[Odd Job]

I will be heading for Florida on a short visit later this year. I'm going to be in the Bradenton area. I would appreciate some tips on friendly ranges where a visiting alien can shoot. :)

[midnights]

I'm on the east coast so I do not know all that much about that area. The one I am familliar with is the 1k yrd Manatee range- here is there page
http://www.manateegunclub.com/

[Odd Job]

Thanks midnights!

[g.willikers]

Bullseye Pistol Range
1012 10th St E
Palmetto, FL 34221
(941) 729-7906

Take Aim
1865 61st St
Sarasota, FL 34243
(941) 351-4867

[Odd Job]

Thanks Willikers, cool name btw!

[Packman]

Knights Trail. It's south of Bradenton, maybe 20-35 minutes, depending where in Bradenton you are. Exit 195 on I-75, if that helps. Laurel Road.

If you want to head down there, let me know. It's a county run, outdoor range. No guns for rent, but PM if you're interested. I've got enough for a friend.

[Odd Job]

That's very kind of you, Packman!

[PHenry]

Odd Job,
If you will be in Florida in early October there would be no better place to be than the Hernando Sportsman's Club. They are hosting and Appleseeds Event. This is a weekend marksmanship clinic that uses the Army Qual Test and can show you how to make hits out to 500 yards and beyond with a rack-grade rifle and ball ammo. I will be instructing at the event and would be honored to have you attend. The link below will tell you more:
http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=3152.0
Good Shooting,
PHenry

[Odd Job]

That is a kind offer, sir, but unfortunately I am arriving on the 7th of October.
Is this an annual event in Florida? If so maybe I can make next year.

I need to read up on the Appleseed events: the furthest I've shot with iron sights is 80m off hand with a Galil clone. I expect Appleseed is a whole other ball game.

[P5 Guy]

Odd Job,
Shoot Straight on US301 has rental firearms.
Manatee Gun and Archery is the best outdoor range.
Four in Pinellas Co. that I know of three are indoor only Knights has rifle range and I think rental guns. The other indoor ranges are Bill Jackson's and the St Petersburg Police Pistol Club. Wyoming Antelope is and out door range.
Enjoy your trip to the Gunshine State. P5

[whiskey]

Manatee Gun Club is the most relaxed gun range in the area, but it is a good ways out from the city. These guys have helped me a lot. Taught me a lot about long range rifle shooting while I lived there.

Knights Trial is ok. Typical range with 15 mins hot and 10 mins cold. No rapid fire, usually a little crowded and usually a few dumbbutts around. But there are a lot of good helpful friendly people too.

I don't like Take Aim, JMHO. Not crazy about the people or the range.

[Odd Job]

Many thanks P5 and whiskey.

[mcflury]

Try Knights Shooting Sports On Us 19 In Pinellas Park Its About 45 Min From Bradenton. You Can Shoot Full Auto And Up To A 50 Cal

[Odd Job]

Thanks all, I am heading out in October, got a 10 day hunting license in case I end up using guns on someone's private property. I don't want any trouble with the law ;)

[Larry Ashcraft]

I'm one of the rare U.S. citizens who had an opportunity to have Odd Job as a guest at my range and my home, about a year and a half ago.

I'll vouch for him. If you don't meet him, you'll miss out on meeting a fascinating man. :)

[Odd Job]

You are very kind, sir.
Some day when I have my own property, I hope to get some THR folks around for a visit.

[Tim L]

Take Aim also has rentals. They are open Tuesday - Sunday.

Take Aim
1865 61st St
Sarasota, FL 34243
(941) 351-4867

[Odd Job]

@ all

Went to Take Aim on Friday with my lil sister, and also went to the Palmetto gun show yesterday.

We are looking to get to Manatee gun and archery on Saturday, in case any of you are heading that way. Would be good to chat, if you can put up with a somewhat bleached and firearm-neutered Saffer ;)

I'll be posting some pics when I get back to London.

[SN13]

Saturday the 18th?

If so, I might be there myself. Being a Card Carrying member of the club and all.

They have a really tough 5stand course for shotgun and a terrific range. Laid-Back but safe. It's by far my favorite place to shoot in FL.

Thanks again to Manatee Gun Club for Hosting our Saiga-12.com Shootout in March of this year.

Anyway, If you see a young guy blasting away with a Saiga shotgun at the short end of the range, it may just be me. :)

[Odd Job]

Darn, it looks like I can't make it tomorrow, will have to visit that range next time I visit (hopefully in April 2009).
I may be able to pop in to Take Aim on the way to my meeting tomorrow, but that's about it for this visit. Many thanks, all...see you in 2009 back here in Florida.

[Odd Job]

My sister and I had two visits to Take Aim, one long and one short. We will be visiting an outdoor range next time I come to Florida, but at least I got my 'fix' for now ;)

Here is my lil sis firing the AR:

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g154/Odd_Job/IMG_4505.jpg

Here I am getting acquainted with a SIG P220. Nice pic of the muzzle blast:

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g154/Odd_Job/IMG_5470.jpg

Here is sis again, this time with a Kel-Tec Sub 2000 in 9mm:

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g154/Odd_Job/IMG_5511.jpg

And here is her target with that subbie:

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g154/Odd_Job/IMG_5520.jpg

She is officially in love with that subbie and wants one, which I will be happy to pay for. I must admit, now that I have used it I really like it also. My only gripe is that it isn't earmuff friendly, but maybe a red dot sight would sort it. I've been reading up on this subbie and a red dot that can hinge out of the way to let the subbie fold, would be the ultimate accessory for me.

We also tried a Walther P22 which was my sister's favourite amongst the handguns. We had a SIG P228 and an SA XD also. I was very impressed with the XD. I liked it straight away, the trigger was great and so was accuracy. I would have no complaints if I could carry one of those when visiting SA.

Those are all rental guns. We found the staff friendly and helpful. I paid $150 the first visit and $120 the second one (includes membership for three, range visits for two, rentals and ammo).

I found I was quite rusty in general but not so bad that I couldn't hit COM. My sister needs more practice with service calibre handguns but she did just fine with the AR, the subbie and the Walther P22.

Once again thanks for all the recommendations, we will try the remaining ones next year.