Indoor Range Overcrowded

C

chaz12

New member
I started shooting regularly about 10 years ago with one friend of mine. We have been going to the same indoor range twice a month for that whole time. We would shoot 100 rounds or so and then go have dinner. It was a good outing.

Every once in a while the range was too crowded and we were unable to get onto it to shoot. No big deal, we just went on to have dinner earlier. It never happened very often.

Just in the last two months however, we have been turned away every time we have gone out there. Last week, we made the decision to forget it; we aren't going to go any more. Its about a 40 mile drive out there and back for me. It's just not worth it if we aren't going to be able to get in. From now on I guess I only shoot in good weather when I can go to the outdoor ranges at the state parks nearby.

I don't know if this sudden overcrowding is due to increased interest in shooting or what. I live in Columbus OH. Anyone else experienced this increase in overcrowding at your local range?

Chaz
 
Yes. It's become very busy. I'll stop by to look at the new stock (combined store & range) but will not use the range services. Too many newer, unsupervised shooters in one environment for me.

Added : Besides, I prefer outdoor ranges anyways...
 
My local indoor is the same. Just recently been insanely busy. 45minute wait past 3 times i've gone.

I hate shooting when you're packed in side by side, 3 ft apart, rowed with 50 people.
 
The last few times I went to the range, I had to wait between a half hour to an hour and fifteen minutes. I don’t know how that compares to your range times, but it feels like a long time to me. The positives are that I live fairly close to the range, and I have a membership, so I’m not paying for anything else besides ammo.
 
Weekends and Holidays are the only time I've had to wait. Even then not too long, maybe 15-20min. I could call ahead and reserve a lane, which is a nice feature, but I prefer going during the week when it's rarely crowded.

From the local forum people in the area seem not to like the range I use, so maybe they steer people away from it. But hey, in my personal experience the complaints about the staff are unwarranted, so a range that's not overcrowded but certainly does enough business to stay open is fine by me :D
 
Same here,the last couple of times my son and I went there was a hour or more wait.It has been this way for around the last few months or so.Everytime we try to get a lane they either have a class using the opposite side of the range or its closed for upkeep.3 times we ended up not waiting,which really becomes annoying.I have shot at this business for the last 12 years and 2 or 3 years ago is when all the hype started,prior to that time you could walk in and be the only one or so shooting at times.Was always busy on the weekends.
 
Guess I am lucky. If you purchase a membership at Buds you shoot for free and can reserve a lane up to a week in advance.


Doug
 
I am also in the Columbus Ohio area right now and my range of choice is also tending to fill and have some times a rather long waiting period. So I asked when are your slowest times for range use and go then, so far that has worked out to no more than a 15-20 min wait at the longest.
 
I have noticed the places I go around Atlanta being busier, but never had to wait. One of the places I go apparently is running some promotions for beginners and the increase in Firearms Licenses in Georgia apparently is attracting a lot of folks.

However, although it can be inconvenient I really think it is a positive thing. I have noticed at least two new ranges in my area in the last year or two. Also, the more folks who support gun rights the better all around.
 
Me and my posse shoot outdoors all year round, unless crap is actually falling from the sky. The only time we have a problem is when all the "I-shoot-my-gun-once-a-year-the-week-before-hunting" yabbos appear. I really hate shooting when they're around.
Our range has gotten a bit busier as of late, but never over-crowded.
 
jonny, sounds like you and your "posse" are the reason I shoot during the weekday, in the morning, when kids are in school and normal people go to work. :D
Outdoor range is rarely busy then, unless the private prison guys are there to qualify. Then one range is full, the other 4 are generally open. I can usually get a complete range to myself, so when I want to check a target, I can just walk out and do it. Best is it's close and absolutely free. ;)
 
Ranges are ridiculously busy these days. I was also at Cabelas recently and waited 45 minutes for someone to show me a few guns I wanted to buy. The line for pickups of firearms was over an hour and most people were buying more than one at a time. I say the Sons of Guns and American Guns have brought firearms mainstream.
 
Many indoor ranges sell memberships that give members extra privileges like reduced range fees, priority access to the range and discounts on store items. Probably worth inquiring about.

While you've got them on the phone, ask what their peak times are and then see if you can adjust your schedule to avoid them.
 
Same here in Jacksonville, not just my indoor range, but my outdoor shooting club as well.

When I'm in town, I avoid holidays, and weekends. I go during the day, during the week. I know everybody can't do that, but any other time both are jam packed.
 
Armoredman, there are usually only 4 of us, we don't take up much room. It's the "Match" guys and "Hunter Wanna-Be's" that plug up the works. In a good winter we can go weeks without seeing another shooter/member. Unfortunately, the weather's been too nice this year!
 
In Chicago and surrounding area the ranges are usually pretty crowded.

The last time I went shooting I got there 10 minutes before opening time and there was already a line.

I waited nearly 10 minutes just to get to the cash register to pay for my range time, then I had a 1 hour wait before getting to the range.

I think part of it in my area is that 3 ranges closed in the last 10 years and only 1 recently opened.

Part of it though has to be a renewed interest in guns.

When I was shooting 20 and 15 years ago, I hardly ever saw a female at the range. And usually it was a husband and wife.

Now I see kids in their twenties - boyfriend and girlfriend, fathers with their daughters or grandfathers with their daughters, and just groups of girls going shooting together.
 
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