Blue Ridge Arsenal, Chantilly VA

[flowmaster]

anyone here been to blue ridge?

i think the range is pretty good. the rifle side (which was recently converted to being used for rifles, the whole place used to be handguns and 22 rifles only) is very short and seems like a waste of centerfire rifle ammo to me, using it at such short distances, but its a convenient place for me to take friends who've never been shooting before. no range test like you have to take at the NRA, which makes it cheaper for friends of mine who aren't going to be regular shooters, just the type that want to go out and try it once.

the shop is less than spectacular. great place to go if you want a glock or a sig, but i think their used hand guns case has like 5 guns in it and there are a few long guns up on the rack behind the counter. LOTS of empty space and sparcely-filled glass cases in that place considering the size of the retail area. it has a quarter of the guns that gilbert's has and their retail space is easily twice the size.

i heard a rumor that the guy who started blue ridge (sold it a few years back) died from lead posioning, but that's probably just a rumor, i've never substantiated it with any real facts.

the crowd that i see there likes to wear drop leg holsters and shoot ARs with lots of accessory rails. very tactical-looking people who sport 511 gear and expensively-equipped ARs. nice clientel usually, but i have run into glock snobs there.

i like to think of it as a range that sells a few guns, not a real gun shop that has a range. opinions?

[jigray3]

Not real sure about their air handling system. It may not be a place you'd want to shoot regularly, even if you used cleanfire ammo. They did finally bring in some portable A/C systems, so it's not oppressive in the summer like it used to be. Employees are pretty nice and helpful, and I've never been really concerned with the clientele like in some places, though there's not much oversight on the line either. I'm not a fan of their membership program. They put you on an automatic credit card charge program and try to claim you can only quit if you leave the area. They should learn, if you do it right, folks won't want to leave.

[flowmaster]

i forgot about the air conditioning! it was hotter than blue blazes there over the summer. they had a wheeled box with 2 vents sticking out of it blowing AC, but it wasn't nearly enough to handle all of the hot guns and people in there. that trip was awful, it must've been 85 degrees in there, no joke. during the colder months its not bad though. they didn't always used to have those portable AC units, they used to have central air that worked.

[alby]

I had a bad experience with Blue Ridge a few years ago. Tell me if I'm crazy or not...

I had taken my Mossberg 500 Shotgun and was shooting Slugs at targets. After pumping out
a few rounds, one of the Blue Ridge workers came into the range and informed me that shooting
slugs was banned at their facility. I was then instructed that only 8 or 9 shot was allowed.
I was thinking to myself, this is nuts. What type of target practice can you get shooting buck shot?
It made no sense to me, because when I was shooting slugs at the NRA range, nobody had any issues.
Since then, I've favored going to the NRA range over the Blue Ridge Range.

In any case, does anybody know if this is still the policy at Blue Ridge when it comes to the type of
shot you can shoot with Shotguns?

[allingeneral]

In any case, does anybody know if this is still the policy at Blue Ridge when it comes to the type of
shot you can shoot with Shotguns?

According to a Word document titled "Ammunition Restrictions (download link)" on their website:

Side 2 - Rifle Range

- SHOTGUNS ARE ALLOWED IN ANY GAUGE WITH LEAD SHOT ONLY. STEEL AND FRANGIBLE SHOTGUN LOADS ARE NOT ALLOWED.

- SHOTGUN LOADS ARE LIMITED TO SLUGS OR BUCKSHOT. NO BIRDSHOT.

[alby]

- SHOTGUNS ARE ALLOWED IN ANY GAUGE WITH LEAD SHOT ONLY. STEEL AND FRANGIBLE SHOTGUN LOADS ARE NOT ALLOWED.

- SHOTGUN LOADS ARE LIMITED TO SLUGS OR BUCKSHOT. NO BIRDSHOT.

Very Interesting.... I guess things have either changed since around 1999-2000 ish or the worker and I had
a miscommunication. lol

[flowmaster]

NRA is slugs only, blue ridge is buck or slug. the thing they don't say is what kind of buck you can shoot. i've shot both single O and 00 buck there.

[allingeneral]

NRA is slugs only, blue ridge is buck or slug. the thing they don't say is what kind of buck you can shoot. i've shot both single O and 00 buck there.

From their rules, it seems that any buck shot is allowed 0, 00, 000 - just no bird shot.

[skt239]

I shoot at Blue Ridge, however it is with reluctance that I go and regret when I leave. Once my NRA card gets here I'll start going there.

[flowmaster]

you don't have to be an NRA member to shoot at the NRA range. that's a common misconception. they'll charge you an extra $2 per hour to shoot at the NRA range, but its still much nicer than blue ridge.

[JacobDW]

I dont like blue ridge, the employees seem like they have something to prove and they are better than you, AND their prices on guns are JACKED way up...

[alby]

I agree.. I can't put my finger on it, but Blue Ridge just has a negative vibe about it.
I much rather do my range shooting at NRA HQ in Fairfax.

[JollyRogers]

Saw a video clip of the owner when he laughed about the money he was making after Obama was elected.
Said he voted for him (Obama).
Haven't been back even though I have 3 free hours of range time.
Joe

[allingeneral]

Here's the video:

[Gtone]

I was there yesterday. They've made some real improvements in the retail area. They reorganized the space quite a bit, and it seems much more open. They've also improved their stock. Still quite a few Glock/Sigs, but there were also some Cowboy guns in the used case. Even some neat little 4shot Pepperbox derringers.

There were some improved A/C units on the rifle side. Ammo was pretty pricey ($25 for .357, with discount), and they were limiting sales to 1box/per caliber/per customer.

All in all. I like BRA because its close & convenient. I think it would be nice if they set up a reciprocity agreement with an outdoor venue; but I understand that is a challenge for all of NoVA. Just too densely populated.

[BlueTiki]

I have a membership with these guys and do most all my shooting here. I've been to a few other ranges and am very comfortable here. The staff seems to be knowledgeable and friendly for the most part and most times seems to have a good attitude. Ammo is a bit high and there is the single box at a time thing.

If the new range ever opens in Woodbridge, I'm gone though. Its a bit of a ride for me now and the range in Woodbridge would be very convenient.

[bossgvr4]

Saw a video clip of the owner when he laughed about the money he was making after Obama was elected.
Said he voted for him (Obama).
Haven't been back even though I have 3 free hours of range time.
Joe

I've been swept more times than I care to remember at this craphole AND the 'owner' voted Obama

Eff this place

[vbrtrmn]

I've been there a bunch of times, though I generally goto the NRA now, since it is 5 min from my condo and cheaper to shoot at. I'd shoot there for free, though a friend's guest pass, but probably wouldn't pay again. My main problem with it is the A/C issue, though I haven't been up there in 2-3 months, so maybe they've improved it.

[BlueTiki]

My main problem with it is the A/C issue, though I haven't been up there in 2-3 months, so maybe they've improved it.

They haven't. Plain and simple. The only thing they have at this moment is those roll in, free standing units and they just don't put out enough cool for the ranges. Your a bit better off if your stall is right in front of one but most times its not.

[jadedone4]

... OK, grudgedly agreeing with BlueTiki here; I asked what the deal was with the A/C this past weekend. Got an "iffy" explanation - the recirculating air system that moves the air in/out of the range area, pumps on hot air, therefore, the A/C units have to "compete" with the hot air being pushed in (as fresh). Well, me being a not so mechanical fella - asked why you couldn't link the two units into working together so that the "fresh air" coming in is cooled as well. Got shoulder shrugs... sigh. Outside of the temp's in there, I like the place, while NRA is closer to me, I have already paid for membership at BRA; consideration is strongly prevailing to move to NRA in March2010. There is/has been only on "hiccup" on the customer service side, and really I came out ahead on that situation (both financially as well as who to go to for armoring).