Petersburg/Richmond range rant

[jetrecbn]

Went to two different indoor ranges in Virginia (Petersburg and Richmond). The two ranges I have gone to have the worst ventilation system I have ever had the oppurtunity to witness. I don't have any other places to shoot so I guess my only fix is to bring a battery powered fan to blow the smoke away from me. It didn't help any that I reloaded lead bullets. I guess I'll have to pay a little more for cleaner lungs. My throat still itches.

My biggest BF is the range in Richmond. If you want to use their range you have to buy their ammo. I know, house rules. Pay or leave.

Anyone know of any good ranges in Newport News, or VA Beach? I'll have to go down there for the last part of my schooling.

Rant Off.

 

[yesit'sloaded]

Not just lead. There has been more than one indoor range have a nasty fire. All of that unburned powder ends up on the floor, and all it takes is an ignition source. Can you think of an ignition source at an indoor gun range

 

[Dgreno]

Stay out of Dominion. I know thats who you are talking about by your description. That is one range I will never set foot in again. their "our ammo" policy is insane! I bought some American eagle .38 from them and it was their reloads in a AE box for $18! Some of the slugs were loaded so deep in the shell (case setback) that I was scared to shoot them. Their ventilation is horrible too. Try the range in Colonial Heights. I cant think of the name but I will PM it to you later if you want.
ETA: I just moved away from Richmond BTW...

 

[Drgong]

Poor venting would alone make me not go back, my local range adds a $2 fee if you don't buy ammo from them, which I find a reasionable cost, but there ammo is retail costs so I normally at least buy 50 rounds of 9mm.

 

[aspendaddy]

Superior Pawn in Hampton. I've used their Va Bch range. Seemed decent enough. There's also Bob's Gun Shop in downtown Norfolk. A good resource is http://www.wheretoshoot.org/.

 

[Majic]

Consider yourself lucky you got to use your reloads or did they know exactly what you were shooting? Most indoor ranges around here don't allow personal reloads.

 

[jetrecbn]

Dgreno
I have used the one in Colonial Heights (Smoking Gun). Poor ventilation but it is the only game in town.

I just came from Colorado Springs where they only have a Membership Only Indoor range. I would have became a member if it were not for the constant deployments. Wait, I guess you can kind of consider a 17 month deployment a range membership. Only problem is that it's 2 way.

I consider myself fortunate for the time being to have a place to shoot at. I'll just have to purchase a portable fan to blow all the smoke away from me.

I'll be going to FT Eustis to finish up my course and I'm already scouting places there.

Thanks for the info. Love this shooting community.

 

[Noxx]

I've wholly given up indoor ranges.

I know it's not an option for everyone, but I'd rather drive 30 minutes up the hill to BCSP than deal with the noise, the air, and the idiots at any of my local indoors.

 

[Old Grump]

Fan isn't going to help

The problem isn't the smoke its the lead dust, you need a mask not a fan.

 

[ditch_dgr]

If you are going to Ft Eustis, the best bet is the Marksman in Newport News, the only other one I know of is Superior Gun and Pawn in Hampton. The wife and I shoot at Superior all the time.

 

[only1asterisk]

Marksman in Newport News

Best I found when I was in the Richmond area. Of course, gas prices make it less attractive.

David

 

[jetrecbn]

The Marksman is what I am looking toward at this time. I might go there this weekend after some pier fishing in VB. I'll go get a mask from Home Depot before I go to the range this weekend.

 

[RP88]

A & P Arms in VA Beach has a nicer indoor range. it's - if I remember right - about 25 yards. They allow handguns and long guns, but anything bigger than .223 has to be soft-point or hollow-point. No shotgun slugs, etc. etc. the usual lenient indoor range jazz. They charge 10 bucks for handgun-only, and 12 bucks if you're shooting rifles. You can use your own ammo, but they check to make sure it complies with house rules. they also have very good prices on in-store guns compared to alot of other places around Southern VA.

The only problem about them is their customer service. All of them are nice guys for the most part; they won't try to bulls--- you too much into buying something that they think is stupid, etc. etc. But on some bad days, I've gotten better service at wal-Mart during Holiday season.