Athena Gun Club in Houston
- Thread starter Tomservo92
- Start date
The #1 community for Gun Owners in Texas
Member Benefits:
Fewer Ads! Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership Discuss anti-gun legislation Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses Discover free outdoor shooting areas View up to date on firearm-related events Share photos & video with other members ...and so much more!
Member Benefits:
I didn't think so. There's one for $5k initiation and $200/mo, yes, but the next level down is $250 initiation and $100/mo. For the lower price you don't get access to the club amenities of the VIP membership and you get no membership privileges on weekends. For a retired guy like me who might go every day during the week, I might consider it if I lived close by. I wouldn't, however, pull the trigger on something that expensive unless they allowed me to use the premium lanes (with turning targets and other features) if those lanes are not in use by VIP members. Their web site does not make that clear...so I'm guessing Executives never get to use the VIP lanes.
With that in mind, even if I lived close by I'd consider it too expensive. But it was a close call. The Exec membership is described here: Executive Membership
For the curious, the ultra-expensive VIP club includes:
- Access to cigar room
- Conference room
- Seven private VIP lanes
- Priority Lane Reservations
- Gun valet (quick clean and storage of up to five handguns and two long guns)
- Six guest passes annually
- 5% discount on ammunition
- 10% discount on firearms and classes
- Access to future Athena VIP clubs
- Light refreshments served
I didn't think so. There's one for $5k initiation and $200/mo, yes, but the next level down is $250 initiation and $100/mo. For the lower price you don't get access to the club amenities of the VIP membership and you get no membership privileges on weekends. For a retired guy like me who might go every day during the week, I might consider it if I lived close by. I wouldn't, however, pull the trigger on something that expensive unless they allowed me to use the premium lanes (with turning targets and other features) if those lanes are not in use by VIP members. Their web site does not make that clear...so I'm guessing Executives never get to use the VIP lanes.
With that in mind, even if I lived close by I'd consider it too expensive. But it was a close call. The Exec membership is described here: Executive Membership
For the curious, the ultra-expensive VIP club includes:
I can't imagine caring about any of that stuff except for the upgraded facilities in the VIP lanes, features that I can basically get at Gander Mountain if I really feel the (very occasional) need. Of course, that's just me. If anybody else wants to join as a VIP and give me a range pass to check it out, I'll be happy to oblige.
- Access to cigar room
- Conference room
- Seven private VIP lanes
- Priority Lane Reservations
- Gun valet (quick clean and storage of up to five handguns and two long guns)
- Six guest passes annually
- 5% discount on ammunition
- 10% discount on firearms and classes
- Access to future Athena VIP clubs
- Light refreshments served
I can't imagine paying all that $$$ when I go outside & shoot for free. But hey, how do you put a price on gun valet & light refreshments???
Tomservo92
Active Member
Thanks for the info guys. After reading all the posts, it's definitely not for me. Even if I was wealthy, I don't think I would waste money like that. Hell, if I was wealthy, I'd have a private range where I wouldn't have to rub elbows with douche-bags!
I am pretty much a regular at Athena and have been since they opened. I am not a VIP member and have not paid for a membership. I go there twice a week, on average. I live close by and am stuck in a wheelchair, for now. Here are my long-term impressions:
1. The folks that work there are great and very pleasant to deal with. They have gone out of their way to help in more ways than I can describe.
2. They allow full-auto and NFA firearms--but expect to have to show your NFA form regardless of who you are.
3. They allow rapid-fire and have no qualms or miscommunications about this between the front desk and the range officers.
4. There are 13 pistol lanes (out to 20yds), and (I believe) seven rifle lanes (out to 17yds). These are all open to the public. Then there are (I believe) six VIP lanes. I think that if the place does well and makes a profit, they'll eventually expand and extend these range distances.
5. Safety rules are fully-explained, closely-monitored, and strictly-enforced. Every lane is watched by the eye-in-the-sky and safety breaches WILL get called to your attention.
6. Air handling equipment is great and climate control is comfortable.
7. The place charges per person, per hour. No per gun charges. Law Enforcement officers can shoot for half price anytime.
8. You are more than welcome to bring your own targets and ammo (so long as it is brass-cased).
9. You are not allowed to bring in a private instructor, but Athena does have instructors on staff.
As a shooter in a wheelchair, I feel quite welcome at Athena and as a law enforcement officer recuperating from a serious on-duty injury, having access to a good, friendly, indoor range has been a huge boon to my mood and has helped me keep my skills sharp.
I know I just joined here and have zero credibility yet; however, I just want to state that I am in no way affiliated with Athena. But I'm a TCLEOSE-certified firearms instructor and I have no qualms with how they are running their operation.
1. The folks that work there are great and very pleasant to deal with. They have gone out of their way to help in more ways than I can describe.
2. They allow full-auto and NFA firearms--but expect to have to show your NFA form regardless of who you are.
3. They allow rapid-fire and have no qualms or miscommunications about this between the front desk and the range officers.
4. There are 13 pistol lanes (out to 20yds), and (I believe) seven rifle lanes (out to 17yds). These are all open to the public. Then there are (I believe) six VIP lanes. I think that if the place does well and makes a profit, they'll eventually expand and extend these range distances.
5. Safety rules are fully-explained, closely-monitored, and strictly-enforced. Every lane is watched by the eye-in-the-sky and safety breaches WILL get called to your attention.
6. Air handling equipment is great and climate control is comfortable.
7. The place charges per person, per hour. No per gun charges. Law Enforcement officers can shoot for half price anytime.
8. You are more than welcome to bring your own targets and ammo (so long as it is brass-cased).
9. You are not allowed to bring in a private instructor, but Athena does have instructors on staff.
As a shooter in a wheelchair, I feel quite welcome at Athena and as a law enforcement officer recuperating from a serious on-duty injury, having access to a good, friendly, indoor range has been a huge boon to my mood and has helped me keep my skills sharp.
I know I just joined here and have zero credibility yet; however, I just want to state that I am in no way affiliated with Athena. But I'm a TCLEOSE-certified firearms instructor and I have no qualms with how they are running their operation.
If you keep making good posts like that, you'll have plenty of credibility, plenty quick.
Athena sounds like a good fit for you and that's important. It's also highly dependent on the preferences of the shooter vs. the way the place is run. Not all people are happy at all ranges but some people will be happy at any given range. I'm glad you've found a place you like.
The thing that ultimately convinced me that trips to Athena were not worthwhile was the "No picking up your own brass" rule. Is that still in effect?
You are allowed to pick up your own brass. You can't pick up other brass. I haven't started reloading yet, and I can't pick things up off the floor just yet so that is a moot point for me, but go for it. I see very few folks police their own brass at Athena, so what I'd do is mention it to the RSOs as I went in and then they won't try to sweep yours away so readily. As it stands now, they come in pretty regularly and sweep to keep stuff from underfoot or underwheel, as the case may be.
I've been wanting to go shoot at this place more out of curiosity than anything else.
What $ does it cost to just shoot, say a single handgun for an hour?
It is a fair distance over there for me so what do you advise is the least busiest time?
I believe the fee is $22 per hour. Bring as many guns as you like--they're not like ASC in that regard. Weekdays during the day are slack and early-ish on Sundays. I've found that even when when they're busy, I've never had to wait more than thirty minutes for a lane to open.
You know you're a regular when you've got a favorite lane, and the RSOs all know it and try to get it for you. Doh!
Oh, and you do get a target for each hour you pay for. I bring my own B27 targets and bull replacement sheets and save a bunch. Ammo there is spendy, as you would expect, so bring your own.
You get the hour you pay for, but even if they're not busy, they're not going to allow you to stay longer. I usually go for two hours.
Anybody here remember (the thread was lost in the last crash) who was telling the story about how they made him put on gloves before they'd let him pick up his brass?
You say that's changed. That's a very good thing...
...and that's a very bad (and stupid) thing.
Ah, well. Different places suit different folks. I'm glad you found a place you like.
Ben, I'm not certain about the glove thing, I just know that you can pick up your brass. I could see where the glove thing would be a PITA.
As to the time thing, yeah, no argument there.
Given the rash of necro-posting around here, I thought I'd join in.
Change anybody's mind?
I got an email today that they're running a special on the Executive Membership - $149 initiation and $70/mo for a limited time.
Change anybody's mind?
Tejano Scott
TGT Addict
That is really close to my office. Sure would be nice to there during lunch or after work. Hmmm....
Every month, forever.
