Cruelshoes

Finally got to go to the local range today. It was my best experience ever at a public range for a few reasons:

1 - Cheap: I spent $30 for a year membership for me, and my daughter was free. That may not be as cheap as some, but I used to spend $10 a visit in California

2 - Close: I used to have to drive an hour to either my friends ranch or to the range to shoot. This range is about 1 mile. I can hear them shooting on Saturdays and it makes me smile every time.

3 - Small: Not a lot of people there this afternoon, exactly two including me. I get the impression that it is generally used but not crowded. The is a great advantage because a crowded range can lead to "yahoo exposure". It is also advantage for shooting a snubby. The closest targets are at 25 yards. At the range in California, I had to shoot for 10-15 minutes before I could walk the 25 yards to check my target. This is not conducive to checking your accuracy on a handgun. With a small range, once can agree with the fellow shooters to both check your targets sooner and to take some time up closer to the target to practice shooting at self defense distance.

4 - Sociability: At the other range, I talked to people a few times, but there was not a sense of community. In my one trip to the range, talking to just the one guy that was there I got a real sense of this being a friendly place. He was just a kid, but he seems to know people that come to the range and I could tell that it is a good place to get to know the quality locals. He and I shot each other's gun and it was great to get to know him.

In case you can't tell. I am happy about this. It was the first time in my life I was able to get off of work and just go for a quick trip. It wound up being about 90 minutes because he and I got to talking, but the fact is it COULD have been a quick trip if I needed it to be. Not exactly a home range, but the next best thing. I see myself taking many quick trips to shoot 6 or so cylinders and stay sharp.

JOHNNY WACKO

The friendly part is the best part.Ain't no fun when you feel like a loner. Glad to see you working your way into a new life with no regrets. I'm real happy for you buddy.

44s Rock

sheepdog

...welcome to the US of A...glad you made it!!!!

b.roberts

Glad you found a quality place to shoot. Having it so close is a real bonus.

deputy125

small friendly ranges are nice..............do they hold any types of competitions there?

Cruelshoes

I know that they do, but I don't think it is often. I do not have my finger on the pulse of what they do on a regular basis yet, but I will.

Bountyhunter

That's good to hear, Cruelshoes. I prefer my "range", but the one you're using sounds like a close second for sure.

Cruelshoes

Yes, your range is better for sure. The only advantage this one has is distance (up to 200 yards) and closeness (about 1 mile from my house). Yours, however is even cheaper and more private. After I get my girls settled back here (less than 2 weeks till I fly back!) you will have to come over my way and give it a shot.

Bountyhunter

I can do that.

Snuffy

Glad you have a range close and glad you know to use the time to shoot as well as talk with folks. Heck its how I learned about the bore snake love really does a good and fast too.

gunman42782

Sounds like a great place!

Cruelshoes

I recently started using one. I really do like it, works much better than I imagined on my revolver.

Snuffy

it sure does, and when i am out of town at a match i can make a fst clean up in the motel room and not make much of a mess lol. Still do the major cleaning the old fashon way but the bore snake is a must. Really out does its self on 204 Ruers and 223 ar's or not. Cleaning one up is a snap bucket of hot soapy water, i use dawn seems to work the best. Soak it in water a while and sqeeze out by hand> Ah past the bore bush part lol hang it up and let it drip dry usually over nite doe the job.

Cruelshoes

Thanks for the tip. I was wondering how I was going to clean this things.

Snuffy

Your more than welcome sir, they are somehandy little dude's to have around, like I said cleaning them is easy and fast and last for years been using mine for well over 6 or 7 years now. Still just as good as the day I got them.

Bountyhunter

That's the reason I never bought one. I couldn't figure out how to clean it. I may get one now.