Posted: 8/17/2010 10:41:27 PM EDT
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I got my pistol permit last week and had some time after a meeting today and found myself in North Tonawanda. Niagara Gun Range (http://www.niagaragunrange.com)is a nice place to shoot for $17/hour. It's an indoor range and you can send the target out to 50 yards. They have all the "basics" but don't have a ton of firearms in inventory. They do offer a few guns to rent by the hour. An hour of shooting on the range will set you back $17. Even though the range is indoors, they let you shoot FMJ and let you shoot any caliber of pistol or rifle you want except for .50 BMG. I was there as were a couple other "regulars" who knew the nice front clerk lady by name. This was around 2pm on a weekday. I bought a pack of generic bullseye targets, a silhouette target and a zombie target. I had 2 revolvers and a pistol to shoot and each was the first time I'd test driven them. The store itself had lots of open space and was comfortable. Again though, they are short on inventory. The did have everything you need though as far as cleaning supplies, ammo, some holsters and sundry accessories. As I was wrapping up my hour of shooting the owner came out and told me not to go on the range to collect my brass. I hadn't done so; it was another lady using the range but I didn't see the point in arguing so I promised him I wouldn't cross the firing line any more. Later when I was checking out to settle up my account, he told me that he was mistaken and had learned that it wasn't me after all that was going out to scrounge brass and apologized profusely for accusing me of doing so. I told him it was no big deal and he apologized a few more times. To be honest, the lady told everyone in the range (all 4 of us) that she was going to collect brass and she did it when everyone was reloading or otherwise not shooting, so she didn't interfere with anyone's shooting. All the same, the rules of the range are "No crossing the line to get brass" which makes sense to me; I can understand how someone running a range would not want people wandering around picking up brass past the firing line. Anyways, I asked the owner guy if he does transfers and he says he does, then went into a bunch of stories about how people have tried to transfer non NY legal guns through him and he refuses those transfers. I asked how much he charges for a transfer but each time I asked it lead to him going off on another tangent about legal vs illegal weapons so I quit asking because I had to get back to work. Overall though, he seemed like a stand up and trustworthy guy even if he talks too much. The range is very nice, clean and well-kept. I had shot there a few years ago before they moved to their new location and this place is even nicer now. I'd recommend anyone in the area who wants to bust some caps for a short while to consider Niagara Gun Range for their next day out shooting. The only other complaint I have is there were some Russians next to me who rented the range's AR15 which had a muzzle brake and was loud as hell. It was bad enough that I would wait for them to finish their 10 round mag before I shot because the noise and concussion of the braked AR15 right next to me was too much to handle. Next time I'm there, I'm going to suggest to the owner that he buy a suppressor for that gun. |
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muzzle brakes are loud as hell- that's why most people building a post ban rifle I suggest a plain crowned muzzle instead.
Can't have a supressor in NY not a class III state Did you get my e-mail from yesterday? soory I did not see it sooner AS far as pistol shooting locally there are pretty much 2 main groups- those that shoot traditional bullseye(50 foot or 25&50 yard outdoor) single handed bullseye guns mostly 22's then the "combat oriented" shooting at paper or steel targets with various courses of fire I shoot both but mostly the combat stuff. most clubs that hold events allow non members to shoot matches so you have to investigate each clubs/activites rules. the two I am most involved in Blasdell rod and gun (combat) and boston valley(bullseye) both allow non members to shoot events. Never used Niagara gun range for transfer (tooo far- I am in Cattaraugus county) and can't comment yea or nay, but even a large number of FFL's are still very confused on what constitutes a NY legal or not gun. |
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Captain, yes I did get your email I just haven't written back yet. Thanks. Like I said in my post, overall, I liked the NGR and I agree indoor range + muzzle brake on an AR15 makes for some uncomfortable range mates. I doubled up on ear plugs & muffs and it was still rattling being next to it. |
| I have joined a club, but before that I went to the Niagara Gun Range a ton. The owner and his wife are decent folks. It seems like they practically live there, I rarely saw anyone else working. Their fees add up quick, which is why I joined a club. Also, make sure you call ahead because they frequently shut down for training classes. |
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I've shot there a few times Whoah! Seriously? been a few years since the last time I went. I'm cheap so I don't go often. although prior to father's day and then that last trip to the swamps a few weeks ago I hadn't done any shooting in a long time |
They unscrew the benches on purpose for leo training, I almost knocked my shit all over the place before and then the dude came and screwed them all back together. That being said....they are really good people who run the place. The dude WILL talk your ear off, but hes a good guy
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They unscrew the benches on purpose for leo training, I almost knocked my shit all over the place before and then the dude came and screwed them all back together. That being said....they are really good people who run the place. The dude WILL talk your ear off, but hes a good guyI had the bench collapse on me once, taking my 1911 down to the concrete with it. The woman owner saw it and apologized. |