From a newbie's perspective, I actually thought the range was incredibly nice.
Lars is right, it was $7.50 an hour per person with a 2 hour minimum. Annual memberships made it even more reasonable if you go there often -- $120 per person, $200 for two family members, or $250 for a whole family. You're restricted to 4 hours with a membership, but that should be enough time, shouldn't it? They have to charge something -- electricity and other overhead costs don't just pay for themselves, unfortunately.
The facilities were incredibly clean and well-maintained, considering the inclement weather. I think you all know by now that I'm a girlie girl and it wouldn't be a far stretch to imagine I really don't like being dirty -- I had no qualms about sitting on the floor of the shop, on the concrete outside, or on any of the picnic tables situated there. The womens' restroom was spotless, and I'm more finicky about that than anything else I can think of.
They offered free coffee and hot chocolate, although there was a box for donations.
As Clay mentioned, and you can see partially in the photos I took, there are clearly marked firing lines and safety lines. Cease fire and live fire times are clearly announced through a PA system and are strictly enforced.
They offer a "first shots" basic handgun class the fourth Saturday of every month. I don't remember the exact price, but it was under $100 for a 10 hour class. They just had a class that was sponsored by several gun and accessory manufacturers that offered a certification required by most other states to carry a gun -- and it was completely free.
Yes, it was loud; I jumped every time Clay's rifle was fired. The guy a few aisles down from us was even louder. But as previously mentioned, that is what hearing protection is for. I didn't notice any volume level restrictions, but there is a no-rapid-fire policy -- one second between shots.
And despite the fact that I really didn't much like the RO who spent more time yapping his mouth about his old Navy days (no disrespect to the Navy intended) and ooohing and ahhhing over every gun brought through the gate and seemed to think that making derogatory remarks about my friends directly to me that I would be ok with it, he really did keep a sharp eye out for the safety of the patrons there and made sure people were following the rules of the range, which is his job, right?
Honestly, I was more uncomfortable being around the group of kids that came in just as we were leaving than anything else for the three hours that we were there.
Lars is right, it was $7.50 an hour per person with a 2 hour minimum. Annual memberships made it even more reasonable if you go there often -- $120 per person, $200 for two family members, or $250 for a whole family. You're restricted to 4 hours with a membership, but that should be enough time, shouldn't it? They have to charge something -- electricity and other overhead costs don't just pay for themselves, unfortunately.
The facilities were incredibly clean and well-maintained, considering the inclement weather. I think you all know by now that I'm a girlie girl and it wouldn't be a far stretch to imagine I really don't like being dirty -- I had no qualms about sitting on the floor of the shop, on the concrete outside, or on any of the picnic tables situated there. The womens' restroom was spotless, and I'm more finicky about that than anything else I can think of.
They offered free coffee and hot chocolate, although there was a box for donations.
As Clay mentioned, and you can see partially in the photos I took, there are clearly marked firing lines and safety lines. Cease fire and live fire times are clearly announced through a PA system and are strictly enforced.
They offer a "first shots" basic handgun class the fourth Saturday of every month. I don't remember the exact price, but it was under $100 for a 10 hour class. They just had a class that was sponsored by several gun and accessory manufacturers that offered a certification required by most other states to carry a gun -- and it was completely free.
Yes, it was loud; I jumped every time Clay's rifle was fired. The guy a few aisles down from us was even louder. But as previously mentioned, that is what hearing protection is for. I didn't notice any volume level restrictions, but there is a no-rapid-fire policy -- one second between shots.
And despite the fact that I really didn't much like the RO who spent more time yapping his mouth about his old Navy days (no disrespect to the Navy intended) and ooohing and ahhhing over every gun brought through the gate and seemed to think that making derogatory remarks about my friends directly to me that I would be ok with it, he really did keep a sharp eye out for the safety of the patrons there and made sure people were following the rules of the range, which is his job, right?
Honestly, I was more uncomfortable being around the group of kids that came in just as we were leaving than anything else for the three hours that we were there.