Posted: 7/10/2015 3:35:24 PM EDT
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Just moved down to Columbus for work, I'm gradually exploring what there is around the town but I'm more interested in places to shoot and local gun shops.
Pistol range would be nice, I work on the south end of town but live to the north and would like to shoot once a week if possible. Actual rifle range, 300+ yards is the next order of business, more like bi-monthly to one of them. Also, I know Vance's and have been there, not too bad but it didn't feel very personable. I'm looking for a Blue Label Dealer and know they are one but is anyone else in the area? Thanks |
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Vance's is an LE distributor. There are some other dealers around but Vance is the biggest for that. Quite a few gun shops around. I've done quite a bit of NFA through Paul's Marine. Longer range there is Briar Rabbit goes out to 400, though I've never shot there. Rayner's and Thunder Valley go out to 1000 and a mile respectively. The state ranges only go to 100, the closest being deer creek and delaware. They are fun to shoot at and are both currently underwater. |
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I just moved here a short while ago. What i'm finding is that in terms of shooting this area isn't the greatest. Ranges have been just OK and same with gun shops. Still trying to find a go to shop with no luck yet. I'll let you know I'm big on service. If prices are higher/average but the service is good they will get my business.
Black Wing Shooting center - I've only used the indoor range here as the day I went out it was raining so i Couldn't use the rifle range. Typical indoor range (Please note I hate shooting in indoor ranges and am used to shooting year round in MA weather). Nothing good or bad about it just average. If I remember correctly I paid 20 for unlimited time. Range was pretty empty on a saturday around 3. The staff was friendly and helpful. They had a good amount of reloading supplies if that is your thing. Gun prices were about average for the area too. No really great deals. They also had a bunch of suppressors in stock as well. Probably one of the bigger stores outside of Vance's that I've been to in terms of inventory and selection. They are big into clay sports from what I saw/heard. Delaware shooting range - This place is currently underwater. But for a $24 a year membership to shoot at any of the Ohio state parks that have ranges why not. The range is only 100 yards and they have a pistol range as well. I hate shooting from a bench and this is bench only. All state parks have a 3 shot 3 second rule, or something close. Delaware will late you place your targets at any distance on the 100 yard line. Usually pretty busy for the two times i've been on a Friday afternoon and a Saturday. I didn't care for the pistol range at all. |
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AUMiller gun shop - This place is in Westerville and downtown. Not a bad little shop. I've had mixed experiences there. I wanted to like it but chances are I won't be going to often. The owner and manager are great. When I've shopped with them I've had a great experience. Only thing is most times I've gone (about 10 now) they aren't there. Only a younger kid and an old man who both leave a lot to be desired. Bought a scope and rings from them. Had to order the rings in. When I went to pick them up they couldn't find them. Then they were supposed to mount my scope and told me to come back next weekend. The work wasn't done when I came back. So I took my stuff and did it myself. Two chances and two fails on their part. Ammo prices are higher than most places but they have a decent selection and sometimes have deals. Gun prices are average to above average depending on what you want. Just nice to have a local store.
AimHi (new Albany) - I've always had great experiences from them. Their prices again are average to slightly higher depending on what you buy but every time I've been I've got great service from them. I bought a suprressor they had in stock on impulse then went home and read the reviews and it sucked. Called them the next day and they let me switch it out for another one. They helpled my wife pick out her first gun as well. Very helpful staff and didn't push any one gun on her. But walked her through the pros and cons of each (which I've been trying to tell her but she won't listen to me...women). Small amount of reloading supplies. Ammo prices are average. They sell mostly pistols and a few more tactical style rifles. Their range is average. Both pistol and Rifle. Its $20 for unlimited time and $10 for another person on the lane. Didn't seem like they were safety nazi's. |
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Vances outdoors - You've been, Columbus was the worst Obetz is the best. I prefer Hebron. Expensive indoor range but nicest I've been to in the area.
Cabelas - It's cabelas. Over priced guns. Lots of people. Ammo is the only thing worth buying. Velocity Gun work in Westerville. This is a tiny shop. I've only been once but they have almost no ammo and only a few guns. I think where he makes his money is on transfers $20 for the first and $10 for any after. Can't beat that. The owner is super friendly and nice. Will be giving him some business in the future. The Bullet ranch (Pataskala) - Not a bad little shop. Had a good experience there. I've never bought anything from them but just looked around. Had average prices as well. |
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Briar Rabbit Shooting range (zanesville) - Best shooting range in the area. The have about 6-7 pistol pits that feature a ton of steel. They are never to busy. Also they do action sports as well. Rifle range is out to 390 yards. You are shooting down hill which I don't like to much. Was good but they just kind of ruined the range. They had a place to shooting kneeling, sitting, prone, etc but put more benches to shoot from. I hate shooting from benches. Still the best range I've been to so far. $100 for a yearly membership. Just have to travel a ways.
Woodbury wildlife range - This is a bit of a haul but a nice overall range. It is another state park so your $24 gets a membership there too. Wasn't to busy on a Saturday when I went. They have a 25 yard range, 50, 100 and 200. The thing the sucks here is that you have to shoot at those ranges. IE if you are shooting pistol shortest you can shoot is 25 yards. Didn't know that when the wife and I drove out. Is good for precision rifle work if that is your thing. hopefully will make it to Rayners next weekend and can update for you. |
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Vances outdoors - You've been, Columbus was the worst Obetz is the best. I prefer Hebron. Expensive indoor range but nicest I've been to in the area. Cabelas - It's cabelas. Over priced guns. Lots of people. Ammo is the only thing worth buying. Velocity Gun work in Westerville. This is a tiny shop. I've only been once but they have almost no ammo and only a few guns. I think where he makes his money is on transfers $20 for the first and $10 for any after. Can't beat that. The owner is super friendly and nice. Will be giving him some business in the future. The Bullet ranch (Pataskala) - Not a bad little shop. Had a good experience there. I've never bought anything from them but just looked around. Had average prices as well. disagree. Alpha star tactical beats that. $15 transfers... better than all but kitchen table ffls in columbus |
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Don't drive out to Rayners without calling first. The owners are great people though. Quoted:
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Thanks for the detailed breakdown nic1984, I will definitely be out and about to sample a couple of them this week! Yes....The owners are great people. I enjoy shooting at Rayners. Briar Rabbit in Zanesville has improved under new ownership. |
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Velocity Gun work in Westerville. This is a tiny shop. I've only been once but they have almost no ammo and only a few guns. I think where he makes his money is on transfers $20 for the first and $10 for any after. Can't beat that. The owner is super friendly and nice. Will be giving him some business in the future. Wow, I never heard of this place and it's very close to home. I will definitely use them for transfers, and will visit the shop soon. |
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Vances outdoors - You've been, Columbus was the worst Obetz is the best. I prefer Hebron. Expensive indoor range but nicest I've been to in the area. Cabelas - It's cabelas. Over priced guns. Lots of people. Ammo is the only thing worth buying. Velocity Gun work in Westerville. This is a tiny shop. I've only been once but they have almost no ammo and only a few guns. I think where he makes his money is on transfers $20 for the first and $10 for any after. Can't beat that. The owner is super friendly and nice. Will be giving him some business in the future. The Bullet ranch (Pataskala) - Not a bad little shop. Had a good experience there. I've never bought anything from them but just looked around. Had average prices as well. Wow!....I didn't know about Velocity or Bullet Ranch. I'll have to check it out. For me.....Vance Obetz store is the best. Cabela's if you only want to buy ammo. |
| I stopped in Velocity Works today. The store front is about the size of two parking spaces. Two display counters with handguns, rifles on racks behind that. Small selection of accessories on the sales floor. Guns for sale priced higher than Vance's. Owner was helping another customer so we didn't get to chat much and I could only stay a few minutes. I said I never heard of his place and I've lived in Westerville over 20 years; he explained that by saying they don't do a lot of walk-in sales. Anyway, I'll probably use them for Title-1 transfers in the future since it's so close and I rarely transfer more than one at a time. |
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I stopped in Velocity Works today. The store front is about the size of two parking spaces. Two display counters with handguns, rifles on racks behind that. Small selection of accessories on the sales floor. Guns for sale priced higher than Vance's. Owner was helping another customer so we didn't get to chat much and I could only stay a few minutes. I said I never heard of his place and I've lived in Westerville over 20 years; he explained that by saying they don't do a lot of walk-in sales. Anyway, I'll probably use them for Title-1 transfers in the future since it's so close and I rarely transfer more than one at a time. Thats pretty much my thoughts. They did have a russian SKS for $500. I didn't check it out so not sure if its matching but that isn't a bad price if it is. My thoughts is to use them for transfers only. You didn't happen to ask if they do NFA items did you? |
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Thats pretty much my thoughts. They did have a russian SKS for $500. I didn't check it out so not sure if its matching but that isn't a bad price if it is. My thoughts is to use them for transfers only. You didn't happen to ask if they do NFA items did you? I did not ask about that; I will ask next time I'm in there. It wasn't listed on his web site so I assumed not. |
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I'm not so sure I agree about Briar improving with the new owners. Back when Sean owned the place there was less safety nazi BS and more freedom for practical shooting and action shooting. We did a lot of stuff at the old "magnum bay" that was off the side of the rifle range before the renovation took place that moved the rifle range. I also enjoyed having the ability to shoot prone, where as now there is absolutely no place to do so. The only movement I can do there now is with some simple handgun drills at the bays.
I really enjoy Rayners range, and the owner and his wife are great people. It is about 30 min of a longer drive than Briar, but I enjoy going there a few times a year. |