What do you not like about ranges you've been to?

[Shotgun Jeremy]

Outdoor ranges aren't big fans of rapid fire with rifles because the recoil starts sending bullets over the berm. Hicksville allows it, but when we hear it, you can bet we're watching for puffs of dirt. I've only ever seen one guy get outta control with it though and he was just told to put that rifle away for the day.

 

[Greg_TX]

Yes, I know it wasn't smart to sit right in front of the stacks during the Blondie tour supporting Parallel Lines. There was a reason their drummer was deaf; my ears have been unceasingly ringing for the entire 35 years since then. I really appreciate a cease-fire signal that can be heard in the next county.

I can commiserate. My eardrums took regular beatings at Cardi's in the '80s, and various venues since then - not to mention the big shows. The smaller places can sometimes be worse; you can get right up to the stage and as close to the speakers and monitors as you want, and proximity makes a huge difference in apparent SPL. The Black Flag show at the Island Club in '81 probably did as much damage as all the others combined.

 

[craigntx]

outdoor ranges unkept in front of shooting stations- loose brass.
indoor ranges with no broom to sweep it back or otherwise no cease fire to safely retrieve it.
no rapid fire faster than 2-3 second interval.
come on. its just an ar

 

[Miloe]

Oh. Put enough concrete both in front of and behind the shooting stations to contain the brass.
The reloaders will love you for it, that they don't have to crawl around in the dirt/grass to find theirs.
Plus, if your range is collecting/selling scrap brass, it will make things a ton easier on you.

 

[Greg_TX]

Yeah, it figures. Not sure how to weed the idiots out from those of us who are serious about accuracy+speed. I suppose it could fall under a catchall of "safe practices", but that would put a burden on the RSO...

The problem faced by people who run public ranges is that the rules have to be geared toward the lowest denominator - pretty much any schlub can walk in and you may have no idea how competent they are. There are some ranges that will relax the rules a little for the regulars if they can do so without the 'unknowns' getting the wrong idea. A local range here in the Houston area posted a new rule about not using tracer ammo after some dingleberry almost burned the place up; they probably had no idea they'd need to tell someone this until it happened.

ETA: This is probably a good rule for outdoor ranges also when the weather is really dry.

 

[General Zod]

Yep. A range up here in Dallas burned down because of a tracer fired into the rubber backstop. If only we could weed out the idiots...

 

[TX69]

The problem faced by people who run public ranges is that the rules have to be geared toward the lowest denominator - pretty much any schlub can walk in and you may have no idea how competent they are. There are some ranges that will relax the rules a little for the regulars if they can do so without the 'unknowns' getting the wrong idea. A local range here in the Houston area posted a new rule about not using tracer ammo after some dingleberry almost burned the place up; they probably had no idea they'd need to tell someone this until it happened.

ETA: This is probably a good rule for outdoor ranges also when the weather is really dry.

That's how Ralohs Range got shut down.

 

[benenglish]

That's how Ralohs Range got shut down.

Could you summarize what happened? I haven't heard this story and any range that gets shut down, however tragic that outcome, makes an excellent case study.

 

[Rocket Dog]

As you can see from all the responses, maybe you need to give folks a bit more information about your proposed range. Will you have dedicated pistol bays? Will you operate a "lost brass" range? Do you anticipate ever hosting a shooting tournament? How much space will you be using for the range? Whom do you wish to accommodate in the future like SASS, IPSC, 4H, IHMSA and the such? Will this range be for public use or will you form a club? This may sound like I am getting way ahead of the game on your question, but maybe you should have asked what makes you feel special at certain ranges that you go to? I helped build (over a period of years) a range out by Abilene starting in 91 and we started with two pistol bays, one large multi-gun bay and an old school bus for a stat shack and no shade. There are now 10 pistol bays, 3 shotgun bays and rifle ranges up to 1000 meters. I hope you have a lot of help, because you are going to need it. I wish you the best of luck in your endeavor.

 

[n5wd]

For the OP re: your pistol range - if you have space to separate them, you might consider a CHL-type of range where pistols and shotguns could be fired with targets at 3, 5, and 7 yards (for the CHL tests) as well as 10 and 15 yard targets, along with a separate 25-yard range for pistols. Are you going to allow "foreign" instructors to use your range to qualify CHL candidates, or will it be range-based instruction only? I'd also suggest considering an area where gun-games can be shot, like IDPA or Steel Challenge. SC would be easier to accommodate, but there's a lotta people that are into gun-gaming now, and if you bag them as loyal customers....

Good luck!

 

[Southpaw]

Unfortunately "most" people that rapid fire tend to destroy target holders, & other necessary range items......

The range I frequent just says you can shoot as fast as you like, as long as you know that you can hit the target 100% of the time at that pace.

............. The Black Flag show at the Island Club in '81 probably did as much damage as all the others combined.

Sorry to stray here but..........

Black Flag in '81...... Hell yeah!!!! Seen them myself a few years later.

 

[MrChill]

I would say to have knowledgable people first and foremost and then don't hire dickwads. I was at the range I shoot at on a regular basis and the last 2 times I got "the rude dude". I don't need to be snapped at when at the counter. I had some friends with me so I stayed but would have told him to. "F" off if I'd been by myself. Shooters Station Conroe, Texas. Won't be going back.

 

[breakingcontact]

Customer service is lacking across the board but it's especially bad in most gun shops and ranges.

Think of how many potential pro 2A voters these jokers turn off and for what purpose? To feed their own egos.

 

[Younggun]

Costumer service is huge for me. My last 3 guns I could have gotten cheaper but I continue to go to the same shop because the service is excellent.

 

[Fireaustin]

County Line Shooting Center is coming to Central Texas. We will be located in southern Hays County on Old Bastrop Rd, between York Creek and Posey. Hopefully we will have an actual address that I can add within the week. I am breaking ground on July 1. Our projected opening is October 1.

As we are a brand new range, we will have to build it in phases. Initially, we will have:
Pistol range with 12-14 positions and distances out to 25 yards
Rifle range with 12 positions at 50 yards and 12 positions at 100 yards
Archery range out to 100 yards
2 trap fields
1 skeet field

Tues - Fri 5pm to 8pm or dark
Sat-Sun 10am to 8pm or dark
Closed Monday

The pistol and rifle lanes will be covered and on concrete slabs. RSOs on site. One price per shooter with no time limit. We will supply you with one target. You can purchase more from us or bring your own if you prefer. I own several of the modern sporting (tactical) weapons, so they are welcome. Be sure to bring your "high capacity" magazines too, as long as it is slow controlled shots. No rapid fire or double taps in the range lanes.

As we are able to expand, we will add a second rifle range with distances at 50, 100, 200, and 300 yards (that is all the property will allow), up to a total of 6 shotgun fields with 2 being multipurpose trap and skeet or 5 stand, up to 6 tactical bays, an actual store front, and a rentable training room.

The tactical bays will be the only area that a little rapid fire and holster work will be allowed.

Thanks for all of the input. Many of your issues I had already considered and was planning for. Several were completely new issues and I will work to make sure they don't happen.

We will have a "suggestion" box in the office for any input on our facility. All comments will be welcome, good or bad. If I don't know why you are unsatisfied with my facility, how can I be expected to make it better for you?

 

[Sugar Land]

Costumer service is huge for me. My last 3 guns I could have gotten cheaper but I continue to go to the same shop because the service is excellent.

I agree 100%.

 

[Army 1911]

I would suggest a trip to Dallas and check out Elm Fork Shooting Park. They have several pistol bays, steel bays, 50 yard rifle, 100 yard rifle, and a shotgun range too. The go cold range every 20 minutes or so for target change, etc. You can change distances at that time. It is a well constructed range with polite and helpful ROs. Well managed. They recently banned double taps because of some trouble with a couple shooters. Fine I understand that. Covered shooting positions, targets to the north, shooters on the south so you are not shooting into the sun. I don't know about position shooting for rifles.

I like their layout and construction, you might also check out the brass catchers at the Garland Public Range, they are one each for the pistol lanes. pretty effective and useful.

 

[Shotgun Jeremy]

FireAustin-you should start a grand opening thread. Based off the Hicksville meets we have had, I'm pretty sure we can give you a pretty good opening day.

 

[Greg_TX]

Oh Lawd....

"Grand Opening!"
"Closed for repairs..."

 

[TX69]

I would suggest a trip to Dallas and check out Elm Fork Shooting Park. They have several pistol bays, steel bays, 50 yard rifle, 100 yard rifle, and a shotgun range too. The go cold range every 20 minutes or so for target change, etc. You can change distances at that time. It is a well constructed range with polite and helpful ROs. Well managed. They recently banned double taps because of some trouble with a couple shooters. Fine I understand that. Covered shooting positions, targets to the north, shooters on the south so you are not shooting into the sun. I don't know about position shooting for rifles.

I like their layout and construction, you might also check out the brass catchers at the Garland Public Range, they are one each for the pistol lanes. pretty effective and useful.

Elm Fork also has RO's that are brass nazis, charge $1 each for common targets, no help to new customers, approach new customers and interrupt shooting sans company appearance expecting cease fire ..... uh go **** yourself little man. The woman at the desk was empty behind the eyes and could and was useless. Zero explanation (even though they were notified TWICE THAT WE WERE NEW CUSTOMERS) of the shotgun shooting grounds and how their system works. Haven't been back as the friends I had in from out of town did not have a good time. Obviously I was not impressed with this place so maybe not the best place to emulate oneself after.