Volusia Top Gun — Local services in Daytona Beach

I had shot here before and had a couple of issues. Yesterday I went with 2 friends and the lady with the keys didn't show up until after 10 o'clock. Once we went inside we could not do anything until they got all of the computers up and running and all of the display and rental guns in their display area. By the time we could shoot it was well after 1030. If you are going to open at 10, be ready to do business at 10.

One of the issues I have always had is that you are not permitted to recover your brass and take it home to reload. Of course I understand that you can not go forward of the firing line if your brass ends up there. But there is no reason in the world that brass at your feet and behind you cannot be safely recovered . Of course that would prevent the owners from recycling and/or reselling your brass. That is another little cost you incur when you use Volusia Top Gun.

One of my friends was going to shoot. The other one was just coming in with me to observe. If he stayed outside at the viewing window there was no charge. Since he wanted to come in to the range he also had to pay, which I understand. I registered and since I am handicapped and use a power chair I went ahead into the range to get set up while he registered. When I got to the assigned station the cardboard target was completely blown out in the center. Since I use self adhesive targets, It was not possible to shoot at that station. My friend had finally come in and I asked him to go back to the desk and have them transfer us to one several Stations with clean cardboard backing. He returned shortly and said that they refused to make the transfer.

With that I packed up my gear and went back to the desk with my friend to tell them we would not be shooting there today and would like to have our money back. When they asked why I told them the shooting station was not possible for me to use because of the cardboard backing (which probably would have been changed if the girl with the keys had shown up on time) and I felt their refusal to allow us to use another shooting station was arbitrary and made absolutely no sense. The attendant knew full well the condition of the cardboard on that station because he said he had asked my friend while he was registering what kind of targets I was using. He didn't know what kind of targets I was using but consequently I was given a station that was not in proper condition to use. With that the attendant copped a little attitude but did refund our money and we left.

Still wanting to shoot we drove to the Strickland range, which I had never been to, and found it to be a beautiful set up with very nice and very helpful people. In addition, it is $10 A-day or a $100 for the year to shoot an unlimited time . Volusia Top Gun charges by the hour, which makes them considerably more expensive. Actually I'm kind of glad the situation arose. I found a very nice new...

Stopped by over the weekend to eat and shoot. Brought a friend of mine who is a YouTube personality with more than 250,000 subscribers. Figured we'd have a good time, he'd learn to shoot from an experienced shooter/gun owner, and we'd simultaneously promote a local business to millions of potential customers. Instead we got an argumentative range guy who literally had a snarky comeback for every single thing that was said, and tried hard to freak my pal out about shooting. There's a way to explain disclaimers to customers. Barking them isn't it. Takeaway is, don't bring any friends/family you want exposed to random, obnoxious attitudes.

To the owner: if you don't want new shooters at VTG, you're doing a good job scaring them away with employees like this one. Train them to be polite and more importantly, welcoming. About a month ago, another friend of mine was ejected because he didn't know how to cycle a rifle that he RENTED from you. Show him, maybe? It's a rental.

To range guy: you wouldn't say two harsh words to me on the street but try to flex when you're at work. Be polite bro. Seriously.

UPDATE: HAD TO RESPOND TO THE NOVEL WRITTEN BY THIS BUSINESS'S EXTREMELY UNPROFESSIONAL OWNER WHO MUST HAVE TAKEN A BREAK FROM INJECTING GEAR TO ATTACK VERY LEGITIMATE COMPLAINTS. BUDDY, GET A GRIP ON YOURSELF. YOU AND JIU-JITSU BOY WOULDN'T DO WELL IRL AND MUCH MORE TO THE POINT, YOU DON'T DESERVE THE BUSINESS -- BASED ON YOUR OBNOXIOUS RESPONSE ALONE, SIMILAR TO ATTACKS ON OTHER CUSTOMERS WHO LEFT YOU LOW STAR REVIEWS. I URGE OTHERS TO READ THE OWNER'S REPLY AND ASK WHETHER THE PERSON WHO WROTE IT SEEMS STABLE ENOUGH TO OPERATE THIS TYPE OF BUSINESS. ROID RAGE DOESN'T FLY AT A GUN RANGE.

I HAVE NO ISSUE AT ALL DRIVING TO SHOOTERS WORLD IN ORLANDO, TO STRICKLAND RANGE NEAR VOLUSIA COUNTY JAIL, OR HOTSHOTS ON NOVA ROAD IN HOLLY HILL. HOTSHOTS ALSO RENTS GUNS. AND THEY WILL EXPLAIN TO YOU HOW TO OPERATE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM, THE PRESUMPTION BEING YOU DON'T OWN THE SAME GUN YOU ARE RENTING. STAFF ARE EXTREMELY WELCOMING AT ALL OF THESE BUSINESSES. NEITHER MYSELF NOR MY RANGE PALS HAVE EVER HAD A NEGATIVE EXPERIENCE AT HOTSHOTS OR SHOOTERS WORLD LIKE WE REPEATEDLY HAVE AT...

I was shocked by the extreme “$100 per strike” policy at this indoor range. After two harmless strikes to the carrier blocking plate—caused by a friend’s weapon inadvertent discharge of three rapid shots—I stepped into his lane to assist and after a few test shots I was immediately halted mid-session, escorted from his lane, and forced to pay $200 on the spot, with no proof or effort made to determine who actually fired the shots. The range officer even painted over the marks in advance so they could count “hits” more easily, turning minor, non-damaging incidents into cash grabs. In this instance, the ranger officer immediately painted over the two strikes and the lane continued operation without damage, he failed however to step in and ask if the weapon was safe or if he could assist in the issue.

Throughout the ordeal I explained that the weapon had misfired, took several test shots without issue, and insisted I was not responsible for the stray impacts. Instead of listening, I was lectured on basic gun handling and maintenance—even though the weapon was brand-new—and reprimanded for not policing other shooters on the line. There was zero attempt to assess actual damage or treat me fairly as a customer; it felt like a well-orchestrated racket to maximize revenue rather than a genuine safety or maintenance concern.

Most reputable ranges break down repair costs, require evidence of damage, and provide a brief safety orientation to prevent exactly these kinds of mishaps. Here, the focus is purely on counting “strikes” and collecting hefty flat fees—no questions asked. Until they overhaul this punitive policy and start valuing their customers’ experience, I cannot in good conscience recommend...