I'm done with Freestate

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  • trickg

    Guns 'n Drums
    MDS Supporter
    Jul 22, 2008
    14,598
    Glen Burnie
    I use a timer, I log my times and performance and also look at trends in my performance to see if I am improving or falling back or just having a bad day, I take classes from time to time and send video to coaches for critique and coaching.

    I guess as a pro level musician you never record yourself. Ok...
    I conceded and literally said in post #116 that I've utilized recordings as a means to analyze my playing for not only what I need to improve, but also to reinforce what I do well. It's a medium length post though, which may be why you didn't see it/chose to not read it, or whatever reason it was you didn't see it.

    Again, my point is that guys like you are not the norm when it comes to nimrods using their phone for selfies or other social media fodder at the range. If that's all people were doing, I'd have no issues with it.
     

    Bertfish

    Throw bread on me
    Mar 13, 2013
    17,606
    White Marsh, MD
    Hopewell Fish & Game is in Stewartstown, PA. just over the line. $100 per year. I've always heard good things.

    I know someone who shoots there a lot. 16 hours a year volunteer time and the website lists a lot of hoops to jump through for the same money but less headache at SLCFSA. I'm gonna go to their next meeting and see what's up
     

    lemmdus

    Active Member
    Feb 24, 2015
    380
    When people ask me why I hate Maryland, my answer never fails to mention that it's just too damn crowded. This post reminds me why I stopped going to indoor ranges.

    Along time ago, maybe 15 years ago or so, I remember telling my wife I want out of Maryland as soon as possible. Its over priced, over crowed, full of rude people, and too dmn liberal (socialist now). Then I read a post about this gun range and remember why I avoid indoor ranges. Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. We as a community DO NOT need that right now.
     

    Timmaaayyyy

    Member
    Jan 16, 2021
    7
    I am there a few times a month ... aside from idiots that will always be idiots ... the employees have always been great .
    I’ve been here maybe 15 times and 0 issues

    I’ve seen some terrible shots , even shooting out the control cable , can you imagine how kissed off that would make you as an owner, employee??? How about if you were the next person to be waited on ?

    Common sense is not so common
     

    Bertfish

    Throw bread on me
    Mar 13, 2013
    17,606
    White Marsh, MD
    I am there a few times a month ... aside from idiots that will always be idiots ... the employees have always been great .
    I’ve been here maybe 15 times and 0 issues

    I’ve seen some terrible shots , even shooting out the control cable , can you imagine how kissed off that would make you as an owner, employee??? How about if you were the next person to be waited on ?

    Common sense is not so common

    I love your username
     

    rhott25

    Member
    Nov 17, 2018
    19
    Bertfish,

    I understand your grips but, I also go there and Friday, Saturday and Sundays. They are extremely busy on those days. I want to stress I do not work there, but I have enjoyed going there when I can. So issues you state are mainly for weekends and understand that it is going to be jam packed in there. Mabe consider going on a weekdays.
    [1. Freestate makes anyone new to their facility or to shooting listen to a short discussion on firearms safety. I get it, basic CYA move. What's not useful is giving said discussion at the same counter where the mob has gathered to get checked in to the range. I use the word "discussion" very loosely too, shouting over a group of people (several of which are holding cell phones not paying attention) doesn't mean shit if you actually are trying to give a basic safety primer not just checking a liability box. This is especially true when you have a classroom which you could use to quietly and calmly give the same talk. The concern was on speed and getting people shooting, not on safety.]
    I totally agree with the statement 1.
    [2. The place has been overrun by urban yoots with cell phones. Before anyone accuses me of racial insensitivity bite me, there was every color and creed of ignorant in there tonight. Facetiming in the range, taking pictures, video while shooting, jamming up the lines because they are paying attention to their phone and not the world around them. The people shooting there tonight were treating that place like an amusement park, not a place where you can be injured or worse if the objects within are used improperly. The worst part is...]
    2 That comes with the times everyone is on cell phones. When getting briefed, they could use that area to the side where the vending machines but you really can't force anyone to listen to anything.
    [3. My wife and I did not see an RSO on duty. Appears as though the counter staff (who were overrun by hordes of people) are monitoring the range via camera. Maybe this is workable when they aren't busy but Friday night is busy as hell in there. This is damned unacceptable for a facility with every lane full of shooters on a busy night to short change safety in this manner.]
    3. The RSO is monitored by camera and dose come in and check out the situation and clean every now and then, but it is already a tight fit in the lanes.
    [4. Counter staff there still act like mall ninjas and want to finger bang all of your guns on the way in. If you open my case and see the gun locked open with no magazine in it there is no reason to proceed further. I got agitated with the one guy who started fiddling with my Kimber and (politely) told him to put it back in the case. My guns are not yours to fondle, make your safety check and move on.]
    4. It's the price of admission and if you don't like it go somewhere else.
    [5. A pet peeve of mine is guys going in there mag dumping ARs next lane over when I'm trying to instruct my wife. This happens everywhere and it is what it is, maybe I'm a bit of a fudd in this regard and I accept that. If they do have a rate of fire rule it sure wasn't being enforced or respected. Friday nights are always going to be peak hours but this time it was the only time we had available to go.]
    5. If ammo dumping is a pet peeve go to elk neck state park where you have to wait 3 seconds before shooting your next round or buy your own property and shoot at your own pace.
    [6. One of the mall ninja counter guys came in to let everyone know that it was getting near 9 and they'd be closing up shop soon. Guy in the lane next to me was clearly experienced, had a 300BLK rifle with a suppressor on it and was minding his own business shooting. Mall ninja stops and asks him if he "wants pointers" which the guy declines with a "no"- that didn't stop the pointers from coming anyways. Now I wouldn't have a particular issue with someone who is perhaps a little overzealous trying to help (in their own way) but I do have an issue when the damned range all around you looks like the wild west. Address the real issues mall ninja!!!!!!!!]
    To be honest at this point this seems a little petty. For you I would highly suggest you buy your own shooting property or find a range you enjoy going to.

    On a side not... Freestate is where my wife got her HQL and where I taught my kids to shot both ARs and handguns. It's not a perfect spot...but I enjoy going there and the staff and nice and knowledgeable. Maybe you need to invest in some property in West Virginia for your own private shooting where there are no "Mall ninja" around or check out some other gun ranges, you can give anyone a safety briefing, and count whatever amount of time you deem necessary for shooting your next round.
     

    Bboarder

    Me Myself & I
    Mar 7, 2010
    1,200
    Reisterstown
    To be honest at this point this seems a little petty. For you I would highly suggest you buy your own shooting property or find a range you enjoy going to.

    On a side not... Freestate is where my wife got her HQL and where I taught my kids to shot both ARs and handguns. It's not a perfect spot...but I enjoy going there and the staff and nice and knowledgeable. Maybe you need to invest in some property in West Virginia for your own private shooting where there are no "Mall ninja" around or check out some other gun ranges, you can give anyone a safety briefing, and count whatever amount of time you deem necessary for shooting your next round.

    Lol, who you calling petty when you sounds like a condescending jerkoff....
     

    tjaw

    Member
    Nov 14, 2014
    81
    Monkton, MD.
    Long time member; I was there today

    "Maybe you need to invest in some property in West Virginia for your own private shooting...".

    Who do I connect with to purchase this type of property in WV? I have been wanting to acquire a piece of property precisely for shooting.

    I am a long time member of FreeState. I was there today ~ noon. I was on a Waiting List...for 5 minutes. Pre-Wuhan pandemic lockdowns, I used to go on Sat/Sun mornings, arriving at the front door 0930 for the 1000 opening. I was first in, and choose the far-end lane. Yes, I am adamant about getting there first, to avoid the crowd. I read for a half hour before opening time. It is a bit of a haul for me; I live in Monkton. I do pass a range in Timonium on the way to and from FreeState. Snobbery at that location made my association with that shop short-lived.

    Gun snobbery is a head scratcher for this old head. I am passionate about Wood & Steel - guns and guitars. I do not profess to be an expert in anything, though I do have a lifetime of experience. When young LE or former military speak condescendingly at gun ranges, I do not mention that I have been shooting for nearly a half century, and have sent countless (well, I certainly cannot remember) thousands of rounds downrange. Folks should not make assumptions of about the lack of knowledge, skills, and abilities of someone they've never met. I guess this is one of my Pet Peeves.

    I like FreeState, though I can attest to one change over time that bothers me. The range used to be kept Boy Scout clean. Everybody cleaned up their own mess. This past year, however, the range is frequently blanketed with fired brass. And yes, I tell the folks about it. I have to clean up my lane (and I do the adjacent lanes as well) *before* shooting.

    I'm sure I will sound like a grumpy old man when I say that I have observed a seeming relaxation of shooting range etiquette over the past two years.

    I have purchased a bunch of guns there, and the process has been fine. I have taken several of their training classes, because I like training. The "Shooting Under Stress" was a good course, as was the MD W&C course.

    Most (not all) of the staff are friendly and professional.

    But, tell me again, how do I get hooked up with a coupla' scrub acres in WV? 8)
     

    JohnnyE

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Jan 18, 2013
    9,462
    MoCo
    Bertfish,

    I understand your grips but, I also go there and Friday, Saturday and Sundays. They are extremely busy on those days. I want to stress I do not work there, but I have enjoyed going there when I can. So issues you state are mainly for weekends and understand that it is going to be jam packed in there. Mabe consider going on a weekdays.
    [1. Freestate makes anyone new to their facility or to shooting listen to a short discussion on firearms safety. I get it, basic CYA move. What's not useful is giving said discussion at the same counter where the mob has gathered to get checked in to the range. I use the word "discussion" very loosely too, shouting over a group of people (several of which are holding cell phones not paying attention) doesn't mean shit if you actually are trying to give a basic safety primer not just checking a liability box. This is especially true when you have a classroom which you could use to quietly and calmly give the same talk. The concern was on speed and getting people shooting, not on safety.]
    I totally agree with the statement 1.
    [2. The place has been overrun by urban yoots with cell phones. Before anyone accuses me of racial insensitivity bite me, there was every color and creed of ignorant in there tonight. Facetiming in the range, taking pictures, video while shooting, jamming up the lines because they are paying attention to their phone and not the world around them. The people shooting there tonight were treating that place like an amusement park, not a place where you can be injured or worse if the objects within are used improperly. The worst part is...]
    2 That comes with the times everyone is on cell phones. When getting briefed, they could use that area to the side where the vending machines but you really can't force anyone to listen to anything.
    [3. My wife and I did not see an RSO on duty. Appears as though the counter staff (who were overrun by hordes of people) are monitoring the range via camera. Maybe this is workable when they aren't busy but Friday night is busy as hell in there. This is damned unacceptable for a facility with every lane full of shooters on a busy night to short change safety in this manner.]
    3. The RSO is monitored by camera and dose come in and check out the situation and clean every now and then, but it is already a tight fit in the lanes.
    [4. Counter staff there still act like mall ninjas and want to finger bang all of your guns on the way in. If you open my case and see the gun locked open with no magazine in it there is no reason to proceed further. I got agitated with the one guy who started fiddling with my Kimber and (politely) told him to put it back in the case. My guns are not yours to fondle, make your safety check and move on.]
    4. It's the price of admission and if you don't like it go somewhere else.
    [5. A pet peeve of mine is guys going in there mag dumping ARs next lane over when I'm trying to instruct my wife. This happens everywhere and it is what it is, maybe I'm a bit of a fudd in this regard and I accept that. If they do have a rate of fire rule it sure wasn't being enforced or respected. Friday nights are always going to be peak hours but this time it was the only time we had available to go.]
    5. If ammo dumping is a pet peeve go to elk neck state park where you have to wait 3 seconds before shooting your next round or buy your own property and shoot at your own pace.
    [6. One of the mall ninja counter guys came in to let everyone know that it was getting near 9 and they'd be closing up shop soon. Guy in the lane next to me was clearly experienced, had a 300BLK rifle with a suppressor on it and was minding his own business shooting. Mall ninja stops and asks him if he "wants pointers" which the guy declines with a "no"- that didn't stop the pointers from coming anyways. Now I wouldn't have a particular issue with someone who is perhaps a little overzealous trying to help (in their own way) but I do have an issue when the damned range all around you looks like the wild west. Address the real issues mall ninja!!!!!!!!]
    To be honest at this point this seems a little petty. For you I would highly suggest you buy your own shooting property or find a range you enjoy going to.

    On a side not... Freestate is where my wife got her HQL and where I taught my kids to shot both ARs and handguns. It's not a perfect spot...but I enjoy going there and the staff and nice and knowledgeable. Maybe you need to invest in some property in West Virginia for your own private shooting where there are no "Mall ninja" around or check out some other gun ranges, you can give anyone a safety briefing, and count whatever amount of time you deem necessary for shooting your next round.

    Tried to read. No spacing between paragraphs.

    Please reformat and we'll give it another try.
     

    U.S.SFC_RET

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 8, 2005
    6,697
    Bertfish I can understand your frustration. The behavior of some at the range can be over the top. I for one advocate a high quality gun safety program and if I had the choice I would enforce one. You will just have to compromise on a give and take. I always tried to frequent an indoor gun range just at the opening hour when its is slow for business. That in the past has pretty much has worked for me.
    Most people have never received formal instruction on gun safety and or the handling of rifles, pistols, revolvers, shotguns ect. Simply meeting a training requirement to use a gun range really isn't enough.
     

    F5guy

    Active Member
    Mar 27, 2013
    440
    Annapolis
    when people who say make gun ownership more accessible complain when more people have guns cracks me up.

    The best solution is to find a club that suits you or make more money and/or build your own range.

    oh he touched my gun, thats a good one too... lol
     

    Bertfish

    Throw bread on me
    Mar 13, 2013
    17,606
    White Marsh, MD
    when people who say make gun ownership more accessible complain when more people have guns cracks me up.

    The best solution is to find a club that suits you or make more money and/or build your own range.

    oh he touched my gun, thats a good one too... lol

    I don't care about a safety check. I do care about a CoD warrior mall ninja waving my property around because it's cool and he's never seen one. If he drops it and damages it who is on the hook?

    If you can't understand that simple bit then feel free to leave the thread
     

    F5guy

    Active Member
    Mar 27, 2013
    440
    Annapolis
    I don't care about a safety check. I do care about a CoD warrior mall ninja waving my property around because it's cool and he's never seen one. If he drops it and damages it who is on the hook?

    If you can't understand that simple bit then feel free to leave the thread


    The thread is like the range ‘public’ people don’t have to play by your rules. I’m not trying to antagonize you just point a few things out you may not fully comprehend. I do however respect your right to complain and express your opinions.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     

    KJackson

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Apr 3, 2017
    8,613
    Carroll County
    I usually have my cell phone out at least once a session (securely set up out of the way) taking video of me on my draw stroke, etc, video is a great training tool when doing live fire practice as well as dry fire practice.

    This seems like an opportunity for an enterprising range to make a little extra money. Have one of its lanes set up with video recording ability and charge extra for its use in order to have the recording be done in a safe manner.
     

    JoeRinMD

    Rifleman
    Jul 18, 2008
    2,014
    AA County
    This seems like an opportunity for an enterprising range to make a little extra money. Have one of its lanes set up with video recording ability and charge extra for its use in order to have the recording be done in a safe manner.

    I think it's a great idea...esp for the younger generation that loves posting everything they do. However, the downside, from the number of suicides at public ranges discussed here, is that this could be an issue with someone specifically selecting that range to video their final act. That would be terrible for all concerned.

    JoeR
     

    Bboarder

    Me Myself & I
    Mar 7, 2010
    1,200
    Reisterstown
    I don't care about a safety check. I do care about a CoD warrior mall ninja waving my property around because it's cool and he's never seen one. If he drops it and damages it who is on the hook?

    If you can't understand that simple bit then feel free to leave the thread

    I agree, visual inspection should be enough. Open action and no mag. Why should you ever have to touch it?
     

    Huck Hound

    Member
    Mar 8, 2020
    84
    I personally don't like public shooting ranges:sad20:. I'm thinking of setting up a private range in my back yard. When I do I will send out invitations on this board for all who want to join me. I will serve refreshment of beer, wine and scotch along hot dogs and hamburger. All I ask is you pick up spent shells.:party29:
     
    May 21, 2017
    2,870
    Gaithersburg, MD
    I personally don't like public shooting ranges:sad20:. I'm thinking of setting up a private range in my back yard. When I do I will send out invitations on this board for all who want to join me. I will serve refreshment of beer, wine and scotch along hot dogs and hamburger. All I ask is you pick up spent shells.:party29:

    No better combo than an AR and Bourbon.


    :lol2:
     

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