"The Range" in Fredericksburg

scrubber3 · Post by **scrubber3** » Mon, 02 Apr 2012 22:12:39

Just before I bought my G30 I was looking at places to buy and shoot. I went to this place since it wasn't very far away. Upon entering, I noticed the place was less than clean to say the least and the guy behind the counter barely acknowledged my entrance. Upon walking up to him, I asked a question concerning buying a Glock. He reluctantly showed me some of the rentals he had (which were the dirtiest pistols I've ever seen) and proceeded to talk to me like I was a 3 year old. He was probably one of the most condescending people I have ever met and I gave him no reason whatsoever to act in this manner. I asked him where I could get a good magazine feeder for my woman to use as we all know that getting the last 2 rounds in a Glock mag isn't the easiest thing to do if you have less than strong hands. His response was along the lines that if she cannot load the magazine she has no business using the gun. Right then and there he was lucky I am a reasonable person. I thanked him for his time, smiled, and left. (I haven't given every example of how this guy was horrible as I do not want to sound like I am whining)

Trust me when I say that I in no way carry myself in a manner that would justify his actions. I am in my 30s, prior service Army, and have been around firearms my entire life. I have several credentials under my belt and would consider myself to be a "stand up" kind of guy. Either this guy has an severe case of "little man" and tries to impose his arrogance as a way of being better than everyone or he is just a straight-up D!@k. Either way I will never go back and will give as many negative remarks/ reviews as possible.

Chasbo00 · Post by **Chasbo00** » Mon, 02 Apr 2012 22:36:53

Treat customers well and they will tell their friends - treat customers badly and they will tell everyone who will listen.

Jakeiscrazy · Post by **Jakeiscrazy** » Mon, 02 Apr 2012 22:43:40

Chasbo00 wrote:Treat a customer well and they will tell their friends - treat a customer badly and they will tell everyone who will listen.

Jakeiscrazy · Post by **Jakeiscrazy** » Mon, 02 Apr 2012 22:43:40

Chasbo00 wrote:Treat a customer well and they will tell their friends - treat a customer badly and they will tell everyone who will listen.

MNMGoneShooting · Post by **MNMGoneShooting** » Mon, 02 Apr 2012 22:51:32

Similar experiences here. That's why I shoot somewhere else now!

Legallyme88 · Post by **Legallyme88** » Mon, 02 Apr 2012 22:55:56

I was just there today. I go there once a week to practice and have had similar experiences. Unfortunately I really have not found anywhere else nearby to go to. The owner is very gruff and seems to treat everyone like they do not know anything and should not be around guns.

scrubber3 · Post by **scrubber3** » Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:17:52

Clark Brothers in Warrenton would be a great choice over them. I think it will be worth the drive. I called them and a guy named Chris answered and was one of the most helpful people I have ever dealt with in customer customer service. Which says a lot for a gun range. It is an outdoor range and you can fire anything short of a .50 cal I think. When you buy ammo there, you get to use the range pending you use said ammo. I think that's a fantastic deal either way you look at it.

Yeah, I'm taking my Mosin along with my Glocks and AR

Legallyme88 · Post by **Legallyme88** » Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:47:56

Ok thanks for the information. I will look into them. They may be a better option. And you have fun shooting!

Post by **allingeneral** » Tue, 03 Apr 2012 07:53:04

I've been there once, and my experience was similar. However, they were very busy the day I was there, so I chalked it up to that. I haven't been back.

FiremanBob · Post by **FiremanBob** » Tue, 03 Apr 2012 12:04:20

+1 for Clark Bros. Great service, helped the GF buy her first .22. And they have a very well-managed range.

XSNOWMANx · Post by **XSNOWMANx** » Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:37:14

I've been shooting at Clarks for a long time. The handgun ammo is overpriced but the range is nice and the staff is polite.

scrubber3 · Post by **scrubber3** » Tue, 03 Apr 2012 17:56:40

Just went to Clark's today and I was very impressed! Class act all around... Range was a wonderful experience and the ammo was priced good I thought. Well, compared to other places I have seen since I have been in Fredericksburg. The next time I go down to NC I am loading up because for some odd reason ammo is at least 30% more in VA. But the gas cost less here so it works out...

MNMGoneShooting · Post by **MNMGoneShooting** » Tue, 03 Apr 2012 19:06:37

scrubber3 wrote:Clark Brothers in Warrenton would be a great choice over them. I think it will be worth the drive. I called them and a guy named Chris answered and was one of the most helpful people I have ever dealt with in customer customer service. Which says a lot for a gun range. It is an outdoor range and you can fire anything short of a .50 cal I think. When you buy ammo there, you get to use the range pending you use said ammo. I think that's a fantastic deal either way you look at it.

Yeah, I'm taking my Mosin along with my Glocks and AR

do they charge for range time in addition to the ammo purchase?

scrubber3 · Post by **scrubber3** » Wed, 04 Apr 2012 01:03:44

Range use comes with ammo purchase. If you buy their ammo, you get to use the range without paying anything more than just the ammo purchase.

I could hardly believe it either.

gregj · Post by **gregj** » Wed, 04 Apr 2012 08:52:24

Yes, at Clark Bros, you have to buy their ammo and their targets to shoot there, no range fees. And the ROs do check the ammo. The ROs are sometimes strict, but they have to be. They are always fair, pleasant, and often take the time to help new shooters, or ask a regular (like me) to help a new shooter out. I have seen many people asked to take their Walmart ammo to their cars. The place can get a little wooley on the weekends, but so many people dont bother to read the range rules, and it gets them in trouble.

Besides the ammo and target thing, do not, repeat, do not touch a firearm, cased or otherwise, during a cease fire, and you should be fine. It's amazing the number of folks that shoot there, and still cannot grasp this simple concept.

papasan · Post by **papasan** » Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:23:16

I'm a fairly new shooter without alot of experience and I happen to live near Clark Bros so I've been a few times. their prices are very high, expect to pay at least 2x the $$ for ammo. they want new prices for used guns, hell even the 4-prong AR front sight tool i bought from them was $20 (you can find them for $5 at a gun show or online). The range manager is very strict and there are many rules that I haven't run into at other ranges.

I would avoid the place if I could (Clark Bros), unfortunately there's not a whole lot of options around me. Range 82 looks good but they want a crazy annual fee. I'm looking at joining an Izaac Walton chapter if I can, the annual dues are much more reasonable.

I go there because it's convenient but that's about it, I've been to other ranges that were much more relaxed. If you just want to plink with a rifle check out the public range in Summerduck, but it's lack of handgun range and limited availability make it not a very good option.

scrubber3 · Post by **scrubber3** » Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:03:36

What is your definition of expensive? How much do you pay and for what caliber?

papasan · Post by **papasan** » Wed, 04 Apr 2012 12:24:23

I just went last week and spent $70 for 50rnds of 9mm and 60rnds of 223. this was the cheapest stuff I could find there, nothing special. to compare it would have cost me about $30 at Wally World ($11 for the 9mm, $18 for the Tula .223). if you shoot at all regularly then paying $100 annual dues for a private range makes sense just for the plinking ammo alone. forget if you get into any kind of specialty ammo, like popping off a few 124g +P 9mm Gold Dots.

scrubber3 · Post by **scrubber3** » Wed, 04 Apr 2012 23:44:55

Did you find that at the end of one of the isles is the target ammo? I mean they are a couple dollars more per box than Wal-mart at most. At first I thought that the ammo was high until I asked where the cheap stuff was and the guy happily pointed at an end cap. Voila!!! There it was...

mikegray0422 · Post by **mikegray0422** » Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:35:45

I belong to Range 82. I don't get there nearly as often as I'd like but I've never had more then 3-4 other people there at the same time. If I stop after work, often as not, I'm the only shooter. The owner, Lee is a great guy. http://www.range82.com

I go to Clark Brothers when I have friends and family in from out of town or I just want to do some .22 plinking. it's a strict range but with the number of shooters, they have to be. It's safe and well run which is all I care about. If you add the cost of indoor range time + ammo, you really don't pay any more to shoot at Clark Brothers.

The ammo I typically shoot at Clark Brothers is:
PMC Bronze 115gr 9mmFMJ - $19.95
PMC Bronze 180gr 40S&W FMJ - $21.95
Russian Surplus 7.62x54R - $14.00 /20
Winchester .22lr 500 pack - $28.00

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