340 Defense. What's going on there?

[DuckDodger]

Excellent range. Love the place. But all of a sudden, I show up to shoot and the gate is locked. Sign says "undergoing renovations". No one answers the phones. website said "will be back open first of the year" but now the website is down, too. They have a Facebook page but aren't answering questions about "renovations" or when they'll be open again. In fact, they aren't responding to anyone. Was by there yesterday and again, all locked up, no one on the property. Also, I shoot there a lot and you'd think that if they were planning renovations, they'd have let their customers know in advance. But this just smacks of something strage--it's like they just folded up and went away in the middle of the night. Anyone know anything about this?

[Dreamerx4]

I am quite certain if I had paid the annual membership fee, and all of the sudden they closed down for a month, I would expect reimbursement of a portion of my fees at least.

I have spoken with a few members there, none are too happy, and most are contemplating not renewing, if it is even an option.

Communication is key, places can't just lock up and not think folks are going to be uneasy about it.

Poor judgement. Hopefully they will start answering folks inquiries.

[DuckDodger]

I just checked their Facebook page again. They wiped out all of the questions about the "renovations" and when they'll re-open. Now it looks like they're hiding something, at least to me. Wonder if I'll see the rest of the membership that I paid for just a few months ago or my money back?

Anyone from 340 or who can tell us something want to step in here?

[Jakeiscrazy]

I just checked their Facebook page again. They wiped out all of the questions about the "renovations" and when they'll re-open. Now it looks like they're hiding something, at least to me. Wonder if I'll see the rest of the membership that I paid for just a few months ago or my money back?

Anyone from 340 or who can tell us something want to step in here?

Well I would have a lawyer contact them. You can sue for the lost membership if I don't hear anything back.

[340Defense]

The real deal about 340 Defense: We are currently closed, not by our own choice. The local county government originally told us we needed no additional site plan to operate the shooting range. The county changed their minds and required a new site plan. The site plan was approved and most of the work completed. We are basically down to graveling a road and creating a storm water run off ditch/retention pond and a couple other miscellaneous engineering terms to go, to finish. Meanwhile, the county is requiring the site plan to be "bonded", even the work that has been completed and approved by the county. I understand that is standard operating procedure with county zoning. We are in the midst of getting the project "bonded" now. As soon as that is done, we will be back open and shooting. As far as the web site, A county official dictated that we say "business closed" on our website after reading my post about why we were closed. So instead of submit to more government tyranny, I pulled the plug on the whole web site, temporarily. The same county official wanted us to change the wording on our sign out on rt 340. He dictated the sign read "business closed" instead of closed for improvements, as it reads now.

[340Defense]

As far as memberships are concerned, I will add time to each membership to cover all days lost during our temporary closure at 340 Defense.

[SpanishInquisition]

Sign should read "Closed...and the county told us to say it's not their fault".

[allingeneral]

@340Defense - thanks for stopping by to give us the skinny on your situation. Good luck with the county - I hope you can get it all worked out without too much hassle.

[Riposite]

"As far as the web site, A county official dictated that we say "business closed" on our website after reading my post about why we were closed. So instead of submit to more government tyranny, I pulled the plug on the whole web site, temporarily. The same county official wanted us to change the wording on our sign out on rt 340. He dictated the sign read "business closed" instead of closed for improvements, as it reads now."

smacks of them trying to discourage you; can they even dictate what you say on your website? seems like that would be a first amendment issue-there might be a clause in local ordinances as to road signage; but hard to see how they even have jurisdiction over a website?

[dusterdude]

Yea,no poop

[bryanrheem]

any updates? I was wanting to get out there soon!

[Lorger]

Looks like now open, looking at web site and face book.
I know all last year they got a lot of friction from Jefferson Co.
Hope to be out their soon.

[Vince]

Anyone know if they are open again? Do they have daily pass's or do you have to join?

[smoline]

Yes, they're open. Was out there last week. Same basic arrangement (25, 50, 100, and 400-yard ranges). Looks like everything has been cleaned up a bit. The down side is no more rentals and no more automatic weapons available. Also no more visitor walk-ins -- everyone must join and be a member.

[Vince]

Yes, they're open. Was out there last week. Same basic arrangement (25, 50, 100, and 400-yard ranges). Looks like everything has been cleaned up a bit. The down side is no more rentals and no more automatic weapons available. Also no more visitor walk-ins -- everyone must join and be a member.

Thanks, I will give them a call. Is it just a pay to play deal to become a member?

[N0VA]

Yep, pay to play - I was there today for the first time. Honestly did not know about what went on as discussed in this thread - did not even know about the place till about 4 weeks ago.

I met Yvonne, who now owns and runs the place with her husband Mark. She was nice. The guy on the range, walking around making sure all was safe was Steve - no problem with him, he seemed OK. Jerry was the first guy I met and he wasted no time making me feel welcome and answered my questions.

So, I did the math and went ahead and payed for the unlimited annual membership. I plan on getting out there at least once a month, take my time and spend at least two hours each visit (probably stay there more like three or four hours, but that's taking my time - not like ammo grows on trees, right?)

Overall, very pleased with the place. Its a nice drive from Reston, less than an hour by taking th Greenway.

Best of all, anyone who remembers me knows I have only been shooting guns a little over two years now and this was the first pace I could shoot something besides paper targets! Y'all might laugh about that, but to me, it was a big deal. Found out how much fun it is to shoot and hit things at different angles and distances. Knocking things off, watching gallon jugs burst open, etc. For a while there at the 25 yard range I had it all to myself, so I called it hot and practiced my egress from ten feet walking backwards to about 30 feet and shooting the whole time. Also, I could pratcice drawing from the holster - no one cares what you do out there basically, long as you do it safe and be considerate of others.

I highly recommend 340 Defense - looking forward to my next trip out there.

[Jakeiscrazy]

Best of all, anyone who remembers me knows I have only been shooting guns a little over two years now and this was the first pace I could shoot something besides paper targets! Y'all might laugh about that, but to me, it was a big deal. Found out how much fun it is to shoot and hit things at different angles and distances. Knocking things off, watching gallon jugs burst open, etc. For a while there at the 25 yard range I had it all to myself, so I called it hot and practiced my egress from ten feet walking backwards to about 30 feet and shooting the whole time. Also, I could pratcice drawing from the holster - no one cares what you do out there basically, long as you do it safe and be considerate of others.

+1 on the targets! I'll drive 3 hours to shoot something that isn't paper outside.

[Vince]

Thanks for the update NOVA, I will defiantly be making a trip up there very soon.

[bryanrheem]

Do you have to bring your own targets?

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[smoline]

No, they have targets and target stands available.

They used to have steel plates and shooting trees, but no longer.