range in Richmond.. Dominion?

[Wallace]

I visited Dominion a few days ago for the first time and left with an overall good impression. The guy at the counter was really nice and patient with an obvious newby. Gave me some quick tips, and set me up with everything I needed. It is an old place but it gets the job done. The ammo is priced a little higher than retail, but $8 to shoot all day would seem to offset that cost. The new club in the West End of Richmond is going to be $20 per hour. The place is a little dark and feels like a basement/dungeon. Not that I need cheese and wine on a tray next to me, but I do like to feel comfortable. Overall I would go back, and I would recommend the place.

With some more competition coming to town,I would suggest a few improvements:

Some fresh paint never hurts anything. Clear out the cobwebs.
Improve the lighting in the lanes. And their outdoor signage.
Maybe add some more noise reduction.

[nnixon6]

Dominion. Went there once.
Unfortunately I was the wrong color, I don't belong to a gang and I shoot my pistols using the Weaver stance - not sideways like the gansta's.
They're expensive, exclusive to the gansta's, filthy and rude and it's also unsafe at anytime of the day or night.
Odd's are you'll get mugged by 30 wanna-be's just getting your gun from the car to the range.

Go to The Smoking Gun in Colonial Heights ($20/hour, use your own ammo) or join Colonial Shooting Academy.
F' Dominion and all the people that go there to practice for their next drive-by.

[ChicagoGuy]

Dominion. Went there once.
Unfortunately I was the wrong color, I don't belong to a gang and I shoot my pistols using the Weaver stance - not sideways like the gansta's.
They're expensive, exclusive to the gansta's, filthy and rude and it's also unsafe at anytime of the day or night.
Odd's are you'll get mugged by 30 wanna-be's just getting your gun from the car to the range.

Go to The Smoking Gun in Colonial Heights ($20/hour, use your own ammo) or join Colonial Shooting Academy.
F' Dominion and all the people that go there to practice for their next drive-by.



WOW!!!!! Tell us just how you really feel? By you being the "wrong" color and not a "gansta" I can only assume your race?

Let me say this as someone who has shot at both places. Neither one is "top flight." However, I have never felt threatened at either location. I've never been to Dominion and only seen any one nationality there. In fact generally speaking. Blacks (of which I am one) and any other minorities have always been just that. The minority present at the time. At the same time I HAVE noticed several women there. Some were shooting with husbands/boyfriends. I've also noticed women MEETING (not arriving) with instructors for lessons. I can only assume these people didn't feel the threat you perceived. The staff at both locations has always been nothing but friendly and helpful.

[clayinva]

I have been to Dominion before, and did not feel unsafe as a middle-aged white guy. I belong to an outdoor range now (Black Creek) where they have no ammo purchase requirements. They have essentially member-enforced range rules, and it costs about $150 a year. For that, what you get is the use of the range; pistols, rifles, and shotguns all can be used. Definitely cheaper if you shoot a lot; not so much if you only go occasionally.

For the extra convenience of being inside I would consider a membership at the new indoor range in Henrico; need to check out exactly what it covers. Haven't been inside yet, but I understand it is very nice.

[Jakeiscrazy]

I have been to Dominion before, and did not feel unsafe as a middle-aged white guy. I belong to an outdoor range now (Black Creek) where they have no ammo purchase requirements. They have essentially member-enforced range rules, and it costs about $150 a year. For that, what you get is the use of the range; pistols, rifles, and shotguns all can be used. Definitely cheaper if you shoot a lot; not so much if you only go occasionally.

For the extra convenience of being inside I would consider a membership at the new indoor range in Henrico; need to check out exactly what it covers. Haven't been inside yet, but I understand it is very nice.

Hey as long as the topic is present. How do you like Black Creek? What's their longest range? Can you bring guests? What's the biggest rifle you can shoot? I know I'm asking a lot of questions that I could probably find out by just calling up but I would like to get a feel from one of their members.

[Proudtobeararms]

They need to clear out the rif-raf in Dominion. I've been in there when groups of 5-10 kids were walking around with loaded firearms pointed in every direction except the targets. Would not bring the youngsters on a Saturday. No firearm safety in this place, though to be fair the workers did say something a few times but didnt really enforce it. Go 4pm during the week and itll be ok. Working targets are not the norm either.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[Proudtobeararms]

I just read the other posts, my definition of "kids" should be interpreted as the element everyone else has seemed to notice, they were all wearing the same color and spoke like they were shooting a scene from boyz in da hood..word homey

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[Newgunguy]

Okay I'm going to keep this one going with my 2 cents. Here in commie Mass, you can use your own ammo at most places in your own gun, but if you rent one you have to buy their ammo. Then you have some that you can only use frangibles in, and plus you can't shoot at silhouette targets unless the range has a licensee to do so. That also means for both indoor and outdoor ranges, and good luck trying to get to use your new bleeding zombie torso. I really hope when we head down there this weekend we can get a house with plenty of property in Halifax so I can blow stuff up and shoot all day.

[Baer45]

Just go to CSA and don't worry about it...

[Rimfaxe]

I used to have an annual pass there, but it just got too seedy. The parking lot has big potholes that bottom out my car and the targets don't always work. It is always too dark in there for me to really see the targets. If they were the only place in town to shoot, then I would shoot there. But they are not.

[Baer45]

I used to have an annual pass there, but it just got too seedy. The parking lot has big potholes that bottom out my car and the targets don't always work. It is always too dark in there for me to really see the targets. If they were the only place in town to shoot, then I would shoot there. But they are not.

I believe you have your ranges mixed up. CSA is a brand new facility with a brand new parking lot...


Marine Corp
Colonial Shooting Academy

[arkypete]

There's two top of the line ranges in the Richmond area Colonial Shooting Academy (indoors) and Cavalier Rifle and Pistol (out doors).
They both have fair prices for their membership.

Jim

[jayinric]

I use Dominion pretty exclusively with my wife and son. I can say in the 3 plus years that we've been going there, we've never had any of the above issues.
While I do enjoy the occasional trip to CSA, but it is way to expensive and their RSO's are very, very strict.
We had a couple of issues with the RSO's and ended up at the front counter complaining about them. Haven't been back in a while to see if they have corrected some of the issues. and before you go off on me, I'm an NRA certified pistol instructor, and I'm getting ready to get the certification for the rifle instructor as well, so I'm as concerned about range safety just as much if not more than the next guy.

While I will agree that Dominion is a bit lax in the safety aspect on the range, I've never felt uncomfortable there.

I would love to join the Cavalier Rifle and Pistol club, but I've been told there is a two year wait list and you need to find a 'sponsor' to approve your application.

[arkypete]

I'm at CSA two three times per week.
When I enter the range the RSOs are paying attention to what is going on and being helpful.

Jim

[ProShooter]

I'm an NRA certified pistol instructor, and I'm getting ready to get the certification for the rifle instructor as well, so I'm as concerned about range safety just as much if not more than the next guy.

.

Don't let them know that you are an instructor.....they'll kick you to the curb like the rest of the instructors in Richmond.