Lone Star Gun Range — Local services in Lockhart

You have lost a member!

I have been a member for 2 years and have been visiting this range for 3, furthermore, I have never given any establishment a 1 star review until now.

From the beginning, something felt off. everyone in the check-in building seemed on edge and there was an overall hostile feeling. I brushed that feeling aside after I got outside and onto the range.

I got to range 1 (15-yard range) and began shooting, I was shooting for about 1 hour. After that 1 hour mark, I wanted to get some practice in with my AK. this is where the problems begin. I am not a novice when it comes to shooting, when I'm practicing with a rifle shooting it rapidly is a very important skill to have. this is one of the reasons I have been a member here for the past 2 years. historically there has been no issue with me shooting rapidly at a 15-yard target. In the past, I have had staff present while doing it and some have complimented me on both my speed and accuracy. on top of this, I put a fresh target up, and after the first magazine, I looked at it and counted all 30 rounds in an A zone sized group.

before I got another mag loaded up a staff member walked up and started scolding me. he said that there is no way I could control that rifle and while rapid fire is allowed mag dumping is not. he said that if I do that again he will kick me off the property. he said I would ruin the frames and if I wanted to mag dump I needed to take the frames down and mag dump the berm. he also made sure we knew that at long range we had to wait 1 second between shots, this will be important for later. there are a series of problems here. first, he wasn't there while I was shooting, how does he know it's uncontrollable? why didn't he look down range at the target? It was a new target and you could see the group right in the middle, furthermore, it was a brand new frame, it had no holes around the wooden border when I got it and it had no holes when I returned it, it would not have been hard for him to see. he also acted like guns are impossible to control and was acting like I was going to shoot over the berm.

I brushed this off and said OK because I didn't want to get into a conflict with this staff member who was already irate, after this, I headed to the 100-yard range and shot for about 30 minutes at some clays on the 100-yard berm. after shooting all of them I switched to a target, I also switched to a 9mm sbr. I did a total of 4 groups making sure to have 1 second in between shots, after the last group I got up and was about to call a seize fire when the same rso walked up and just goes off, this guy was shouting at me. and I remember what he said verbatim. he said "What do you not understand about what I told you earlier. 2 seconds between shots" he also threatened to kick me out a second time. at this point, I left. I wish I got that guy's name but unfortunately, I didn't.

this guy makes up the rules as he goes, first it's 1 second then it's 2. I drive for 1 hour to get to this range, but after today I will not be renewing my membership, there are 2 indoor ranges within 20 minutes of my home that are less strict and way less hostile.

I do want to note that over the last 3 years, I have had a lot of good interactions with the rso's, however, it only takes 1 bad experience to sour someone's impression. In the past I have recommended this range to many people, I have personally brought 10 different friends to this range, but that ends today. I will never drive for 1 hour to be harassed by a guy that makes up the rules as he goes.

as a final note, I am providing a picture of my 4 groupings at the 100-yard range that were done with an "uncontrollable" rate of fire. it was a 9mm with a 9 in barrel shooting steel cased so not the greatest accuracy to start, but certainly not "uncontrollable" and certainly not shooting...

Honestly, I had my doubts when visiting this range for the first time today. I had read all those negative reviews and some of those stories are nightmarish, but there's always two sides to a story and even then, usually what is told at first is never completely true. This review will be lengthy just to explain how my whole experience went. So, me and my brother decided to give this range a shot since we had missed the opportunity of going on our birthday in late November. We got there bright and early in the morning shortly after opening time and we parked and went inside to check-in. The person in the front, Mike, was very polite and asked us both if we have been there before or if it was our first time. We responded that it was our first and he began to lay down the rules of the establishment, handing us each a laminated paper of the rules and even reminded my brother that he had skipped a step while reading the rules (you'll understand if you read their rules) and my brother corrected himself. When we finished Mike then proceeded to talk and explain to us where each section of the range was (with a map) and explain what those areas were designated for (type of shooting, firearms allowed in that area, caliber allowed for each area). He told us where the frames were for the targets that we used (explained to us what type of targets were and were not allowed. All paper targets only) and explained to us how the cease-fire command worked while down on the range. Ear and eye protection required while on the range at all times (pretty standard honestly). We were told that while a RO would be on the range at all times that we are not to confront any customer that is breaking the rules, that we are to grab the attention of an RO or to come directly to him. After all that he asked if we needed anything cleared up or had any questions and we were fine so he told us to be safe and have fun. We didn't have to have our ammunition or firearms inspected because we weren't shooting anything questionable so we went back to our vehicle, grabbed our heavy dufflebag and proceeded to make our way to the area we wanted (rapid fire area). We set up with our ammunition, magazines, loaders and firearms and proceeded to call a cease-fire from the other 3 customers there at the time so that we could walk down range and set up our targets. The rules were followed politely and we set up our targets, we called off the cease fire and everyone complied nicely. My brother and I were there for a good while popping off the few hundred rounds we had stockpiled for this trip. A few cease-fire commands were issued in the meanwhile by us and other customers and everyone seemed to comply nicely and they weren't rude. I felt really good being there and I didn't feel like my safety was in any jeopardy. I did see the RO twice there but I believe he was the only one on duty, he seemed to have his hands full and it doesn't seem like an issue to me since the range itself wasn't a full house. My only pout is that they no longer support shooting steel targets for any reason except that ONE area they have designated for it (only .22lr rifles/handguns, again ONLY .22lr). Anyways, my brother and I saw that it was a great place and decided to save a few 300 leftover rounds for another trip to this location. We will again stockpile some more ammunition and make more plans to return. Thank you Mike, we will definitely be coming back here sooner if not...

I have been going to loan star for over a year. Twice I have been treated like a child. Won't be going back. Once I was fixing an AR my wifes family was shooting and I was standing in the rifle range. I will admit I didn't know the rule you could not do this but the way it was handled was a woman rushing towards me screaming to stop shooting. I stopped put the gun down had time to stare at her crazy behavior as she yelled cease fire 3 more times which I replied "I have already complied I am not sure while you are still screaming at me". Maybe it was her ear plugs and she couldn't hear herself. Who knows so I blew it off since I did like it there and its cheap. Then I went yesterday with my brother in law and did some shooting. So if you have a metal target you have to show it to them. Understandable you don't want a target crack or worped. Mind you this target was shot once. He then tells me to shoot the other side and even said I am not really worried about it ricocheting. So when you put out targets you have to call a cease fire. My brother in law set it up with the side already shot towards us. I didn't feel like making everyone stop again so left it be. When leaving I was in a rush and left my target. Oh my was that a screw up. I show up and Mr. Feel good goes oh your the one that does stuff you are told not too. Then told me I had to talk to Russell and only him and he was in class. I asked how long was that he gave me an hour and a half time frame. I was like you can get it and with the joy behind his eyes he said no. Then luckily Russell walks through right away. Then I was told again to do what I was told in regards to the taeget. I said that's fine can I get my target. He says Mr feel good will get it for you. Well then he continued to ignore me and help other folks. Luckily a nice lady asked if I been helped and I asked for my target again. She gave to me right away and was very nice. Mind you my brother in law my brother and myself were going to shoot again that day. I also wanted a CHL but I can't do it at a place you get treated like dirt. Sorry to the staff I shot the wrong side of my target I have since burried it in my back yard in shame. 😭 The other issue people need to look at is there is always new people at a range. There is rarely a range master out at least at the rifle range. I have been shot at once by a careless individual here. Might want to also take this into consideration. Other great places like Reds. Those guys are great! Sucks I did like this place but just can't go back.

Well if you read previous posts about if you speak your mind they come at you they are correct. I received several texts from the owner. So now I am not safe at ranges I go to and I am hurting her business as well. Would have definitely changed my rating with a better response. Bottom line not upset about being told the rules at all just in the way it was done. I was wrong in what I did both times again apologize for that but what kind of company will not meet you halfway on somthi ng as easy ad customer service. Seems to be the way things...