Bay Area shooting ranges- Where and why?

[American Canyon]

Where is your preferred practice range in the Bay Area?

[American Canyon]

Where is your preferred practice range in the Bay Area?

[trempel_ry@yahoo.com]

Indoor - Jackson Arms. Pros - they're reasonably priced, allow rapid fire and have friendly staff. Cons - their ammo selection is nonexistent, you have to use their targets.

Outdoor - Chabot Gun Club. Pros - Fairly cheap. If you bring a receipt from a new gun purchase, you shoot for free. Although expensive, they have a good selection of ammo in case you forgot yours. RSOs keep an eye on gangsta wannabes, SEAL commandos and the old folks that don't follow the safety rules. Cons - accessability to the 200-yard range is limited. You can't shoot anything other than paper. No water jugs, steel plates, etc. Too damn far from where I live

[bwiese]

Indoor:
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>Jackson Arms/SSF - Nice folks, shoot there mostly cuz my buddies shoot there too.

<LI>TargetMasters/Milpitas Haven't shot there for quite awhile, really should: they're open til midnight![/list]

Outdoor:
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>

<LI>Coyote Point Firing Range (San Mateo) - Cool in some ways, because this is only rifle range open late evenings. It's open Mon/Wed/Fri 7pm-10pm but doesn't allow large-bore handguns (only rimfire). However, all rifles welcome, including evil black rifles - since this range is run by Sheriff's/Parks Dept, bring your AW registration if you're shooting an AW.

<LI>Los Altos Rod & Gun - Great range. Safe, well-administered. Just a drag to have to drive thru the hills, wish it were a tad more accessible. Also wish it had 200+yd targets but beggars can't be choosers

<LI>Sunnyvale Rod & Gun - nice, smaller range. Only limited days/hrs open to nonmembers.[/list]

Bill Wiese
San Jose

[CraigC]

Moved from the bay area 6 months ago to L.A.


Indoor - Reed's (Santa Clara). Pro's: they allow you to do holster work and rapid fire upon certain qualifications, good prices, esp on ammo (everywhere else I know sells the cheaper stuff at the same price as the Federal you buy at Reed's). Knowledgeable staff is friendly and not pushy.
"Con's:" If they don't know you, or you look sketchy, they'll watch you like a hawk. Too many incidents of new shooters not following the rules and endangering others. They'll ease up once you show up a few times and show you're responsible. If you're the kind of shooter who likes to push the rule envelope because you feel entitled to it, this is not the place for you.


Outdoor - Metcalf in San Jose.
Pro's: It's cheap, and it was close by where I lived. 200 yard range accessible once per month, no further membership required.

Con's: It gets a little crowded on the weekends, the shooting benches are rickety, and there's no ammo to be bought out there.

[American Canyon]

Shooting Gallery in Vacaville- Indoor public range- but they also have a nice seperate Private Range for members. Double-taps allowed - no rapid-fire. I never shot anywhere else because it's nearby.

Martinez Gun Club- for trap/skeet shooting only.

[rkt88edmo]

USI
Inexpensive, close to home, get to boogie down on the action pistol range.


Lots of different competitions and activities in a ton of different disciplines.

[trever1t]

Los Altos Rod & Gun
Pro-assorted ranges and trap, cooler on hot summer days
con- too far and not too many mil-surp shooters!

Metcalf
pro- close. assorted ranges, alot of people shooting milsurp.
con- does tend to get a little busy.

[Bacon]

Places to shoot in the Bay Area:

http://www.dragunov.net/bay_area_ranges.htm

[ivanimal]

http://www.dragunov.net/bay_area_ranges.htm

This is an old list but may help if you are looking for new venues and just want to see what is out there. There is commentary as well, I like to form my own opinion. I usually just go to my sisters house in rural Vacaville, that way I get fed as well!

[edizon]

I'm beginning to really like the San Leandro rifle/pistol range. It costs $10 and you can shoot there all day long. The indoor range is clean and hardly anyone shooting during the day. Their outdoor range is fun too. You'll need soft/hollow point bullets for the 100yd range. I normally call first to see if the ranges are open or reserved for the police. The range is open 'til 9pm.

[Colonel Klink]

A friend of mine and I shoot once a week, or so, at San Leandro Rifle and Pistol Range. They have indoor and outdoor lanes. You can shoot your .45 and .308 at the same place for an additional target cost of $.50.

Can you shoot during the day on Mondays or Tuesdays? If you can you are welcome to join us. PM me at fmcdh@sbcglobal.net

[schizrade]

Chabot is my haunt of choice.

Pros: Lots of room, even when a lot of people are there. Good facilities. Good range staff. Ammo on site if you run out and MUST cause more paper homicide. Shell casing lawns are a nice touch. Targets are cheap $.50. Off in the middle of nowhere.

Cons: There is always one or more idiots there either emptying mags in 4 seconds or talking **** to people. Can become a swamp when it is wet. Can't get your gun off (rapid fire insanity) which while keeping people safe from smacktards, does not allow non-smacktards to practice rapid fire. Off in the middle of nowhere.

[American Canyon]

2 things came to mind...
I heard a "rumor" about a new range in the North Bay in the Fairfield area. Can't find anything on the net... Anyone know about it?

Also..I might drop by a range in Sonoma County...Montana Hawk...any thoughts?

[edizon]

The local Glock rep also mentioned that a new gunshop and range was opening up on the I-80 freeway somewhere in the Fairfield area. He says it can be seen off the freeway. I haven't seen it though and it sure would be nice to have another local gunshop/range to visit!