[priv8ter]

Once again, my employment with the Federal Government has given me a chance to excel, this time fixing Nuclear Submarines at Point Loma in San Diego. This involves some high stress work, including the stressfull act of working the 6pm to 6am 12 hour shift.

So, for some stress relief, I was wondering if anyone could fill me in on gun ranges in the San Diego area, and what someone needs to do to use them. Firearm laws being what they are, I can't imagine it being as easy as just walking in off the street and renting one, although I am ready to be pleasently surprised.

Thanks for everyone's help!

greg

[50 Shooter]

Don't know what ranges are in SD but you can go to www.calguns.net and ask there. Why wouldn't you be able to rent a gun from a range? I know this is Kali. but they still rent guns.

[jims98z28]

I always go to American shooting center in Eastern Clairmont (probably 20 mins away from Point Loma). Its a really nice place and they have a nice selection of rental guns. Check out their website here http://www.gotammo.com/
There is also Discount gun mart that is located in western clairmont (closer to Point Loma) and they have a smaller range, but better hours and cheaper prices. I've never shot there, but I know alot who do. They have a limited selection of rental guns, mostly Glocks and 1911s. http://www.discountgunmart.com/

As far as being able to shoot, as long as you have some form of ID, you can shoot and you can rent a gun.

[tsenn]

I think there is one around the Chula Vista area called South Bay Gun Club. There is a website that lists all the ranges in the county. I'll try to find it. If you are ever in Oceanside, Ironsites Shooting is a great place.

[priv8ter]

Thanks Jims! Both of those places look like they will work, with ASC being closer, but Discount being cheaper. Decisions, decisions...actually, where I am staying out off 15, they are both within 10 minutes.


50Shooter, the reason I asked is on a recent trip to Connecticut, I found out that I couldn't rent a gun at the range without producing a Connecticut State Pistol Permit, or proof that I had attended a NRA apporved pistol safety class.

So, having heard all the California horror stories, I expected more of the same.

Greg

[10-Ring]

I don't know about ALL places that rent guns, but the range I belong to won't rent a gun to you if you're alone & a non-member.

[jims98z28]

I don't know about ALL places that rent guns, but the range I belong to won't rent a gun to you if you're alone & a non-member.

Good point, at American Shooting Center, you either have to be a member or with another person. I am unsure about Discount Gun Mart, but I don't think they have that policy.

[morganm01]

DGM is $7 for a lane rental and about the same to rent one of their guns. They have a limited supply of revolvers and also some glocks. Note all the bullet holes in the ceiling and immediate surrounding areas of the shooting lane booths though.

I live about 10 minutes away from where you will be, PL is a really cool place. You can hop on the 94 freeway and get out to South Bay Rod and Gun where they also have a 25-300 yard "any caliber to 16" cannon" range with about 30 benches plus pistol and skeet shooting areas. I got a year membership for $50. If you plan on shooting with any frequency, even once a month, this is the way to go.

[PenHolder]

Double-tap.

[PenHolder]

(Some of these have already been mentioned.)

Ranges I haunt:

American Shooting Center, http://www.gotammo.com/
Discount Gun Mart, http://www.discountgunmart.com/
Iron Sights, http://www.iron-sights.com/

Other ranges:

Magnolia Range, http://www.magrange.com/
Project 2000, http://www.project2000range.com/
South Bay Rod & Gun Club, http://www.southbayrodandgunclub.org/

Non-range gun shops:

California Police Equip. Co., http://www.capoliceequip.com/
El Cajon Gun Exchange, http://www.elcajongun.com/
So Cal Gun, http://www.socalgun.com/

When you've got your own guns and gear, and you only want to shoot handgun calibers on a short range, it's really hard to beat the price at DGM. (The "Discount" seems to refer to the range prices, more than the guns.) They've recently renovated the range, and the addition of some sound-absorbent material makes the experience nicer than it was a while ago.

South Bay Rod & Gun Club is waaay the heck out in the boondocks, off of a dirt road. It's around 2mi from the border with Mexico. You'll be passing Border Patrol vehicles and checkpoints aplenty; this is something you may want to keep in mind if you look remotely hispanic.

Project 2000 has a 100yd indoor rifle range. It's basically an outdoor range that has had a cover added. It's in the general area of SBR&GC, but closer to paved road and civilization. They're a bit more anal about range rules and such; YMMV, depending on who gets "assigned" to watch over you your first time out.

Lately, ASC and Iron Sights have gotten a lot more anal in their enforcement of a ban on Wolf Ammo. I've had folks at both places want to inspect all of the stuff I brought in (as in, open every box) to make sure I wasn't trying to sneak in Wolf. I think that's stupid; in order to shoot there in the first place, I've signed some super-duper disclaimer forms, so if ammo I bring blows up my gun in my face, that's my own problem. But, their property, their rules... I don't shoot Wolf myself, but I just hate having folks rummage through my stuff.

ASC allows rifles (up to 300 win mag, IIRC) and shotguns on their 25yd internal range. It's nice, and very close to major freeways, so it's convenient to get to. Their handgun rental selection has improved lately, though they moved their closing time from 8pm to 7pm. (When that was announced, they said it was to allow Gov't and Law Enforcement to use the range for training. I'm not sure I buy that, but alright.)

Regarding gun rentals when alone: that policy is to try and cut down on the number of suicidal folks who rent guns and off themselves at the local neighborhood range. I've never had a problem renting guns when by myself, but I always have guns of my own and ammo to shoot from them. If I ever ran into a problem, I'd politely point out that I'm bountifully equipped to shoot myself at home, and I wouldn't bother with the gun rental if that was my aim.

Happy shooting!

-PH