How's Reeds been lately?

[Bowser]

Come at night. Actually Nancy let a forum member I talked to shoot his raddlocked USC. I've let customers shoot their 22lr AR and 9MM AR's too. No problems!

[BillCA]

Reed's Indoor range?


I'd rather be found dead, face down in my cat's litterbox than go there again.

Why?

• Told on the phone .41 Magnums okay. Told on-site I can't use jacketed ammo. None for sale either.
• Then watching them clear a guy with a .44 Mag into the range with Remington JSP ammo.
• Dipstick at the counter says I can't shoot my 1911 with aluminum grips cuz "you'll loose control of the gun".
• Watching them tell customers they can't use a "hi-cap" mag on the range - must be 10rds or less.
• Only exception to 3-second/shot rule is to take one of their expensive "tactical" courses.
• Ask about course availability, "sorry all filled up" then clerk walks away.
• Asked about 4" wheelgun holster, "we'd have to order it." Takes 6 weeks, pay first. No thanks.
• Found a holster for S&W 39 but with an ugly scratch. No discount, pay full price!
• Staff is hardly willing to help you find something you're looking for or answer questions on availability.

I listened to their clerks during a slow period. You don't want to know what they think of people who
- Question a range rule or policy
- Own a nickel gun
- Have stag grips on their guns
- Carry wheelguns (simple tools for simple minds)
- Bring a scoped pistol to their range.
- Come in wearing camo pants or jackets
- Who come in wearing HK, Sig, S&W or other logos on polo shirts

Most of all, when asking about ordering ammo they don't carry (.32 H&R, .44-40) being told a case lot is minimum and when asking the price being told there's a $25 "fee" for special-ordered ammo.

They want to sell stuff and not be bothered to actually help a customer find something they're looking for. And God forbid if you actually challenge something they say if you want any assistance.

[Olav]

Any idea what the 223 went for? In the past they've been more than fair on case priced pistol ammo...I dunno about rifle ammo though.

$430.00 for 1K PMC

[JDoe]

• Watching them tell customers they can't use a "hi-cap" mag on the range - must be 10rds or less.

That hasn't been my experience having seen other shooters with standard capacity magazines. What they don't want at the range is any possibility of anything illegal so if you walk in with your new handgun and brag about the 11 round mags your buddy smuggled into California from Nevada they aren't going to let you shoot.

• Only exception to 3-second/shot rule is to take one of their expensive "tactical" courses.

Or if you are law enforcement. On the other hand do you really want to allow just anyone to shoot rapid fire and possibly lose control of where they are shooting?

• Ask about course availability, "sorry all filled up" then clerk walks away.

Never had that experience. Usually they tell me about the upcoming courses as I'm checking out after shooting. I've never tried to get into a course only to get told it was all filled up.

• Asked about 4" wheelgun holster, "we'd have to order it." Takes 6 weeks, pay first. No thanks.

Maybe they've had too many people order things, not pay and never pick them up once the goods arrived. I've ordered holsters from them and paid at the time I made the order thinking nothing of it.

• Found a holster for S&W 39 but with an ugly scratch. No discount, pay full price!

That hasn't been my experience.

• Staff is hardly willing to help you find something you're looking for or answer questions on availability.

Not my experience either. Rick is always willing/wanting to help out and help find what will work for you. Eric is always ready to help and a couple of other guys I don't know the names of are always willing to listen to me and answer my questions that they have probably heard thousands of times before from other people.

I listened to their clerks during a slow period. You don't want to know what they think of people who
- Question a range rule or policy
- Carry wheelguns (simple tools for simple minds)

I question their range rules or policies all the time and follow-up with reliable sources for my information. It doesn't look like they shun me when I walk through the door and some actually seem to enjoy talking with me.

Rick likes wheelguns, heck Reeds sells and rents wheelguns I can't imagine that having seen nearly every gun ever made that they could have anything against people who carry wheelguns.

Most of all, when asking about ordering ammo they don't carry (.32 H&R, .44-40) being told a case lot is minimum and when asking the price being told there's a $25 "fee" for special-ordered ammo.

Not having some ammo in stock is a pain but they are in business to make money. When I've asked for ammo that they don't stock they have always asked me if they could order me some. They never mentioned a $25 fee but I didn't order the ammo from them either.

They want to sell stuff and not be bothered to actually help a customer find something they're looking for. And God forbid if you actually challenge something they say if you want any assistance.

Once again this hasn't been my experience. I've found them all to be very helpful, willing to listen to me and find solutions for what works for me. As far as what happens if you challenge anything they say, I challenge them whenever I hear something I don't agree with--which isn't often and they still want to work with me and provide great customer service.

[Blue]

Come to think of it, I did bring some wheel guns in there once and got a brisk warning about not shooting their ceilings up.

[bwiese]

Reed's Indoor range?

I'd rather be found dead, face down in my cat's litterbox than go there again.

Why?

• Told on the phone .41 Magnums okay. Told on-site I can't use jacketed ammo. None for sale either.
• Then watching them clear a guy with a .44 Mag into the range with Remington JSP ammo.
• Dipstick at the counter says I can't shoot my 1911 with aluminum grips cuz "you'll loose control of the gun".
• Watching them tell customers they can't use a "hi-cap" mag on the range - must be 10rds or less.
• Only exception to 3-second/shot rule is to take one of their expensive "tactical" courses.
• Ask about course availability, "sorry all filled up" then clerk walks away.
• Asked about 4" wheelgun holster, "we'd have to order it." Takes 6 weeks, pay first. No thanks.
• Found a holster for S&W 39 but with an ugly scratch. No discount, pay full price!
• Staff is hardly willing to help you find something you're looking for or answer questions on availability.

I listened to their clerks during a slow period. You don't want to know what they think of people who
- Question a range rule or policy
- Own a nickel gun
- Have stag grips on their guns
- Carry wheelguns (simple tools for simple minds)
- Bring a scoped pistol to their range.
- Come in wearing camo pants or jackets
- Who come in wearing HK, Sig, S&W or other logos on polo shirts

Hmm.

Knowing you, I don't doubt your experience one bit - however I do think you just got a "bad staffer day".

I and the late Parag shot there quite a few times without any hassles, and I was using hicap mags in some of my guns, and we were also shooting 44Mag wheelguns (single & double action). Ammo was generally FMJ ball, but JSPs or RNLs for the 44.

Been awhile I need to get some trigger time there...

Perhaps have a quiet conversation with Eric, he's a nice guy. I think things would 'get right' after that.

[dfens]

I plan on going tomorrow to see how it is haven't been their in awhile last time was before they expanded. Much cleaner and nicer range than TMW but more expensive. At least it's closer to my house. They have their good days and their bad days. Unlike TMW you can do head shots on your targets without being yelled at. Pisses me off no rapid fire how in the hell am I going to know how tight of a group my gun can shoot if I have to wait 3 dam seconds.

But yeah some of their staff can be dicks and act all snobish. I went in a once to buy a strider knife since they are a dealer. Didn't see the one I wanted. Asked the guy at the counter oh my god he just lost them a sale on a 400 dollar knife.

Wanted to know if they could get the one I wanted, he had no idea. How much will it cost, no idea. If I order when will it arrive, whenever. I have to leave a 100 deposit to order, ok so if it takes too long can I cancel and get that back, hell no. Was willing to buy it at full MSRP and the bastard blew me off wasn't willing to dig through catalog to get my order started. So I said F'em. I got it online for over 25 percent off plus no tax or shipping.

And all the smack that talk about people, keep your dam opinions to yourself. Over heard how 9mm guns no matter which one are junk and they're for pussies. I heard from a guy who heard from a guy that he shot someone with a 9mm and he didn't go down. Now if it was a .45 acp all it would take is one shot. Guess what kind of gun was on his hip a 1911 all the staff seem to pack 1911's. I wonder if I were to put down a 1911 they probably throw me out on my ***.

Please lord if I look at a gun for sale, that someone will actually help me instead of making me wait 15-30 minutes so you can finish your conversation on what ever is taking up your precious time like the old store on alum rock. You're their to help customers and sale guns if you blow me off I'll buy else where.

I need a few other nick nacks so wish me luck.

[RudyN]

I haven't had any problem with them. They never said anything about waiting 3 secs. between shots and I rented a 9mm XD there to try it out, no problems with that and then I bought one the next day. However, I do already have two .45s

[Bowser]

Unlike TMW you can do head shots on your targets without being yelled at. Pisses me off no rapid fire how in the hell am I going to know how tight of a group my gun can shoot if I have to wait 3 dam seconds

If I let one person do it, then I have to let everyone do it. And we all know not everyone can actually hit their targets whilst rapid firing. I have a hard enough time telling newbs not to do it and watching the wood from the ceiling get blasted away or having to reline the carrier system all the time. Relining = waslking to the end of the bay and getting a lot of lead going into my system. No thanks.

[BillCA]

Hmm.

Knowing you, I don't doubt your experience one bit - however I do think you just got a "bad staffer day".

I'd like to think so too. My last experience there was in May of last year or so. A local had said they'd stopped letting people fire magnums, so I called ahead. Sure. Fine. Then at the range they see the .41 and it's "no jacketed ammo". And of course they don't even carry LSWC for it.

But the comments I've heard the staff make whilst browsing in prior trips doesn't make me feel warm & fuzzy. And last March I asked about the holsters and their attitude was one of annoyance rather than helpful.

Oh yes, I asked about "challenging" the tactical course requirement. Their answer was only if Awerbuck passed you. But if you ask how to arrange that, you have to sign up for the course and pay the $300 for it before being allowed in the same breathing space. You know where they can pound a cream cheese dildo for that policy.

Maybe something changed over the last summer, but their prior attitude has me very biased against them.

[technique]

I like Reeds, but its the last range on my list. Some nice guys there.

[capitol]

I like Reeds indoor. The staff has always been friendly and helpful.

Do they have reloading supplies out yet?

I asked about it the last time I was in there and they weren't sure if they had the room.

[Rob Roy]

I like them, except they are not cheap and 3 sec rule. This defeats the purpose of practicing such essential skills as double tap and rapid target acquisition.

[wildhawker]

Chainsaw is right on the money- if you're a solo new walk-in and/or no regular with you (in other words, if all the credibility you have is a declaration of the skills you possess), Reed's will probably not be very amenable to free run of the place. However, when you shoot regularly, are respectful, friendly and considerate of their range they definitely become friendly and certain restrictions may be lifted. I know some may have a bad taste (and I'm sure for good reason), but I am positive that one would find Reed's to be a fantastic place to shoot if given an opportunity. As in all things, building a relationship with the staff will go far in making your visits more enjoyable.

[BillCA]

Reed's is not about warm and fuzzy. If you have a real problem with them, talk to Eric. If you want to feel warm and fuzzy, I recommend Markley's in Watsonville.

Yup. They were open about 9 months before I knew they were there. Once we checked 'em out, my boss and I would shoot .22's there on our lunch hour at least once a week to de-stress. The best part was the guy who ran the range were very helpful to first time buyers and would offer advice to novice shooters.

It also helps to be LEO. It also helps if you are a regular customer. It also helps if you shoot in the Monday night league. If there are few people around and you demonstrate good control, they will let you shoot faster. If you politely ask, they may even unlock the right half of the range, and you can have it to yourself. No Awerbuck class required.

So... if I understand what you said, it helps if you're a government agent or you've spent several hundred dollars with them before they will permit you to shoot normally? Mind you, I asked them what was required to shoot double-taps or at least one round/sec and they said I first had to take a "tactical handgun class". When I saw the price tag of $300 I asked if there was someone who could "qualify" customers who were obviously skilled. In the end, I asked about availability of the classes and was told "we're all booked up for the next six months".

A lot is about being polite and respectful and nice to them. Many of the staff there have a military or law enforcement attitude: If you treat them with respect, and make it clear that you are their superior (by age, social status, shooting skills, rank, something like that), they will be helpful and forthcoming. If you act like a punk, you will be treated accordingly. Anger does not help.

Certainly. In person, you're dealing with a moderately soft-spoken, 50-something male with well cared for, high quality guns in range boxes who is asking "how can I..." or "what's the procedure to..." and being treated as if his questions were a bother to respond to.

If your attitude is best described by comments such as "pound a cream cheese dildo", then I predict that Reed's and you will not get along.

See above. Also note that this wasn't just one visit, but the cummulative impression of more than 4 visits to the range between fall 2007 and spring 2008.

In general, if you want to shoot rapid, go to Jackson Arms.

Good advice - go elsewhere. Like a 72 mile drive.

Quite a few people have posted positive responses about their visits to Reeds. Maybe it is because I'm over 50, don't shoot there "frequently", and don't have a need to buy anything from them but range time. Even if that's it, there's no excuse for their attitude.