What amenities are you looking for when going to a civilian gun range?

2015-09-19T21:58:55-04:00

If shooting for pleasure what do you look for in a range?

Do you prefer solitude? Wide open lanes? Indoor/Outdoor? Mechanical ranged targets? (type the distance and the targets goes out that far) Conversation with other firearms enthusiasts? A store with firearms options to buy/rent?

What makes it an overall good range?

Response by MSgt Niclas Svensson made Sep 19 at 2015 10:10 PM

2015-09-19T22:10:43-04:00

Depends on what I'm doing.

If I'm doing basic pistol shooting (no drawing from the holster or movement) I prefer and indoor range with mechanical targets... You can move and change targets easily without worrying about what anyone else is doing.

Rifles I prefer outdoor...and if I'm doing any kind of movement drills I just head up to my family's place in the country and set up my own range. In all honesty, that is my preference in most shooting situations. I set the range and my own range rules.

Sometimes the convenience of an established range is good when I just want to go squeeze off a few rounds.

Response by 1stSgt Jeff Blovat made Sep 19 at 2015 10:17 PM

2015-09-19T22:17:27-04:00

Safety and fun environment.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2015 10:21 PM

2015-09-19T22:21:06-04:00

Safety, and available ammo, without expensive prices.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Sep 19 at 2015 10:30 PM

2015-09-19T22:30:34-04:00

In my community, there is a free range at a county park. It is nothing fancy but great when I am the only one on the firing line as I can go check targets without having to check with others. So that is my favorite feature. For a range where I have to pay, I want to have the target mechanisms so I can check targets when I want. Also, plenty of lanes so I don't have to wait.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Sep 19 at 2015 10:44 PM

2015-09-19T22:44:41-04:00

For pistols, indoor range with mechanical targets and good A/C and ventilation. Some of my ammunition smokes enough to choke you out if the ventilation is not on.

For rifle ranges, 300 yard minimum, good benches, and as empty as possible. I hate crowds.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Sep 19 at 2015 10:47 PM

2015-09-19T22:47:08-04:00

No crowds! People that understand basic protocols.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Sep 20 at 2015 12:52 AM

2015-09-20T00:52:49-04:00

I just like to shoot. Almost anywhere will do.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2015 1:03 AM

2015-09-20T01:03:41-04:00

I never really got to the range. I have friends who have land and we set up targets..

Response by Cpl James Waycasie made Sep 20 at 2015 2:33 AM

2015-09-20T02:33:54-04:00

I live in the country. I have a high bank in my back yard. I have two 3d deer targets, a turkey target and a few field tip targets set up for bow shooting. Then I have a few posts set up to place Dirty Bird splattering targets for firearms. I can shoot my choice of weapons up to a 40 yard range. I prefer not to be around civilians on gun ranges. Many of them lack common sense.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2015 2:42 AM

2015-09-20T02:42:13-04:00

Sounds like someone is doing a little marketing research to open a business?

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Sep 20 at 2015 9:54 AM

2015-09-20T09:54:49-04:00

In Central Arizona .... Air Conditioning!

Response by SPC Andrew Craig made Sep 23 at 2015 11:00 PM

2015-09-23T23:00:06-04:00

unfortunately there aren't any good rifle ranges around my area. i use private land which only allows about 50-75 yards. i would love to find a range where i could get a group of military vets together to shoot together. hell i'd like to learn how to use a shoot house ( just a mechanic never got to learn that stuff).

Response by SGT Jimmy Carpenter made Sep 24 at 2015 1:18 PM

2015-09-24T13:18:21-04:00

Optimally, shooting on my parents property is what I'd like but until they let me get a load or two of dirt dumped in the pasture I have to settle for (somewhat) local public ranges.

There's a range in Melbourne called Frogbones which is a really nice indoor range that allows rifles as well. The downside is it's only a 25 yard range.