-store ranges, but the best/closest/cheapest closed last year.

 

[6string]

How do you find private clubs? I have a choice of gun-store ranges, but the best/closest/cheapest closed last year.

The NRA and the CMP have "find a range" search tools on their websites. Both of these organizations offer grants to affiliated clubs who, in turn, offer things like safety classes and junior shooting programs.
Many of these clubs are only possible because of the dedicated volunteer work by members. (Maybe that's why we see so few of them today??)

Once upon a time in America (and even Canada!!) small clubs were everywhere. Every decent sized town had a "rod and gun club". Many businesses had shooting clubs for their employees on their property, and even sponsored teams to compete in leagues and other matches.

Does this sound hard to believe?

If so, it is yet another indicator of just how badly our freedoms have been chipped away!

 

[gwpercle]

For Heaven's sake ... Take the boy shooting !
My Daddy taught me to shoot ...
And I taught my Son and my Daughter to shoot ...

Find some way to make it happen .

In Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries maintain public shooting ranges , call your local Wildlife and Fisheries and ask ...
Do a inter web search ... shooting range ... the computer should find something .
Gary

 

[H Richard]

Ask around at your favorite gun stores. There are many private outdoor ranges and some public outdoor ranges in most communities. I prefer the outdoor range and have membership in two, one is 7 minutes from my house and is a Key Club with about 200 members and seldom busy during a week day. The other is 30 miles away and has large ranges for rifle, bullseye, IPSC/USPSA, and .22 Plinking range. It's big enough to host National and International Match's.


Go find that Outdoor range.

 

[AJ]

We are lucky here and have a well run county range that is six miles from my house. Won't shoot in door range. When I took the FBI Firearms Instructors Course was told about the dangers of lead in the air and the need for good air filtration. When I was stationed in Pittsburgh, we had an indoor range. The EPA had shut it down due to lead contamination several years before. It was left closed as the Navy/Marine Corps did not want to pay for the required upgrades and remediation of the lead.

 

[Brooks]

$50 an hour? I don't think so.
Even $20 an hour..... no

 

[ladder13]

I shoot outdoors most of the year at Frontline, and most of the time the only one there. Been a member since they opened. They offer membership discounts for military and first responders.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...opi=89978449&usg=AOvVaw07TC1QJQBXegytbm-gdoG-

I DO wish PSA would expand a bit, other than the one store near Charlotte, so I can walk in and purchase without shipping and FFL fees.

 

[Dwaine]

Twin Ponds closed on Sunday and Monday and it’s free!!

 

[Dvus]

I guess I should consider myself lucky. In OKC we have a few indoor ranges and pricing varies a little, but the one I frequent is H&H. $11 range fee for all day, bring your own ammo(no steel case and they check it) bring your own targets and you may pick up your own brass. Or you can buy everything there if you want to. We also have a few outdoor ranges and a couple of gun clubs. OKCGC has events every weekend and most are open to the public, but you must be a member to use the range otherwise.

 

[reddogs]

6string and others are right about outdoor ranges and you can't beat the ventilation.The club i belong to has strict safety rules but no range officers unless its a competition so it's very enjoyable.There is a lot of generous guys that help and share their knowledge.I have never bought a gun that i haven't shot someones already at the club.