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"You people have too much time on your hands." - scottryan
I can totally see both sides of the argument. As an employee of an indoor range and store, you get really sick of people's bad shooting, bullshit, lying, and stealing. I will admit that it's really hard not to become a jaded asshole. For instance, our targets are hung with 1.5" binder clips. The rule, clearly stated on the waiver form that all range users fill out prior to entering states, "if you shoot it, you buy it: Clips - ($2ea), Pulley/Rope ($10)..." Yet, these asshats circumvent the rule by bringing their own binder clips, shooting up a box of them, and then returning ours to us un-used. Here's why this is an issue: Binder clips do not cost $2 ea, but light bulbs, steel baffles, cinderblock walls, concrete floors, and God knows what else your bullet happens to ricochet into (because you're shooting too freakin' high and missing the target) do cost way more than $2. This is simply an effort to capture a fraction of these costs. (Our range rates are only $5 first 1/2 hr, $3 each additional 1/2 hr) By punishing only those that break stuff, we are able to keep our rates low. No matter what, though, there's always some jerk trying to circumvent the policy, or that gets irate when you charge him for damage to the facility.
From a shooter's perspective, I probably would be insulted if the range officer accused me of shooting something and I didn't, or gave me flack for rapid fire. However, I would also try to build repoir with the guy instead of writing him off or cussing him out, because I've been in his shoes.
Remember, you get more flies with honey...
Semper Paratus Certified AR15 Armorer
Outdoor range here, $16 all day for both pistol and rifle
It's his range, he can do what he wants with it. Whether it has a positive or negative impact to his business.
With that said, the local indoor range here only requires to check your rifle rounds to make sure they aren't penetrator rounds that will damage their bullet trap. Also if you rent one of their guns, they require that you use their ammo. I don't disagree with these practices.
Are you saying you rip your customers off?
His statement said "often" and is therefore not all-inclusive of every range owner. So unless you lump yourself in with the rip-off portion, there is no need to be offended. You can exempt yourself from the statement.
The reality of the fact is that like any other business there will be some who choose to wring dry their customer base and some who choose to find a logical middle ground. With 10 rifle and 8 pistol and 10 bow dedicated lanes we have often discussed the need to alter costs to make the most of our lanes; certainly our pistol line fills quicker than our rifle. However, we came to the conclusion long ago that we would always put what was right in front of the bottom line. For 20 years it has done us well. All lanes cost the same.
As for bringing your own ammo, their was a push years ago to adopt this philosophy. We went against the grain and welcome most ammo. No frangibles and no tracing rounds (I personally think that is more than reasonable) have been allowed and we have no inclination to change that.
Our personal research has shown that rapid fire (while generally inaccurate for the general population which does pose it's own problem) does no more significant damage to our range system. We pride ourselves on catering to the LEO community and their unique needs. Our 10 rifle lanes are convertible for type specific SWAT training which often includes automatic and long cover fire. (Our local sherrifs department utilizes the venerable .338Lapua mag for long cover which beats the hell out of our system. We welcome it gladly.)
So please do not lump together the BS range owners who are after the almighty dollar with owners like us. Our philanthropy with the Boy Scouts and local high schools sets us apart from the maggots that leach off our society. And I do taken offense to it.
• formerly known as "eguns-com"
• M4Carbine required notice/disclaimer: I run eguns.com
•eguns.com has not been actively promoted in a long time though I still do Dillon special
orders, etc. and I have random left over inventory.
•"eguns.com" domain name for sale (not the webstore). Serious enquiries only.
Range fees at my clubs are reasonable, $2 for all day. That said, the attractive price comes with a moronic restriction:
at the pistol range, only 5 rounds in a magazine, and no rapid fire
at the rifle range, only 1 shot in the gun!!!(That rules makes me so furious, as it is so counter-intuitive)
I can deal with the pistol restrictions, but the rifle bullshit is making me look for another gun where they actually trust their members enough to shoot the guns as intended.
I wish I lived near BFE, it would make things a lot easier.
All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.
-Thomas Jefferson
Down here in Miami, my preferred indoor range is $10 a person, $1 for a target, + tax. No store bought ammo restrictions, unless you rent a handgun. The only downside to this range is rifles are allowed only if they're pistol caliber. AFAIK, there's no time limit.
This is what one infamous indoor range in Miami charges:
Pistol
$9 per hour with store bought ammo
$15 per hour with outside ammo
Rifle
$15 per hour with store bought ammo
$20 per hour with outside ammo.
There's also no Russian ammo allowed. I don't know how they stay in business.
Last edited by outrider627; 03-31-11 at 11:48.
Know your role, and shut your mouth.
All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.
-Thomas Jefferson
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