I was planning on visiting the lady friend on the bay today and go to Texas City's Municipal shooting range. Well plans changed, and I was stuck on the north side by myself. Not wanting to waste a perfectly good day off, I sucked it up and went to Gander Mountain in Spring to shoot at their new range. In other threads I have not been real complementary about their prices, but I figured what the hell, try it once.
Well I was surprised, I really liked it. I ended up shooting five different guns, which would have cost $40+ ($8 each) in Texas City for $25 plus sales tax.
The range was extremely clean, and well maintained. Special hand-wipes are provided on each lane to remove the lead and fouling when done.
The range officer (retired Navy) that escorted me into the range, and kept an eye on me was very friendly and professional. He changed the targets when I asked, and showed me a few things on the electronic target retrieval system. Very conversational, without being burdensome. He knew his stuff, but did not feel the need to prove it to me or show off, treated me as a valued customer. All the range staff is in constant communication with each other via radios with earpieces. No issues with any of them.
After about an hour, I was done, and asked about the Virtual ranges. He got me into a tour and demonstration of the ranges, and was extremely helpful in securing my guns as I did that. The system takes a video of you shooting the simulators, so you can go on their secure youtube link when you get home and check yourself out, it's emailed to you. The 300 degree range's floor actually vibrates with your shots to stimulate your senses when in there. The guns they use are not toys, they were made from actual Glocks and Berettas with factory trigger pulls, recoiling slides, etc and cost about $5K each. You do have the option of drawing from a holster, as many of the simulations are CHL based situations.
The tour of the 180 and 300 degree range was pretty cool. Never thought I would be contemplating spending a chunk of change there, but will probably give it a shot soon.
Positives:
Outstanding Range Staff
No per gun charge
No charge for targets (Not just the first one, but any you need.)
Targets are secured to a solid backing, so you don't have to stop and wait for them to quit moving or blowing in the AC.
Cleanness, amenities and range condition. (no too surprised for a brand new range)
You can sign up for range time on-line.
Training area and classrooms are first rate.
Range officer helped me pick up my brass.
Neutrals:
Had to have my guns in a case, and they put a zip tie on the bag at customer service as I came in. They zip tied my bag as I left the range area. Not too surprised as they are an operating store, and you don't need to be whipping out your guns on the counter, and they need to have proper inventory security. Not as bad as I had feared. The customer next to me was surprised and did not know that the store she had just shopped had a gun range in it.
Price may turn off some, but as I found turned out to be not that unreasonable, especially for the service, and free targets.
Did not ask for an unreasonable amount of information or try to swipe my drivers license (a pet peeve of mine). Just put my name, date and TDL number on their waver form. Did not want my address and phone number as some ranges seem to need.
Had to watch a 7 minute safety video since it was my first time.
Prices on ammo in their store, cheaper to buy it at Academy or WalMart before hand, but better than most ranges.
Negatives:
No Reloads, and they did check my ammo.
No drawing from a holster.
Not very big, and may get crowded.
Bottom line for me, sometimes staying at a Motel 6 is good enough, but sometimes I like, and will pay extra, to stay at the Four Seasons. I said in the other thread that I did not think we would be talking about this place in a year, well now I hope we still are. I will go back, soon.
atriot:
Well I was surprised, I really liked it. I ended up shooting five different guns, which would have cost $40+ ($8 each) in Texas City for $25 plus sales tax.
The range was extremely clean, and well maintained. Special hand-wipes are provided on each lane to remove the lead and fouling when done.
The range officer (retired Navy) that escorted me into the range, and kept an eye on me was very friendly and professional. He changed the targets when I asked, and showed me a few things on the electronic target retrieval system. Very conversational, without being burdensome. He knew his stuff, but did not feel the need to prove it to me or show off, treated me as a valued customer. All the range staff is in constant communication with each other via radios with earpieces. No issues with any of them.
After about an hour, I was done, and asked about the Virtual ranges. He got me into a tour and demonstration of the ranges, and was extremely helpful in securing my guns as I did that. The system takes a video of you shooting the simulators, so you can go on their secure youtube link when you get home and check yourself out, it's emailed to you. The 300 degree range's floor actually vibrates with your shots to stimulate your senses when in there. The guns they use are not toys, they were made from actual Glocks and Berettas with factory trigger pulls, recoiling slides, etc and cost about $5K each. You do have the option of drawing from a holster, as many of the simulations are CHL based situations.
The tour of the 180 and 300 degree range was pretty cool. Never thought I would be contemplating spending a chunk of change there, but will probably give it a shot soon.
Positives:
Outstanding Range Staff
No per gun charge
No charge for targets (Not just the first one, but any you need.)
Targets are secured to a solid backing, so you don't have to stop and wait for them to quit moving or blowing in the AC.
Cleanness, amenities and range condition. (no too surprised for a brand new range)
You can sign up for range time on-line.
Training area and classrooms are first rate.
Range officer helped me pick up my brass.
Neutrals:
Had to have my guns in a case, and they put a zip tie on the bag at customer service as I came in. They zip tied my bag as I left the range area. Not too surprised as they are an operating store, and you don't need to be whipping out your guns on the counter, and they need to have proper inventory security. Not as bad as I had feared. The customer next to me was surprised and did not know that the store she had just shopped had a gun range in it.
Price may turn off some, but as I found turned out to be not that unreasonable, especially for the service, and free targets.
Did not ask for an unreasonable amount of information or try to swipe my drivers license (a pet peeve of mine). Just put my name, date and TDL number on their waver form. Did not want my address and phone number as some ranges seem to need.
Had to watch a 7 minute safety video since it was my first time.
Prices on ammo in their store, cheaper to buy it at Academy or WalMart before hand, but better than most ranges.
Negatives:
No Reloads, and they did check my ammo.
No drawing from a holster.
Not very big, and may get crowded.
Bottom line for me, sometimes staying at a Motel 6 is good enough, but sometimes I like, and will pay extra, to stay at the Four Seasons. I said in the other thread that I did not think we would be talking about this place in a year, well now I hope we still are. I will go back, soon.
atriot: