- Oct 22, 2012
- 10,847
- 113
After having gone and shot at the new FRC range in Baton Rouge a few times, I thought it best to write a few words about and share my experience of how great my experience was. First, upon driving up, it is apparent that FRC has a very well manicured building and parking lot. A lot of ranges have gravel lots or old parking lots with only a few spots, not FRC though. The parking lot is a large area with enough spots for everyone at the range and a few more. The building is new and clean. Unlike other ranges, FRC does not have a policy that you have to unload your carry weapon before entering. As long as the gun is in a proper holster (concealed or open), you are good to go. If you do not have a bag to carry your pistols or rifles in with, you are provided one upon walking in, which keeps people from handling firearms at locations besides the actual firing lane.
As you walk in, there is always someone right by the door greeting you and welcoming you to the range. Immediately to the left are clear glass (bullet resistant) windows that show all lanes. Also, every lane has cameras in it and are constantly watched by the range master who sits directly outside the glass. Moving forward, you enter the store and check in area.
Before being allowed to shoot at the range, all shooters are required to watch an informative safety video. I have brought a few friends who aren't as familiar with guns as many of us are, and they found the video to be highly valuable. It sets the tone of how safety is the number one priority at the range. After watching the video, every member is given a membership card (free) so they do not have to watch the video every time they come in. I am told that each year it will be required to watch the video again.
After checking in and paying the range fee, shooters are free to use the range for as long as they wish. The firing lanes themselves are awesome. Each lane is spacious and has an adjustable light. The targets move out to sets of four preset distances (one button touch) or you can type in how many yards you want the targets to move to. I really like how the distance is shown in each lane so you don't have to guestimate how far the target is moved back. In regards to quality, the range is essentially brand new, so everything works quickly and as intended. The backdrop is coated in many ground up tires which surprisingly helps keep the noise level down. There is also a top-notch ventilation system that keeps it cool in the range - my glasses don't even fog up usually!
As for the staff and other services offered: Everyone is very nice and seem to enjoy their jobs. I haven't participated in any classes at the range yet, but I look forward to trying them out later this year! Classes currently offered are First Time Shooter, CCW, Personal Protection in the Home, Refuse to Be a Victim, Firearms Safety in the Home, Trauma Hemorrhage Class, and of course Force on Force. There is a very modern "shoot-house" that is customizable to each situation and allows for realistic training in different situations. It is of my understand that FRC intends to be a lot more than a typical shooting range - their main focus will be on providing quality classes.
Last weekend I was given a tour of the two story shoot-house and shown how it can work with regular and low-light training. It is definitely a very cool building and one of a kind for the Baton Rouge area (for civilians).
My only complaints about the range are that upon walking in for the first time, it isn't very clear where you need to go to check in or get ready to shoot. A sign at the door stating "range check-in forward" or some indication of the process of going from walking in, to video, to paying, to shooting would be beneficial. Also, only one side of the range is open due to the flood, but I am told they will double the current lane capacity by November or December of this year.
If you have any questions, please feel free to let me know. I love supporting new businesses in the Baton Rouge area, and FRC is definitely a great addition that will allow shooters more freedom to practice and maintain their skills!
Austin
As you walk in, there is always someone right by the door greeting you and welcoming you to the range. Immediately to the left are clear glass (bullet resistant) windows that show all lanes. Also, every lane has cameras in it and are constantly watched by the range master who sits directly outside the glass. Moving forward, you enter the store and check in area.
Before being allowed to shoot at the range, all shooters are required to watch an informative safety video. I have brought a few friends who aren't as familiar with guns as many of us are, and they found the video to be highly valuable. It sets the tone of how safety is the number one priority at the range. After watching the video, every member is given a membership card (free) so they do not have to watch the video every time they come in. I am told that each year it will be required to watch the video again.
After checking in and paying the range fee, shooters are free to use the range for as long as they wish. The firing lanes themselves are awesome. Each lane is spacious and has an adjustable light. The targets move out to sets of four preset distances (one button touch) or you can type in how many yards you want the targets to move to. I really like how the distance is shown in each lane so you don't have to guestimate how far the target is moved back. In regards to quality, the range is essentially brand new, so everything works quickly and as intended. The backdrop is coated in many ground up tires which surprisingly helps keep the noise level down. There is also a top-notch ventilation system that keeps it cool in the range - my glasses don't even fog up usually!
As for the staff and other services offered: Everyone is very nice and seem to enjoy their jobs. I haven't participated in any classes at the range yet, but I look forward to trying them out later this year! Classes currently offered are First Time Shooter, CCW, Personal Protection in the Home, Refuse to Be a Victim, Firearms Safety in the Home, Trauma Hemorrhage Class, and of course Force on Force. There is a very modern "shoot-house" that is customizable to each situation and allows for realistic training in different situations. It is of my understand that FRC intends to be a lot more than a typical shooting range - their main focus will be on providing quality classes.
Last weekend I was given a tour of the two story shoot-house and shown how it can work with regular and low-light training. It is definitely a very cool building and one of a kind for the Baton Rouge area (for civilians).
My only complaints about the range are that upon walking in for the first time, it isn't very clear where you need to go to check in or get ready to shoot. A sign at the door stating "range check-in forward" or some indication of the process of going from walking in, to video, to paying, to shooting would be beneficial. Also, only one side of the range is open due to the flood, but I am told they will double the current lane capacity by November or December of this year.
If you have any questions, please feel free to let me know. I love supporting new businesses in the Baton Rouge area, and FRC is definitely a great addition that will allow shooters more freedom to practice and maintain their skills!
Austin