Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

What is the typical cost for an annual membership at an indoor range in the Richmond area? Are there any other than the new one (Colonial Shooting Academy - not yet open) and the one off of Route 360 in Chestefield County (Dominion?)?

I just checked out the membership application for Colonial Shooting Academy. They want $34.95 per month which seems kind of steep, at least to me. Is $420 per year typical for an indoor range in the Richmond area?

I think I will stick with Black Creek. Being an outdoor range it is hot in the summer and cold in the winter, but I can think of a lot of things to do with the money I save.

Dominion is $150 for a year during December, and you get %15 percent of ammo.

I'm pretty sure Colonial is going to allow you to bring your own ammo, so that should help curb some of the costs.

Plus they have some other perks like quick clean service, firearm storage, FFL transfers, etc.

I heard you have to shoot theirs, plus at $500 yr + taking their safety course its kinda BS

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snatale42 wrote:I heard you have to shoot theirs, plus at $500 yr + taking their safety course its kinda BS

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I just confirmed that you are able to bring your own ammo. It's only $100 initiation and then $35/month, but that incudes no range fees. If you shoot 3-4 times a month and it's paid for itself.

I think taking a safety course is very smart.....

Can't compare Colonial to any range in Richmond Area..keep you own ammo, brass, group ammo buys and gun discounts for members, high tech ranges, make reservations.. Same price as Blue Ridge only better...need to look at Scottsdale Gun Club for a comparable range...

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I called and asked about memberships to colonial and it didn't sound bad to me. $100 as a fee is common and 34.95 seemed ok to me. If i'm not mistaken the range fee is $20; so I can shoot way more than 34.95 a month. The fellow I talked to told me I could also bring my own ammo! I don't know about ya'll but thats huge for me. I would feel worse with a gym membership.

Taking a safety course isn't that big of a deal...i mean really? Hell, if I was opening a range I wouldn't trust what people said as far as "firearm knowledge." There are some ranges in Richmond that SHOULD make people learn something. I guess I just don't understand why you would trust the stranger shooting next to you. Trust but verify

Baer45 wrote:Can't compare Colonial to any range in Richmond Area..keep you own ammo, brass, group ammo buys and gun discounts for members, high tech ranges, make reservations.. Same price as Blue Ridge only better...need to look at Scottsdale Gun Club for a comparable range...

Is that really valid? The place isn't open yet. What they claim and what they actually do may not be the same thing.

Diomed wrote:Is that really valid? The place isn't open yet. What they claim and what they actually do may not be the same thing.

Check out their website.

In particular, take a look at the FAQ page and the membership information page.

It would be pretty stupid and a bad business decision to publicly and explicitly make all those statements and then pull a big switch when they actually open for operation.

I couldn't find anything on the site identifying what the public range fee will be, though. But the membership info says that if you go to the range more than twice a month, it's worth it - and also given the discounts on guns and ammo.

I'm sure I will go check it out and do a little shooting there, even if I don't sign up for a membership. I have so many demands on my weekends, I don't think I would consistently be able to get there twice a month, let alone more than twice per month. So it might make more sense for me to just pay the fee whenever I do make it over there.

We've been begging for a new place to shoot for years..with the current political sitution I am going to support every range and gun store I drive by...anyone trying to keep their doors open much less a new range in this economy is going to get my vote every time..

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TenchCoxe wrote:It would be pretty stupid and a bad business decision to publicly and explicitly make all those statements and then pull a big switch when they actually open for operation.

Silver Eagle.

TenchCoxe wrote:I'm sure I will go check it out and do a little shooting there, even if I don't sign up for a membership. I have so many demands on my weekends, I don't think I would consistently be able to get there twice a month, let alone more than twice per month. So it might make more sense for me to just pay the fee whenever I do make it over there.

+1... I'm all about supporting local biz'ness. But I do have to make it work with my budget and how much I can afford to shoot. That being said, I also hope that there are those who can afford the full works package who will make this range a success! I hope to see you there!

Parry

Diomed wrote:

TenchCoxe wrote:It would be pretty stupid and a bad business decision to publicly and explicitly make all those statements and then pull a big switch when they actually open for operation.

Silver Eagle.

Sorry; not familiar with Silver Eagle.

TenchCoxe wrote:Sorry; not familiar with Silver Eagle.

They're sort of the reverse of the situation I mentioned. They started out promising to be for all intents and purposes a country club with guns - memberships running tens of thousands a year, high end services, etc. By the time they opened, that had mostly gone away and been replaced with a more standard range fee structure.

So there's precedent for things moving in one direction, why not in the other? (Note that I am not saying they will or they won't, merely pointing out that the possibility exists.)

TenchCoxe wrote:
It would be pretty stupid and a bad business decision to publicly and explicitly make all those statements and then pull a big switch when they actually open for operation.

Indeed. Especially since some people have already paid the initiation fee and mailed in the application. As nice as this place is intended to be, the location it is in, the $11 million behind it, the people and the politics behind it, it wont be hard for this place to be a big winner. And, its is going to cater (in a way) to law enforcement? Its all good stuff for that part of Henrico county, plus with the Willow Lawn renovations and all the other money pouring into that area, it might even turn into a more exclusive place. AND their signage says "RVA" indicating that this may be the first of more around the state.

Baer45 wrote:We've been begging for a new place to shoot for years..with the current political sitution I am going to support every range and gun store I drive by...anyone trying to keep their doors open much less a new range in this economy is going to get my vote every time..

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If this place is successful, and I really do not think it cant be, it will be great for gun owners in Henrico and the surrounding area. I can just picture all kinds of other business that could capitalize from "who" this place is going to attract. I for one am going to support this, something from this county to get excited about doesnt come around too often.

I'm really excited about the colonial range. I know it isn't open yet but it really sounds great and it is a relief that it isn't an hour away

I'm excited about it too. Its ten minutes from my work. I also like the idea of the safety course. The other range I have been to in Richmond I have not felt particularly safe at different times.