TexasCHLforum.com

I guess I've been to this range so often that I never posted a review of it. Sometimes you take the easy and simple things for granted, and this is the case with Red's Indoor range and me. Ever since I started shooting again 2 years ago, I've maintained a membership there and never gave the place a second thought when discussing local ranges w/ follow shooters. Well, I'll do a review here and pay my dues...

Red's Indoor Range North is the second Red's indoor shooting range in the Austin area. This review is about the North location. Check out their web site at:

http://www.redsguns.com
(I just noticed that they've been suspending, but in case they come back)

The range has 10 25-yard pistol lanes in 2 bays and 5 100-yard rifle lanes in 1 bay; so 3 bays total. Being indoors and without noise barriers between the bays, it can get very loud in there.

The shooting lanes are divided and the pistol lanes each have a stainless steel table at a convenient height (waist level) for setting supplies. Each rifle lane has a wooden table with a plastic stock rest, sandbag(s), and bench (stool). Additional sandbags are available. Free eye and ear protection with lane rental. Additionally, free spotting scope with rifle lane rental (you must request). Each shooter gets 1 free target, additional targets are $.50 ea (CHl target $1ea).

It is a very clean indoor range with nearly _no_ brass on the floor. (I've been to many indoor ranges in bay area CA: Target masters, Jackson arms, Reeds indoor when I was shooting 10 years ago, and Red's is the one of the cleanest.) Cases are constantly sweeped up by the workers (if you tell them you reload, they'll sweep your cases into a pile or dump it into a box for you). No worries of slipping on empty case here.

Their ventilation system, however, isn't that great. It is about average for indoor ranges, which mean very bad compared to outdoor ranges. They seem never turn on the range's AC/heat too, which makes for sweaty and hot shooting during the summer.

Their target transports is low end: pully and string. This means you'll have to wait after sending your target down range until the strings tension up and stops vibrating. (I much prefer metal tracks).

In addition to the range, they have a full store with new/used guns and accessories, ammo, and also rental guns. Their prices are very reasonable and gun rental is $8 (this incl. their wide selection of long guns and pistols). As usual, you must shoot their ammo thru their guns, this is a very common and reasonable request by nearly all the rental places I've been to.

Monday is lady's day where lady's get to shoot at 1/2 price and free gun rentals. This is also the day to avoid going (unless you are a lady) because they can get very busy. Many single females and groups of females go this day as well as young men bringing females to shoot so that they can get the free rentals. (Note: since rentals are free, buying a box of 9mm ammo will allow a lady to try out _all_ their 9mm guns. hence, it is a very popular day.) (I sometimes suspect that it is half price for ladys everyday based on taking ladys there, but I've never asked or confirmed, just that they've been charging me 1/2 price for the lady I brough there during non-Mondays)

Pricing is a bit high compared to the Austin area outdoor ranges, but in general, indoor ranges have higher prices. Lane rental is $14/hr with no gun limit. Additional shooters on the same lane are also charged $14/hr, so there is no incentive to get 1 lane with multiple people unless you are teaching somebody.

My experience has been very good in general at Red's in terms of range and gun safety. The on range RO(s) kep a close eye on shooters and does an great job of keeping newbies out of trouble. Part of the convenience of Red's also means more newbie shooters.

Thy also offer gun instructions and the instructor (unfortunately I'm bad w/ names and have forgotten his) is friendly and knowledgable. Although I'v not seen him much after his surgery and come to think of it, I've not seen him at all lately. Over all the staff is friendly and a majority have been there since 2 years ago.

Overall, this range's main asset is convenience. It is indoors, so rain won't stop you from a shooting session; it happens to be close by me; and it carries rentals, ammo, etc. so that you can just walk in and shoot.

I've previously reviewed Eagle Peak range and mentioned that they are like an outdoors version of Red's. So, in the same way, Red's is like an indoor version of Eagle Peak.