Blue Ridge Arsenal

[Riana]

Just saw the notice on Facebook - both sides are NOW OPEN

About frickin' time... It was getting overly annoying...

[kle]

I was just there tonight, and yes: both sides are open. It's also pretty nice on the range compared with the last time I was there (about four years ago).

[tursiops]

I was there today. Both sides were open.
Much nicer.

[Diomed]

Do they still allow rifle caliber full auto fire?

[gatlingun6]

I recently went to BRA with my son, who flew in just to shoot went me. We shot a .357 Magnum single action revolver, a Glock 23, A Walthers PK .22 Cal popgun for warm up since he had not fired in ages. We also fired a M1911A1, and a CZ75 9mm.

That was my second visit to BRA. The staff was friendly and helpful. Nothing I saw or heard in the sales room, or on the range gave me any feeling that someone on the staff was looking for a fight,or to intimidate anyone. I did notice that their ammo was kind of expensive, but that was my bad I should have checked to make sure I had .357 ammo when I left home.

The range itself is a typical no frills indoor range. I wish distances were marked at varying intervals. Maybe they were and I didn't notice. I didn't ask either. We had no problems on the range or with the RSO.

We didn't notice any air exchange problem. Smoke didn't hang in the air nor did the smell of gun residue, or particulates. To buttress that my son went directly from the range to the airport, and he did not raise any alarms that here was a guy permeated with gun residue.

As an aside I did tell him to check his pockets before we left for expended brass casings. Later that evening at his destination when he reached for the keys he had dropped in his coat pocket prior to going to a Target, out popped two shiny .40 cal brass casings. I said you mean airport security didn't at least ask why? He said, nope, nary a word. Either it didn't prompt a more thorough search, or they missed it.

I told him that he was lucky because when he fired the .22 he had to take emergency action twice, which caused the ejection of 2 live rounds that could have easily dropped into his pocket like the expended brass did.

So all in all, I will be going back to BRA and may get involved in competition, not because I think I'm some great shot, but because competition adds an element of stress. Some stress is needed whenever you practice.



Gat6

[Chasbo00]

Renewed my BRA membership a couple of days ago. The new air handling system has made a big difference.

Still the best range membership deal in NOVA if you are 62 or older.

http://www.blueridgearsenal.com/range-r ... nformation

[zephyp]

@Gat6 - good deal. Hey, if TSA missed the box cutters last week how the hell can we think they would find a coupla little shell cases...

[rjgnwdc]

I was there Feb 07, 2011 and just the rifle side was open but it was great compared to before the renovation it was well lit fresh paint new shooting benches Mark was the RO at the time I think Monday early afternoons is a good time to go, I had just got my S&W 629 back from repair and was checking it out I was shooting Blazers 240 gr you know the aluminum cases when after 45 rounds through it the firing pin broke and locked it all up trigger, hammer and cylinder and there were still 4 live round in the cylinder I tried to wiggle and pull and pound it a little to try and get it unlocked to no avail so I motioned for Mark to assist me I told him it was still loaded and was concerned about taking it out of the range loaded he took the gun and started pulling pushing and banging the cylinder with the palm of his hand, it finally released. What happens is the firing pin breaks and jams in to the primer of the chambered bullet it last fired. This has happened twice since I bought it for this past Christmas, anyway Mark was a great help and has always been very friendly and professional. I think it's a great indoor range not quit as nice as the NRA range but hey it's the NRA I kind of expect it to be the best around. One more thing about BRA they are real proud of their FFL transfer charge(high priced) but their firearms prices are reasonable.

[SDChop]

I have to been to blue ridge multiple times. Not the best and not the worst I suppose. I was just there a few weeks ago because the other range I choose to use was closed. I took a lady friend to the rifle side and was letting her get a little trigger time in while she was visiting home and I must say, we both were extremely hot in there. Seemed everyone was rolling sleeves up and removing additional clothing. The ammo is expensive (hey its a range) but that staff has been hit or miss. Usually friendly but seems to be some "one uppers" in there. Just my .02 cents ...