Blue Ridge Arsenal

[LFS]

I'm a little surprised nothing has been written about Blue Ridge Arsenal yet.

Blue Ridge Arsenal is an FFL and shooting range located in a light-industrial park just off Rt. 28 in Chantilly, VA. http://www.blueridgearsenal.com/ They also offer training and host firearms matches for IDPA and other shooting sports. By all accounts, it is a very popular business.

The range itself is a typical indoor, box range consisting of a "pistol" side (A) and a rifle side (B). Side A is almost always in use for events, so you'll probably end up on Side B if you are just there for your own pleasure. Both sides consist of well-used, no-frills lanes with simple motorized target holders and collapsible tables. Check their website for caliber restrictions.

You might also want to be aware that there are some political controversies surrounding this range. The owner was quoted on TV as saying he'd voted for Obama, and Kal Penn, a former actor and now Obama communications executive, made a famous and publicized visit to the range to learn to shoot.

The sales staff and range officers are very friendly and like to rib each other. If you go during the week, say hi to Mark -- the tall, bald black dude who calls himself a redneck, you can't miss him.

I mention Mark, because I've got two interesting stories from this range that involve him.

The first happened just this past Friday. Mark was patrolling Side B and walked up to a young man who had just finished a lot of shooting. Expended brass was everywhere on the floor and Mark pointed at it and said to the young man, "Your momma isn't here." In reply, the young man pointed to a lady standing behind Mark with a Glock strapped to her hip and loading two AR magazines. Mark laughed and moved on.

The second story occurred some months back. I had just come off the range and was checking out with Mark when in walked a young lady. She was dressed in a black, ratty t-shirt and sweat pants. Though it was 1pm, her hair was disheveled and it looked as if she had just rolled out of bed. She asked to rent a gun, stating that she had been to the range with her boyfriend and used his. Mark challenged her asking from the make of the gun and the calibre. To which she responded, "Its the TuPac gun, you know the one used to kill TuPac." Mark professionally but firmly told her they couldn't rent a gun to her. She replied by saying "Be cool" and then broke into some rap song about the killing of TuPac. It was unbelievable. Mark pointed toward the door and said "Get Out!" Those of us who observed this were in stitches, and once she left we burst into laughter.

[Sweetpea]

I was there this past weekend for the first time and had a really nice time. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. The lane was decent. And there was a lounge with soda and coffee machines that was much appreciated. I will happily go back on Ladies night and get a lane for half price!

[Rumson]

I haven't shot at Blue Ridge in a while but did take my CHP class there. Excellent course ran by Jack.

Have they done anything about the ventilation yet?

[gregj]

Ventilation still sux there, at least it did last month. I will be there tomorrow evening for their IDPA match. I'm sure the ventilation will be the same. But they do have some very interesting COFs for their matches.

[LFS]

Greg,

I was thinking of showing up tomorrow night just to observe the match. Do you think that would be ok? I'm taking a class at Silver Eagle this weekend on IDPA, but I figured seeing a match couldn't hurt. Do they allow observers on the range during the match?

[Sweetpea]

I did not notice any ventilation problem at all.

[vbrtrmn]

I did not notice any ventilation problem at all.

Go in the summer time, unless they've recently updated the AC handlers, you'll notice.

[gregj]

Greg,

I was thinking of showing up tomorrow night just to observe the match. Do you think that would be ok? I'm taking a class at Silver Eagle this weekend on IDPA, but I figured seeing a match couldn't hurt. Do they allow observers on the range during the match?

Sorry I missed your note earlier. I believe they will allow observers there, I've seen family members, etc, hang around around and watch.

What is the class on IDPA supposed to cover?? I assume how to shoot a match. IMO, It really is not that difficult that you need to take a class for, but hey, trigger time it trigger time. Make sure you go over the rules book and have a basic knowledge, of the range commands to start and end the COF (Course of Fire), basic concept of scoring (it takes a while to fully grasp it, so dont worry), proper reloads, and common errors that cause Procedural penalities to be awarded - most common is not "slicing the pie". See you at a match soon.

[gregj]

I did not notice any ventilation problem at all.

Go in the summer time, unless they've recently updated the AC handlers, you'll notice.

Last night it was pretty bad, took a while to get the smell and taste of sulphur out of my mouth. And yes, in summer time it gets very hot, so much so they forego the requirement of using cover (i.e. vest) in their matches.

[LFS]

Greg,

I did end up observing the first match. I was the guy with the VCDL cap on. Pretty cool, and I plan to sign up next month. One of the BRA guys tried to get me to sign up for a slot in the second match, but I just am not comfortable yet without the training. The SEG class will go through range training. I guess I could sign up for a match and just go through the stages slowly but that would probably annoy people.

[gregj]

There have been a few new folks that have shown up at the matches, and they required a lot of guidance by the ROs. No one seems to be upset by this, we were all newbs once, some a little more recent than others. Everyone is pretty cool at the matches. See you at the next one.

[BlueTiki]

Hey Andy,

Don't let your newness to IDPA intimidate you. Just get in there and listen and observer the others before you. If you make a mistake they will point it out to you so you don't make it again. Its a great bunch of people there that run the program. You will have a blast. The most important thing to remember is to have FUN!!

I warn you now though. Once you do it, you will not want to stop. It is extremely addicting.

I've been a member up at Blue Ridge now for almost a year and really enjoy it. I wish it was a bit closer to me but that is my problem. As far as the range goes, Great Staff, Nice and simple lanes, Plenty of room to move around behind the lanes for you and your guest, and all around decent store front. A bit expensive on the guns and ammo but on par with other ranges and sporting goods stores in the area.

[Meloncat]

I'm something of a novice to shooting (my prior experience was a college trip to a Roanoke gun range, where I fired the Springfield XD .45 and a .38 special revolver. That's all I have), but I'm interested in visiting Blue Ridge Arsenal soon to begin the wonderful American experience of shooting stuff that goes boom. Although I know the essentials to firearm safety (Trigger discipline, never point at anyone or yourself, always treat it like its loaded, ect.) and am well versed enough in the nomenclature, I still have some of the newbie jitters. I'll be sure to attend the introduction to handguns on the 3rd of January, but I'd like to shoot before then as well because I have to head to college on the 7th. Is there anything essential I should keep in mind? I'm sure BRA is respectful and courteous to new-blood shooters, I'd just hope to repay the favor!

I'll be renting a gun most likely, as otherwise I'll only have the PPK in firing condition. Do you all know if they offer a Remington or Mossberg shotgun, or some variation of an AK available to rent?

Additionally, do you all happen to know the average price for Blue Ridge to do a detail clean and lube of a military surplus/antique firearm? They say "Price on Request", so I presume it will go higher than the 50 dollars for shotguns, pistols and rifles. I'm just curious so I don't gape when I hear my grandpappy's poorly taken care of SMLE Mk3 will cost me a hundred to get cleaned.

Thanks.

[jadedone4]

BRA charges $20 for pistol rentals and you MUST purchase their ammo (so there is some "sticker-shock" there; i.e. box of 9mm at walmart = $9; at BRA it is $20+ for same FMJ's).

They rent shotguns (Mossbergs; unsure of gauge, same SOP's as above, you must use their ammo, etc).

They have AR platforms for rental (believe they are +/- $25-up. (believe that they have SW and a variant, then also the SIG556 unit).

Unsure about AK (or variants), would assume that the prices are about the same as AR rentals, and the same SOP's re: ammo purchases.

BRA offers "full-auto" HK-MP5's (suppressed and unsupressed) - these are $50/rental; with 30/rds in the mag - all inclusive (ammo costs are included in the rental price).

703.818.0230 is the landline at BRA; call em and ask about spec's on what you want to rent/shoot, gun-smithing, etc. I shoot there, but would not allow them to work on my guns; or rather there are only 1-2 folks there that I would entrust to my "regular" guns, if I had a collector or vintage unit - I'd head over to Virgina Arms Company (Manassas) or Guns and Ammo for major fixes, etc. But that is just me - having a bad-experience at BRA with work on my daily carry, your experiences may be different.

[LFS]

I shoot there, but would not allow them to work on my guns; or rather there are only 1-2 folks there that I would entrust to my "regular" guns, if I had a collector or vintage unit - I'd head over to Virgina Arms Company (Manassas) or Guns and Ammo for major fixes, etc. But that is just me - having a bad-experience at BRA with work on my daily carry, your experiences may be different.

Agreed. I shoot there too, but until I hear a good review from some gunsmithing work there, I would go elsewhere. I've heard good things from people who have had work done at Virginia Arms.

[Flavet]

LFS: I am a true fan of Virginia Arms and Bernie has been very helpful to me at times when my project wouldn't yied the store a penny. They truly earned their $20 or so transfer fee when I won a pistol in that big NRA sweepstakes and nothing went right on the NRA/contest runner side. Always affable.

I had an OLD M1911 (delivered to U.S. Navy in 1912) that hadn't been fired since 1947 and an old (maybe 1915) S&W revolver that no one knew anything about. I took them at different times to M&M Gunsmith near the waterfront in Alexandria. The smith is named Mike. He was gunsmith for Interarms that many of you know about until they closed at which time he opened his own joint a couple of blocks away.

For the 1911: Complete disassembly, inspected all parts, cleaned, lubed, safety-checked everything all the way through the process, test-fired, and gave it an "A" (needs new mag). That cost a worthwhile $125. The S&W was so cruddy that Mike first thought the barrel was bent. Did everything except test fire for $75. I'd go back there in a heartbeat. Gunsmithing only as far as I know; he's not trying to sell anything. I went to his website this morning and saw he has some repair parts for sale.

m&mgunsmithing.com 703-739-2150

[kle]

Hmmm...ya think M&M could make a grip-mounted scope rail for my H&K P7M10 pistol? I'll email them...

[vbrtrmn]

Blue Ridge seems to have gotten their act together, since the last time I was there. They have upgraded their air handlers and have gotten rid of the horrible portable air conditioners.

[BlueTiki]

Agreed. The last time my wife and I went in there she needed to keep her jacket on because it was so cold on the rifle side. I know that the reason is simple. They finally got those air handlers moving. I guess getting a monster fine from OSHA helped.

I don't care what it was that did it. I just know that I was out on the firing line for over two hours and didn't have a bit of problems with stink from all the smoke, and it was damn crowded too.

[CowboyT]

I've been to Blue Ridge twice. Once was for the Basic Pistol course, and the other was for Basic Rifle. Both times, the staff there gave me the "we're the bouncers, we can kick your a$$ any time we want to" attitude. It's one thing to run a gun shop/range and maintain safety. It's another to clearly communicate "I wouldn't mind fighting you, you little twerp" to your patrons. I'm serious, it looked like a few of them might actually want to pick a fight with someone, just to show how tough they are!

Also, they were the ones going to the Wal-Marts, buying up all the ammo, and then reselling it for double price in their stores. The ammo counter clerks all made it very clear it was the Blue Ridge people. That's why Wal-Mart now has a limit on how many boxes you can buy.

Fortunately, BRA is not the only game in town. Far from it, and I'm now at a range with more ethics and nicer people.