Anyone Shoot At NRA Range In Fairfax???

John Ringo · April 28, 2005, 08:30 AM

Just curious what the range is like....

JR

mtnbkr · April 28, 2005, 09:05 AM

Nice.

Brightly lit
Programmable target carriers
Well ventilated
Professional Staff
50yds
rifle and handgun

Unfortunately, it's busy as heck these days. Be prepared to wait. Sometimes you get lucky and there's no wait though.

Chris

brickeyee · April 28, 2005, 09:21 AM

It has gotten very busy. I stopped using it on a regular basis due to waiting time and the closing for 'special events'.

John Ringo · April 28, 2005, 10:29 AM

Yeah, everything around Washington DC is busy. You can't go anywhere without impatient people in-front and behind you.

Is it jammed during the week between 8PM and 10PM ???

Duxman · April 28, 2005, 11:06 AM

I go there weekly. Yes the traffic is bad as many people found out its the best local range around. But the folks that go there and sit in the waiting room are very friendly. One can pick up quite a bit of knowledge standing around waiting for your turn.

On weekdays, dinner time (7pm or thereabouts) is the best time to go. As after dinner and right after work people are there and it is busy.

I try to go on Saturday AM's just when they open.

novus collectus · April 28, 2005, 11:43 AM

Are the rumors I hear true that it is in the basement of the NRA headquaters?

I was once told by someone who never went there that it is a 200yd indoor range. I feel foolish for believing that now.

brickeyee · April 28, 2005, 03:40 PM

There is a longer range in the building, but it is not a public range.

chris in va · April 29, 2005, 12:44 AM

Basement...sortof. You drive to the left of the two large main buildings and the range itself is surrounded by a parking garage.

Yesterday I got there at 530 for a group shoot at 6. When I arrived there was 6 people, then by 6 it was a decent waiting list.

Blue Ridge Arsenal isn't that far away (across the street from the Expo Center) and doesn't get as much use. They also rent guns, unlike the NRA.

Mike in VA · April 29, 2005, 08:37 AM

As noted, it's a nice, well run range. It's out behind the main bldg under the parking deck. It's even air conditioned

I have the luxury of being able to go during the day, as it opens at 10 AM on Mondays and Fridays, have never had to wait and I don't compete with those who have to keep regular working hours.

Blue Ridge Arsenal is also a nice range, but I haven't been there in a couple years and quit going because I was thoroughly underwhelmed with the lack of range supervision and a couple of wankers I encountered who really needed some supervision.

I hear it's under new management

novus collectus · April 29, 2005, 09:03 AM

Does the Blue Ridge range have the capability to allow rifles or is it just a pistol range? How is the smell? I ask because I used to have to close my windows for miles whenever I used to drive by the Blue Ridge treatment plant.

John Ringo · April 29, 2005, 09:17 AM

Is Blue Ridge Arsenal off of Route 66 as well???

JR

brickeyee · April 29, 2005, 09:40 AM

Blue Ridge is limited to pistol calibers. They use a 45 degree armored backstop to deflect everythng up (armored ceiling also at the stop). Even some pistol calibers can chip the armore and you wil be asked to stop using the gun if this occurs.
The NRA uses oil covered snails that can take almost anything.

Duxman · April 29, 2005, 12:27 PM

Brickeye,

Not true with Blue Ridge. You can use rifle rounds BUT you must use expensive Frangible rounds. (It is just around the corner from our office) and we shoot there at lunch sometimes.

At the NRA you can shoot any weapon up to a .50 cal.

The NRA range has the new water cooling backdrop. Very nice. Plus it has these massive A/C blowers that push the smell of cordite away from the shooter.

Blue Ridge does not.

brickeyee · April 29, 2005, 01:53 PM

They must have stocked up on the frangibles again.
Shooting a rifle at 25 yards is pretty much a waste anyway.

Mike in VA · April 29, 2005, 09:52 PM

BRA is just off Rt 50 a couple miles west of the NRA range, which is just east of 66 on 50.

stacker · December 4, 2009, 11:03 PM

I know this thread is pretty much dead, but does anyone know if the NRA range, or any other range near Fairfax, allow you to rent their guns? I'm looking to rent, preferably, a handgun (i.e. 1911/glock)?

**Mal H** · December 5, 2009, 12:44 AM

stacker - sorry, but no, the NRA range doesn't have any rental guns at all.

stacker · December 5, 2009, 01:22 AM

Mal H - Where could I go to rent guns [handguns] and shoot em'?

mtnbkr · December 5, 2009, 06:42 AM

Blue Ridge Arsenal in Chantilly rents (or used to, haven't been in years) handguns.

Chris

**Mike Irwin** · December 5, 2009, 07:20 AM

There's also Gilbert's in Springfield, on, I believe, Route 1.

kle · December 7, 2009, 11:44 AM

it's called Sharpshooters now--it's in Lorton, off Fairfax County Parkway (7100) on Terminal Rd. It's been cleaned up quite a bit since I was in there last (back before, when they were called Gilberts...about two months ago).

Blue Ridge Arsenal also rents guns, but I haven't been there for years (and it's about a mile or three from my house, too).

useful_idiot · December 8, 2009, 04:56 PM

Another range is the Silver Eagle Group in Ashburn. I thought they rented firearms, but couldn't find any info one way or the other on the web site.

Nice physical facility. YMMV.

April 28, 2005, 08:30 AM	#1
John Ringo Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2004 Location: Washington DC Posts: 379	Anyone Shoot At NRA Range In Fairfax??? Just curious what the range is like.... JR __________________ Regards, John Ringo "I like these calm little moments before the storm (Stansfield, The Professional)."

April 28, 2005, 10:29 AM	#4
John Ringo Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2004 Location: Washington DC Posts: 379	Yeah, everything around Washington DC is busy. You can't go anywhere without impatient people in-front and behind you. Is it jammed during the week between 8PM and 10PM ??? __________________ Regards, John Ringo "I like these calm little moments before the storm (Stansfield, The Professional)."

April 29, 2005, 08:37 AM	#9
Mike in VA Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 1998 Location: Santa FE, NM Posts: 2,163	As noted, it's a nice, well run range. It's out behind the main bldg under the parking deck. It's even air conditioned I have the luxury of being able to go during the day, as it opens at 10 AM on Mondays and Fridays, have never had to wait and I don't compete with those who have to keep regular working hours. Blue Ridge Arsenal is also a nice range, but I haven't been there in a couple years and quit going because I was thoroughly underwhelmed with the lack of range supervision and a couple of wankers I encountered who really needed some supervision. I hear it's under new management __________________ M2 The Second Amendment IS homeland defense!

April 29, 2005, 09:17 AM	#11
John Ringo Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2004 Location: Washington DC Posts: 379	Is Blue Ridge Arsenal off of Route 66 as well??? JR __________________ Regards, John Ringo "I like these calm little moments before the storm (Stansfield, The Professional)."

April 29, 2005, 09:52 PM	#15
Mike in VA Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 1998 Location: Santa FE, NM Posts: 2,163	BRA is just off Rt 50 a couple miles west of the NRA range, which is just east of 66 on 50. __________________ M2 The Second Amendment IS homeland defense!

April 28, 2005, 09:05 AM	#2
mtnbkr Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2000 Location: Manassas, Virginia Posts: 914	Nice. Brightly lit Programmable target carriers Well ventilated Professional Staff 50yds rifle and handgun Unfortunately, it's busy as heck these days. Be prepared to wait. Sometimes you get lucky and there's no wait though. Chris

April 28, 2005, 09:21 AM	#3
brickeyee Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2004 Posts: 3,351	It has gotten very busy. I stopped using it on a regular basis due to waiting time and the closing for 'special events'.

April 28, 2005, 11:06 AM	#5
Duxman Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2005 Location: VA Posts: 1,294	I go there weekly. Yes the traffic is bad as many people found out its the best local range around. But the folks that go there and sit in the waiting room are very friendly. One can pick up quite a bit of knowledge standing around waiting for your turn. On weekdays, dinner time (7pm or thereabouts) is the best time to go. As after dinner and right after work people are there and it is busy. I try to go on Saturday AM's just when they open.

April 28, 2005, 11:43 AM	#6
novus collectus Junior member Join Date: March 15, 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 940	Are the rumors I hear true that it is in the basement of the NRA headquaters? I was once told by someone who never went there that it is a 200yd indoor range. I feel foolish for believing that now.

April 28, 2005, 03:40 PM	#7
brickeyee Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2004 Posts: 3,351	There is a longer range in the building, but it is not a public range.

April 29, 2005, 12:44 AM	#8
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Basement...sortof. You drive to the left of the two large main buildings and the range itself is surrounded by a parking garage. Yesterday I got there at 530 for a group shoot at 6. When I arrived there was 6 people, then by 6 it was a decent waiting list. Blue Ridge Arsenal isn't that far away (across the street from the Expo Center) and doesn't get as much use. They also rent guns, unlike the NRA.

April 29, 2005, 09:03 AM	#10
novus collectus Junior member Join Date: March 15, 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 940	Does the Blue Ridge range have the capability to allow rifles or is it just a pistol range? How is the smell? I ask because I used to have to close my windows for miles whenever I used to drive by the Blue Ridge treatment plant.

April 29, 2005, 09:40 AM	#12
brickeyee Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2004 Posts: 3,351	Blue Ridge is limited to pistol calibers. They use a 45 degree armored backstop to deflect everythng up (armored ceiling also at the stop). Even some pistol calibers can chip the armore and you wil be asked to stop using the gun if this occurs. The NRA uses oil covered snails that can take almost anything.

April 29, 2005, 12:27 PM	#13
Duxman Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2005 Location: VA Posts: 1,294	Brickeye, Not true with Blue Ridge. You can use rifle rounds BUT you must use expensive Frangible rounds. (It is just around the corner from our office) and we shoot there at lunch sometimes. At the NRA you can shoot any weapon up to a .50 cal. The NRA range has the new water cooling backdrop. Very nice. Plus it has these massive A/C blowers that push the smell of cordite away from the shooter. Blue Ridge does not.

April 29, 2005, 01:53 PM	#14
brickeyee Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2004 Posts: 3,351	They must have stocked up on the frangibles again. Shooting a rifle at 25 yards is pretty much a waste anyway.

December 4, 2009, 11:03 PM	#16
stacker Junior Member Join Date: December 4, 2009 Posts: 3	I know this thread is pretty much dead, but does anyone know if the NRA range, or any other range near Fairfax, allow you to rent their guns? I'm looking to rent, preferably, a handgun (i.e. 1911/glock)?

December 5, 2009, 12:44 AM	#17
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,948	stacker - sorry, but no, the NRA range doesn't have any rental guns at all.

December 5, 2009, 01:22 AM	#18
stacker Junior Member Join Date: December 4, 2009 Posts: 3	Mal H - Where could I go to rent guns [handguns] and shoot em'?

December 5, 2009, 06:42 AM	#19
mtnbkr Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2000 Location: Manassas, Virginia Posts: 914	Blue Ridge Arsenal in Chantilly rents (or used to, haven't been in years) handguns. Chris

December 5, 2009, 07:20 AM	#20
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	There's also Gilbert's in Springfield, on, I believe, Route 1. __________________ "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.

December 7, 2009, 11:44 AM	#21
kle Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2007 Location: NoVA, USA Posts: 419	it's called Sharpshooters now--it's in Lorton, off Fairfax County Parkway (7100) on Terminal Rd. It's been cleaned up quite a bit since I was in there last (back before, when they were called Gilberts...about two months ago). Blue Ridge Arsenal also rents guns, but I haven't been there for years (and it's about a mile or three from my house, too).

December 8, 2009, 04:56 PM	#22
useful_idiot Junior Member Join Date: May 14, 2008 Location: Herndon, VA Posts: 3	Rental firearms Another range is the Silver Eagle Group in Ashburn. I thought they rented firearms, but couldn't find any info one way or the other on the web site. Nice physical facility. YMMV.