Colonial Shooting Academy in Richmond

[Chuck380]

It's finally open and I took the opportunity today to check it out. I didn't have a lot of spare time, so just grabbed a Glock 17 and a couple of boxes of ammo. The parking lot looked pretty full, but once I got inside it didn't feel crowded at all; the place is huge. They're still putting the finishing touches on some construction, but it was mostly done and looks awesome. There was a large retail area, but I was itching to get to the range and didn't spend any time shopping. The staff was efficient, friendly and helpful, getting me processed pretty quickly. Before your first time shooting there, you do have to watch a short safety video, but after that it was right to a lane, no waiting. It had been awhile since my last range trip, so I fell back into some bad habits--shot a little left and a little low. A hundred rounds went way too fast, but I had a great time and it beat being at work hands down. With the range being only five minutes from my house, I thought it was worthwhile to buy an Academy membership--$100 initiation, $35/month. If your pockets are a little deeper than mine, a Constitution membership will set you back $2500 initiation and $200/month. Can hardly wait to go back!!

[Jakeiscrazy]

Cool, I'll check it out sometime. Glad to hear they didn't take the safety thing over board.

[zombiekiller57]

I'm off tomorrow and I'm thinking about dropping by to check it out.

[Tazguy04]

Hey Chuck, the Colonial range is 10 minutes from my house maybe we could meet up and shoot some rounds one day.

[zombiekiller57]

I went today since I was off. Very nice range. So nice I took a membership. I can see with it being 10 minutes from the house I will use it more than 2 times a month. I'm going back tomorrow.

[JandSGunsmith]

I took my wife in and her response was the atmosphere was very family friendly. The retail area is very easy to move around in and you don't have to be 6 foot to see over the selves and racks. The range controls are easy to operate and if you do need help there is a range officer right there. They have variety of NRA training class already lined up and possibly more non NRA course coming soon. For the law enforcement community they have tactical ranges down stair (not open yet). If you shoot 2hrs or more a month then the membership is the way to go. If you shoot less then the $20 for an hour is a better deal.

[zombiekiller57]

Yeah, I can see this is going to be a problem. A good problem but a problem none the least. I went back today. I thought I would like a range being close but but I think Im going to be spending a lot of time there

[Chuck380]

Taz, I'm up for getting together and burning through a few boxes. Zombiekiller is right on--with a range that nice and that close, I know I'll be going a lot more than I had originally thought. I need to start looking for deals on bulk ammo...

[RangeDS]

I've been hearing about this place and how big it is. How many lanes? What kind of target system do they have. I'll look fwd to reports. Always want to hear about the latest range openings. Are they family, self defense, women, tactical, hunting oriented or trying to do it all...do tell.

Thanks,
www.RangeDevelopmentServices.com

[zombiekiller57]

They have 1 range with 13 lanes an another with I think 10. The basement is a shoot house range and training. I would imagine that shoot house add quite a bit of square footage to the overall "Size" claim they have. I went today and both ranges were full. I took the last range but several opened up fairly quickly. I didn't get the brand of controls they use but they do have different types on each range. Here is a pic of Range 2 I took today.

[Baer45]

Colonial is the largest indoor range in the country with 51 lanes and 5 star NSSF rating...

[MrJog]

Sounds very expensive.

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[arkypete]

A buddy and I try go once a week to hone our pistol shooting. We make an evening of it, have dinner at Joe's Inn, trek over to CSA and shoot for a couple hours.
The staff makes a real effort to learn the regular's faces, names and what their interests are.
My friend and I are a couple of old toots who like to put our bullets into the ten ring, (not always successful) They will put us away from the Rambos and Zombie hunters.
Some one above said it's very family oriented and they are right on the button.
Enjoy everything this business has to offer.

Jim

[Dondini]

If you have not been to CSA you owe yourself the pleasure. State of the Art is whats happening there. Safety is very much up front and center. A safety video and some basic questions are in front of your first shot down range. You then receive a card good for 1 year to shoot. It is my understanding after 1 year you need to test again for safety. I respect that very much and I have been around guns my whole life. It has been said by some that it is one of if not the nicest shooting facility in the country. I have been there 6 times since they opened. Membership is not unreasonable (don't have to join) and you may bring your own ammo :} Range time is 20.00 per hr. If you have been to some of the other ranges in the area you will see that their range fee is very well priced. They also have a great sales room FULL of all things shooting. No I don't work there. Just really like guns and shooting. The staff is most professional as well.