What a great experience! Safety is paramount here. The staff is friendly and professional. They have a great showroom and the cleanest range in which I've ever shot. I'm not sure about the previous reviews with claims of racism, the staff and customers are just as diverse as anywhere in our great city of Philadelphia! Philadelphia Training Academy is a quick 5 block walk from the Broad St. Line through a nice neighborhood. I couldn't leave without treating myself with a membership, I'm looking forward to going back often! read more

An awesome range. A lot of good advice and knowledgeable staff. Highly recommend it Staff knows the good from the excellent. Competently answered all my questions read more

We had a great experience here. I took my husband here as one of his birthday presents. Neither of us had any experience with guns (like we've never even held a real one) so we signed up for a lesson and then shot at the range afterward. The lesson, gun rental, protective gear, lane rental etc was all included in the $75pp price and I just had to buy ammunition which was $49 for a box of 50. The lesson was informative and necessary and our instructor Vince was very helpful. We would definitely return. read more

Thanks soooo much to Chris! I've been to a few ranges and even took a safety class before but this one was more hands on for my specific firearm. He was very professional and also showed care and safety for me as well. I learned a lot and improved my skills, I even went back again on my own without help and did an amazing job. The fee was average, but all of the employees are really nice and safety is there main concern which I really appreciate. Truly a training academy read more

Was a member and loved the people and the place. Wish we could bring in our ammo but there not too bad.

Customer service is horrible.Very judgemental,unprofessional and flat out ignorant. Go to any other gun shop in the city. Thank me later.

Knowledgeable and experienced staff, with a wide range of products. They keep the range clean and don't gouge you with outrageous guest or target fees. Highly recommend. read more

I enjoy shooting at this indoor range. Parking is hard to find. They have guns and gun stuff for sale. They provide eyes and ears. Staff upstairs in the shooting area are very helpful. When I first started shooting there they gave me some good tips and I always see them helping others perfect their aim. We spend about an hour or so on a weekend, shoot a couple boxes of range ammo then go get tacos from south Philly barbacoa on the corner. 4 stars cuz u need to make an appointment also not many people allowed in the store at once so you could be waiting outside for a while before u get in. Safety First!!! read more

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Nice cool place quick and straight forward. They are organized with time so make sure you're on time read more

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Overall the entire experience from even getting questions answered along with the recommendations for furthering yourself into the fire-arms world read more

Great location. A bit expensive, and I wish they would rent full auto SMG's (or any firearm for that matter).

Not very helpful and either lazy/don't care/outright liars. I went there for an FFL and they never sent the firearm to the FFL and after a couple of weeks, I called them and to find out what happened and they told me that they couldn't send it. There wasnt any explanation...I came to find out it wasnt compliant with the state to which I was sending it. That's my fault to which I will admit, but my issue is why would they just sit on it for a couple of weeks? You literally have all of my information to take it off your hands and not take up space. When I went back to get it, my experience fell in line with other negative reviewers here. No one helped me, everyone just on their phone and when I approached someone, the guy (same tall Caucasian male that helped me before) looked annoyed and just shooed me away to the lady behind the corner. They have a culture problem as a company and that's why I have taken my money to GTC or Target World. read more

Had a great time taking a safety class and going on the range with Vince! This is a safe space.

Only range I use in Philadelphia to Buy and Sell firearms, they have a wide selection and the price is pretty good read more

Philadelphia Training Academy - Polish arms AK 47 Hellpup 7.62 - Gun/Rifle Ranges Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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I came here as a first-time buyer/owner of a firearm, hoping to get help finding a gun. Everyone was nice and friendly. But they didn't do a good job helping me pick the right gun for me. It seemed like they just wanted to make a sale. I bought the gun and went straight upstairs after to try the gun out, and I wasn't happy with the gun. It had a delay in releasing the bullet/long trigger. So, I went back downstairs to see what they could do for me, and they told me I could sell it back to them, but I wouldn't get back what I bought it for. I will get back a lot less (minutes after purchasing the gun from them). They told me they could fix the gun and adjust it to my liking, and I agreed. They told me they would order the part and call me to bring the Firearm back when the part comes in. And they'll fix it and not Charge me for the labor. LOL, that was a little more than a week ago. I never heard back from them. I didn't try calling them because they told me to expect a callback within that week. He stated the part will come in like 1-2 business days. It's been past that. If you're a first-time firearm buyer and don't know much about guns, this is not the place to shop for one. Now I'm stuck with a gun I'm not happy with smh. read more

Came in and spoke with Rasheed who was very helpful and well informed about their firearms. The whole process took about 40 minutes and that included a background check, discussion about classes and their range, purchasing my handgun and a membership. Looking forward to returning to lean more and practice. I highly recommend this spot! read more

Today was a milestone for me because I did something I've had on the checklist for many years. I shot a gun (safely and legally here, of course). And yes, I realize that shooting is not for everyone, and if that someone is you, then you don't have to read my review. But thanks for stopping by Yelp anyway :) But if you're even a little bit curious about going to a shooting range, or you're a seasoned pro, I highly recommend you check out the Philadelphia Archery & Gun Club. I went with a friend of mine who is a gun owner and has been there before and another friend who, like me, was a first timer. From the moment we walked in the door the staff was friendly and professional. Admittedly, I was a little weirded out by all the gun stuff, but hey, I WAS in a shooting range, so I knew I'd be seeing firearms. My friend and I signed a waver, we all three showed our licences, and then went upstairs to the range. It is a very safe facility and you have to go through multiple doors to end up in the shooting range itself. Once upstairs, we were given earphones, safety glasses, a target and oh, yeah, bullets. Gulp. This was the real deal. I was actually going to shoot a gun. I think I got a little sweaty and my industrial goggles actually fogged up. We went through another 2 sets of doors and then there we were, gun, bullets and all. After a lesson on loading it and proper etiquette (bottom line - don't point it at people and don't be a spazz) I stepped up to give it a try. First things first - if you've never shot a gun or heard one before (like me) it's extremely surprising how damn loud it is (ohh, THAT'S why you wear earphones). And the kickback on the gun (I was shooting a Glock) was unexpected, too. Oh yeah, be prepared for shells to fly, which takes a little getting used to. The first shot was really, really scary. The second, a little less so. And by the third, well, I was totally into it. I emptied one clip and my friend took her turn (hopefully she will Yelp about it, too). And then I had one last try before I had to get back to my regularly scheduled life. My grand finale involved emptying a round into the target of a 70's dude who looked a little like Ron Jeramy. It was crazily satisfying and I left feeling very empowered. And, believe it or not, I was actually pretty good at it. There was an instructor (Bobby) who was on hand to answer our questions and show us proper positioning so we didn't slice our thumbs off. And the fee that we paid when we left was incredibly reasonable for 20 minutes of feeling like a badass. I'm never going to own a gun and I'm not interested in ever shooting anything outside the walls of a shooting range. But I am almost certain that I'll be back, because this was an experience unlike anything else I've ever done before. read more

Philadelphia Training Academy - Gun/Rifle Ranges Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I came in here with a friend of mine who is an avid gun collector, marksman, and proud member of the Air Force. He was looking to buy some particular firearms and, after going to 2 other places with no luck, we decided to come here. Customer service was initially spotty but once my friend made it clear he was a serious buyer, he received more help. They have a very nice array of shotguns, handguns, and even tasers. I asked an employee if they sell any archery equipment and they said no because no one was coming there for that anymore (darn, I can't get my Pocahontas on). After deciding on my friend's purchases, we went upstairs to the range to test them out. This was only my second time shooting guns and I was very apprehensive about shooting a shotgun and a Sig Sauer 556, which are both big and very powerful and therefore we had to shoot them from 45' away which puts your target at whatever distance you would like via a single press of a button (very convenient). Well, I couldn't go out like a punk so I let off a few rounds fairly easily and handily, satisfying myself and the mini audience that developed on the other side of the safety glass. The guy that was monitoring the lanes was helpful and even commented on my target sheet saying I was a natural. **dusting my shoulders off** I'd def be back to practice some more. One can never be too good of a shot. read more

Philadelphia Training Academy - shooting in S.Philly with the Sig Sauer - Gun/Rifle Ranges Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

One day I chanced upon a Groupon to try out a local gun range in town. The Groupon included a lesson, gun rental, and use of the range. Of course, nowhere on the Groupon did it say what kind of gun we were renting (a 22 caliber) so there was an upcharge for the 9mm Glock 19. "The 22 caliber is like a pea shooter compared to the 9mm," my instructor advised, so I went with the upgrade, which was basically $21 or so for the 9mm bullets (50 of them). The instructor (John) was great. He was entertaining and kept us very well informed of the basics. The salespeople were all very nice. I did my best to hide my nervousness and the experience didn't actually hit me until I walked upstairs and entered the actual range. John and the other instructors did a great job of keeping my confidence up since I've never fired a gun before, much less a 9mm. Until then, my only experience with guns was through videogames and this did not feel like a videogame in the least. What I walked out of the gun range with was a healthy respect for and awareness of firearms. In the weeks and months that followed, every time I see my kids or anyone else's kids pointing toy guns at each other, I'd tell them to stop and think about what they're doing. "You never point a gun at someone unless you intend to kill," I repeated from my instructor's lesson. This is as good as it gets, guys and girls! read more

A bit more specialized of a review. This will be mostly centered on Philadelphia Training Academy(also called South Philly Archery and Gun club) as a PA ACT 235 school for Security Guards, Private Detectives, ACT 25 Certified Agents etc. If you need a physical and the psychological examination done, PTA offers both. As they have a physician and a PA licensed psychologist on certain weekends to provide those services. Of course, they provide the 40 hours Basic Firearms Course for ACT 235 agents. It's really a one stop shop to get certified. In all of those areas, PTA is pretty damn convenient. Their instructor for the course is Mike Hall. He is amazing. He teaches with humor and an unorthodox style so you won't fall asleep a la Death by Power point. So 5 stars for the great PA ACT 235 program and services they offer. Now on to their gun shop and firing range. They stock many firearms, accessories, duty belts, holsters, even some carrier vests. Won't comment on gun buying as I haven't bought from them. Their line up is extensive. From new to used, they have plenty to browse. Its always freaking crowded in their shooting range. Especially on weekends. read more

I have been wanting to go to a gun range for some time. When I saw the Amazon Local offer, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to follow through on this desire. I decided to make this a 'girls outing. There were 3 of us & we were all 1st time shooters. We were informed that we needed to complete safety training & Ed was our instructor & he was Great!! He provided a great overview & help decrease our apprehension about shooting guns. Once on the floor where everyone was shooting- the gun sounds were startlingly--initially, but as time went on & a gun was in my hands...I felt like an old pro!! Lol Can't wait to come back on Wednesdays, because that's 'Ladies Night'..which means..Ladies 'shoot' for FREE...No cover charge...just gun rental & ammo...nice deal!! read more

This spot is located in the middle of the end of a block and if you don't know about it, you will probably miss it. It looks like a typical gun shop on the inside, has a small room that looks like it's for safety training purposes, and another small section that serves as the gun range. It was my first time at a range and not really what I expected but my experience was pretty good. The staff was knowledgeable, helpful and provided excellent customer service. The shooting area was sufficient, just very, very cold and kind of tight. I like that they don't charge by the hour and love the fact that I wasn't rushed because loading, unloading, and shooting a gun is most definitely a learning process. This is a great place to learn. Good club rates too! read more

I have never imagined having to purchase a fire arm. As an older female in Philadelphia in this day and age has brought me to a point that I need to protect my family. My first visit was 2020 and I was greeted and made felt very comfortable considering how nervous I was purchasing my first fire arm. The employees in this establishment are extremely knowledgeable and professional with an admirable down to earth persona and I say that for everyone in there. The owner is very helpful and kind. In their line of business I realize how important it is to be alert at all times and within this place I felt extremely safe. I admire how each piece I questioned was explained in depth to me and all questions I had were answered in a way I can personally understand. They have a great deal on memberships for training and firing range! I wholeheartedly recommend anyone who is new to fire arms or just looking for a great place to purchase another...to go to this establishment. I will go here every time I need to and will recommend everyone in there as your sales associate! Thank you Philadelphia Training Academy for all your service! read more

There are a lot of reasons one can muster-up as to why they would go to a gun range. Regardless of the reason the venue is just as important. This place was clean, neat and organized. The safety instructor was awesome. He was encouraging and reinforcing, which was greatly appreciated considering my girls were nervous. Joined membership on the spot. They have a Mother's Day Special going on - check it out. read more

Philadelphia Training Academy - Mother's Day Special 2019 - Gun/Rifle Ranges Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Stop by the store today. Since I got such bad treatment at the last gun store. The gentleman was very nice and very helpful. He let me know that they didn't have what I needed but when the new shipment would arrive. I highly recommend this location! Kudos 5 stars!!! read more

This was a great experience! I got this deal on Groupon and went with my girlfriend. It was the first time for the both of us to handle guns. This turned out to be a memorable, enlightening and fun experience for the both of us. Our instructor, John, was extremely nice and very helpful and thoughtful. He went through our safety instructions very thoroughly. We then got some gun range time and I also got some 9mm bullets to shoot. We both got to learn more about handling guns and about guns itself. read more

Philadelphia Training Academy - Gun/Rifle Ranges Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Good training. Busy place. People were not rude per se, but didn't seem to want to spend time either. Prices kind of high, too. Not disabled friendly. read more

I've been a member here for 3 non-contiguous Year's. Not anymore, but only because I've moved out of the city. Have bought a pistol and AR here and also sold a pistol on consignment. Always very easy to do business with. Their processes are pretty straightforward if you want to shoot. Bring your own gun and go right to the range, or take a short safety class if you'd like to rent one of theirs. One your a member, you just pay for ammo and guest fees are cheaper, so overall a very good deal. Biggest compliment I can give about this place is about their people. Safety is obviously very important, but it's easy to get annoyed with newbies at the range or start to seem condescending when reminding an experienced shooter of the rules. PTA does a good job tempering that. Brought my wife and in laws here (who are from Taiwan and don't speak any English) as owning firearms isn't legal in their country and they wanted to try shooting some of mine. Philadelphia Training Academy is not the closest range for us (by far) but reading reviews of all the other places nearby, they all emphasized unfriendly and impatient service. We opted to drive all the way into the city to PTA because we know how nice everyone was from our previous time as members. Couldn't have been a better decision. We didn't come at a busy time, but still, everyone went the extra mile to really make it easy for my in laws. Even gave him some shooting pointers that might otherwise have required a private lesson. Just really great people that makes shooting her a pleasure. read more

PAG stole and/or lost my rifle accessories and ammo. I left a rifle and ammo here on consignment. When it was returned (shipped out of state) it was missing the scope, sling, and a significant amount of ammo. I have politely tried to recover my property but the staff at PAG have dragged their feet for over 18 months. Now they won't even return my emails. Take your business elsewhere. read more

Had my first lesson yesterday with John. He was great. I learned about gun safety, how to clean my firearm, and many techniques for improving my accuracy. Generally PTA is super friendly and encouraging to female gun owners. I have a membership and come as often as I can. read more

Philadelphia Training Academy - My handy work after one lesson with John. He's a great instructor. - Gun/Rifle Ranges Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

TOP NOTCH! My husband and I purchased a Groupon for a gun safety course with range time. As for the Groupon, I saw people say that they don't tell you that range time is only with a .22 but it does say it in the fine print, so people should read the Groupons better before purchasing. We paid $21 each for the upgrade to range time with the 9mm (Glock 17 Gen 5, which was great) and got 100 rounds to share. We both had a little experience with guns beforehand but the instructor (Andrew) was still extremely thorough, yet quick. The course was straight and to the point, not boring, and kept your attention and I liked how much they focused on safety, in the class and also when at the range. The place was very clean, all the workers were welcoming, and even the other shooters at the range were nice! Can't go wrong here. We'll be buying a range membership. read more

I just made my first firearm purchase here about a week ago and it was a very good experience. I did some online research with the help of my older brother and decided for the Glock43. I was a tad nervous going alone but staff was quite helpful and I felt much better once I was there. I would definitely return for other purchases and to hit the range. read more

I really enjoy squeezing off a few rounds from a pistol, or even better, an AK-47, on an otherwise quiet Sunday afternoon, and what better place to indulge this hobby than at the Philadelphia Archery & Gun Club located right by the Italian Market in Bella Vista? For anyone who has been to other gun clubs in the Philadelphia area, it's not uncommon to overhear conversations rife with overt hatred for "bleeding heart liberals" or, prior to his presidency, see targets with Obama's face, head wrapped in a turban. Places like that are disconcerting and just not fun. You won't find this attitude at SPAG. The staff and clientele at this club come from a diverse background and share only one thing, a love of firearms and target shooting. No political agendas here. I've found the staff extremely helpful in asking questions about different firearms or potential purchases, and they're always willing to suggest a new rental option for you to try. Best of all, they let you shoot some pretty high-powered stuff here. No automatics, and no 50 caliber sniper rifles, but otherwise, it's pretty free reign. The only downside is that there are only a handful of lanes, and at peak times, you might have to wait a bit to shoot, but I've never waited more than 30 minutes, and there's no time limit on how long you occupy a lane. For members, lanes and targets are free, so the only thing you'll ever really need to buy are the bullets. If you've never fired a gun before, this is the place to visit. They'll get you set up with what you need and you'll feel right at home. After you work up an appetite blasting paper men and rescuing hostages from the 1980s, grab a bite at the Italian Market. I always go for the great tacos at La Veracruzana at 9th & Washington. read more

Before I visited Philadelphia Archery & Gun Club, I called around to a few ranges within the Philly area. The prices seemed a lot more reasonable here. A lot of ranges in the area charge per hour, which is nonsense. At this particular range/shop, there is no time limit. I came in, took a shooting lesson with a former cop and decided to become a member. The staff seem very knowledgeable and are willing to answer any questions you have. Honestly, they're not overly friendly, but I don't really expect warm and fuzzy when you have a gun on your hip and deal with arms and ammunition all day. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone who wants to go to a range for a reasonable price. I can't speak to their gun pricing, as I did not purchase my gun from here. read more

I went here in June (hottest day of the summer) for my boyfriend's birthday with no reservations. We were coming down from NYC and initially were going to go somewhere else. Well the rental car fell through and we lucked out with finding this place. From the train station it was maybe a 10 minute walk. to the location. Clean and VERY professional but welcoming us as newcomers and first time shooters. We took the class and what impressed me what that another guy was sitting in the class and they asked him if he had been drinking and he said no, he was just tired from his trip. Nope sorry guy...they asked him to come back tomorrow in the nicest way and told him that they can't even offer him the class if he wasn't alert or feeling well. I was astounded and relieved that they choose safety of not just the guy but of us as well rather than just make a sale on a lesson or range time. I learned how to hold a gun and while I was nervous, our trainer Mike was awesome! He took time explaining safety and how to shoot to me over and over again. When I finally hit the range and by the time my second shot went off I was completely confident and moved from a 9mm to an AK-47! Now the bigger the gun the bigger the kick back and it is really hard to hit your target especially if you are new to shooting but I got 2 bulls eye and I was happy. They showed us guns and explained them all and since we took 2 lessons and brought extra ammo the owner was nice enough to throw in the rental of the AK-47 in free. The only negative thing I can say about them was they recommended Pat's or Gino's for Philly cheese steaks and they both sucked! I will recommend on a separate note to bring a change of clothes and wet wipes which we did. It was super hot that day and after sweating and all that gun powder on us we hit the bathroom and cleaned up. Made a huge difference. read more

What a fun way to spend an afternoon! I came with experienced friends who had their own guns and ammo, so I can't comment as to prices, but I'm sure it's not cheap. I think the entry fee was $15 or so a person, which isn't bad. I was VERY nervous (understatement) to try this and be around all the weapons, but the layout of the place and the welcoming staff made me feel at ease. It's highly secure and professional. Once we got upstairs to the main shooting range area, it was surprisingly much smaller than expected, which felt safer since the trainers could keep tabs better. I wish I could remember the name of the older gentleman that gave us our quick safety lesson, but he was great. Really made me feel comfortable and didn't bullshit around - just got straight to how to properly handle the guns and the do's and don'ts of basic gun safety. Goggles and noise-cancelling headphones are a must (which they provide), but if you're gonna make this a regular thing, invest in a really good pair of each, as I found the goggles fogged up too quickly so I had to keep readjusting. Plus, it gets LOUD depending on the types of guns people bring. We stayed only for an hour or so, but I imagine you could stay longer if you wanted to. It did feel a little cramped in the main range area (I was surprised we all sort of just stood in the narrow hallway behind whoever was shooting in our group, as there was no seating or viewing area unless you left the range). Overall, if you're looking for something different to do, definitely check it out! read more

Before coming here I have never been shooting, know a single thing about shooting, or gun safety. A friend took me here on a busy Saturday and we were told there was going to be a little wait. While we were waiting James was amazing! James essentially gave me a very detailed, yet easy to remember lesson while we were waiting. He taught me how to: properly hold the gun, tips of shooting the gun, basic gun safety, and what I found most important how the recoil would feel. Since James taught me all this I felt significantly more confident when we went up to the range. Since I was new, and there was enough workers, James had one of the associates help me on the range as well! I am left handed, and most right handed people have a hard time teaching me "opposite" techniques. John Johnson was not confused, and a great teacher as well. He taught me how to properly: eject the magazine, insert the ammunition in the magazine, smack the magazine against the table lightly to center the ammunition, reinsert the magazine into the pistol, and release the chamber! From all the tips and tricks I was taught by James & John my very first shot I hit the "X" on the target!! I can't wait to come back here again! read more

I've been to a bunch of the ranges in the area, and to be honest, I was walking into the place having only heard negatives from friends, so that may have somewhat influenced my experience. In any case, the facilities are clean and laid out well, which is a bonus for the place. The area is a rather non-descript and plain place, which makes it decent for a range, as you aren't bothering too many people with all the traffic. The guys are professionals, but I found their knowledge on some of the pieces to be suspect, at best. I also found a few of them to be less than friendly/welcoming, and one of them to be downright rude. I won't call anybody out here specifically, but at the same time, I'm a customer, not someone who's asking to be verbally abused! In any case, the facilities are good, they offer classes, and it's all great, but the prices are very high (typical for most Philly places). A short drive outside the city in the Bensalem area you can get almost 1.5 the value for your money at other places like Classic. I'm just sticking with Classic, personally. TLDR: Some folks rude, Way too expensive, Good facilities read more

4.5 Stars. I have been here several times, and out of all the shooting ranges I've been to in the area, this is my favorite. It's a little bit more expensive in terms of ammunition and gun rental prices, but I think it's worth it. They have a nice selection of guns to rent. Of course you can bring your own gun, for which you must have a valid license (DUH). The entrance will be locked when you arrive and there are a lot of security cameras around (DUH). The staff is courteous, professional, and helpful, and the place is clean, organized, and well-kept. I just feel safer here, which is important to me given the situation! It is tucked away in a South Philly location very close to Center City, so it's not very big, but it's quality over quantity. Unlike some other places, it feels very "legit." They will make a photocopy of your driver's license. You must have a valid driver's license and be of-age to enter the shooting range - so NO CHILDREN! (DUH, right?) You can borrow eye and ear protection or bring your own. I'm a little paranoid about germs so I like to bring my own. If you don't want to make any investment (though small) or don't want to acquire any more junk in your house (a problem for me), then I recommend bringing alcohol wipes which will clean goggles and "headphones" very nicely. Storefront, restrooms, and snack and beverage vending machines are on the first floor, and the actual shooting range is upstairs (behind locked door - DUH). Targets can be moving or stationary, and they have a funny selection of targets from which to choose. Bring a photo of your ex if you like. They also offer private and semi-private lessons, which I had the pleasure of receiving. Lessons emphasize safety and proper handling, which I think is great and very important. I also like that it's located in South Philly because it kind of makes me feel like a bad-ass. ;) read more

Taller white male that works there is discriminative. He became upset that I choose to order a beam that was the sand a quality but costed less online. Once I did so and proceeded to exit the store he called me back over to the counter to ask me do I smell like marijuana and to come back tomorrow instead of today. Meanwhile we were already leaving and was allowed to buy anything in there before I choose not to. Their prices are higher than most stores in pa for handguns that you can keep way cheaper online on buds gun shop. read more