San Antonio has an indoor range...and it sucks!

[StrikeFire83]

Okay, so I was recently laid off in Austin, TX and I just moved back home to San Antonio.

I hear on the radio that San Antonio, my hometown, finally has an INDOOR pistol range! Wow, Im excited, as we haven't had an indoor range in over 20 years. And then I go to their website, read the range rules, and a few things jump out at me as BS.

1. $365 annual fee. --> Seems a little high, but they've made a big investment, so I figured it's fair.

2. The "range master" will pour over and inspect all weapons before entering the range. --> Okay, a little draconian, but safety is key, I guess.

3. The DEAL breaker, I’ve got to buy THEIR ammo in MY guns. And they charge $12 a box for freakin 9mm. They lady on the phone says, ever so sweetly, “Members get a 20% discount!” Great, so I’ll be paying $9.50 a box for ammo I can get at for $4. WHAT ammo to they charge $12 a box for, you may ask? Good ole Winchester White box.

So, long story short, I’ll be sticking to my OUTDOOR ranges, where I don’t take it in the rear every time I shoot.

 

[MCgunner]

Mmm, well, here in podunk I pay a membership fee of $35 a year. It's not indoor, but you just run by the police station and check out the key. Shoot your own, no inspectors, 25, 50, 100, 200 yard ranges, nice shooting tables, all the brass and lead you wanna pick up, what more could I ask???? If you can't shoot your own at that indoor range, I guess that rules out chronographs, too. I'd have no use for such a range unless it was just DIRT cheap to join. Even then, I'd sneak in reloads in my drawers or something. Buy 50 rounds, shoot a couple hundred. That'd have 'em scratchin' their heads, eh? LOL!

 

[grimjaw]

$365 a year? Do you get fries with that?

I thought $120/year was high after paying $30/year for the outdoor range.

jmm

 

[chickenfried]

WOW! Even in SF Bay Area, CA my range membership cost me $200 with none of those restrictions.

 

[StrikeFire83]

Yeah, it's a total wank. Terrible deal. In Austin, which is a much more expensive place to live than San Antonio, I paid $250 for a 1 year membership at an indoor range, and there are TWO locations to choose from. You can shoot ANYTHING in your guns if you want, lead reloads, steel, aluminum, whatever.

I just got back from academy where I bought FIVE 50 rounds boxes of monarch brass case 9mm for $32! And these clowns want $12 a box! wow.

PLUS, you have to book your time in advance, and you can only shoot for 1 hour blocks...MAX!

This place is gonna go out of business soon if they don't change some of these policies, and I can't say I'll be sorry for them if they do.

 

[MCgunner]

There was a guy in SA chatting on the Two Wheeled Texans motorcycle BBS a while back that owns a range, outdoor I think, out on the west side. I mapquested it cause he was asking for part time range officers for their shoots there and I briefly thought about it since I'm sort of semi retired, but it's too far for me to mess with. Anyway, it sounded like a nice range, gun rentals, sales, etc there. Can't remember the name of it, though.

 

[Sistema1927]

I think that one of two things is going to happen to that range:

1) Either they are going to get their price and policies in line with the real world, or
2) They will go belly up.

 

[Anna's Dad]

Palm Beach County

All but one of the indoor ranges in Palm Beach county, Florida conspired together and started requiring you to buy their ammo. Having all the ranges get together and coordinate this maneuver almost seems illegal--its not that different than price fixing when you think about it.

The only range that doesn't enforce the rule is waaaaay up north (big drive for most people in the county, myself include), small, and has terrible ventilation.

Fortunately I'm moving to the Orlando area soon and I know there are many more options from which to choose.

 

[Grunt]

Once again I'm TDY down here at Lackland and I know there is a place called "A Place to Shoot" just off 410 on the South side of town. I was only out there once back during cop school to see if they rented rifles (we had one TDY in the group that was a little weak in this area I wanted to help out) but they only rent handguns. Outdoor range but when I was there back in January, it seemed like a pretty good range. Right now my classes keep me fairly busy so I don't have time to go out there but that might be another option to the indoor range.

 

[GEM]

The west side of town is a death sentence for indoor ranges. First there was a small but pleasant range run by a guy named Ernest - Executive Protective Services. You just paid a fee and shot away. Then a big place opened up nearby - Accuracy - and it killed off Ernest. It was run by stupid, arrogant folks who alternated between commandos and Deliverance. Their gunsmith STUNK. They gave me back a gun that was function with a broken spring - huh? Their staff was crooked at times and they had to put in cameras to monitor them. The range was not well ventilated and dirty.

Red's in Austin told me that they were incompetent at the business. They folded and the range became some church.

The new range - it's been described and I wouldn't pay anybody $365 for a membership with those conditions. I shoot at Dietz with friends for $7 (NRA) all day or at matches. There are other outdoor ranges on all sides of town. Only problem with them is heat and putting up with others.

There has been some discussion that the new Bass Pro might have an indoor range - hope so. Even if they are strict it might work out.

 

[MCgunner]

I went back and found that post. Sounds like a good place to shoot if you don't just HAVE to be inside.

We have an informal Shoot every Thursday night. This week 4/13 is the Bowling Pin Shoot.

This is one of our more popular shoots and I invite you all out. If you have never done one that is OK, you can do it or you are just welcome to watch. This is family oriented shooting and you can bring your kids, friends or co workers. If you dont have a gun to shoot, we rent them.

Bullet Hole Shooting Range
www.bullethole.com.
__________________

 

[bigmike45]

MCgunner,

Are you talking about the Bay Gun Club???? If so, I am a member and that is where I took my CHL class. I have not been there in about 2 months. I run a business in downtown Port Lavaca. I used to go out there during my lunch hour at least twice a week.

The CHL Class was put on by the former Chief of Police there in Pt. Lavaca.

 

[MCgunner]

Former chief would be Grover Grant. I've known Grover for quite a while. He's quite a character. When he was just a beat cop, he'd see I was checked out on the range, come out there and yak my head off. I wouldn't get any shooting done for tellin' tall tales with Grover. Yeah, I've been a member since the mid 80s when we didn't even have a range 'cause we'd gotten run off old man Traylor's place.

I'm on Broadway, do small engine repairs, four wheelers, whatever. I'm next door to old man Young's car wash. I haven't been participating much in the shoots and that. For the last five years I've been busy mostly with my racing. I road race and flat track motorcycles, another friggin' expensive hobby. But, we have a meeting Wednesday night and I think I'll bop over there. If I'm home for the next shoot, I will probably run out there. Was going to go to one a while back and it got rained out. :banghead:

 

[rbernie]

I sure hope that $365 annual fee covers any daily fees. If I had to pay a daily usage fee on top of that (not uncommon), I would be very sad.

 

[SASS#23149]

with gas prices so high,and my range 70 miles away I would occasionaly go to an inroor range in Portland,Or....Place to Shoot.
recently they instituted a 'no relaods' policy.
Haven't been back,and won't be.
their ammo was reloads for cryin' out loud.

 

[bigmike45]

MCgunner,

Grover Grant...thats the man!! He is definately a handfull!!! I believe his company that he works under to give the CHL class is Diamondback..something or another.

I operate the Contractors Safety Council of the Texas Mid Coast on West Main. I know where your place is and if I get a chance will run by one day during lunch. If you are free lunch is on me.

I'm due for renewal of my membership so I need to get to one of the meetings soon. I live 90 miles north of PL, so staying that late is usually not an option for me. I made a couple of the funshoots last year but I have been so busy I just find the time to be there on Saturdays very difficult. And I really enjoy the shoots. I also really like the work done on the range. It is a great place to go shoot.

Mike

 

[MCgunner]

I'm due for renewal of my membership so I need to get to one of the meetings soon. I live 90 miles north of PL, so staying that late is usually not an option for me.

Jeez, gasoline must be KILLIN' ya. My wife worked for Texas CPS for 13 years, was in Bay City (50 miles) when she quit. She didn't get to keep half her check considering travel expenses even with a Toyota Echo. :banghead: We're both sorta retired, though I still wrench for fun money.

Grover also has or had a FFL and I bought a P95 from him once, ordered it for me. He doesn't charge that much if you find a gun you can't live without and it needs to be shipped.

I know where you're at. I worked out at Formosa Plastics for 23 years, did a lot of safe work permits, lock, tag, and try stuff, so I know the safety subject matter. When I first hired on at Formosa, I was living in Brazoria. Grew up in Jones Creek, near Freeport. I'd been laid off at Dow Texas Division and got hired down here and for a year was driving 83 miles one way to work. Man, that got old fast!

Well, you guys can have your thread back now....

 

[Molon Labe]

My range is 50 yards from our house. I'm (usually) the range master, and we shoot .22s, full auto M16s, .50 BMGs, and everything in between. Members (a.k.a. my friends) are never charged dues, and we cook out and drink beer afterwards.

O.K., I'll stop bragging.

 

[Sam Adams]

I called that place up a couple of months ago and decided that there's no way I'd join - for the same reasons. I'm not paying $365/year just to shoot handguns, much less to pay exhorbinant fees for the ammo. I'd go if I could pay $8-$10 for a 1 or 1 1/2 hour session, and shoot my ammo - because I'd love to go there over lunch in the bad heat or when it is raining, and I'd even consent to use only factory-loaded ammo.

With the present fee set up and the high ammo prices, this place will be forced to revamp its policies fairly soon.

Oh, BTW, the $365 is only a special for a couple of months - the regular fee is $500. Isn't that special?

 

[BrennanKG]

$500/year?



That's more than the Scottsdale Gun Club (incidentally the nicest indoor range I've ever visited).






B.

 

[Pickpocket]

Sounds like what happened is that place may have sunk a good deal of money into the project but didn't set up alternate revenue streams. An indoor range is an expensive project, and you're not going to become profitable unless you offer some other services and/or products.

Either that or they're just insane and think people will pay their fees. Then again...maybe people will

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

Wait until they go belly up then buy the range from them dirt cheap and charge realistic prices...and rent out machine guns!

 

[LiquidTension]

You think there was a lot of money put into that place to begin with, wait until you start buying up machine guns to rent out


No way I'd give that place any money. Our indoor range here charges $12/hr range time, I think it's the same to rent a gun, and you can shoot whatever you bring. I still prefer outdoor ranges though.

 

[71Commander]

My indoor range charges 200.00 a year and then discounted daily fees. After you buy 5 guns, they wave the annual fee but still charge the daily.

Good news: I bought the 5 guns in a short period of time

Bad news: I'm moving out of state forever.

 

[rbernie]

At my favorite indoor range, it's $85/yr and $7/day. I guess that's an OK deal, after all....