Sharp as a Marble - You know what I need?

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You know what I need?

Range Time

A local range where I could practice shooting from the draw. I’d like to be able to do the Dot Torture, but none of the ranges near me allow shooting from anything but the bench.

Actually, I just need a few acres on someone’s property where I could just plink away that’s not 30 miles from the house.

I guess I ask for too much.

posted @ 7/11/2011 12:53:12 PM

Incoming Links

Sharp as a Marble - The 2011 Pro-Am Shooting Competition–Or, what I’m missing and how sad that makes me on 7/17/2011 1:37:32 PM

Comments

guffaw says:

on 7/11/2011 1:50:55 PM

Back in 'the old days' (the early 70s), I could drive 5-10 minutes from my house, and make it to a desert area, excellent for target practice. It's now a golf course!
Now, it takes an hour on the freeway - one way - to find an appropriate spot.
AND, 'they' are developing!
There are 3 indoor and 3 outdoor ranges, though. They aren't as much fun.

Brad says:

on 7/11/2011 1:56:06 PM

I know what you mean, I don't even have a range within 30 miles of my home! I do however have a friend that lives outside of the city limits with a 400yd field with a 1 mile thik woodline for a back-stop. Perfect place for shooting however we desire but I am always concerned during hunting season. Even though the land is private property I always worry about someone being in the woods illegally.

Ry Jones says:

on 7/11/2011 2:14:39 PM

Or a suppressor and a good backstop in the backyard!

Bubblehead Les says:

on 7/11/2011 2:23:33 PM

How about we stop taking good farmland, filling it with McMansions when there's over a million empty Foreclosed Homes, and shutting down the local range that's been there for 50 years because some %&$%&^&put up the McMansions right behind it!

Robb Allen says:

on 7/11/2011 2:26:54 PM

Bubblehead, couldn't agree more, considering there are no less than 3 neighborhoods going up in my immediate vicinity right now that will just sit there rotting when they're done.

alan says:

on 7/11/2011 2:51:46 PM

I keep harping on the range issue.

As we see in Chicago, being able to own a gun only goes so far. You also need a range within a reasonable distance too.

You also need ranges that allow more than just standing and poking holes in paper.

The closest range that I can draw and fire at is over an hour away and that's close. Where I used to live there wasn't a range in the entire county. (And that was in Texas. Damned developers)

Between developers, zoning and liability it's getting harder to find a place where you can practice practical shooting.

mike w. says:

on 7/11/2011 3:17:39 PM

There's not a range anywhere near me that allows drawing from the holster, shooting on the move etc. etc.

In fact, there's exactly one public range in my entire county and maybe 2 private "members-only" ranges. The only other range close by is in PA and also only allows plinking.

Sean says:

on 7/11/2011 6:47:20 PM

Join a private club. I've never like the vibe of most indoor public ranges where questionable characters rent guns.

Owners are nervous, other shooters are nervous - and it costs more.

My place is $100/year + 8 hours of service (RSO, maintenance, etc.)

I'm relatively new to shooting and had no idea how good I had it living out west until I learn how it is in other parts.

Mulliga says:

on 7/11/2011 10:21:25 PM

Well, you can practice "Dot Torture" with dry-firing. Not the same, of course, but better than nothing.

xyankeeworkshop says:

on 7/12/2011 7:33:39 AM

30 miles? Pfffft! Consider yourself fortunate it's that close and go shoot.

I drive 45 miles and I'm happy to do it to avoid the convenient misery of paying $20/hr to stand still in a lane firing a round no faster than every three seconds (OMG never from the holster!) while breathing in God knows what and being muzzled by any number of miscreants with nonexistant trigger discipline.

julie says:

on 7/12/2011 9:43:29 AM

well you could come and visit :) ... my range is about 15mins from home ... and you don't need to shoot from benches.

Linoge says:

on 7/12/2011 5:30:42 PM

You and me both, bud, you and me both...

Aubrey Turner says:

on 7/12/2011 5:43:52 PM

Have you considered doing Airsoft in your garage or back yard?

Of couse it isn't exactly the same as the real thing, but with the realistic Airsoft replicas you would at least duplicate the weight/feel of the gun and the feel of the draw, etc.

These guys certainly seem to have found it helpful:
http://www.bamairsoft.com/index.html

ErnestM says:

on 7/12/2011 6:12:55 PM

Airsoft is a viable alternative when the local Obersturmführer in charge of the range does not allow holsters.

There is also Gander Mountain in Lake Mary, Florida if you are ever in the neighborhood. They have a high tech shoot/don't shoot indoor facility.

Skip says:

on 7/13/2011 1:57:50 AM

Thirty minutes to my members club. Action, walk up, moving, etc. on one of the 25yd ranges.
Club has a 100,50, and two 25s. Plus trap and skeet.
And this is in Kali. Go figure.

Ross says:

on 7/13/2011 6:37:55 AM

Wow... you mean that there's an advantage to living in the People's Republic of Marxachusetts??? I can't even count how many ranges there are within 30 miles of my house! Probably at least two dozen. They're all private clubs, of course, but all you need is one... and many of them do allow shooting from the draw.

MJM says:

on 7/13/2011 10:39:23 PM

Found my little spot, finally, but it took awhile--and some money. I think this problem will only grow greater, as the cities continue to move outward, pressing into what had been farm country.

Comments have been closed on this topic.