Shooting Range Review: Elite Shooting Sports, Manassas VA
11-16-2014, 08:53 AM
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Friendly Jackboot
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Shooting Range Review: Elite Shooting Sports, Manassas VA
I took the time to go to Elite Shooting Sports today in order to add my wife to my membership. It was my first time there as I purchased the membership prior to their grand opening and wasn't sure what to expect. I was blown away by the overall classiness of the establishment as well as the politeness and lack of "stuck up" mentality among the employees; I felt compelled to write a brief review and share my initial thoughts.
As far as the review itself goes...be gentle, its my first time :fie:
Elite Shooting Sports (ESS) is located in Manassas, VA is hands down the most comprehensive and nicest indoor range in Northern Virginia and perhaps beyond. The owner was a 15yr NRA employee and was the head manager of the NRA range in Fairfax VA. In addition he has been shooting competitively for 25yrs and is an IPSC and IDPA Grand Master. It is apparent he used all of his experience from the NRA range and "what works and doesn't" when designing this facility. More importantly it seems he applied that same experience and logic to the facilities policies. A range's policies can be just as important as the facility itself in terms of their success and it's evident the owner is very pro 2A and eager to introduce new people to the sport.
*Being 65,000sq ft Elite Shooting Sports offers much more than just shooting lanes including: A retail/pro shop, full service cafe, full time gunsmith, simulator room, dojo, various classrooms, lounge/sitting areas, a metric crap ton of lockers, and tons of bathrooms. Oh yea, and a two story live fire shoot house for civilian classes and mil/leo training...
(Below was a rendering but as you can see above its identical in real life, just the shelves/inventory aren't fully stocked yet
*Speaking of shooting lanes ESS has the following: (24) 25yd lanes, (10) 50yd lanes, and (8) 100yd lanes...
*Range hours have been an inconvenience for me in the past due to my rotating days off and working nights. This isn't the case with ESS...
Monday-Sunday 8:00am-10:00pm
(0800-2200 for you rank and file folks)
*Their annual memberships and daily rates are very affordable and they even offer a month to month membership...
Hourly
$20/hr 25yd and 50yd ranges
$25/hr 100yd range
$10/hr for each extra person (max of 3 per lane)
Minor under the age of 18 sharing a lane shoot for free (Little touches like this separate them from other ranges in the area)
ANNUAL
$350/yr ($50 for each family member)
$300/yr Mil/LEO/Fire Fighter (same family member rate)
*Things that stood out...
-Staff was very very nice, I simply asked an employee where a range was and he questioned if it was my first time there. Upon answering yes he took me and my wife on a tour of the entire facility.
-The massive excerpt from the Second Amendment as a focal point
-They allow all NFA items and full auto fire (they do reserve the right to verify paperwork)
-Can draw from strong side and appendix holsters
-I asked about chronograph use and one of the RSO explained not only was that acceptable, but part of the initial planning. You simply call ahead and give them a heads up and they will make provisions for you to setup your chronograph.
-Multiple targets are allowed on each lane, provided they are eye level
-Handwash stations outside of every range bay
-Hardwood floors and granite everywhere...classy!
As far as the review itself goes...be gentle, its my first time :fie:
Elite Shooting Sports (ESS) is located in Manassas, VA is hands down the most comprehensive and nicest indoor range in Northern Virginia and perhaps beyond. The owner was a 15yr NRA employee and was the head manager of the NRA range in Fairfax VA. In addition he has been shooting competitively for 25yrs and is an IPSC and IDPA Grand Master. It is apparent he used all of his experience from the NRA range and "what works and doesn't" when designing this facility. More importantly it seems he applied that same experience and logic to the facilities policies. A range's policies can be just as important as the facility itself in terms of their success and it's evident the owner is very pro 2A and eager to introduce new people to the sport.
*Being 65,000sq ft Elite Shooting Sports offers much more than just shooting lanes including: A retail/pro shop, full service cafe, full time gunsmith, simulator room, dojo, various classrooms, lounge/sitting areas, a metric crap ton of lockers, and tons of bathrooms. Oh yea, and a two story live fire shoot house for civilian classes and mil/leo training...
(Below was a rendering but as you can see above its identical in real life, just the shelves/inventory aren't fully stocked yet
*Speaking of shooting lanes ESS has the following: (24) 25yd lanes, (10) 50yd lanes, and (8) 100yd lanes...
*Range hours have been an inconvenience for me in the past due to my rotating days off and working nights. This isn't the case with ESS...
Monday-Sunday 8:00am-10:00pm
(0800-2200 for you rank and file folks)
*Their annual memberships and daily rates are very affordable and they even offer a month to month membership...
Hourly
$20/hr 25yd and 50yd ranges
$25/hr 100yd range
$10/hr for each extra person (max of 3 per lane)
Minor under the age of 18 sharing a lane shoot for free (Little touches like this separate them from other ranges in the area)
ANNUAL
$350/yr ($50 for each family member)
$300/yr Mil/LEO/Fire Fighter (same family member rate)
*Things that stood out...
-Staff was very very nice, I simply asked an employee where a range was and he questioned if it was my first time there. Upon answering yes he took me and my wife on a tour of the entire facility.
-The massive excerpt from the Second Amendment as a focal point
-They allow all NFA items and full auto fire (they do reserve the right to verify paperwork)
-Can draw from strong side and appendix holsters
-I asked about chronograph use and one of the RSO explained not only was that acceptable, but part of the initial planning. You simply call ahead and give them a heads up and they will make provisions for you to setup your chronograph.
-Multiple targets are allowed on each lane, provided they are eye level
-Handwash stations outside of every range bay
-Hardwood floors and granite everywhere...classy!
11-18-2014, 03:25 AM
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Re: Shooting Range Review: Elite Shooting Sports, Manassas VA
Seeing as I am now back in Manassas, this is a real "win" for me. Looking to take my dad (he hasn't shot ANYTHING in 50+ years) and reintroduce him. Nice review!
11-26-2014, 06:11 PM
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11-26-2014, 06:26 PM
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Re: Shooting Range Review: Elite Shooting Sports, Manassas VA
Owners are dicks, prices are ridiculous and they make you buy ammo there.
Went there with my uncle once, who has CP and they were openly laughing at him and loudly making jokes about him.
It's my understanding that Mr. Clark was cool and the range was different but since his sons took over it has become what it is today.
Went there with my uncle once, who has CP and they were openly laughing at him and loudly making jokes about him.
It's my understanding that Mr. Clark was cool and the range was different but since his sons took over it has become what it is today.