NRA Range

ACP230 · November 25, 2002, 09:03 AM

I see that some posters have shot on the range at the NRA Headquarters in VA. How is it to shoot there? Is it difficult to get a spot? How is the range design? How much does it cost to book an hour of range time? Discounts for NRA members?

I plan to get there someday and am curious about it.

MJRW · November 25, 2002, 01:05 PM

Its very pleasant to shoot there. Well ventilated, clean, good distance, nice equipment, and the people are nice. Some nights I have to wait about 30 minutes for a spot, most you get a spot immediately. Then again, I shoot Wednesdays, Thursdays, or Sundays.

It is 12 lanes, out to 50 yards. Rolling tables, not fixed. Electronic control of target trolley. I don't know if they've fully implemented friend/edge/foe programming yet, but I believe that it is going to be soon if it is not. Time is 12$ for the first person, 8$ for a second person on a lane. You have to be a member to shoot there or a guest of a member. One guest per member. Non-members not sharing a lane as a guest of a member are 15$/hour. However, I've only been told my time is up once on a very very busy night.

K80Geoff · November 25, 2002, 01:39 PM

The target trolleys are geat, once you figure out how they work. The range personnel are not very helpful, mostly young kids with an attitude.

The ventilation is the best I have seen in an indoor range, but the range seems to be louder than others.

Plenty of room behind the firing points, well lit, and they have sinks to wash up after you finish shooting.

They apparently have no problem with policing brass, even provide a "Pooper Scooper" so you don't have to bend over!

You do have to take a test before you are allowed to shoot, so be prepared. But the test is simple, even Soda Pop passed

The TFL mob did get thrown out last friday night because the range was busy.

MJRW · November 25, 2002, 01:48 PM

Strange. Most of the staff there I have encountered are older gentlemen who are very nice and helpful. I've only encountered a few younger people and even they were friendly.

**Mal H** · November 25, 2002, 03:17 PM

I've been there many many times and the personnel are almost without exception first class and helpful. Ed Wages who runs the place couldn't be nicer or more knowledgeable and his people try to emulate his behavior.

Last Friday was the single exception to the above. However, they were severely understaffed on that day. One experienced person and one apparently learning the ropes. I think they were getting stressed out by the unexpected crowd. Still they were relatively cool and all worked out in the end. It was one of the rare occasions when they asked us to wrap it up after about an hour and 10 minutes or so since there was a waiting list. You can usually shoot for 1 1/2 or 2 hours if you wish if no one is waiting.

K80Geoff · November 25, 2002, 04:14 PM

Well than it must be my deviant personality that draws out the attitude in youngsters, especially young women

Two visits, two different sets of range personnel, same attitude.

I must have a talent for this. I am sure it is just me.

The range is worth visiting, and is a first class facility. I will go back to shoot there.

**Mike Irwin** · November 25, 2002, 05:07 PM

Mal/Geoff,

What's the problems you're talking about?

I didn't notice any.

Some of the people who work there aren't the most personable in the world, but I didn't notice any friction...

**Mal H** · November 25, 2002, 05:16 PM

Geoff, I don't think it was you, you're too easy going to cause problems.

What did the young lady do or say that rubbed you the wrong way?

Mike, the two young men were getting a little flustered just before you came, but they were in no way impolite. Even when one of them asked you not to handle your guns in the range shop, he wasn't overbearing or rude. He was just pointing out the rule as he knew it. I didn't have a problem with them at all.

9mmMike · November 25, 2002, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Time is 12$ for the first person, 8$ for a second person on a lane. You have to be a member to shoot there or a guest of a member.

You have to be a member and it still costs money to use the range? Is that right?
What does your membership buy?
The place I shoot cost's about 100/year and the range time is free and unlimited.
I'm sure that I must have missed something in this thread.....
Mike

edited to add:
Wait, I think I get it. You have to be an "NRA" member to shoot. Is that right?

**Mal H** · November 25, 2002, 05:38 PM

Right.

They do have 1 year and 6 month memberships at the range. If you shoot a lot, it's well worth it to go that route, doesn't take long to break even and then you shoot for free, so to speak. It used to be in the $200 /yr range, but it is probably higher now. I've moved out of the area and only go there now when there is a TFL shoot so I haven't gotten a yearly rate in a while.

Jamie Young · November 25, 2002, 11:17 PM

I didn't have any problems with anyone except that MODERATOR that put 5 shots in a 6 shot revolver and sat back and laughed at me for flinching.

That wasn't on video was it?

I liked having an indoor 50yd range. I would have liked to have played around with the automated stuff.

They could do something about the baffles between the lanes. They way they have it set-up the lanes actually direct the sound right back at you.

**Mal H** · November 26, 2002, 01:33 AM

Uh uh! I put 6 shots in the revolver. It's just that one of them had been pre-tested for proper function.

But you did see for yourself what you were doing. No guesswork required. (And Geoff and I didn't laugh, we only smiled a little.)

I agree about the negative effect of the baffles. I could feel the blast when you fired when I was standing behind you.

Jamie Young · November 26, 2002, 02:32 AM

Quote:

I could feel the blast when you fired when I was standing behind you.

Most people say that when standing behind someone shooting a 44magnum. Better than standing in front.

ACP230 · November 27, 2002, 02:38 PM

Thanks for the info, guys.

A trip east is a long way off, but I know one place I intend to for sure when I get there.

Rmf33 · November 30, 2002, 03:02 AM

Are we dicussing Whittington? If so what are the rifle stations like? Outdoors?
Thanks,
Bob

ACP230 · November 30, 2002, 02:30 PM

Not Wittington. "NRA range at the headquarters in VA."

Doug444 · December 2, 2002, 11:55 AM

Just don't go there on Tuesday - the range is closed to the public on that day. I know - I was there last Tuesday

! Had a great tour of the museum, though, and that alone was worth the side trip from our DC excursion.

What was REALLY cool was that my Utah CCW was valid in VA! Outside the beltway, I was "normal"!

Doug444

November 25, 2002, 09:03 AM	#1
ACP230 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2000 Posts: 708	NRA Range I see that some posters have shot on the range at the NRA Headquarters in VA. How is it to shoot there? Is it difficult to get a spot? How is the range design? How much does it cost to book an hour of range time? Discounts for NRA members? I plan to get there someday and am curious about it. __________________ "To disarm the people (is) the best & most effectual way to enslave them." George Mason.

November 25, 2002, 01:05 PM	#2
MJRW Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2002 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 260	Its very pleasant to shoot there. Well ventilated, clean, good distance, nice equipment, and the people are nice. Some nights I have to wait about 30 minutes for a spot, most you get a spot immediately. Then again, I shoot Wednesdays, Thursdays, or Sundays. It is 12 lanes, out to 50 yards. Rolling tables, not fixed. Electronic control of target trolley. I don't know if they've fully implemented friend/edge/foe programming yet, but I believe that it is going to be soon if it is not. Time is 12$ for the first person, 8$ for a second person on a lane. You have to be a member to shoot there or a guest of a member. One guest per member. Non-members not sharing a lane as a guest of a member are 15$/hour. However, I've only been told my time is up once on a very very busy night. __________________ Whar's me Ruger? Last edited by MJRW; November 25, 2002 at 01:25 PM.

November 25, 2002, 01:39 PM	#3
K80Geoff Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 1998 Location: NE Pennsylvania Posts: 3,641	The target trolleys are geat, once you figure out how they work. The range personnel are not very helpful, mostly young kids with an attitude. The ventilation is the best I have seen in an indoor range, but the range seems to be louder than others. Plenty of room behind the firing points, well lit, and they have sinks to wash up after you finish shooting. They apparently have no problem with policing brass, even provide a "Pooper Scooper" so you don't have to bend over! You do have to take a test before you are allowed to shoot, so be prepared. But the test is simple, even Soda Pop passed The TFL mob did get thrown out last friday night because the range was busy. __________________ I am no longer a member of this forum. Bye!

November 25, 2002, 01:48 PM	#4
MJRW Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2002 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 260	Strange. Most of the staff there I have encountered are older gentlemen who are very nice and helpful. I've only encountered a few younger people and even they were friendly. __________________ Whar's me Ruger?

November 25, 2002, 04:14 PM	#6
K80Geoff Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 1998 Location: NE Pennsylvania Posts: 3,641	Well than it must be my deviant personality that draws out the attitude in youngsters, especially young women Two visits, two different sets of range personnel, same attitude. I must have a talent for this. I am sure it is just me. The range is worth visiting, and is a first class facility. I will go back to shoot there. __________________ I am no longer a member of this forum. Bye!

November 25, 2002, 03:17 PM	#5
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern VA Posts: 14,068	I've been there many many times and the personnel are almost without exception first class and helpful. Ed Wages who runs the place couldn't be nicer or more knowledgeable and his people try to emulate his behavior. Last Friday was the single exception to the above. However, they were severely understaffed on that day. One experienced person and one apparently learning the ropes. I think they were getting stressed out by the unexpected crowd. Still they were relatively cool and all worked out in the end. It was one of the rare occasions when they asked us to wrap it up after about an hour and 10 minutes or so since there was a waiting list. You can usually shoot for 1 1/2 or 2 hours if you wish if no one is waiting.

November 25, 2002, 05:07 PM	#7
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 33,097	Mal/Geoff, What's the problems you're talking about? I didn't notice any. Some of the people who work there aren't the most personable in the world, but I didn't notice any friction... __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

November 25, 2002, 05:16 PM	#8
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern VA Posts: 14,068	Geoff, I don't think it was you, you're too easy going to cause problems. What did the young lady do or say that rubbed you the wrong way? Mike, the two young men were getting a little flustered just before you came, but they were in no way impolite. Even when one of them asked you not to handle your guns in the range shop, he wasn't overbearing or rude. He was just pointing out the rule as he knew it. I didn't have a problem with them at all.

November 25, 2002, 05:38 PM	#10
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern VA Posts: 14,068	Right. They do have 1 year and 6 month memberships at the range. If you shoot a lot, it's well worth it to go that route, doesn't take long to break even and then you shoot for free, so to speak. It used to be in the $200 /yr range, but it is probably higher now. I've moved out of the area and only go there now when there is a TFL shoot so I haven't gotten a yearly rate in a while.

November 25, 2002, 11:17 PM	#11
Jamie Young Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2000 Location: SE/PA Posts: 4,834	I didn't have any problems with anyone except that MODERATOR that put 5 shots in a 6 shot revolver and sat back and laughed at me for flinching. That wasn't on video was it? I liked having an indoor 50yd range. I would have liked to have played around with the automated stuff. They could do something about the baffles between the lanes. They way they have it set-up the lanes actually direct the sound right back at you. __________________ Find out about Gun Shows and Training activities. www.TheRallyPoint.org Get your gun club involved!!

November 26, 2002, 01:33 AM	#12
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern VA Posts: 14,068	Uh uh! I put 6 shots in the revolver. It's just that one of them had been pre-tested for proper function. But you did see for yourself what you were doing. No guesswork required. (And Geoff and I didn't laugh, we only smiled a little.) I agree about the negative effect of the baffles. I could feel the blast when you fired when I was standing behind you.

November 27, 2002, 02:38 PM	#14
ACP230 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2000 Posts: 708	Thanks for the info, guys. A trip east is a long way off, but I know one place I intend to for sure when I get there. __________________ "To disarm the people (is) the best & most effectual way to enslave them." George Mason.

November 30, 2002, 03:02 AM	#15
Rmf33 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2000 Location: Nacogdoches, Texas Posts: 126	Are we dicussing Whittington? If so what are the rifle stations like? Outdoors? Thanks, Bob __________________ Illegitimi non Carborundum “There are two types of people; those that try to get you to do something that you'd rather not, and all others.” NRA Lifer TFL Alumnus

November 30, 2002, 02:30 PM	#16
ACP230 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2000 Posts: 708	Not Wittington. "NRA range at the headquarters in VA." __________________ "To disarm the people (is) the best & most effectual way to enslave them." George Mason.

December 2, 2002, 11:55 AM	#17
Doug444 Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2001 Location: Draper, UT Posts: 254	Just don't go there on Tuesday - the range is closed to the public on that day. I know - I was there last Tuesday ! Had a great tour of the museum, though, and that alone was worth the side trip from our DC excursion. What was REALLY cool was that my Utah CCW was valid in VA! Outside the beltway, I was "normal"! Doug444