I normally shoot at Ft. Dix, but the weather has been much too cold, so I started shopping around for a winter range. Hagues was much too expensive, everything else was too far out of the way.

 

I stumbled upon Firing Line in Philadelphia a few weeks ago and I finally got a chance to shoot there today.

 

I was very impressed.

 

Membership is only $100 per year. When you go there, you occupy a lane and you can shoot for as long as you want. Guests are $10 each, and so are gun rentals. Best of all, the range is considered a private club, so don't be surprised if you see some members and staff lounging and smoking cigars (a nice surprise for a cigar smoker like me). You do have to buy their ammunition, which is Ruger UMC. A box of 9mm is $18.00. A box of .38 is $19.00. A box of .22 is $3.00.

 

This is a little expensive for ammo, but pick your poison. At Hague's membership price of $350 a year (minus the Firring line $100 membership), I would have to buy 13 boxes of ammunition to equal a Hagues membership, and best of all I'm not driving for 45 minutes to freeze in the cold at Ft. Dix.

 

The store has off street parking and all of the snow was plowed when I went there. The range is normally open until 9:30, which is great if you want to go there after work or once the kids are in bed.

 

The staff was very easy going and friendly and there are about 10 lanes, only one of which was occupied when I went.

 

The range is pistol-caliber only, although you can shoot pistol caliber carbines like the CX4.

 

I rented a GP100 and fired a few boxes of .38. The GP100 was dirty and some of the cylinders were sticky when ejecting, but that is to be expected for a rental. I didn't check out any of their other range guns, although they rent the Beretta Cougar and CX4

 

This was a very positive experience and worth the money. Check it out if you are in the Philadelphia area and are sick of driving to Fort Dix.

Ft Dix is near Trenton. Assuming you live in that area, I think you should consider Classic Pistol in Southampton. The money you save on ammo alone will save you a ton. And you can get handgun ammo even cheaper at any nearby Walmart on your way to the range. Call first and make sure the walmarts sell ammo since it is just outside the greater Philadelphia area.

 

They also allow everything in rifle just short of .50 BMG. They also allow MG, and even rent MGs. 75 foot range.