I have been to a variety of shooting ranges. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages. Different prices get you different amenities. However the basic purpose of every shooting range is to provide a safe place to practice your marksmanship. I decided to try out Blackhawk because some of the other ranges have been a bit crowded lately and I was told that this one is more spacious. It is more spacious. You are not likely to be showered by the spent cases of the person next to you. A nice variety of weapons are allowed. There are no restrictions on rate of fire. These were all very attractive to me. I went ahead and purchased an extended membership.
The problem is this. One person supervises the entire range from inside an office. We were instructed that that customers supervise themselves. I have never seen so many people with no concept of basic gun safety. People were sweeping others with their barrels. People were walking up to switch out targets will other in the same line were still firing (no cease fire called). People were shooting from behind other people in the same line. People were continuing to handle their weapons during a cease fire. When I went to talk to the only supervisor, his response was, "I am only one person. Customer's need to handle gun safety themselves." I went back to shooting, but when a man continues loading shotgun shells into his gun for the third cease fire in a row there is a definite problem. When I asked that customer to please not handle his loaded weapon during a cease fire when people are down range, his answer was, "It's not your shooting range!" There is never a good time to get confrontational with someone with a loaded shotgun. I pack up my things to leave. Even though I had just paid for an extended membership, I had no intension of returning. When I went back to the office to return my targets, I was told to leave and never return.
I am anything but a hothead. It takes a lot to upset me. I never loose my composure. There are a few things I am not going to compromise on, and one of them is safety. If you are willing to compromise on safety, then this is your place. You may have a great time, or you may end up in a body bag. Suddenly I have a renewed love for the other ranges I frequent where safety is a priority. read more