Reviews: FCO, Claytons, Target World

[Auriemma]

I was looking at the local (to me) ranges to consider which to get a pistol membership. Here are my thoughts on each:

French Creek Outfitters - Phoenixville
Fairly large Outdoor sports store with a decent gun section. Range staff was indifferent. Sales staff was friendly and knowledgeable.

The range has 5 lanes. The sound damping is fairly shot up (including the ceilings). The target system is the manual switch type with no markings on the walls for estimating distance. The lighting was OK, not great.
$15/hr. $225/year.


Clayton's Range - Horsham
Fully stocked gun shop. Small store loaded wall to wall with ammo and accessories. The walking space is tight when it's crowded. The cases are full us handguns, the staff is helpful and knowledgeable with an on sight gunsmith.

The range has 8 lanes, well lit, with a manual target system with markings on the walls to help judge distance. The air exchange system does very well and keeps the range cooler than you would expect. Sound damping was OK, seemed louder than the other ranges. Very long waits on crowded days. I was 7th in line when I arrived. Took about 90 minutes to get a lane (not complaining, just saying).
$20/hr. $200/year


Target World - Chalfont
Fully stocked gun shop. Two floors of everything from ammo to safes. Staff is courteous and knowledgeable.

The range is has 15 lanes, is clean, bright, and modern. The target system is computerized and easy to use. The air exchange system works well and the range is kept comfortable. The sound damping is quieter than the others. I've been there 4x and have yet to wait. That being said, the line when I left was growing. Guess I've been lucky so far. They have a few more rules than the other ranges, and hold you to them. But most are common sense anyway. If they don't know you or haven't shot there before, you can expect to be treated like a noob until you show you know what you're doing. It's their way of keeping things safe... like it or not. It's fine by me, being new to shooting.
$20/hr. $250/year.

I preferred Target World enough to get a 1 year Pistol Membership.