New Range in Goshen -- "Shoot to Thrill"

[N8RV]

Just a heads-up for shooters in the South Bend/Elkhart/Goshen area that a new range has officially opened in Goshen called "Shoot to Thrill." It's located just east of downtown on Lincoln, behind Rocket Guns.

At this point, I know nothing about what training will be offered there, but from watching the construction of the range, it's state-of-the-art. Their air filtration system should prevent post-shooting wheezing, and the electronic target systems appear to be top-notch. No info on lane rental costs at this point. I plan to go there tomorrow for the first time to shoot. I will post a follow-up report on the facility.

 

[N8RV]

I drove down to Goshen yesterday now that "Shoot to Thrill" is officially open. While I did take shooting gear with me just in case, my intent was just to snap some pics of the place to post here on INGO. I'm sure they would have liked it better if I'd paid to play, but I knew that I had other stuff to get done.

The range is located in a building directly behind Rocket Guns, if you know where that is. Tiny little place with a constantly changing inventory. Adam takes in a lot of incoming new and used stuff, and it's the only gun store that I've been in with a flamethrower on one wall, some LAWS rocket tubes on the other ... and a nifty-looking HARPOON hanging from the ceiling! So, if you happen to have a bothersome whale in your neighborhood, Adam is your man. Just bring cash.

In between Rocket Guns and the range is a separate building that houses classrooms for instruction.

The entrance to the range is nondescript. It's a door with a sign ...

When you walk in, a HUGE steel blast door is to the right -- the location of the 75-foot rifle range. It has 3 lanes, and will also be used for shooting classes. Straight ahead is the "showroom" (a bit scant right now, with very little inventory available), and where shooters register and check in ...

Sitting behind this counter are Norm Hood of Defensive Solutions, LLC, and Greg Faubion, the owner of Shoot to Thrill. I'm sure they are arguing about something ...

Behind another large blast door (set of two doors, actually, forming an air lock between the two) is the main range. Nine lanes, each with its own electronically-controlled target system ...

They're pretty cool, actually. This range is only 60' in length, and the shooter just picks the distance he wants to shoot, punches it into the control panel ("Let's see ... 31.5' should do it ..."), hit GO and the target automatically zips smoothly down the rail in the ceiling to the chosen distance. It's a pretty slick system ...

The backstop is AR-550 steel, in front of which is piled chewed-up rubber tire chunks. I was told that the backstop could absorb a .50 BMG round fired from just a few feet away. Perhaps it can ... but I'd hate to clean up the chunks of rubber that would be splattered all over the floor!

Being a brand-new range, there are a lot of details that they're still ironing out. On the plus side:

There are trained RSOs on staff and one is supposed to be on the range whenever anyone is using it. That tells me that they are dedicated to ensuring safety for shooters, as well as keeping the range nice.

They seem to be open to new ideas as they get up and running. One shooter on the rifle range pointed out that the shooting benches in the stalls aren't deep enough for a bench rest. They immediately started brainstorming a fix for that oversight.

Because the owner was in the HVAC business prior to building the range, he understands air movement. Their ventilation system completely circulates/filters/cleans/whatever they call it at some ungodly crazy rate, even at only 50% of its capacity. I was told that, turned up full blast, the system completely replaces the air in the entire range in a matter of seconds. Everything in the range is designed for CLEAN. I'm guessing that there will never be any EPA concerns with this range.

The only downside that I could think of is the cost. $20/hour for a lane sounds steep, but such a facility doesn't come cheap. I've been to other ranges where I exit wheezing with God-only-knows-what that I inhaled while shooting. At this point, they aren't offering memberships of any kind. I would guess that when they get a feel for business, some kind of membership plan might make it more affordable per hour for a regular shooter. I used to play golf. Not all golf courses charge the same for a round -- some are cheap, some are reasonable, and some are inexcusable. But playing Pebble Beach is a treat in itself, and only the player can decide if the greens fees are worth it.

When I get a chance to hang around and shoot next time, I'll repost a follow-up if I have anything to add. Hope that was helpful.

 

[N8RV]

I went down to Goshen today to use the new range. Man, those electronic target systems are way cool!

Unlike any other range I've been to, this one is a pretty tight ship. NOBODY enters the range unescorted, and an RSO is always present, even if there is only one shooter. The staff are all nice, and seem dedicated to keeping the range safe and pretty.

I had a couple of Glocks to test after doing some trigger fine-tuning, and some .45 ACP loads that I wanted to test before loading more of them. Between the two Glocks and one Kimber, I did what I came to do and wasn't distracted by the only other shooter in the range. The ventilation system seems to work just fine, and I didn't leave wheezing. The lighting is GREAT on the targets, and like I said, moving the targets to the desired distance is effortless -- just a push of some buttons. Takes the guesswork out of setting targets at a predetermined distance.

I picked up my brass and left happy. Yeah, it was twenty bucks for that hour of fun, but my lungs thanked me. It's a very nice range with nice people -- I sure hope that it takes off and gets a lot of use.

That's about all I have to add. Thought about taking more pics, but they wouldn't have shown much that isn't posted above.

If you're near Goshen, I'd say that "Shoot to Thrill" should be on your list of ranges to try.

 

[Lunati]

Just to chime in, these guys are great! They are completely motivated to make this business work and it shows. Rocket Guns has great prices on all their guns and I'll drive the extra distance instead of going to Ft. Wayne from now on.

 

[Span24]

If you stop in and ask them for the $10 discount coupon you can get $10 off your range fee! Hows THAT for MOTIVATION!?!

 

[madswede]

I n case anyone is interestednthere is a state ofnthe art gun range in Chesteron IN that became abandoned about 10 years ago. Indoor 50 BMG rated now is above flower shop instead of gun store. I heard lost in bad divorce.

 

[mbaza3]

I moved out to IN right before it closed. It would be nice to have another indoor range close by.

 

[KoopaKGB]

Thanks for posting OP. I was curious about this place and the price as well, especially since there was no price listed on their facebook page. I think I might just wait til above freezing temperatures return to sight in my AK outdoors. With that huge new air system/facility I can understand the price. They don't allow Mosin Nagant shooting... it must be too dirty and noisy for their taste I wonder what else isn't allowed.

From their facebook page.
"Can I shoot my mosin nagant there?"

"the range will handle it easily. But at this time management as decided to not allow them. If this changes I will let you know." January 21 at 7:33am

 

[PowderMan]

Any idea on there in stock ammo? I'm planning on making a trip out there this weekend and want to know if I should pick some up before I head out.

 

[Bigtanker]

There is a SRO on duty at ALL times. It also has a great ventilation system as explained in the video below.


Story and Video from the Goshen News paper.

STORY AND VIDEO: Goshen gun range opens » Local News » Goshen News, Goshen, IN

[video=youtube_share;tGm4EZzWWwo]http://youtu.be/tGm4EZzWWwo[/video]

 

[Span24]

Any idea on there in stock ammo? I'm planning on making a trip out there this weekend and want to know if I should pick some up before I head out.

Plenty of commons (9mm .45 .223). Of course, if you call before you go you can get the latest stock info (574-534-7500)

Happy Shooting! You are gonna LOVE this range!

 

[CitiusFortius]

Op, nice review. Do they have any tactical ranges or things you can shoot other than paper?

 

[PowderMan]

All I have to say is WOW!!! I went here today since I was in town visiting my parents and haven't gotten to take my m&p out much since I've bought it. walked in and was greeted by one of the employee's asking if I was there to shot cause I was carrying my gun case. Had to fill out the standard paper work and then paid my dues. Its normally $20 but they're running a $10 off special to generate business. I talked to the owner later and he said that they would be running this special for awhile (at least into summer) just to drum up the business. So i paid $50 for the range fee and 100 rounds of 9mm (which they had plenty in stock with other common calibers).

I was then escorted by the owner into the range which I had to myself and he briefed me on the safety rules and how the automatic target system worked (super badass BTW) he then proceeded to let me blow threw $36 worth of ammo. When I went to reload my magazines he started talking to me about my grip and stance and trigger control and said I was spot on and then I astounded him by telling him that it was only the second time I had ever shoot a full size, full power pistol. Someone else came in so he left and the RSO took over.

Finished up my shooting, collected my brass and made my way out into the showroom. there was a very nice older gentleman there who I talked and joked around with for awhile. Then the owner came back and I talked to him a while longer. He said they're planning on starting up a membership fee and classes but there biggest concern is to get more people in there and shooting.

All in all this is an absolutely AMAZING indoor range. super clean and functional and well worth an hour-two hour drive if you're up for it. The people who work there and the owner are some of the nicest people around (what was that about an armed society is a polite society?) So if you're in there are or want to check out a new range you would be missing out if you didn't go.

I'm glad I'm moving back to Goshen at the end of April ;P

 

[tgarl]

Definitely a great range! A friend and I visited last weekend and were impressed with the staff and setup. Nice and clean, well lit, and fresh air! It certainly improves the quality of the experience of shooting indoors for sure. The only thing that I found that could be possibly improved on was the depth of the stall tables, however I didn't find that to be too big of an issue, they are sufficient enough to do what they're intended for. Shoot to Thrill is also only half as far from where I live as the next closest indoor range so with its proximity, friendly staff and cleanliness I will gladly spend a few extra bucks to shoot. Looking forward to returning tomorrow!

 

[9mmfan]

Sounds like a very nice place. Maybe I'll make the drive sometime this summer.

 

[tgarl]

Op, nice review. Do they have any tactical ranges or things you can shoot other than paper?

Paper only.

 

[jtcollardjr]

Does anybody know what calibers they allow?

 

[Bigtanker]

Does anybody know what calibers they allow?

This is from their website.


What calibers are accepted on the range?

All handgun calibers are permitted on our 9-lane pistol range. The 3-lane rifle range is currently limited to 7.62x39. Shotguns are also permitted on the rifle range but are limited to slugs only. Sorry, due to environmental concerns black powder is not permitted on either range.

 

[jtcollardjr]

Bigtanker thanks for the information much appreciated.

 

[rabidsquirrel]

I have good friend who is an RSO there. He's a former marine and NRA certified. They offer lessons for around $50 or so.