best shooting range near Stone Oak? (Marion, Bandera: club, town, community)

[Merovee]

Originally Posted by majormadmax

Take a look at this thread: Gun Shows, Shops and Ranges in San Antonio

The few outdoor ranges close to Stone Oak are not overly recommendable, unless you have a DoD ID card at which point Camp Bullis would be your best bet.

Honestly, the best indoor range in SA at the moment is Nardis on the SE side of town (roughly 90 and 410). It's a bit of a drive, but worth it.

If you want something closer, Bass Pro has an indoor range but you have to make an appointment (210-253-8800) and check your weapon in with them at the front door.

Cheers! M2

410 and 90 is the East side and not the Southeast side.

Originally Posted by majormadmax

I've heard numerous accounts of them accusing people of doing things they aren't doing (e.g. shooting at the stands instead of the target, trying to shoot over the berms, etc.) and getting into incorrect arguments with people over what weapons can be used on what ranges (they don't seem to realize that ARs and AKs can be legal pistols).

They've also made some ridiculous modifications to that range because of the claims of stray rounds hitting a new neighborhood built a quarter mile or so away. A full-sized male cannot shoot normally with those overhangs and they expect people to crouch down when they shoot.

Frequent some local firearms forums and there are numerous threads about some of the antics there, Cedar Ridge and the Bullethole. These are accounts from people I know and trust, not some strangers. I have no reason to doubt them.

They are sticklers for rules at Bracken, true. They will run out to you and inquire to insure the safety for all. I don't see that as a negative but to each their own.

[majormadmax]

Originally Posted by Merovee

410 and 90 is the East side and not the Southeast side.

In the Air Force we call that quibbling.

They are sticklers for rules at Bracken, true. They will run out to you and inquire to insure the safety for all. I don't see that as a negative but to each their own.

I have no issues with safety, having shot regularly throughout my military career I am very aware of its necessity.

However, there's keeping a firm watch over the firing line and then there's being jerks; and both Cedar Ridge and Bracken have reputations for being the latter especially when the accusations are unfounded. The individual's I hear the stories from are not gang-banger-wannabes that you often see at the Bullethole; these are seasoned, experienced and mature shooters--mostly retired or former military--in their 50s and 60s.

I understand keeping an eye on younger, less-skilled shooters; but I work with a former law enforcement officer who was constantly badgered by the owner of Cedar Creek simply because she was a woman (he was not aware of her LEO experience). I would bet she is as good and safe of a shooter than he is, if not more so; and I've heard similar accounts from several other individuals about the guy.

I understand it's his property and his rules, but if he's going to treat customers like that then word will get around and it will impact his business. I have been very vocal about the unsafe conditions I witnessed firsthand at the Bullethole, especially considering the fact that the management there made no effort to stop it when informed about it. I wish things weren't that way there, but I am not going to lie to people about what I saw and experienced. The firearms industry is under a lot of fire at the moment due to recent events, the last thing we need is another ugly incident to generate even more public opinion against armed law-abiding Americans!

[Merovee]

Originally Posted by majormadmax

In the Air Force we call that quibbling.



I have no issues with safety, having shot regularly throughout my military career I am very aware of its necessity.

However, there's keeping a firm watch over the firing line and then there's being jerks; and both Cedar Ridge and Bracken have reputations for being the latter especially when the accusations are unfounded. The individual's I hear the stories from are not gang-banger-wannabes that you often see at the Bullethole; these are seasoned, experienced and mature shooters--mostly retired or former military--in their 50s and 60s.

I understand keeping an eye on younger, less-skilled shooters; but I work with a former law enforcement officer who was constantly badgered by the owner of Cedar Creek simply because she was a woman (he was not aware of her LEO experience). I would bet she is as good and safe of a shooter than he is, if not more so; and I've heard similar accounts from several other individuals about the guy.

I understand it's his property and his rules, but if he's going to treat customers like that then word will get around and it will impact his business. I have been very vocal about the unsafe conditions I witnessed firsthand at the Bullethole, especially considering the fact that the management there made no effort to stop it when informed about it. I wish things weren't that way there, but I am not going to lie to people about what I saw and experienced. The firearms industry is under a lot of fire at the moment due to recent events, the last thing we need is another ugly incident to generate even more public opinion against armed law-abiding Americans!

On the Southeast side we call 410 and 90 the East side, the Eastsiders I have known call it the same.

Unsure what the military has to do with that?

I appreciate the rest of your information but keep in mind my comments were strictly directed toward Bracken. Now you bring up a whole host of other issues from other ranges, especially about safety, just adding in that those safety issues are not present at Bracken.

I have had them come to me, I was not offended, but maybe because I understand things a bit differently regarding my role, theirs, and the range. Have a nice day if you can.

[guyferris]

Wow, this is great discussion...thanks everyone! I am inferring from some of the posts that "rapid fire" is not looked upon favorably here in San Antonio? At my prior location (Wash DC area) that was fine.

[Merovee]

Originally Posted by guyferris

Wow, this is great discussion...thanks everyone! I am inferring from some of the posts that "rapid fire" is not looked upon favorably here in San Antonio? At my prior location (Wash DC area) that was fine.

Shooting from the hip to rapid fire isn't allowed anywhere. They will come check to insure you don't have a fully automatic.

Forgot to add Bexar Community Shooting Range in Marion.

[GEM-Texas]

Nardis will let you draw from the holster but they will check you out first to see if you know what you are doing.

Having add a guy draw his gun and put a 45 ACP in the ground about a foot away from my toes - I appreciate that. They have bullet proof doors between the range and shop area - good plan!

[Neshomamench]

Originally Posted by Merovee

Shooting from the hip to rapid fire isn't allowed anywhere. They will come check to insure you don't have a fully automatic.

Forgot to add Bexar Community Shooting Range in Marion.

Rapid fire and full auto is allowed at the Bullet Hole, you just have to get a private bay.

[oilfieldman]

Where is a good range to zero a rifle? I have not been able to find a low key gun range that would allow paper targets. I have low powered binoculars but would like to be able to walk down range.

[oilfieldman]

also, I would be willing to travel up to an hour out of town to find a gun range that would not be crowded.

[jameshardin]

This is a great discussion.

To answer your original question, the best indoor range close to Stone Oak is Bass Pro in my opinion. It can be tedious since you have to check your weapon at the front, and watch someone who has no idea how to hold a firearm put a bulky trigger lock on. (often times pointing the barrel horizontally towards passing customers). The range master's name is Lee. The guy is tip top. He is a retired police officer, and competition shooter. He is very friendly, and courteous.

I don't go to Bracken anymore, I just don't like the atmosphere. They have very strict rules, such as claiming that your brass is now their property. I also hate the shooting bays, I am 5'8'' and I have issues with the low overhang.