Posted: 9/18/2010 2:34:08 PM EDT
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Hey guys, just looking for some info on Rio Salado... reading the range nazi thread in GD got me wondering - last time I was at Ben Avery was a horrendous experience with the RZ's there - so I've spent most of my range time at SGC. Just curious for those that shoot at Rio Salado - how is the environment there? Generally I've only ever heard really good things about Rio Salado. Are the RO's there halfway decent folk? Considering buying a year membership and honestly given the price, it's not like I could probably go wrong - just curious to get info from people that shoot there regularly. Thanks guys. |
| have not been to Rio in a few years......... but when I used to shoot there, never had a problem and always enjoyed it. If your on the west side, which it sounds like your not, check out the joe foss shooting facility in buckeye.....we are not range nazi over there unless someone is really being stupid. really relaxed out there. you can get 2x as much shooting done in 1/2 the time. |
| I only shot at Rio, just for the reason that the RO's are so good. They have a large number of manufactures that test there guns out there, so they don't get jumpy about FA or other toys, in fact they tend to want to try something new out. If you get there late the day and few people are shooting they will often shorten or just call a cease fire if you ask. When the range is full, they are on the ball to keep yahoos in check. If you have a problem they tend to know enough to help or tell you to stop before you hurt yourself. |
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Quoted: ... I rarely go to Rio; the closest outdoor range. But I'm perfectly OK with the strict discipline. Don't know what transpired in the GD thread, but my guess is that it was the perp out of control and not the management No, not really - http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=1092180&page=1 I've had similar experiences at B.A. I don't mind safety and rules and RO's that know what they're doing and know why the rules exist and what to look for. I just don't like the overzealous types. Sounds like Rio doesn't have that which is good. Also I'm in Chandler so West side stuff is not very close for me  |
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You might find info in this thread too |
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The Rio guys leave me alone, but they hovered around my sister when she used to come. I say used to, as their staring at her and stopping her to offer suggestions made her so uncomfortable that she refuses to go to the range anymore. Any range, anywhere. And since heading out into the desert carries its own risks, shooting has completely disappeared from her life. Which is a pity, since she likes guns and loves shooting. I think she has used the Noveske I built for her a grand total of one time, which was during a trip with a friend to grandma's ranch where she feels a bit more secure (and incidentally, gets left alone). I think she got to run through a whopping two mags on that occasion. Note that I don't know what their suggestions were, or whether or not they were valid. I was always busy doing my own shooting. I just know that she grew to hate it there and won't go back. *shrug* |
| I don't go to the main range often but when I do, the RO's generally leave me alone as long as I follow the rules. A few years back they had some old guys who used to get on my nerves but I haven't seen them there lately. I noticed they are less likely to bother you if you sit at the end (and follow the rules). They seem to like to hang around the check in area and talk to each other while the range is hot. |
| The Ben Avery guys are Nazis, i refuse to go there. They got really mad at me about my AK spitting brass too far, told them it wasn't fault but the inadequacy of the range failing to have proper lanes, I normally wouldn't have responded like that but the guy came at me so violently. He started a big ruckus and kept raising his voice by the time he was half way through his rant half the range was staring at us and I was contemplating drawing down on him at the first sign that he was going to lunge. Never again. You really shouldn't be angry at a range goer for using one of the most common rifles of all time. |
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Quoted: And since heading out into the desert carries its own risks, shooting has completely disappeared from her life. I saw an RO the other day at a range here in the valley that exhibited the typical overzealous nature to a new female shooter. Basically berating her for not being honest about what gun she chose to rent, telling her her choices are stupid, invalid, blah blah blah. I really don't know if being an asshole is a prerequisite for being an RO or not, I just hate seeing such bad RO's and so-called instructors chase new people, especially females, away from learning to shoot and the sport in general. I wish they could see themselves recorded - maybe they wouldn't see a problem with their behavior, but I just don't understand why you can't teach a new shooter safe shooting and the general rules of handling firearms in a non-combative friendly manner. I can understand why your sister wouldn't want to be continually pestered at the range. Sounds like I'll have to give Rio a try a few times and make a determination, but from the sound of it, it appears they're a lot better than Ben Avery. |
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When you become a member, the best thing to do is shoot three high power prone matches and get qualified for the 500m members range. It's not bad but takes a while. It's every 4th Saturday of the month and there's a $15 match fee. These club matches are considered practice for the most part. The match is shot prone, 66 rounds in three 22 shot sessions at 500 yards. They are scored matches and you get to learn to run the pits (people shooting over your head), scoring the shots as they are taken. Once you are qualified, the high power range is there to use when a match isn't running. There's other matches that can get you qualified but the prone match is the most relaxed as opposed to tactical, relic or across the course.
http://www.members.cox.net/riohighpower/prone.htm There are no RO's on the member ranges. |
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Quoted: Or you can just spend all your shooting time shooting C&R, across the course and prone matches like I do. When you become a member, the best thing to do is shoot three high power prone matches and get qualified for the 500m members range. It's not bad but takes a while. It's every 4th Saturday of the month and there's a $15 match fee. These club matches are considered practice for the most part. The match is shot prone, 66 rounds in three 22 shot sessions at 500 yards. They are scored matches and you get to learn to run the pits (people shooting over your head), scoring the shots as they are taken. Once you are qualified, the high power range is there to use when a match isn't running. There's other matches that can get you qualified but the prone match is the most relaxed as opposed to tactical, relic or across the course. http://www.members.cox.net/riohighpower/prone.htm There are no RO's on the member ranges.  |
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I'm the one who brought up Rio in the range nazi thread. Rio is a good range, one of the better I've been to and I've been to a lot of them over the years. Avoid the public range on weekends and follow the rules. It's really not that hard to do even though some of them are really annoying. Don't handle firearms during the cease fire, even in cases and stand behind the stupid blue line. Once you learn the rules keep your ears on during the seemingly endless series of instructions given over the loudspeaker at the start of every cease fire. I wish they'd make it easier to become qualified to use the other ranges, I just don't have a lot of time or interest in competition, but I understand they need some mechanism to qualify people and this is what they've chosen. I am a member and if I didn't live 40 minutes away I'd do the competitions and I'd go to meetings, but it's just not going to happen right now. Honestly, don't let my rant in GD turn you off. Rio is a good place to shoot. |
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When the public ranges are crowded, sometimes I wished they'd be more strict to be honest. It'd be interesting to video tape a day and see how many times people get swept with a muzzle. I try not to pay attention otherwise I'd go ballistic. I have a friend that won't go to Rio because he watches others too much.
Next time you go to Rio take a look up at the awnings. I think you'll be surprised at how many extra holes there are. |
| I've been to Rio and Ben Avery both many, many times and never been approached or bothered by an R.O. for a stupid reason. My concerns at both ranges have been the idiots to my left and right muzzle sweeping me and acting like retards. I like ROs, especially the "Nazis". |
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Rio Salado is a good range. I have never had any problems with the RO's. They seem to be a friendly bunch of guys.
The rules there are fairly simple and easy to remember. During the summer, I avoid going on weekends in the morning when it is cooler since this is when most folks go. I go later in the day after it heats up a bit. This thins out the crowd quite a bit. They do have drinking water by the way. Weekdays are much better though as it is less crowded. |