Ya'll. I'm a small business owner in the restaurant industry…read more.. I want to tell you a story of OUTSTANDING hospitality that I experienced on Wednesday. In the most UNLIKELY of places... "Hangtown Gun Range" I got out of my car with my pistol case and was walking in the front door so I could grab a lane and just toss a few rounds downrange. As soon as I opened the door the guy behind the counter stood up and welcomed me back "Hey man, welcome back. I saw you in here last week while I was teaching a class and I didn't catch your name..??.." So we introduced ourselves. I put my pistol case on the counter to grab my noise suppression ears on and started pulling out my card and my license to rent a lane. "Nick... Nice to see you man, how are the restaurants going..." Comes from over my shoulder. It's the guy who I rented a lane from the previous week. He came over and fist bumped me and we shot the shit for a while. I went to rent the lane and the first guy said "Nick... you should have a membership. If you shoot twice in a month it pays for itself ++ and then you get discounts off of range ammo and classes... it comes with a free life lock account which will save you $30" I said "Damn, I already feel like a member... So I guess I should make it official" I did the paperwork, signed up for the monthly fee... they charged me for the monthly fee and then REFUNDED me for the previous lane rental since I became a member so shortly after being there. "Yeah, we're here for the gun enthusiast community, not to take all your money... but whatever you spend on this hobby we want you to be with our family" DAMN... They did EVERYTHING I want my team to do... THEN I walk into the range and get set. While I'm setting up the range attendant who was there the last time knuckle bumps me and says "It's nice to see you again brother... you shooting the same two as last time" "Yeah. I don't have a collection, just these two to get better and more comfortable" "That M&P you've got is a great pistol... I'm thinking that might be my next one... Have fun today man" Then while I'm shooting I'm having trouble with my red dot. He read my body language and saw me grab a tool to start zeroing it and he asked if I need help with it... "Yep, I'm new at this and I don't know what I'm doing" "Awesome. I love getting new people addicted to this hobby.... I don't use red dots on any of my pistols but some people love them. Are you going to get a dot for your SIG or are you going to have one and one" "One and one" "Yeah, best to be comfortable with both styles" So then I went back to shooting... and finished up. Knuckle bump the attendant on the way out, Put my ears away in the main room. Got my license back and every single person working in the gun range came over and shook my hand before I left. "See you tomorrow" - from one "We have a free rapid fire class this weekend if you're around" - from another. "See you soon nick" from the last. HOLY CRAP!!! I've worked in the best restaurants and resorts around the world and I have never experienced hospitality like that. One team, one culture, one family, one goal... ALL in ... This is the only place I will ever spend my money or range time at. I will take all of their classes... etc. Each person. Unique points of contact. They used my NAME every chance they got. They make a physical connection (grift) with a handshake, buckle bump... WILD... A version of Gun Range hospitality should be our goal for every guest in every industry.

My first time at this range and it won't be the last time either. The guys there were very…read morepersonable, knowledgeable and informative. Jim made sure safety was first and foremost but also made sure that we enjoyed our experience - and have fun! Dale helped me with my gun that kept jamming. He assessed it, cleaned it and also fired a few rounds. The jams were not user error. It's the gun..don't buy Walther P22. It's not a reliable gun especially when your life depends on it. Dale showed me a few other compact guns that I can rent and try before I buy. They also have an archery range and classes. I will definitely be going back. Thinking about signing up for their yearly membership now.

I was given this class as a gift. I was a gun owner but very intimidated using my gun for multiple…read morereasons, the gun was troublesome and I had some PTSD issues but I wanted to overcome both. After taking Laura's class I felt so much more confidence that I have now joined a women's shooting club and have joined their marksmanship program. Laura is an amazing instructor and quite frankly a bad a!@ with a gun. You don't want anyone else to teach you. Laura takes her time answering any and all questions. The gun I had at the time I took her class gave me lots of grief with jamming and other issues. Laura did a great amount of research in helping me resolve troubleshooting my guns problems. Now I go shoot regularly I find it to be a super fun sport and thank Laura for her guidance. I highly recommend Laura for her professionalism, knowledge, and kindness.

I recently took Laura's NRA Basic Pistol Class! If you are a first time shooter, or returning, THIS…read moreis the class for you! I walked into the class a little intimidated over the prospect of holding a firearm. I knew it was something I wanted to do, as I felt being a single woman, I wanted to not only have a firearm for protection, but feel totally comfortable with it as well. I thought taking a class from a female would be helpful and it was. Laura was able to answer all my questions, we had plenty of in class room time in a safe environment going over gun safety, rules of gun safety, how a firearm works, what a misfire is, anything and everything the NRA requires prior to even stepping on a range. We then went to the range and she worked with us individually on our grip, stance, and target aim. At the end of the 8 hours, I felt not only very comfortable about what I was doing, but was ready to run out and buy my first gun! Using Laura was the best choice for myself. Laura's clear communication style and being a teacher by former trade, gives her the ability to break down the leaning skills in a comprehensive way. She understands women and works well with them. I will use Laura for all my future training needs! I of course ran out and purchased my first girly gun, and joined A Girl and A Gun National Shooting Club

Awesome Experience!!!!…read more Went here yesterday with a group of people and it was an experience that everyone should have! We were all pretty much average or below shooters before this class. John taught us the basic fundamentals on how to build sturdy triangles with our arms, bodies and legs to increase accuracy. Our groupings tightened up immediately after learning the fundamentals of shooting accurately. We all felt very safe and learned a whole lot about body mechanics and how they effect accuracy. All of us had a great time and are trying to arrange an Advanced Shooting Class soon. Please go do a class with John. It is a most wonderful experience! We will be back soon!!

I'm not sure there are many words that are adequate to describe the training, the partnership, the…read moreethics, the professionalism, the follow up with care that the owners of this company showed their students. It takes a lot to impress me, and they went above and beyond, even past their own business, referring to another business, that was more than willing to educate and help out in other matters. Taking this step in your life is something you do with thoughtful consideration, and is not for the faint of heart. So, if this is what you choose to do, these are the people you want to do it with! Thank you John & Heather (and team)!

I am never disappointed when having to requalify. Both Bobbie and Erica are excellent professional…read moreinstructors where Safety comes first!

I'm so glad this is the place I decided to go through for my classes. I cannot say enough good…read morethings. Bobby and Erica make such a great team. Their combined knowledge and experience make them top of the line instructors. I feel like I learned so much with them. I will def take more classes from them in the future.

awesome experience Better sound absorbing built…read more First target sheet is free. Unlimited time for lane buy Will be visiting again surely.

I went out for the first time today. The sign up was very easy and the range staff were very…read morefriendly, patient and helped me set up and sight in a scope. Highly recommended.

Absolutely the best for initial CCW training, renewals, and further advanced training. I actually…read morelook forward to my required renewal range time and classroom time with John & family. I highly recommend Defense Shot for Sac County and surrounding Counties.

We continue to with our education with Defense shot as they are very helpful, caring, and…read moreknowledgeable!! They make their classes comfortable for people of any level. Thank you

came in to get my gun i ordered. old dude looked it up on the ca doj pistol registry and saw it on…read morethe list then spend 10 minutes yelling at me that my gun was illegal. he was unbelievably rude and still ended up giving me my gun... i would never suggest shopping at this store.

Extremely helpful on helping me buy my first gun /springfield 1911 they treat you like family as…read moresoon as you walk in the door and make you feel welcome. Everyone I interacted with at this establishment was very knowledgeable and helpful! Will be back to shop very soon!

Just picked up my new gun at Big Horn. First time purchase at this longtime family owned business…read more So glad we have a place like this in our town with great guys to help us get what we need.

A real gun shop not a sporting goods store awesome knowledgeable staff cannot say the same for the…read moreother two in the county. I really appreciate their help. Everything from modern to old

It is the best rifle range in the area with in 60 miles from Manteca…read more It also has a 300 yard range when you get good enough at 100 yards. If you join the club you might get a chance to shoot at the 500 yard and 1000 yard when you join the ranks of bring qualified to join the ranks it is the only range i will go in the area. Very clean and organized. Well worth the drive.

Came out to Sacramento Valley Shooting for the first time with my girlfriend, who has a membership…read morehere. Together we've been to an indoor range in North Highlands that ai frequent, and the Mather shooting range before it closed. We came out here on a Sunday after so she could test out her new pistol, and so we could my rifles on the rifle side of the range. We checked in the main shop area, and picked up a speed loader and extra disposable ear plugs. And then eventually went out to the pistol range first. Both the pistol and long gun range alike, have a large number of shooting bags each. And each have a good range distance for shooting, wapwxially the rifle range. Definitely will be coming back for more outdoor shooting, and look forward to some long range shooting as well.

Martin is an exceptional instructor. His communication is clear, precise, and highly effective, and…read morehe stays focused on helping you become a more accurate and confident shooter. What really sets him apart is his patience--he never rushes the process and takes the time to make sure you truly understand each adjustment. I'm genuinely grateful for his guidance and expertise. Thank you again, Martin.

I have taken several classes here with Martin at AIM. This is one of the safest and extremely…read moreeducational ranges I've been to. I'd recommend him 10/10 times to anyone willing to learn in a great environment