I really do like this range—it’s awesome in many ways. I try to come by now and then, but I’ll be honest: the overly strict rules and excessive red tape keep me from coming more often.
First annoyance: Every single time you visit, you’re required to fill out the same liability waiver or “ridiculous sheet,” even if you’ve already been there multiple times. I get doing it once, but every visit? Come on.
Second: At the rifle range, you’re required to sit at a table and shoot under a blind. That part is fine, but if an RSO is nearby and your rifle has a minor issue (like a jam), expect to be treated like you have no idea what you’re doing. Even if you clearly know how to fix it, they’ll jump in and do it for you—talking down to you like you’re clueless. Not the end of the world, but definitely annoying.
Now for the worst part: the rules.
Ridiculous Rule #1: All magazines must be out of every gun—even when the guns are clearly unloaded, bolts or slides locked back, with the orange magazine follower clearly visible (something you'd only see if the mag is empty). Last time I came in with a dozen firearms, I was immediately told to remove all the mags, even though it had never been an issue before. I found it completely unnecessary. If someone really wanted to do something dangerous, it’d be much faster to pull out a fully loaded gun from a case than to load a mag and chamber a round in an unloaded firearm with an empty mag rightvin front of you. When I asked if they wanted me to remove mags from all the guns in their cases too, they said no—which made the rule even more confusing and inconsistent.
Dumb Rule #2: You’re not allowed to insert a loaded magazine into your rifle until the barrel is pointed downrange. I found this out the hard way when I loaded a mag into my AR while standing at the bench, planning to chamber a round only after I sat down and pointed it downrange. I was quickly yelled at and told to remove the mag. It’s just unnecessary and makes the shooting process feel clunky and micromanaged.
I understand safety is important—and I’m all for proper handling—but at some point, the rules become overly broad and lose touch with practical reality. If a gun is clearly safe (no round chambered, not being mishandled, and with proper trigger discipline), then the situation should be treated accordingly. You don’t need to create problems where there are none.
Bottom line: This is a solid range with great people, and you’ll meet a lot of friendly shooters. But the rules are too strict, sometimes inconsistent, and can take the enjoyment out of...
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