Range Review

Range Report: Targetmaster
(August 18, 2007)

Today, my wife, a friend and I decided to try a new range, Targetmaster in Garland, Texas. This is an indoor range with 25 yard pistol lanes and 50 yard rifle lanes. When we showed up, I got my first disappointment. The rifle lanes are closed for remodeling until the end August 2007. I was very pleasantly surprised at the rules (simple, sensible and nothing extraneous) and the lack of a wait on a Saturday afternoon. The pistol lanes are well lit and have specific lighting for the targets at 5, 15 and 25 yards. My second disappointment was the pistol bay’s AC wasn’t up to the humidity and heat of the day.

After shooting, we went and checked out the firearms selection. They appear to cater mostly to the self defense/tactical crowd. The are many EBRs (Evil Black Rifles) and semi-auto pistols. Their selection of handguns also reflected this.

The staff is also very friendly. When our friend was looking at 1911s, he showed her why he could not recommend a Kimber pistol (and no longer carries them in his sales cases). Apparently, 2 weeks in a row he had 2 people with case failures in 1911s, a S&W and a Kimber. The S&W was returned to service the same day by the gunsmith. The Kimber, due to metallurgical problems, slide had cracked (he showed his to us). This is something I have heard about happening with current production Kimbers on several different firearm forums.

The prices are average for Dallas area indoor ranges ($15 per person shooting). However, I recommend looking at the membership. It appears to be well worth the money. One thing not advertised on the site is a Friday night couples special. From 5 to 9 PM Friday nights you can pay for one person and get the other for 50%. Also, for members, they have a 20 range session punch card for $100.

If you are sensitive to tobacco smoke (or a smoker), they have an indoor smoking room. However, you can definitely smell it outside the room.