Northern Virginia Shoot?

Status
Not open for further replies.
I tried to go again tonight and was going to have a 45min wait at 6pm. Needless to say, I left.

I'm going to try and go again around lunchtime tomorrow if anyone wants to meet me. I'll be shooting a parkerized Kahr K9 and a OD/Chrome Kel-Tec P32.

Chris
 
I tried to go again tonight and was going to have a 45min wait at 6pm. Needless to say, I left.
Click to expand...

On wednesday, there was a wait ~6:30PM. Never waited on our two previous NoVA outings on same day/time. Was beginning to think there was a gun show last weekend that I didn't know about! Hope this won't turn into a trend. :uhoh:
 
Hope this won't turn into a trend.
Click to expand...
It is. I haven't been there in the past 3 months without a long wait. It started after they began allowing non-NRA members to shoot without being escorted by a member. The range is simply overutilized.

Hopefully, going in the middle of a workday will be different.

Chris
 
Hopefully, going in the middle of a workday will be different.
Click to expand...

Well, two weeks or so ago I went to the NRA range to shoot at 10AM on a Monday and there were just 2 lanes available. I asked if this was normal and the range officer said ... "nope, it is usually all full at this time." :what: Seems like lots of seniors go shooting there at that time.
 
best game in town...

Well, when you have the best, you have to expect that kind of draw. 2 main reasons the NRA range is busy. 1: well maintained and clean facility. 2: Actual, live, responsible range safety officers.

So the question is either live with the wait, or go somewhere else...
 
So the question is either live with the wait, or go somewhere else...
Click to expand...
I have a problem with the wait because the first 5 years I shot there, it was member only unless escorted by a member. Sometime within the past 6months, the started allowing nonmembers to shoot unescorted. That's when the crowds exploded.

Wanna allow nonmembers? Fine, give members priority. Afterall, this was a membership perk until recently. Also, strictly enforce the 1hr limit. This wasn't strictly enforced back when it was a members only range, but it wasn't necessary. Finally, make sure all the lanes are functional all the time. Every time I go, there's one or more lanes that are down for maintenance.

Prior to allowing nonmembers, you could go almost anytime outside of hunting season and not have to wait. The wait during hunting season was normally less than 20 minutes.

FWIW, since opening it up to "the general public", I've seen much more questionable behavior there.

I'm not trying to be elitist or anything, but the nature of that range has taken a dive since they changed their policies. If the alternatives weren't so much worse, I'd walk away and never come back.

Maybe Guns and Ammo Wharehouse will get that indoor range they've been talking about...

Chris
 
money maybe?

I wonder if the range was a "drain"? If the range really was open all the time, then... well, they're not making money on it...

I agree that it should have member preference, but honestly, how much relief could that provide; is it really _that much_ more crowded than before the change?

As far as the lanes being down, that's kind of the cost of doing business sometimes. They don't break when everyone's done with them... They only break after Mr. Murphy is done with them...
 
is it really _that much_ more crowded than before the change
Click to expand...

Yes, it is. Prior to the new "system", I never had to wait unless it was hunting season. If it had always been this bad, then I wouldn't be complaining, but I remember "the good ol' days". back when you only had on type of range card, a white one.

Chris
 
The more folks start shooting, the more businesses will start seeing the benefits of opening a new range. IIRC, we recently (months ago) lost a range over in Annandale. Granted I heard that it wasn't great but it was another option we no longer have. This is why I think the Guna & Ammo Warehouse will succeed, if ran correctly. A fair amount of shooters from Manassas post here so I think that would be a nice location that could adequately support such a business.
 
Hey what's up guys. I got my HiPoint carbine back from the factory and will probably shoot it sunday (20th). They gave me a scope mount and my red dot sits on it now. Looks pretty damn cool.

I found out the hard way today that Bull Run is insanely busy on nice, sunny weekends. Nothing like a 1 hour wait for wobble trap... :cuss:
 
I tell you what, it was really refreshing to just sit down at a restaraunt in WV last weekend and not worry about the whole open carry problem. The general public needs to realize that most CHP holders are not your average Joe Blo waving a gun around to scare someone. If an LEO walked in and stated he was after being asked, there'd be no problem. :rolleyes:

But it could be worse of course.
 
Im scheduled for a shoot at BRA next Saturday probably sometime in the morning with my mommy and daddy. Gonna buy lots of ammo this week so I can get some good practice.
 
Oh really? My friend Angela will be thrilled to know about the meet wednesday. She's been bugging me, "you guys doing the wednesday thing soon?". She wants to shoot you guy's various guns and eat afterward, probably to watch the wait staff's reaction to open carry. :rolleyes:

Hey Luke, I just bought an almost new KelTec P11. Shoots nice!
 
Well, for a few minutes it looked like I was going to get a pass to get out tonight to the range but then our upstairs toilet (kids bathroom) decided to spring a leak in the water tank seal and it looks like I am going to be plumbing the evening away.


If you guys end up heading out tonight have fun.
 
Hey Luke, I just bought an almost new KelTec P11. Shoots nice!
Click to expand...

Good job! I know hightech has one that he loves. I really think I want one for jacket pocket carry once I get my CHL. Have not shot one yet but have read-up on them aplenty. Hey, speaking of new guns ... one of the guys you met that owns the Taurus 24/7 just picked-up that P-01 from Virginia Arms because he liked your 75BD so much. CZ should be very proud of you! :cool:

If you guys end up heading out tonight have fun.
Click to expand...

Counter, that sucks but I think we're going out to shoot next Wednesday (30th) so see if you can get a raincheck on your range pass.

Also, I did a search of issues with mag catches and I came across a post where you were having issues with one of your Glocks (correct?). Just wondering if/ how you ever got that resolved. I ask because I think I am having the same problem with my Buck Mark. The mag keeps dropping on the last shot and occasionally in mid-mag. I would send it to Browning but I hear their turnaround time sucks. Problem is, I suck when it comes to going further than a field strip and I hear horror stories about doing so with the Buck Mark. I posted a thread in the Browning forum on rimfirecentral to see if I could get some further advice.
 
It was a magazine problem. The body was worn. When I got new regular capacity mags after the ben lifted the problem went away.
 
I think I'm in for the 30th at NRA. Darn the luck, I need to test the 500 again to see which load is 'shedding the copper jacket' Oh well I guess I'll just HAVE to shoot the 500 again :D

It might help to have an 'identifier' so that we are able to tell who's "in". The range being crowded and all... You know... something like ... a hat with a propeller on top ;) ok... maybe not. Baseball hat?

Luke; I'd try a new magazine. You can grab them off gunbroker fairly cheap. Get a few at a time to alleviate some of the shipping costs.

Chris; If Angela's up for the 500, pick out some ammo ! that stuff ain't cheap....
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

C
  • Locked
northern virginia, free/cheap places to shoot.
Replies
6
Views
3K
chris in va
C
B
  • Locked
Steel plate ranges in northern Virginia?
Replies
0
Views
709
bobmcd
B
andrewdl007
  • Locked
Shooting Clays in Northern Virginia
Replies
2
Views
594
George P
George P
S
  • Locked
Northern Michigan Shoot
Replies
2
Views
505
SteveS
S
M
  • Locked
Northern Virginia gunsmith for mausers
Replies
7
Views
588
flashman70
F
Back
Top