Alvin's new gun range review

[Wodathunkit]

I'm always looking for places to shoot while patiently waiting for a year + on PSC to sign me up. I'm a member of the Arms Room but live in Alvin and we had a new range open up so I stopped by Friday to have a look around. It is called Big Kountry and is located in the Tractor Supply shopping center.


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The guys working behind the counter were friendly and Eric the owner was there. They have two ranges for firearms, one is longer than the other but I don't remember the differences.

Pros.
- One range is set up for CHL distances which is nice for people worried about qualifications.
- the lighting seemed quite good
- no charge or eye or ear protection
- 2 class rooms for CHL instructors to teach their students
- FFL transfers for $30.00 (half price for members)
- reasonable elbow room between lanes
- they rent firearms
- they sell bullets

Cons
- .223 max caliber allowed for rifle.
- lobby was cool and comfortable but the shooting range was warm.
- venalation seemed low. Only me and another shooter. Not sure how it would fare with a full house.
- no easy way to change out targets. One stapler at the counter

Safety
- no lead removing soap found (anywhere)
- not sure how freely an RSO can roam around and monitor shooters with the current configuration.
- if the target (in/out) toggles have a stop, they are set poorly because my target beaned me in the head and I had to switch it "off" to stop it!

I can only relate this range to the Arms Room for an indoor comparison. As a start up, I will continue o support them and shoot there for convienience but the Arms Room (while significantly busier) is a superior facility.

Give 'em a chance if you want to support a small business and like to shoot.

[LTUME1978]

We shoot IDPA matches there on Thursday nights. Ventilation system seems to be very good, air quality is good during the matches. One range is 25 yards, the other is shorter but still big enough for indoor matches. Can't really comment about the other things as I have only been there for the indoor matches, not shooting from the bays. Bays were comfortable during the matches.

Hang in there on your PSC membership. They are almost finished with 10 new pistol bays and I think they will open membership up some once those are complete.

[RKirkwood]

Got to run over their at lunch today. It was myself and 1 other in the range, A/C blowing & ventilation good. Spoke with Eric there about the place seem like a good place to go.

[varko]

Thanks for posting! I'll have to check them out.

[LcTravis]

i'll have to check this place out. Are the rates hourly like the arms room ?

[RKirkwood]

The rates are hourly but when we went during the day there wasn't a push to get us out after a hour.

[Wodathunkit]

The rates are hourly but when we went during the day there wasn't a push to get us out after a hour.

^^^ this, as long as no one is waiting and nobody is taking advantage of the situation.

[gwashorn]

I am one of the SOs for the Team Trainwreck IDPA matches that we shoot there. The ventilation works great when we shoot but note the A/C and the ventilation are controlled up front and depending on activity can be turned on and off. Eric, the owner, is super nice and more than willing to help people out. They offer a membership which depending on how much you shoot is worth it. I am glad to see them open and wish them the best of luck in their business. I am certain if people wish to ask them about certain things that customers want, they will do their best to accomodate. They also have an archery range and do kids parties as well there. Check them out.

[Texas_Blaze]

I like the concrete walls between the lanes.

[glbedd53]

I am a PSC member and I shoot at Big Kountry sometimes when I don't want to sweat, A guy I work with says it's cheaper than Arms Room. And Big Kountry is closer to my house.

[LDB415]

From their website:

Prices

$15 HR (handgun & rifle lanes)
$7 HR (archery lanes)
** Discounts for active military, police, fire, and seniors

$10 handgun
$15 AR-15

So the $15 per hour seems obvious but what is the $10 handgun $15 AR part about?

[STEELTRIP1N]

That's the rental price.

[RPBrown]

As for the ventilation system, I have installed several of these for various ranges. Most of the modern systems have variable air flow which speeds up or slows down the fans. Some of the more expensive systems are set up with a multitude of sensors that control the fan speed/ventilation rate. Most however, are manually set by a speed controller that is operated by an employee and rate is generally determined by how many shooters are on the range and the range owner/manager will set the ventilation rate. Usually when there is even a single shooter, they will turn it on full speed anyway though.