Stupid? Shooting Range Ammo Restrictions in S. Florida

[numaone]

Here on the East Coast of South Florida, the ranges prohibit bringing your own ammo. This is a real pain and it keeps me out of them. Not only do they charge a range fee, a target fee, then they rip me off on expensive ammo, and don't even have the opportunity to buy match grade ammo. The prices are stupid expensive for their garbage ammo.

I've heard a variety of reasons for this. First was the good old, "insurance mandates it" bull. Next I got it's a county ordinance (which I think is the truth). Oh, and then the other truth that the range owner said he likes it because it prevents someone from bringing a Wally brick of .22 (if they can find any) and shooting up the range stands, lines, other breakable items for a loss of $. Sounds like a supervision deficiency to me while trying to make even more profit.

Oh, and the gun shops that are located in Florida are largely crooked. I've yet to find a gun shop that I would trust and do business with, in the whole state, and I've been to 30+. Especially in S. Florida, the prices are still ridiculous. I think because they CAN take advantage of the elderly buying their first guns in the panic who don't know better and have retirement money to burn. Whenever I buy a firearm here, I just buy it online and pawn shop FFL transfer. It beats the 100$ FFL transfer fee a couple shops wanted to charge.

I was wondering if this is similar in other locations, or just a local thing. I usually live in North Central Florida, where there are some nice ranges, both public (free) and private. While Florida may be gun friendly, it seems to stop at the S. Florida Border with all the old people.

 

[psyopspec]

Policy on the range nearest me is that if you're renting their guns, you buy/shoot their ammo. I'm surprised so many around you have such draconian policies. All it would take is one good range/shop not to engage in that horsepuckery and that guy would make a killing.

 

[DawgsFan_07]

That's quite a scam. Do some more checking around. Or bring your own ammo and only buy one box of theirs.

 

[musick]

Doesnt surprise me. My range told me their insurance regulations did not allow me to shoot at paper plates because of the possibilities of ricochets. They wanted me to buy their targets, at $1.75 each.

My advice: vote with your dollars and tell a manager or owner you will be taking your business elsewhere. I did, and they eventually allowed me to shoot at those dangerous paper plates!

Believe it or not, I have yet to produce one of those ricochets.

 

[kanook]

now don't hold back, tell us how you really feel. there is a reason Florida is shaped the way it is. at least you can look at a map and see what's coming when you get here.

 

[happygeek]

Good God, I'm really starting to appreciate the private range I'm a member of now. The don't mind you shooting at silhouettes, it's only $60 a year, open all day (closes at 22:00 due to WA state noise ordinance). The only thing there for you is the range itself, sandbags, and wooden target stands; you bring your own targets, staple gun, etc. There's a gun store nearby with one of those indoor pistol ranges that always has plenty of cheap silhouettes ($0.25 per) and decently priced ammo for sale

The ranges isn't too crowded either and let's you bring a guest free of charge; I've taken to calling a few guys from work every time I go so they can go with me if they so desire.

 

[ak-kev]

Im sorry to hear that. The ranges here in the central part of the state are fantastic. I have 2 within 10mins from my house (Tennoroc and Saddle Creek) and they're both great. Good luck with your search! Kevin.

 

[harmonic]

bring your own ammo and only buy one box of theirs

What he said. Buy a box of 50 22s then shoot your own stuff.

 

[Flame Red]

Just greed. The Segway Surfer (Shoot Straight for all the uninformed) here in Central Florida has been doing this for a while. Just another common way to increase revenue.

 

[kanook]

always tempted to throw a cleaning rod in those wheels on that freeking segway as it pass's me

 

[Wes Janson]

Just greed. The Segway Surfer (Shoot Straight for all the uninformed) here in Central Florida has been doing this for a while. Just another common way to increase revenue.

Shoot Straight has always allowed people to bring in their own ammo, just not for rental guns.

 

[markfh]

I don't think the ranges here in the Houston area could stock enough ammo to satisfy the shooting needs of the shooters here. They hardly have any on hand and nothing I'd shoot.

 

[Uncle Mike]

That's quite a scam. Do some more checking around. Or bring your own ammo and only buy one box of theirs.

Nope.. 'most' ranges in FL have you under video surveillance the whole time your on the range.

there is a reason Florida is shaped the way it is. at least you can look at a map and see what's coming when you get here.

Just what is the state of FL shaped like.... I can think of two things!

SE Florida is crooked and left wing. Period.

That is the NICEST thing I have heard anybody say about FL.

Just greed. The Segway Surfer (Shoot Straight for all the uninformed) here in Central Florida has been doing this for a while. Just another common way to increase revenue.

...and when all their customer leave... then what?(duh, they didn't think of that!)

?? trying to get rid of all the 'shooting' sports.. this was said in the 2008 commissioners meetings(don't ask the county)-
??trying to get rid of all ATV usage- Noise abatement, but hid under the danger/insurance flag.(same meeting)

Bottom line.... there aint nothing good to be said about SE FL. IMHO!

This is were my brother resides, for now, due to contracts.

-

 

[Tiomoid]

"Segway Surfer", Ha! Love the nickname, I've purchased far to many guns from them. Its sad that they are the only ones able to offer me a semi decent price in this area...

 

[xbox360]

Doesnt surprise me. My range told me their insurance regulations did not allow me to shoot at paper plates because of the possibilities of ricochets.

sounds like they want to make money off you, $1.75 a target.... you can buy a pack of 50 paper plates for that........ Yea its going ricochets off paper

 

[cchris]

There aren't any unmanned ranges around? That's something I've become quite used to seeing around the south - I suppose that excludes Florida though. Heck, there's even a free range in Pickens County SC, and if you bring a box of skeet and get out to the range early enough, the range officer will take out a skeet launcher and throw a few clays for you.

I don't know if these exist in FL, but some national parks have ranges like this. I barely found a few of them around SC.

 

[sharkhunter2018]

A range near me has the same rule.

Range is free, but you have to buy their targets and their ammo. Also applies for any muzzleloaders. Powder, leads and primers must be bought from them. And, if I'm not mistaken...if you're shooting reloads, the components of said reloads have to bought from them.

I dropped by there recently and saw a box of Wolf 7.62x39.......20 bucks.

 

[hanno]

I envy the guys who can shoot on their own property. One of my uncles had a range set up out his back door which I always thought was very cool.

My gun club has $50 annual dues which gets you a gate card that allows you in to shoot 365 days a year from 0900 to dusk. Bring your own ammo, police your own brass.

I would hate to live in an area where my choices were so limited that I had to use a range that required I buy their ammo.
My sympathy for those of you who do.

 

[numaone]

That's quite a scam. Do some more checking around. Or bring your own ammo and only buy one box of theirs

They reserve the right to inspect all guns and cases before going. It's so bad that if you walk out the door with one of THEIR boxes, you can no longer use it at there range. Atleast it only seems like a local thing here in Palm Beach and Broward County, not widespread.

Now I just need to find a Pawn Shop to do the transfer. For some reason, it seems the Pawnshops in WPB don't deal in guns, I'm not sure why. Anyone know of a good FFL who will do a transfer in the 20-30$ range in West Palm Area? Willing to travel to find them, just as long as I can avoid any of the awful gun shops here- $100 FFL transfer, what a ****ing joke, and that price STILL beat the price in the shop by a good $100 more out the door for the same exact thing.

My gun club has $50 annual dues which gets you a gate card that allows you in to shoot 365 days a year from 0900 to dusk. Bring your own ammo, police your own brass

I envy that!

 

[catfish101]

Thats not good. I am fortunate that I can shoot at my house all I want and if I want to go to a range I can go to Knob Creek for 10 bucks a day and shoot all I want. The bad thing about that is that you can't get a long shot there or my house. I friend of mine has a farm that I can get a 1200 yrd shot but we have to watch out for the cows.

 

[Bad Hammer]

I envy the guys who can shoot on their own property.

Yeah, it's a beautiful thing for sure.
Where I live is extremely secluded and we shoot from the front or back porch fairly often.
I'm in the process of setting up a 100 yard range in the back yard.
A 7' tall by 18' wide wall of old tires filled with sand as a backstop.
I'm building a 10' x 12' wide covered bench area with dust/spider proof storage for eye and
hearing protection, targets and other equipment.
Not quite finished yet but I'm getting there.
Good times indeed.

 

[senior]

range ripoffs

Got a real ripoff one here in san antonio, guy says members only, to the tune of $365.00 a yr + u buy his ammo ( darn near double price). Nothing fancy about it and from whay i hear, constantly on peoples cases about every little thing they do. Owner told me i should join in the fun they have there told sure I would, when h... freezes over!

 

[alemonkey]

Yet another reason to belong to a private club, if you don't have your own land.

 

[MedWheeler]

Same here, on the "Treasure Coast". The last time I popped in (to check the gun inventory, not to shoot), the silence from the range room was obvious. Used to be quite active there.

 

[sharkhunter2018]

It's definitely nice to be able to shoot on your own land.

With that said, I do have neighbors and I try to shoot enough to keep my trigger finger scratched and shoot as less as possible to keep them happy at the same time. Not always that simple though.