Shooter's World Goodyear — Attraction in Goodyear

35 year customer but never again. I bought my first two pistols at Shooter's World off of Indian School road in 1990 and have been shooting at that and other locations since. Though the prices for range time have steadily risen I've continued to go, usually on Tuesday when there is a discounted rate.

I received an email about (8) weeks ago stating that the range rate would be $15 M-F 2-5 PM, so I decided to go to the Goodyear location today (Thursday 3 PM). Upon arrival I was told that special only lasted "for a week or two", and that the rate would be $30. I think that price is outrageous, but after driving a half an hour to get there, I decided to go ahead and pay the rate and shoot. *Ben Avery is $10 per hour, and C2 tactical which has a nicer range also charges less than Shooter's World, FYI.

*I have double-checked the email which I still have, and there was no mention of how long the offer would be good for (such as "good through the following dates"...). So, this was a bait and switch, not OK.

Upon arriving at the firing line I loaded my pistol and inserted it into retention my holster. To practice with the holster I unlocked the weapon, safely raised it to low ready, and PAUSED DELIBERATELY (I knew that firing from the hip is rightly forbidden), then raised the gun to a firing position and fired (a very tight / well controlled group). I noticed that the range guy (younger heavyset brown haired kid) was camped out behind me (ignoring others who really needed supervision BTW). After repeating the above actions a few times, he stopped me and said "you can't fire from a holster". I explained that I wasn't firing from the hip (against written policy), but from low-ready (allowed). He said it didn't matter, that I can't do that. I then asked "so you are saying holsters cannot be used at the range correct?". He paused, looked towards the sky for a minute (wasn't sure), and then answered "yes". *I'll post an image from the current rules waiver to demonstrate that per rules unholstering IS allowed at the firing line.

Though only there for about 10 minutes I immediately packed up, left and will never return. It's crazy because I'm a safe and highly competent shooter who always follows the rules and keeps very tight groups with all rounds hitting the backstop (unlike many Shooter's World range customers). I can't tell you how many times I've been beside people at a Shooter's World range who were either reckless, untrained first time shooters, or who were high (smelled of weed / booze), or who were goofing around, shooting the floor, carriers, ceiling, and even vertical lane barriers, and I've rarely seen those people corrected. *I've had to leave more than once for my own safety, but I considered this part of the deal for an indoor public range and didn't make too much out of it. *Ben Avery has far more control over the people at their range with multiple range masters on the line at any given time, but Shooter's World has AC, and it was hot, thus my visit there today.

In 35 years I have never had a single Shooter's World employee complain about shooting from low-ready (same for Ben Avery & C2).

Chris, I've met you through a good friend (friend is Chris C.) and know you care and will probably answer, but you don't need to, as I will not return. This review was left because it was well earned and because people deserve to know about my experience. I suspect it's no coincidence that the range was nearly empty aside from 3-4 other people. Best of luck charging people $30 for an experience like this in an economy where the average person is struggling to put food on the table.

Going forward, if I want to shoot when it's warm, I'll go to C2, and will otherwise go to Ben Avery or take a drive to Flat Iron Mountain in Tonopah which is about the same distance from my home as your Goodyear location and costs nothing. It's a shame since I have many good memories of fun times and cool employees at the original location, but I guess all good things come to an...

EDIT: I'd like to edit my review, and change the rating to 5 stars. I was responded to, very quickly, by Shooter's World, as you can see their response.

I was able to have a nice discussion with Chris, who took time to listen and discuss it with me. I appreciate their transparency and honesty, and quick reaction to customer issues. They have rectified the issue with me, and it's appreciated. I have recommended Shooter's World Goodyear over the last couple years, and wish to continue doing so. It was a little difficult to want to come back after today. They heard me, and took action.

I will leave the original review here. I want people to see what my original issue was, and the fact that it was quickly and fairly addressed by their team. It seems like I just got a couple of fluke days at their range. Every other time I've been there, this hadn't been an issue.

Thanks guys!

Wish I could leave a better review, but read it in its entirety.

The facility in Goodyear itself, and its staff is pretty decent. Clean building and lanes, and the staff is professional.

The issue I had, and had more than once, was heat on the indoor range. I visited the range in early April of 2024, and it was inordinately warm on the range. Figuring this was a fluke, I simply and politely told them, and left. It's near end of May now, and figured this wouldn't be a problem. Today? Still warm on the range. I was sweating pretty heavily.

I understand it won't be like 68 degrees, but at the same time, I'm paying to shoot at an indoor, air conditioned range in Phoenix, Arizona. Maybe I'm a wuss, but I don't think it's unreasonable to expect to be comfortable while shooting. That's why I come to an indoor range. I didn't even stay for my full hour I paid for, as it just wasn't enjoyable.

I notified them this second time when leaving, and I believe I was polite and professional about it. No one seemed to really care. They said things to the effect of "we'll look into it" and that was that.

This happened once, right after they opened a couple years ago. I explained it to the front desk fellow, who pretty quickly offered me a free hour of range time to make up for it.

Had the staff there today even asked what could be done to make it right (they did not), I would've been writing this same review, but with a good ending note and probably 4 or 5 stars. This issue, having happened twice in two months, has also caused me to decide against purchasing a membership.

This is a fair and honest review of the place, in my opinion. Go there to shoot. It's clean, well stocked with product and rentals, and all that. It just may be kinda warm when you shoot... If I'm gonna sweat when I shoot, I'll goto Ben Avery where it's a lot less to shoot per hour.

Thanks...

Great hour at the range! Had just wrapped the pork shoulder so knew I had a while before it hit 205. Loaded up an AR and 2 pistols and headed out to SW-GYR. Should nickname the place SWAGGER. It's fantastic. (I get credit for the nickname the super nice owner is going to adopt for his facility.) Walk in and the retail side is super clean and new. Purchasable firearms and staff waiting to answer questions. Apparel, ammo, and shooting essentials in stock. Walk through the retail side to get to the range side of the building. Ipads available for the waiver, but the money move is to do it online before you show up. I asked if there was a lane available, the super nice girl behind the counter checked, confirmed my waiver was on file, and had me head to the firearm check. Quick rifle and ammo inspection (no green tip allowed - I had 1 mag loaded with it which they held onto along with my license.) $5 mil discount paid for the 3 for $5 targets, so that's groovy. I was given my lane assignment and walked through the doors to my side of the range. The push buttons to activate the doors are the handicap blue squares, which makes sense, I'm sure my wife thinks I'm a little off from time to time. This is where SWAGGER's grand slam home run is - the trolly and technology behind it. The owner popped in and showed me the touchpad features. Yea, demo by the owner. Beat that Little Caesar's Pizza. No one in a toga has ever greeted me there. The touchpad will send your trolly and target out to whatever yardage you want up to 26 yards. A camera feature on the actual target will give you a close up so you can see just how inaccurate your new red dot is. 1 hour went by and after my ammo was spent, I swept up, packed up, and was done. Smoker showed 200 on my app, perfect timing. At the firearm check in counter my license and mag were waiting for me. Thanks to the staff at SWAGGER for their great service, new clean facility, and a great hour away from the in-laws back at the house waiting for the pulled pork sliders that I'm not sharing the...