Sharpshooters in Lorton

[zimm17]

I haven't seen a review on Sharpshooters on here for a few years. I'm a regular customer and thought I'd give a quick review:

Very friendly staff. Well manned gun counter, but it's usually busy too. They have an impressive stock of handguns. The AR-15 counter is top notch. They have every part you'd need to build a full AR or just get a $1.50 spring or dedent that you shot across your house putting one together yourself. They even had an odd-ball sized VTLOR gas block for a pencil barrel in stock! Nice not to wait a week on mail order if you need a part right away.

The indoor range has recently (as in the last month or two) been upgraded from pistol only to handle up to and including .30-06! It's only 22 yards, but at least you can roughly sign in or op-check your high powered rifles.

The only negative thing I have about the shop is that they refused to do an FFL transfer from buds gun shop or buds police supply, even though buds lists them as having their FFL on file. They didn't give me a reason why, but I can only assume they don't want to loose money doing FFLs for the cheapest place to buy guns on the internet. I just did the transfer through a different shop.

[vaeevictiss]

My peeve with them is that everything in the store is grossly overpriced. Other than that not bad. I pretty much just check them out to see something in person since they are close to where i work. Then i go somewhere else and buy it.

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[nosreme]

I shoot there more than at the other 2 ranges I belong to. The staff is terrific. "Grossly overpriced" is your usual internet forum hyperbole. They're a bit higher than some other places on some items, and a bit lower on others.

[vaeevictiss]

Everything i have looked at there i found for cheaper elsewhere

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[dieselvrr]

My issue, gotta unload before you go in

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[CowboyT]

A couple of years ago, I gave a review of Sharpshooters from the perspective of a customer. I now work there as a rangemaster as my "fun" job.

The reason for not accepting transfers from Bud's Gun Shop has nothing to do with us "wanting the profit", though of course we do. Rather, it's because of some administrative "something" going on which I can't go more into. We accept xfers from just about anyone else, long as it's on file.

The NRA Range also requires you to unload before you go in. Not sure about Blue Ridge; maybe their rules are different.

It's true about the rifles. Bring 'em on in. That also means that for you 5.7x28 shooters, bring it on in.

Yeah, we can be pretty friendly...unless someone points a gun at someone, then we're a little "less" friendly about that. But you know what? That's firearms safety, and it cannot--and will not--be compromised when I'm out there on that line, and the same goes for the rest of us. Of course, we try not to hurt people's feelings, sure, but that takes second-fiddle to "SAFETY FIRST!" And we're serious about that.

As far as ammo goes, the only thing that we don't allow is any rounds with steel in the projectile (bullet). Steel *cases* are fine (e. g. Hornady Steel Custom), but not either steel core bullets (e. g. M855), or any of the TulAmmo, Brown/Silver Bear, Wolf, Ulyanovsk, etc. rounds with that "bi-metal" jacket. That jacket is really a copper washed steel jacket. The reason is that it can spark if it hits the concrete floors or the walls, and that's a fire hazard. We'd rather not risk getting the building burned down. Burning buildings kinda tend to mess up the shooting activities.

If you reload, your reloads are welcome. That includes your cast bullets. Unlike some ranges in California, we like cast bullets!

If I could improve one thing about our range, it'd be the air handler. Sadly, those things cost beaucoup bucks to replace. I'd also like to see us get a slightly less complicated target carrier system. But again, those are pretty big bucks, and the mfr's change models very quickly.

Overall, it's about the same now as it was in my initial review. The staff still range from quiet and helpful to gregarious and helpful. I've become sort of the "big bore revolver" guy, another fellow is Mr. 1911, another knows Beretta 92's inside and out, and so on. It's a pretty good mix of knowledge.

Pricing for gun rentals, etc., and for memberships, remains reasonably in my opinion. Prices haven't really risen very much over the last 3 years; the annual membership went from $245 to $265.

I will note that we have gotten *MUCH* busier over the last year, especially on weekends. When I first started shooting there three and a half years ago, I never had to wait for a lane. Today, on weekends especially, people are often waiting for lanes, though we get through folks reasonably quickly. It's still nothing like the 1.5- to 2-hour wait at the NRA Range.

Therefore, employee or not, I still generally recommend people consider the range. It's not perfect, for sure. But overall, especially for indoor handgun practice or short-range rifle practice, I'd say it's still probably the best value in the area.

[tursiops]

I'd say it's still probably the best value in the area.

Appreciate your updated and insider review.
But the senior membership at BRA can't be beat, if you qualify.

[Chasbo00]

But the senior membership at BRA can't be beat, if you qualify.

+1 Too bad Sharpshooters has no membership break for us old codgers.

[tursiops]

But the senior membership at BRA can't be beat, if you qualify.

+1 Too bad Sharpshooters has no membership break for us old codgers.

Exactly. I'd sign up in a heartbeat...it is much closer to my home.

[dieselvrr]

The NRA in FFX doesn't require you you to unload before going in. You are right about the NRA wait... Its ridiculous.

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[zimm17]

I know I started this thread with a nice review, but now they're on my poop list. First they screwed me by not accepting FFL transfers from buds gun shop. Today I tried to buy an AR15 lower from them, they're sold out of the brands I like. So I order one from impact arms. Sharpshooters is a listed FFL- I order it then call 'em to let 'em know it's inbound. They have me hold a second, then say they don't accept transfers from Impact either! What the crap? I'm DONE with doing FFL's with them. I'll take my gun buying business elsewhere.

[BDubyaM]

I'm DONE with doing FFL's with them. I'll take my gun buying business elsewhere.

I think what you may fail to realize is that SharpShooters like many other store front retailer is a business. By the time a FFL dealer has paid someone to receive your firearm log it into inventory, stored it for you, then pay another person to assist you in completing paperwork, submit the background check through state police, and then finalizing the transfer in the bound book.....the $40 or $50 dollars you spent is already long gone. In other words there is no money in it for retailers to do FFL transfers, so I can understand why any store would refuse transfers from places like Buds who are distributors acting as dealers and undercutting retailers. Plus I'm sure that places like SharpShooters have exclusivity with their own distributors, which accepting such transfers could hinder those relationships. From what I have seen SharpShooters isn't the only place in the area that is either not accepting Buds or Impact transfers or charging a higher special transfer fee. I think it may be a matter of time before most the retailers in the area take a similar stance. Oh yea, don't think for a second these stores don't talk to one another........

[CowboyT]

BDubyaM really called it. Bud's indeed acts as a distributor. The same rule is in effect for any other distributor doing retail sales.

[zimm17]

I see your point, but I still think they should do it as a "service" for members. I pay my annual membership to shoot there. I should be able to get a transfer when I want. I still buy plenty of stuff from them. Other shops do FFL's no matter where they come from- but they are a longer drive for me and more inconvienent. And nobody can even come close to touching a price on bud's police supply website (if you qualify). Or another example was the S&W Shield .40 I ordered. Sharpshooters was "50 deep" on the wait list- I found one in 1 day on the internet and had it shipped in. They actually did the transfer for that one. So lesson learned- call them before doing an FFL transfer, even if a shop has their FFL on file.

[CowboyT]

I hear ya, Zimm. That's why we offer a discount for FFL transfers for members. I'm not privy to all the paperwork that's in place, but there may be certain exclusivity agreements that we have that contractually prevent us from doing that from distributors like Bud's. The one who knows all about that stuff is Kate, the General Manager. It might be a good question to ask next time you're in.

[CowboyT]

It is now officially the busy season! For pretty much all of last weekend (Veteran's Day), we were SLAMMED, in some cases, with waits approaching that of even the NRA Range. We do what we can to get folks through, and we do enforce the 1hr time limitation when there's a waiting list.

My guess is that the election results had something to do with this. I don't mind it, personally; on the contrary, I love seeing more people come out to practice their marksmanship. But it does mean we're more crowded at the moment, and I'd imagine the same is true of the other indoor ranges in the area.

The best time to come is during the weekdays, if you can. We're not nearly as slammed as we are on weekends, for obvious reasons. The one possible exception is Tuesday night, when the security guard firms bring in their people to do their quals and practice.

[WBlacklidge]

My first post and review of Sharp Shooters Small Arms Range:

I web searched local gun ranges and stores near my location in Kingstown Alexandria and Sharp Shooters popped up first. As a lightly experienced shooter and a hardcore Libertarian I knew I wanted to own a gun but was worried about the current climate. I expected to walk into the store and see ridiculous prices for guns and ammo. I had actually done my research and I was going to see about buying a gun online and paying to get the transfer.

I expressed my interest in purchasing a gun to my girlfriend and she was very interested and wanted to learn to shoot. We catch some free time and head on over to the shop.

I was pleasantly surprised that the prices were not what I was expecting. They were slightly above what I was seeing online. I was in the store for maybe a couple minutes before someone asked if I needed help. I explained what I was looking for and he pleasantly took a Beretta, Glock and finally a S&W M&P 40c out of the case and allowed me to hold them and discussed the pistols with me. He even broke down the 40c in front of me and showed how similar it was to the simplicity of the Glock. I was sold. My only gripe here is that I was hoping for at least a month membership to be included with the sale given that you still have to pay for eyes and ears rental, targets and ammo and lane fees with that month membership.

During that time we were discussing the sale, I explained we were interested in training classes. My girlfriend was particularly interested and he took time to recommend someone (http://www.shecanshoot.com if I remember correctly.).

With the sale complete, I decided I wanted to become familiar with the 40c before we brought it to the range for the first time. I remembered all the safety rules but wanted to brush up on technique before blasting away at their zombie targets. I get the 40c home and realize I didn't have what I needed to clean or lube it so I came back a couple days later during a week night. I explained that I had bought a gun previously and that I needed everything required to clean it. He walked me over to the section and explained each kit, then pointed out the solvent and lube I would need. He talked me through the basics and sent me on my way.

My girlfriend and I finally get time to try out the range and come in. I had been talked through the memberships and knew beforehand we would want a month just in case we didn't like the ROs or the range itself... or just didn't enjoy shooting in general. The month membership is not very practical. At $25 each for a membership, ~$19 for a box of .40 (we planned to shoot slow and take our time), couple bucks for targets, lane fee and eyes and ears rentals it was a substantial chunk of money we put down to shoot 50 rounds. It was really our only option for trying out the range so our hand was forced. If I had known before hand that we would have a great time I would have just purchased the year membership up front and gotten the discount on the gun, saved on the month membership, lane fees, etc.

The guy who helped us explained the memberships again, had us sign the standard paperwork, explained the range specific rules and sent us on our way. He was a very nice older gentleman. We get into the hallway and the first RO at the door explained everything we needed to know. We get to our lane and have a blast. We barely got through 50 rounds just because we were taking it a shot at a time initially then only loading 3 or 4 rounds in a magazine afterwords. Had a great time. My only gripe about the range is that the lane to the left of us was showering our lane with .22 and .40 casings. It made it a bit hard to concentrate, those dividers should be higher.

Second trip to shoot we get two boxes. I think this RO realized we might be a little green and as he was making his rounds he spent a lot of our time at our lane. I am sure he wanted to make sure we were operating the gun safely. I was really focused on safety and remembering what I learned as far as technique the first time around so I can't say if that RO had done the same. Either way it was relieving to know they take notice of it and seem to be on top of safety. We had the far left lane so there were no casing problems. I also took notice of the divider to our right and it seemed like it covered more area.

So with the gun buying experience and two range trips I am now comfortable with purchasing a year membership this Friday. They also allow you to add a "family member" for +$50. I really hope they will allow me to place my girlfriend on the membership or we are going to take a step back and reconsider what makes the most financial sense.

Before I rate the place I have to say that if I read the reviews from around 2008 and saw a few of the responses from someone claiming to be an employee there I might not have gone in. Fortunately, I did a search on this website after seeing the store/range for myself. That is part of the reason I am writing a lengthy review, my experience is not at all similar to what some of the others have posted here.

Ratings:
Customer Service: 9/10
Selection: 6/10
Range: 8/10
Prices: 8/10
Wait Times: 7/10
Stores Hours: 9/10

Notes:

Selection was given a lower 6 rating because the selection of 9mm and .40 semi auto pistols was weak. I am certain this is due to the demand for them but it is what I experienced.

Customer service is ranked high because of the three different people I had contact with (not including the ROs who were great) they were all very friendly and helpful. I am fairly certain I referred to magazines as clips several times and nobody shamed me, haha.

If all the lanes except for the far left shooting lane have issues with casings constantly coming over into neighboring lanes I will probably rate the range a bit lower. I previously shot exclusively at an outdoor range and I never had an issue with others' casings hitting me. I didn't notice a smoke problem as has been mentioned.

[jrswanson1]

Funny thing, the last two times I went, they had stripped lowers in stock. $115 for Spikes, $135 for Stag. They have everything else to build a complete lower in stock, too. I've been reading about the poor saps up in Maryland with their legislature ramrodding an anti-gun bill through and how everyone is looking to buy an AR before they're banned. Shelves are either empty or the shop wants $200+ for a stripped lower I'm so glad I live on this side of the river.

[jcgorla]

Try All Shooters Tactical in Woodbridge. Very friendly and no problems with transfers!

[krvw]

@WBlacklidge, thanks for the review. Your experiences there are pretty similar to mine. I'm a new customer at Sharpshooters and have been quite happy with what I've gotten for my money.

I compared the price of the handgun I wanted (G17g4) and the ammo they sold. In each case, I would have only saved a little bit by ordering on-line, so I got my Glock at Sharpshooters, and have bought most of my ammo there too.

I'm currently on a 30-day membership because I wanted to test drive the range first, but I definitely will be upping that to a year-long shortly.

My only wish is that they had a weekday only discount for range membership. I work from home and it's a real short drive for me, so going to Sharpshooters for a quick weekday range outing is quite easy. I prefer it during the week because the crowds are lighter in any case. I'd gladly commit to a 1- or even 2-year membership if they did weekday only discounts.

But overall, I'm a very happy customer.

Cheers,

KRvW