Best Ranges/Gun shops in San Antonio?

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ok. I'm just repeating what the guy said. I may go back in there to look around, its a big store with tons of stuff. Prices seemed a little high, or at least full retail, but maybe they deal, I don't know.

I googled on the subject, but couldn't find anything..
 
I just stopped in at TExas Guns today with my wife.
We arrived in San Antonio from San Diego, late Sunday night. My wife finally broke down after hearing me insist on getting to a TX gun store, and we were driving along Bandera when we saw it.

Spoke to a very polite and patient guy named Jim at the store.
The store was clean, well-stocked, and nicely displayed.
I didn't ask about the range so I can't comment to that end.

I'll be checking out other stores of course (OK, I'll be checking out ALL OF THEM) but this one seemed pleasant enough and my wife liked the idea of an indoor range.


Hurray we're in TX!

B.
 
I use the Bracken Range because it's close, but I find the Blackhawk Range, outside SATX, in Atascosa County, to be my favorite. They're friendly, it was 4.75 a gun last time I went (about 10 days ago), not crowded like Bracken often seems to be, and I can mark and replace my own targets.

It's a bit far, but it's not a terrible drive (much shorter than driving out into the National Forest from San Diego!), and I've always felt welcome.

Regards,
Dirty Bob
 
I agree, the folks at Powderhorn are very friendly, and they have a nice selection.

I also stopped by the Bullethole on my way home last week and found they can accomodate individuals like myself who just want to fire their shotguns. They ask that you bring some cardboard for a target, and they will take care of the rest. Of course no clay shooting or anything fancy like that.

Speaking of which, does anyone know the story on the National Shooting Complex? Can you go there to shoot, or do they only host competitions? It is real close to me, and it would be convenient if they aren't too expensive.

Cheers! M2
 
AFAIK, the National Skeet Shooting Complex is not open to the public. There is a skeet and trap range at Randolph Air Force Base- anyone know if the public can use it?
 
The Texas Thunder Range has a very expensive membership, IIRC. $365 for a year. Thus, if I shot there once a month it would be $30 ish for a session. Since I shoot about two matches a month for $17 each and then might go to Dietz for $7 bucks - it makes no sense.

If Bass Pro has an indoor range - they will be in trouble with that business model. If they had a $10 an hour fee, I might use them. If I have to buy ammo way over big box prices - forget it.
 
Grayrock

Randolph does have a range...but it is only open to active duty military, dependents, retirees and Randolph civilian employees...

Skeet Range

The Skeet and Trap Range hosts monthly National Skeet Shooting Association (NSSA) and Texas Skeet Shooting Association (TSSA) registered shoots. The facility consists of two skeet ranges and one trap range.

(web site)
Click to expand...

Same for Camp Bullis...

Camp Bullis also offers a Sportsman's Range where shooters can fire their personally-owned firearms. The range is open to DOD ID card holders on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., October-May and from 8 a.m.-Noon, June-September. Call (210 295-7577/7529 ) before coming out to use the range. Firearms must be registered with the Camp Bullis Outdoor Recreation Center.

(web site)
Click to expand...

What I don't know is if a military ID card holder like myself can bring someone on base to shoot. If you find out, please let me know.

Cheers! M2
 
has anybody dealt with Mckee's Guns on Randolph Blvd lately? There's a new owner. His prices seem great, but there's not much stock in the store. Has to order what you want. Also wants full payment at time of order, which I'm not crazy about.
 
I went by Powderhorn again today, with my boss who is also looking at the same shotgun I am. The folks there are nice enough, but we both did our homework and found that we could order the same gun online for about $60 cheaper. Now, you have to factor in shipping and FFL charges, but you also have to factor in sales tax if bought locally, so as such the online price was still a lot better. But when I asked if there were any discounts if we bought two of the shotguns, I was was promptly told that the price on the tag is the price of the gun. Well...:neener: on that!

Neither of us expected them to match the online price, but we were expecting at least some sort of discount. I mean, there were over a half dozen of these particular model shotguns on the rack. I guess we were mistaken. So, the end result is the Powderhorn--although friendly--lost two sales and we both walked out empty handed. No one came out ahead. :banghead:

I tried calling the dealer in NC who has them at the cheaper price once I got home, but they were closed for the day. I'll try again tomorrow.

Of course there is always next month's gun show! :evil:
 
Lots of good info here.
I've shot at Bracken and it's decent (good benches). Guy running the place is very safety-conscious and really helpful. Have a friend who's used Cedar Ridge a lot and likes it. The Dietz Range in New Braunfels is home to a couple of shooting clubs--one a silhouette club (nice range!) and a Schuetzen club (www.nbshootingclub.org).
Unfortunately, New Braunfels is down to only a couple of places that sell guns, so I "have" to spend my gun $ at McBride's, Dury's, AJC, or the shows around (SAXET is 1st weekend of month in San Antonio and 3d weekend of month in Austin). Like lots of others, I've spent some time drooling over the selection at Cabela's in Buda. Cabela's was one of the major supporters for the recent Friends of NRA event in New Braunfels, so, thanks to them, and it's one more reason for shopping there.
If you're into collecting, there's the Alamo Arms Collector Assn.--not sure if I got the name right--that might be worth a check.
So, enjoy being a naturalized Texan and keep 'em in the 10-ring!
 
Just made it down to Dury's Guns yesterday.
Amazingly helpful folks and a great selection.
Some gems at the store:

FN FS2000, felt nice when shouldered, although I didn't care for the trigger

DW commander in 10mm with an extra BarSto 40 barrel, very nice little pistol

HK USP45CT, REALLY made me miss my full-sized USP45

Sig 220, old style (no rail) but NIB/unfired for such a nice price I was sorely tempted despite being on a continuing hunt for a P220 SAO.

Met the owner's wife/co-owner. She was sweet and helpful. All the employees there were amazing, especially the young gentleman whom helped me with the handguns, Kyle I believe.

I will definitely be going back to Dury's.

I'm probably going to visit a few more stores in the city today.
:)

I
B.
 
I've never been to Dury's, and I've lived in S.A. for 33 years... :eek:

I never took the drive since I figured any nice, big gun store would have high prices.

maybe I should sometime...
 
I went to Cedar Ridge today for the 2nd time. I went today with the same guy I went with last time. Well, today it turns out we both got a long lecture about "the rules". In particular, the rule about shooting the wooden target stand legs. Turns out last time, after we left, they say that they found out one of us shot one of the legs, and didn't report it. Well, today I said, I didn't know we shot one of the legs last time.

After we got done shooting today (great fun by the way... :) ) they give us both another LOOOOONNNGGG lecture about "the rules". Seems they saw one or both of us with "something in your hand" while the other one was walking around picking up brass or changing targets. Well, I made a HUGE EFFORT today, that every time my buddy was walking around, I had my gun laying on the table with the slide open. I would either just sit there and drink my coke, or check out the targets with my binocs. So we got a very long lecture about "nothing at all in your hands..." not drinks, not binocs, not anything.

So, now we've gotten 2 lectures out of 2 visits. They also keep a notebook about everyone they've given lectures to, and now we are in there twice. They told us they've banned LOTS of people for not following these strict rules.

Well, in my opinion, and I've been shooting since the late 1970s without incident, and my shooting buddy has been shooting since the 1940s, their rules are IDIOTIC!! I'm not going there again. It's not worth being treated like a little kid in grade school.

I like being able to walk to my targets and change them, but if they are gonna be spying on us and writing us up if the other one is holding a drink, or binoculars, screw them.

Looks like Braken from here on. They are very friendly there, and they appreciate my business, and tell me that every time.
 
That would be annoying.
I'm all for standing back and away from firearms while the range is cold and others check/adjust/set targets. But objecting to you drinking your coke and using binoculars? That seems a bit excessive.

I've been to the Bullet Hole range 4 times now, and I really like it.



B.
 
Cedar Ridge has all these "separate areas". Its not one big open range. I mean, that there may be, say 4 benches in a 10-yard wide range - with a back berm, and a bern on both sides of the range. Then next to you, over the berm, will be the next range. So, therefore me & my buddy had "our own little range" there was nobody else in view. We were surrounded by a berm to the left, to the right, and at the back. Basically, you and your shooting buddy call your own cease fires, while one of you goes and changes the target. Meanwhile, people in the next ranges (over the berms) are still shooting.

And while someone is changing the targets, in your own little range, the other one better just be sitting there with their hands in their lap doing absolutely nothing!!! God forbid if he picks up binocs or a coke or anything... he'll get a scolding like a little kid!!!

I doubt I'll ever go there again. Too bad, I used to go there a lot way back when it was called "La Paloma".

edit: I need to try the Bullet Hole. Never been there. Where is it anyway?
 
Although it's off to the south a ways, I like the Blackhawk Range a lot. Very nice folks, and I've always felt welcome. Haven't tried the Bullet Hole.

Regards,
Dirty Bob
 
Some good things about Dietz's range:

Family memberships available. Used to be 45/yr.
You can bring others and not be charged if they are on your membership.
The Central Texas
sillouette range is also there. He OWNS the property.
Excellwent gunsmith.

Downside:
closed during deer season. He hunts too and wants deer meet.

Great place to go. the fee covers all guns and 2 targets. Not priced per gun.
 
does Dietz let you change your own targets? I went there maybe one time back in the mid-1980s, but have not been there since then.

regarding Bullet Hole, I found it by using Mapquest... but how far is it outside of 1604? I will be coming from 1604 / Interstate 10, then turning outside the loop on Potranco Rd. I'm wondering how far Grosenbacher Rd is on Potranco.

edit: ok, I was posting this at the same time as Brennan above...

another edit: oh yeah, I forgot. When we first got to Cedar Ridge today, and they asked what range I wanted to shoot at... I said 50 yds. (I had my SKS and my M-1 carbine). Then they went into this lecture about how they wanted to be sure shooters could keep the holes on the paper, and not the target stand legs.... so they set up my target at 30 yds instead...

Another thing, they keep everyone's drivers license. No other ranges do that do they?
 
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Just an update. I bought the Mossberg Persuader at the gun show a few weeks ago, I only saved about $30 over the price at Powerderhorn, but the main point was I wasn’t going to spend my money at a shop that was so rude about a simple inquiry on a discount for buying multiple guns. Maybe that is my opinion only, but that one incident means I won’t be spending any of my hard earned money at that particular shop. I have to say I am sorry to say that, as most of the gentlemen who work there were very friendly, but it only takes one bad experience to drive a customer off and that one incident was enough for me!

I took the new Mossie out to the Bullethole a few days later, Michele told me I could fire it on the 25 yd pistol range. As there was no one else on the pistol range, I could not only shoot my shotgun, I could also move down to the shorter ranges to test out my new Springfield 1911 and fire a few rounds through my XD-45. As always, the folks at the Bullethole were friendly and easy to get along with. When there is a range officer on the pistol range, they are very good about making sure everyone is safe without patronizing anyone. I have also found where there is no range official around, everyone does a good job of looking out for each other.

Same holds true for Sportsman’s Warehouse, I constantly go by there to buy ammo or other gear. Just yesterday I was at the one at 410 and 151, and asked if I could see if the Uncle Mike’s holster I was looking at would hold my SA 1911, so they let me try one of the guns from the case. Sure, not much of a favor to ask, but they were glad to let me make sure it was correct so I wouldn’t have to bring it back later. That is the kind of customer service that keeps bringing me back to that store. Now, with the new Bass Pro Shop opening up later this week (19 Oct), it will be interesting to see how they are; but to be honest I expect that place to be a madhouse for the first month or two. I still plan to check it out.

One last, I am at Camp Bullis this week for training, so I plan to stop by and find out what the rules and regs are concerning their range. I might just go ahead and register my guns with them, so I can bring them on base at a later time without hassle. I will post once I get more info, or a chance to check out their range.

Cheers! M2
 
As always, the folks at the Bullethole were friendly and easy to get along with. When there is a range officer on the pistol range, they are very good about making sure everyone is safe without patronizing anyone.
Click to expand...

ok, 2 or 3 miles on Potranco, thanks Brennan... I was hoping it was just a few miles.

M2, Bullet Hole sounds like a good range. Let me add to my above complaints about Cedar Ridge... They made me read aloud the rule about shooting target stand legs even by accident, must be reported... So I read the first half of it... then the guy banged his finger on the rest of it... for me to read...

I swear, I don't know if one of us accidentally shot one of the stand legs last time we were there, although they say that one of us did. Well, my buddy put his target out at 50 yds for his Glock .40s&w... maybe he hit a leg. The point is we didn't know we shot one of the .59 1x1 wooden legs. I mean, 59 cents - some major damage there. The more I think about it, I should have told the guy "forget it, I'm never coming back".
 
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