Went to the NRA range in Fairfax, Va yesterday - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

LUVMBDiesels · #1 08-15-2009, 07:29 AM

If you are anywhere near Fairfax, Va and you have not gone to the NRA range at their HQ building, you have got to go.

I went at 10:30 Friday morning and had a great experience.
I had not been there before so I had to sign a waiver, get a Range Card ($10) and pass a 'test' 25 questions and open book.

The range is amazing. they let you shoot any caliber pistol and most rifles indoors. They also let you shoot shotgun slugs. The targets are electrically controlled, computerized and will allow for timed shots.

I brought my 'new' Tokarov and shot it for the first time today.
I waited about 1/2 hour for my turn and then put a target out to 15 feet. I just squeezed off 8 shots and was surprised how accurate it was for the first time being held and shot. I shot both Wolf non-corrosive and old Romanian corrosive stuff. I did have one of the old rounds not fire. After waiting a minute or two I ejected it and went on. The rest of the old stuff shot well.
I only had enough time to shoot 64 rounds and since the gun looked like it had never been fired it was just staring to loosen up by the end.

I changed up the distance and was pretty accurate out to 45 feet. I did have trouble with the black military sights against the black target. I just went to Cabellas and bought some glow paint for the front site. I can't wait to go back and try the gun with a more visible sight.

Anybody who has not tried this place is missing out...

The address is
11250 Waples Mills Road
Faifax, Va 22030

Hatterasguy · #2 08-15-2009, 10:10 AM

Sounds like fun!

They must have a good backstop, indoor ranges around here don't like large caliber rounds.

LUVMBDiesels · #3 08-15-2009, 07:11 PM

The range goes back 50 yards back and has a good backstop of sand at the end. Some of the hand cannons being shot were amazing! My gun looked and sounded like a toy next to the guy firing what was either a .454 or .50 revolver! Now I need a .44 magnum just to keep up!

Here is what they allow:
The NRA Range is one of the few 50-yard indoor ranges available to the public. The shooting booths are wheelchair-accessible and provide ample room for position pistol and rifle shooting. The automatic target retrieval system will place targets at any distance in one-foot increments from 3 to 150 feet. The unique backstop and sound baffling systems allow you to shoot rifle calibers up to and including .460 Weatherby Magnum!
The NRA Range is open to the general public -- NRA members and non-members -- for recreational shooting, and is also used for a variety of programs including NRA Basic Firearm Training Courses, competitions, league shooting, junior shooting programs, NRA Instructor Training Courses, NRA Coach Schools, shooting clinics and more.
The NRA Range includes a classroom and a check-in office which is stocked with targets, hearing and eye protection, cleaning supplies, a selection of the more popular calibers of ammunition, and various safety and training instructional materials.

They do not allow steel core bullets or shotgun pellets.

Much fun!

Dee8go · #4 08-15-2009, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Sounds like fun!

They must have a good backstop, indoor ranges around here don't like large caliber rounds.

It's the friggin' NRA for crying out loud! Whaddaya expect?

I'm sorry to say that I live just a couple of miles from there and yet have never been in there. Their museum is supposed to be pretty nice.

tankdriver · #5 08-16-2009, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Sounds like fun!

They must have a good backstop, indoor ranges around here don't like large caliber rounds.

I used to live near there. There were one or two incidents in which shots hit some houses. They'll put a house anywhere down there.

Dee8go · #6 08-16-2009, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tankdriver

I used to live near there. There were one or two incidents in which shots hit some houses. They'll put a house anywhere down there.

That wasn't from the NRA range. Those were from drive-by shootings . . .

LUVMBDiesels · #7 08-16-2009, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tankdriver

I used to live near there. There were one or two incidents in which shots hit some houses. They'll put a house anywhere down there.

I don't know about that coming from the range. There is sand and then concrete at the far wall. I think Tom is right and it was random shootings...
I had some moron neighbor kid shoot my parent's house with a rifle when he was messing around with his dad's gun in his back yard when I was growing up. I can still find the bullet hole