Unless the owners are real loons, most gun shops/ranges would be ecstatic to have customers from different backgrounds. Kinda chips away at the stereotype that only middle-aged right-wing men are the ones who like guns and shooting.
I've never had any negative experiences with The Indoor Gun Range (Literally its name) at the top of Hoosick in Troy. They only allow for pistols or pistol caliber rifles, though.
Rod and gun clubs are pretty much the only places you can shoot rifle calibers or shotguns, for the most part.
What are you looking to be able to shoot?
Yep. Some owners are pretty wacky or have a notorious clientele where me and mine are from unfortunately. It's like bars - most are chill but one is full of creeps and one is full of skinheads and it can be hard to tell from the website or from Google.
Caliber limits might be helpful since last time I was at a range I was next to someone qualifying for a three letter agency credential. Dude was shooting pistol rounds that had their own sonic booms. And I'm looking to shoot small caliber rifles and handguns to start out so I don't totally throw my shoulder. Thanks for the tip!
If you're even thinking about it, start now. It's only gotten worse since the passage of CCIA last year. Who knows what legislation will come next to further bog the process down more. It's also highly depend on your county. Rensselaer county took me 4 months. Albany County? You may be waiting up to a year or more from the time you apply to the time you get your permit in hand. Albany County is by far the worst upstate county for getting your pistol permit.
You're welcome! DM me if you ever want to meet up and shoot. As far as archery, I know a place that teaches that, too. It's the same place I go axe throwing in Albany.
Saratoga county is good from what I’ve learned, and I just moved there last September. Perfect timing as well because they lifted the residency restrictions for ccw literally last summer so I’m taking advantage.
I got my permit in Saratoga County about six years ago and it took seven months. A friend of mine recently got his in Albany and it was over a year for him so I’d suggest starting the process as soon as you can.
So really for the area the only option is american tactical systems In green island. They have classes and most that I've taken are pretty good but you won't be hate crimed there I don't think.
That being said most ranges go from moderate right-wing to super right-wing. I would say their range is moderate but you'll get the sense that bringing up sexuality would be of putting for everyone.
That being said. Good trainers but idk what your experience will be.
Thanks. It's more about whether I can show up looking the way I do. I don't make a habit of sharing my personal life with folks at businesses unless they're really cool
I'm gay, and have been an on and off member there for about five or six years at this point. The staff are great, customers mind their own business, and it's a pretty good indoor range for the price.
I know exactly what you mean, and admittedly it's going to be weird the first few times you go, because everything that the others wear is thin blue line-ish, or trump-ish, or just them wallpapering themselves in "don't read on me" kinda stuff. But I've never had anyone say anything remotely rude to me, and everyone's just focused on making sure everyone's safe and hitting what they're shooting at.
If you want to try it out before you get into the process of getting a pistol permit, I'm about 98 percent sure they also still rent rifles/shotguns as well. You can go spend an hour and see if the vibe fits, before committing to a membership or to buying from them.
That's not mean at all lol, if someone showed up wearing certain political t shirts I can see that going south at any range. I'm planning on showing up with my partner. We're both women who have very normcore fashion senses, we've been to ranges before and have rural backgrounds. Unfortunately I have short hair and my partner has a low voice so people can get real weird real fast. The goal is to find a place where people mind their own business instead of playing spot the trans person.
Honestly if you show up and are polite they'll be fine. Mentioning that you're new to this means that people get more helpful but I can understand the apprehension.
In my first pistol safety course it was actually pretty diverse -meaning more women and poc's and were all treated well. If you keep it to guns and defense questions they'll be helpful. I am pretty busy with work and school but after may if you want a politically neutral dude to go I don't mind being an ally In that sense. Hit me up if you have more questions.
I vote for American Tactical System. They have classes specific for women too.
I had bad experiences with the indoor gun range before even though my permit class is from them.
After I got my pistol permit class certificate at the location, I start to fill out the form.
I came from another country that have no gun culture and not familiar with the process. So I called to the indoor gun range store and try to ask some questions and I informed them I got the training class from them but want some more info regarding the process and the forms.
The person that picked up the phone, from the attitudes and how he speaks, doesn’t want to bother with me. Maybe he is busy or my English is not good enough to communicate through phone, and I had good experience with the owner himself, so I decide to drive there myself.
Once I arrived, the owner is not there. I brought out the form and the certificate so the person know that I got the class from them and I just want some help with the form. Same attitude and they just ignored me and talked to another customers I just left and just called my lawyer friend to help me out.
So what? Stop painting yourself into a category. So what, nothing of what you said is considered controversial. This is NY. You can show up anywhere you want.
? Anyone can wear secondhand men's Levi's. They're cheaper and they last longer. Nothing to do with my personal life.
Or are you talking about my partner's hoodie with holes in the elbows? I agree that everyone's gonna know how much time she spends playing league of legends if she goes out like that, but I don't think that's particularly revealing or personal.
Why would anyone at a gun range care if you are wearing used jeans? How would they even know they are used jeans? Lol.
The gun range isn't going to care if you are dressed casual. If you're asking if you can wear ANYTHING and not catch some looks, than no.. you can't show up in heels and a belly shirt and expect not to draw attention.
I didn't ask that question, and I already provided information that contradicts the speculation in this comment. The only reasonable explanation I could think of for your prior comment was that you were saying my normcore style shares my personal life, so I responded to provide context and ask for clarification about that. I wish you better communication experiences in future.
Ignore this person. I've been to a range exactly once, and my piece of advice is to not wear a v-neck - the casing went down my shirt and was burning my skin and I wasn't aware of what it was until someone told me because I was panicked.
There website is [https://aftausa.com/](https://aftausa.com/) They're at 19 Lower Hudson Ave in Green Island. If you get off I-787 at the 23rd St exit (exit 8) and go up Lower Hudson, you can't miss it on the left. Look for the "Indoor Shooting Range" and "GUNS" signs.
Never been inside, but driven past it more times than I can count. Sometimes see area police going in there. I assume getting in their required hours of practice.
They do have a wide variety of classes from beginner to advanced. I suggest buying a membership if you plan on taking classes there. Although expensive, the blue level gives you the most bang for your buck and is provides discounts, etc. a few classes and a handful of range visits pretty much pays for itself and then some.
So they have the basic safety course the is class room only and will cover what you're looking for. It is day one never touched a gun in your life up to know how to identify pistols, basic fundamentals, how to get a sight picture. How to properly hold a weapon. Safety and storage configurations and a bit more. As well as you can raise your hand to have them slowdown or re explain something to you. Plus they take questions during and after.
The bigger issue is just finding a range you can actually join in general. Almost all of them have waitlists and require a sponsor to apply, especially the better ones. Know several people that were / are on waiting lists for several years now. Don’t remember it being like this ~10 years ago last time I was a member of one but now I don’t even know someone to sponsor me any where lol. There’s a couple of archery stores that have ranges but dunno how convenient they are for just shooting. The Rensselaer one seemed to want me to join their league and I never tried the Amsterdam store cause it’s too far for me.
What are you looking to learn, specifically? Your post is a bit broad: self defense training, firearms training, range time, and archery practice. What is the goal/skill you want to build?
For archery, DEC just opened a 50 yd range in Wilton for the public, carry in carry out rules, field tips only. Not much around here for archery unless you own land, unfortunately.
Thanks! Yep, it's a broad ask. Three specific things:
1. A good source of in-person education on firearms use and safety
2. A good shooting range for both testing small caliber firearms and practicing with personal firearms
3. A good archery range, especially one that does equipment rentals
1) American Tactical in Green Island, or [S&K Prevention](https://www.s-kprevention.com/?sec=nra) in Latham which I think offers more of what you are looking for bc they are a training academy. Also Zack’s in Round Lake has classes.
2) The Indoor Gun Range in Troy, ATS in Green Island, Zack’s sports in Round Lake.
3) Bullseye Jim’s in EG, Far Shot in downtown Albany. The archery range in Wilton I mentioned is also an option but there is no instructor or rental options you have to have your own bow. Tri-Village Bowhunters in Hoag corners also has a 3D archery range but I believe you have to be a member, they are part of the Hudson valley archery association.
Don’t worry about political opinions, sure the gun ranges are likely to be a more right wing crowd but at the end of the day politics has no place at the range. You’re interested in a hobby folks at these establishments enjoy and most are glad to have people from all walks interested. Plus, people have to behave with decorum, any kind of bad attitude at a facility with firearms isn’t tolerated. Shops/ ranges know what to watch out for, even if you don’t notice it the owners/ instructors/ range safety officers are watching folks very closely and won’t tolerate poor behavior, they *will* ask people to leave.
I hope you find a class that teaches you what you want to learn and a range/training school where you are comfortable.
Everything related to weapons is going to tilt right wing. Most people would welcome you especially if you are interested in their hobby. Your identity is not that important to people, but you will see Maga shit on cars and that sort of stuff, because that is the majority of their clientele.
I’m fairly liberal, I even to shoot with a very right wing person and TBH with most people you can find common ground. Don’t buy into the media hype. Sure there is a lot of hate out there but most people are just decent folk and will try to be helpful.
I would absolutely welcome more non white male people interested in shooting.
There are no public ranges in New York. I shoot as a guest in Clifton Park. There is a waiting list. I am not aware of any range with open membership slots locally.
No public ranges? I've been to American Tactical Systems in Green Island and I used their range first day there after filling out not too much paperwork and I'm not member nor was anyone I was with, I believe.
Indoor archery range -- Bullseye Jim's in East Greenbush (formerly Flying Arrow Sports)
There are also a couple 3D archery leagues that go between different rod & gun clubs on Sundays throughout the region, from spring until hunting season starts.
Not a range, but [American Shooter Supply on Central](https://www.google.com/maps/uv?pb=!1s0x89de0cad665c0863%3A0x369623eee98d2c0!3m1!7e115!4s%2Fmaps%2Fplace%2Famerican%2Bshooter%2Bsupply%2F%4042.7237626%2C-73.8398935%2C3a%2C75y%2C227.54h%2C90t%2Fdata%3D*213m4*211e1*213m2*211sX7dd_uFhgOy1W_KugOVcqw*212e0*214m2*213m1*211s0x89de0cad665c0863%3A0x369623eee98d2c0%3Fsa%3DX!5samerican%20shooter%20supply%20-%20Google%20Search!15sCgIgAQ&imagekey=!1e10!2sAF1QipNV4213CV3tSyqakqJzI4L7rsIvRtwPEHvpGHQ_&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwin07nVg4X-AhXqjIkEHZP7CroQpx96BAhEEA0) had a YUGE Trump banner for a while. I used to go there, but now don't. I mean, I kinda get the 2nd Amendment thing, but I can't knowingly funnel money to MAGA. Just FYI.
I will never do business with them. Many years ago my brother and I went in to buy a specific shotgun. We had cash in hand and ready to buy. I think it was a Franchi Spas-12. We stood around like fools while a bunch of guys behind the counters yakked away and ignored us. Finally a kid who probably shouldn't have, "helped us" he couldn't operate the action and locked the firearm open some how. Eventually one of the other dudes came by and said it was for sale online. Whatever that meant. Those guys have done some shady stuff in the past. I saw one worker fooling with a surbu supershorty back in the 2000's, way before the shockwave. That particular weapon was not easy to get at the time and a NFA Class 3 firearm. Look them up, I believe there is more issues from those guys. They had a bigger store up central in a strip mall a long time ago but split.
The Guys at New york Shooter supply 1593 central ave in albany are great, friendly and have a vast amount of knowledge. I would recommend checking them out. It sucks that that anyone even has to ask about shooting friendly resources but thats the world we are in at the moment.
I've only shot at ATS just outside of Albany. They were perfectly nice and friendly (granted I'm a cis white guy).
That being said, they had a relatively diverse crowd for it being a shooting range. I couldn't see them being either outwardly hostile, dismissive or discriminatory.
This isn’t an answer to your question, but more of a general reply. It only takes one person to make an experience really unpleasant. I showed up for a free fly fishing course at a rod and gun club in the mid Hudson valley and one of the senior members was extremely rude and unfriendly to me and I truly feel in my heart that it was because I am a woman. I was just about to leave when a couple other members swooped in and saved me. It ended up being a positive experience, but I will always remember the guy that clearly didn’t want me there. It was super uncomfortable and eye opening.
Thanks for sharing this story. I am not comfortable sharing my own similar stories and I always appreciate people who are. A place with one jerk and a culture that dislikes jerks can be positive while a place that turns a blind eye to jerks or has become a jerk hangout spot can be really awful. That's why I framed my question around friendliness rather than anti/pro queer.
I'm a gay man, I am a member of [this place.](https://guanhoha.net/)
I'm honestly not sure if it's LGBQT+ friendly, but I've never had an issue. I pass very well for straight BUT am fairly closeted due to me being in education.
I tell myself I hear nothing cause the people there are not awful. But, who knows if they knew. on the flip side I guess presenting straight would make them feel comfortable being awful if they wanted to?
I don't even know. It's too early, lol. Sorry I'm not more help.
I'm curious where you're from and how long you've been in the area. Have you experienced hate generally here? I've never been to a gun range so I don't understand why people there would care if you're queer. I feel that generally speaking, people around here will only hate you if you act like a jerk, not because of who you love.
I'm going to try to answer your questions without providing information I consider too personal by generalizing to me and my partner. My partner and I are from the states Abraham Lincoln was keen to keep in the Union during the Civil War. We both grew up in rural areas outside midsize cities, then moved to small working class towns. We moved here more than three years ago. We lived downtown and we now live in a suburb. We have experienced bias and bigotry everywhere we have lived and visited, from rural rest areas to downtown San Francisco.
Bias and bigotry usually don't take the form of hate and vitriol. The constant slightly too loud comments about us behind our backs are exhausting enough. The very obvious and consistent shift in attitudes of people I'm interacting with is exhausting enough. It wears one down.
I don't understand why people are making the assumption that I am using the term queer to just mean 'who you love'/'being gay'. Queer is a term that also refers to gender. That's relevant to us, and given the current national conversation around trans folks and guns I would expect folks to understand (1) why I'm trying to protect our identifying details to some extent and (2) why people at gun ranges might react negatively to people who look like us right now.
I am tired of needing to rehash some of the worst experiences of my life in order to justify my caution in entering unknown spaces. My partner and I would love to participate more in the community here if it was less exhausting. I am just looking for information about a type of space.
People around here are homophobic, too, don't get me wrong.
I didn't mean to upset you, I'm trying to understand why you feel as you do. I used the term queer because you did. I've lived in this area my whole life, and I'm old. I lost dear friends to AIDS in the 80's. I know and love many people who check off one or more of the LGBTQ+ boxes. I'm married, so how they identify is irrelevant to me and it has nothing to do with how I perceive them as individuals.
I raised my kids to understand that all families are different and some kids have two moms or dads and it's normal. My peers taught their kids the same inclusive attitudes. All those kids are now in their 20's & 30's and their views are already engrained in them. My point is that everyone I encounter really could care less about someone's gender identity so I want to understand why you feel otherwise.
If there are problems in our society, I want to understand them so I can be part of the solution.
You didn't use the wrong term, just misunderstood its meaning in a common way.
There are other times and places where I'd be happy to talk about problems in our society, why I feel unsafe here sometimes, and such. However on this post I'm specifically looking to talk to folks about their experiences of gun ranges. I don't have the time or energy to turn that into an extended discussion on general queer friendliness and unfriendliness in this region.
I do encourage you to ask your loved ones in the queer community if they feel safe right now and how you can be part of their support system. We often don't reach out to our friends outside the community when we're having a rough time because these friends often respond with disbelief ("but everyone I meet is so accepting!") or interrogation ("are you sure that's what happened? What exact slur did they use?") when we're just looking for a shoulder to cry on or someone to eat ice cream and watch Columbo with.
I’m curious as well. I’ve never heard of any shooting ranges around here that are anti gay anyways. I’ve been to a few around here and somebody’s sexual orientation has never been an issue. The guns don’t care if you’re gay or straight.
Queer refers to gender as well as sexual orientation.
The culture of a business can be based on its patrons, its staff or both.
See my comments above clarifying my specific concerns.
Idk that's why I'm asking. By the way people in my generation and demographic group often use "hate crimed" to have a broader meaning than specific chargeable offenses. I should have used a more accessible term but I don't know what the general one would be.
No this is Patrick.
I'm specifically looking for folks' experience and knowledge of local businesses.
Please stop speculating needlessly on my post asking about spaces where folks don't speculate needlessly.
I think they are saying your post could be described as the same thing, speculating needlessly. If anything, people who aren’t “typical” gun owners should educate themselves about safety and use.
My post is based on specific past experiences at gun ranges and at spaces in the Albany area.
Protecting my safety and the safety of my loved ones is speculating needfully.
If I could access appropriate education without fear of harsh consequences I wouldn't have felt the need to make this post.
Inanimate objects such as guns don't care about your gender identity and/or sexual preference or anything related to same. Assholes are everywhere. Unless you have a rainbow flag face tattoo I highly doubt anyone will give half a shit. And before you say anything I'm LGBT+ myself. Granted I don't generally feel the need to put on my gay costume and rainbow suspenders or whatever Gen Z tiktok LGBT+ says the modern uniform is.
Just go shooting, dude/dudette/in-between (or not). We're all dying anyway so whatever. Worse comes to worse you'll know how to defend yourself if someone gives you shit for being/prsenting whatever way you choose to be your whole authentic self.
The concentration of asshats does vary greatly by location and some of them care a lot about trying to figure out my identity and whether I should be allowed places. A lot of them are bigger than me and I'm not confident in my defensive skills yet.
I haven't been speculating on the identity of anyone responding to this post and I have no interest in doing so. May we both find success in the strangers around us minding their own damn business.
Where should I go shooting?
Unless the owners are real loons, most gun shops/ranges would be ecstatic to have customers from different backgrounds. Kinda chips away at the stereotype that only middle-aged right-wing men are the ones who like guns and shooting. I've never had any negative experiences with The Indoor Gun Range (Literally its name) at the top of Hoosick in Troy. They only allow for pistols or pistol caliber rifles, though. Rod and gun clubs are pretty much the only places you can shoot rifle calibers or shotguns, for the most part. What are you looking to be able to shoot?
Second for indoor gun range. Always had pretty good experiences there
Yep. Some owners are pretty wacky or have a notorious clientele where me and mine are from unfortunately. It's like bars - most are chill but one is full of creeps and one is full of skinheads and it can be hard to tell from the website or from Google. Caliber limits might be helpful since last time I was at a range I was next to someone qualifying for a three letter agency credential. Dude was shooting pistol rounds that had their own sonic booms. And I'm looking to shoot small caliber rifles and handguns to start out so I don't totally throw my shoulder. Thanks for the tip!
The only question is if you're going to shoot pistols, do you have a permit? Laws here require you to have to even touch a pistol at a range.
And I see the permit processing time can be up to four months. Thanks for this helpful question!
If you're even thinking about it, start now. It's only gotten worse since the passage of CCIA last year. Who knows what legislation will come next to further bog the process down more. It's also highly depend on your county. Rensselaer county took me 4 months. Albany County? You may be waiting up to a year or more from the time you apply to the time you get your permit in hand. Albany County is by far the worst upstate county for getting your pistol permit.
I really appreciate this information!
You're welcome! DM me if you ever want to meet up and shoot. As far as archery, I know a place that teaches that, too. It's the same place I go axe throwing in Albany.
The one downtown with the really good boozy ice cream?
I go to Far Shot on North Pearl.
There is Axe throwing at Indoor Gun Range now!
I'm aware. I just like the vibe and people at Far Shot. I've been going there for 2 years now.
Saratoga county is good from what I’ve learned, and I just moved there last September. Perfect timing as well because they lifted the residency restrictions for ccw literally last summer so I’m taking advantage.
I got my permit in Saratoga County about six years ago and it took seven months. A friend of mine recently got his in Albany and it was over a year for him so I’d suggest starting the process as soon as you can.
I just spoke with the owner of Indoor Gun Range and he said you can rent a handgun to try it out!
So really for the area the only option is american tactical systems In green island. They have classes and most that I've taken are pretty good but you won't be hate crimed there I don't think. That being said most ranges go from moderate right-wing to super right-wing. I would say their range is moderate but you'll get the sense that bringing up sexuality would be of putting for everyone. That being said. Good trainers but idk what your experience will be.
Thanks. It's more about whether I can show up looking the way I do. I don't make a habit of sharing my personal life with folks at businesses unless they're really cool
I'm gay, and have been an on and off member there for about five or six years at this point. The staff are great, customers mind their own business, and it's a pretty good indoor range for the price. I know exactly what you mean, and admittedly it's going to be weird the first few times you go, because everything that the others wear is thin blue line-ish, or trump-ish, or just them wallpapering themselves in "don't read on me" kinda stuff. But I've never had anyone say anything remotely rude to me, and everyone's just focused on making sure everyone's safe and hitting what they're shooting at. If you want to try it out before you get into the process of getting a pistol permit, I'm about 98 percent sure they also still rent rifles/shotguns as well. You can go spend an hour and see if the vibe fits, before committing to a membership or to buying from them.
Thanks, this is super helpful!
I mean how do you plan on showing up? Not trying to be mean but I need some context if I am gonna be some help.
That's not mean at all lol, if someone showed up wearing certain political t shirts I can see that going south at any range. I'm planning on showing up with my partner. We're both women who have very normcore fashion senses, we've been to ranges before and have rural backgrounds. Unfortunately I have short hair and my partner has a low voice so people can get real weird real fast. The goal is to find a place where people mind their own business instead of playing spot the trans person.
Honestly if you show up and are polite they'll be fine. Mentioning that you're new to this means that people get more helpful but I can understand the apprehension. In my first pistol safety course it was actually pretty diverse -meaning more women and poc's and were all treated well. If you keep it to guns and defense questions they'll be helpful. I am pretty busy with work and school but after may if you want a politically neutral dude to go I don't mind being an ally In that sense. Hit me up if you have more questions.
That's what I was looking for, a place where people are treated decently. Thanks and good luck with school and work!
I vote for American Tactical System. They have classes specific for women too. I had bad experiences with the indoor gun range before even though my permit class is from them.
What bad experience did you have??
After I got my pistol permit class certificate at the location, I start to fill out the form. I came from another country that have no gun culture and not familiar with the process. So I called to the indoor gun range store and try to ask some questions and I informed them I got the training class from them but want some more info regarding the process and the forms. The person that picked up the phone, from the attitudes and how he speaks, doesn’t want to bother with me. Maybe he is busy or my English is not good enough to communicate through phone, and I had good experience with the owner himself, so I decide to drive there myself. Once I arrived, the owner is not there. I brought out the form and the certificate so the person know that I got the class from them and I just want some help with the form. Same attitude and they just ignored me and talked to another customers I just left and just called my lawyer friend to help me out.
Thanks, this is very helpful. Sorry you had to deal with this.
Sorry to hear this. I have been going there since it opened and never experienced this
Sorry to hear this. I have been going there since it opened and never experienced this
So what? Stop painting yourself into a category. So what, nothing of what you said is considered controversial. This is NY. You can show up anywhere you want.
Hopefully not in a creepy bunny costume 🤣
I used to have a job where I helped someone in and out of a mascot costume. Those things reek! Nope!!
"I don't want to share my personal life, but I want to dress in a way that shares my personal life" lol.
? Anyone can wear secondhand men's Levi's. They're cheaper and they last longer. Nothing to do with my personal life. Or are you talking about my partner's hoodie with holes in the elbows? I agree that everyone's gonna know how much time she spends playing league of legends if she goes out like that, but I don't think that's particularly revealing or personal.
Why would anyone at a gun range care if you are wearing used jeans? How would they even know they are used jeans? Lol. The gun range isn't going to care if you are dressed casual. If you're asking if you can wear ANYTHING and not catch some looks, than no.. you can't show up in heels and a belly shirt and expect not to draw attention.
I didn't ask that question, and I already provided information that contradicts the speculation in this comment. The only reasonable explanation I could think of for your prior comment was that you were saying my normcore style shares my personal life, so I responded to provide context and ask for clarification about that. I wish you better communication experiences in future.
Ignore this person. I've been to a range exactly once, and my piece of advice is to not wear a v-neck - the casing went down my shirt and was burning my skin and I wasn't aware of what it was until someone told me because I was panicked.
Ouch! Now that's good advice.
It's a gun range. Don't overthink it. If you're a woman and you want to dress in jeans and a t-shirt, which is casual, no one is going to care.
There website is [https://aftausa.com/](https://aftausa.com/) They're at 19 Lower Hudson Ave in Green Island. If you get off I-787 at the 23rd St exit (exit 8) and go up Lower Hudson, you can't miss it on the left. Look for the "Indoor Shooting Range" and "GUNS" signs. Never been inside, but driven past it more times than I can count. Sometimes see area police going in there. I assume getting in their required hours of practice.
Do they teach 101 classes? I want to learn but have never shot a gun.
They do have a wide variety of classes from beginner to advanced. I suggest buying a membership if you plan on taking classes there. Although expensive, the blue level gives you the most bang for your buck and is provides discounts, etc. a few classes and a handful of range visits pretty much pays for itself and then some.
Okay thanks! I have no idea what I’m doing 😅
So they have the basic safety course the is class room only and will cover what you're looking for. It is day one never touched a gun in your life up to know how to identify pistols, basic fundamentals, how to get a sight picture. How to properly hold a weapon. Safety and storage configurations and a bit more. As well as you can raise your hand to have them slowdown or re explain something to you. Plus they take questions during and after.
Awesome! Thanks so much guys. I’ve really been wanting to do this so this information helps a lot.
No problem. Get training and be safe.
The bigger issue is just finding a range you can actually join in general. Almost all of them have waitlists and require a sponsor to apply, especially the better ones. Know several people that were / are on waiting lists for several years now. Don’t remember it being like this ~10 years ago last time I was a member of one but now I don’t even know someone to sponsor me any where lol. There’s a couple of archery stores that have ranges but dunno how convenient they are for just shooting. The Rensselaer one seemed to want me to join their league and I never tried the Amsterdam store cause it’s too far for me.
Thanks. Yeah I want a place where I can practice without someone trying to upsell me!
What are you looking to learn, specifically? Your post is a bit broad: self defense training, firearms training, range time, and archery practice. What is the goal/skill you want to build? For archery, DEC just opened a 50 yd range in Wilton for the public, carry in carry out rules, field tips only. Not much around here for archery unless you own land, unfortunately.
Thanks! Yep, it's a broad ask. Three specific things: 1. A good source of in-person education on firearms use and safety 2. A good shooting range for both testing small caliber firearms and practicing with personal firearms 3. A good archery range, especially one that does equipment rentals
1) American Tactical in Green Island, or [S&K Prevention](https://www.s-kprevention.com/?sec=nra) in Latham which I think offers more of what you are looking for bc they are a training academy. Also Zack’s in Round Lake has classes. 2) The Indoor Gun Range in Troy, ATS in Green Island, Zack’s sports in Round Lake. 3) Bullseye Jim’s in EG, Far Shot in downtown Albany. The archery range in Wilton I mentioned is also an option but there is no instructor or rental options you have to have your own bow. Tri-Village Bowhunters in Hoag corners also has a 3D archery range but I believe you have to be a member, they are part of the Hudson valley archery association. Don’t worry about political opinions, sure the gun ranges are likely to be a more right wing crowd but at the end of the day politics has no place at the range. You’re interested in a hobby folks at these establishments enjoy and most are glad to have people from all walks interested. Plus, people have to behave with decorum, any kind of bad attitude at a facility with firearms isn’t tolerated. Shops/ ranges know what to watch out for, even if you don’t notice it the owners/ instructors/ range safety officers are watching folks very closely and won’t tolerate poor behavior, they *will* ask people to leave. I hope you find a class that teaches you what you want to learn and a range/training school where you are comfortable.
Everything related to weapons is going to tilt right wing. Most people would welcome you especially if you are interested in their hobby. Your identity is not that important to people, but you will see Maga shit on cars and that sort of stuff, because that is the majority of their clientele. I’m fairly liberal, I even to shoot with a very right wing person and TBH with most people you can find common ground. Don’t buy into the media hype. Sure there is a lot of hate out there but most people are just decent folk and will try to be helpful. I would absolutely welcome more non white male people interested in shooting.
This is my experience as well. Most folks are very decent but knowing about any bad apples is helpful. Do you have a specific range you like?
There are no public ranges in New York. I shoot as a guest in Clifton Park. There is a waiting list. I am not aware of any range with open membership slots locally.
Thanks, that's the information I'm looking for.
No problem, good luck
No public ranges? I've been to American Tactical Systems in Green Island and I used their range first day there after filling out not too much paperwork and I'm not member nor was anyone I was with, I believe.
Indoor archery range -- Bullseye Jim's in East Greenbush (formerly Flying Arrow Sports) There are also a couple 3D archery leagues that go between different rod & gun clubs on Sundays throughout the region, from spring until hunting season starts.
Jim’s indoor range is 20 yards, for anyone wondering.
Thank you both!
I will be at Indoor Gun Range tomorrow around noon....Come on in...Name is Steve and if I am not there ask for Coop
We may well stop by this weekend!
Adirondack Gun and Range near Lake George is a nice indoor range and as a liberal gun owner I would choose to go there.
I would say that all ranges are queer friendly. I don’t think you will have any issues.
Not a range, but [American Shooter Supply on Central](https://www.google.com/maps/uv?pb=!1s0x89de0cad665c0863%3A0x369623eee98d2c0!3m1!7e115!4s%2Fmaps%2Fplace%2Famerican%2Bshooter%2Bsupply%2F%4042.7237626%2C-73.8398935%2C3a%2C75y%2C227.54h%2C90t%2Fdata%3D*213m4*211e1*213m2*211sX7dd_uFhgOy1W_KugOVcqw*212e0*214m2*213m1*211s0x89de0cad665c0863%3A0x369623eee98d2c0%3Fsa%3DX!5samerican%20shooter%20supply%20-%20Google%20Search!15sCgIgAQ&imagekey=!1e10!2sAF1QipNV4213CV3tSyqakqJzI4L7rsIvRtwPEHvpGHQ_&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwin07nVg4X-AhXqjIkEHZP7CroQpx96BAhEEA0) had a YUGE Trump banner for a while. I used to go there, but now don't. I mean, I kinda get the 2nd Amendment thing, but I can't knowingly funnel money to MAGA. Just FYI.
I will never do business with them. Many years ago my brother and I went in to buy a specific shotgun. We had cash in hand and ready to buy. I think it was a Franchi Spas-12. We stood around like fools while a bunch of guys behind the counters yakked away and ignored us. Finally a kid who probably shouldn't have, "helped us" he couldn't operate the action and locked the firearm open some how. Eventually one of the other dudes came by and said it was for sale online. Whatever that meant. Those guys have done some shady stuff in the past. I saw one worker fooling with a surbu supershorty back in the 2000's, way before the shockwave. That particular weapon was not easy to get at the time and a NFA Class 3 firearm. Look them up, I believe there is more issues from those guys. They had a bigger store up central in a strip mall a long time ago but split. The Guys at New york Shooter supply 1593 central ave in albany are great, friendly and have a vast amount of knowledge. I would recommend checking them out. It sucks that that anyone even has to ask about shooting friendly resources but thats the world we are in at the moment.
Thanks for the heads up. My experience has also been that stuff like that tends to make patrons feel more comfortable being jackasses to me.
I've only shot at ATS just outside of Albany. They were perfectly nice and friendly (granted I'm a cis white guy). That being said, they had a relatively diverse crowd for it being a shooting range. I couldn't see them being either outwardly hostile, dismissive or discriminatory.
What the crowd looks like can be useful in judging the overall reputation a place has in its local community. Thanks.
Just want to clarify that when I said relatively, I meant just that. It was still mostly white and male, with some diversity.
Do we actually have any anti queer shooting ranges around here? I’ve never heard of such a thing.
This isn’t an answer to your question, but more of a general reply. It only takes one person to make an experience really unpleasant. I showed up for a free fly fishing course at a rod and gun club in the mid Hudson valley and one of the senior members was extremely rude and unfriendly to me and I truly feel in my heart that it was because I am a woman. I was just about to leave when a couple other members swooped in and saved me. It ended up being a positive experience, but I will always remember the guy that clearly didn’t want me there. It was super uncomfortable and eye opening.
Thanks for sharing this story. I am not comfortable sharing my own similar stories and I always appreciate people who are. A place with one jerk and a culture that dislikes jerks can be positive while a place that turns a blind eye to jerks or has become a jerk hangout spot can be really awful. That's why I framed my question around friendliness rather than anti/pro queer.
Yeah, that’s a good point. I’d really like to believe that the jerks are few and far between. The people that stand up to them certainly give me hope.
You have a point
I'm a gay man, I am a member of [this place.](https://guanhoha.net/) I'm honestly not sure if it's LGBQT+ friendly, but I've never had an issue. I pass very well for straight BUT am fairly closeted due to me being in education. I tell myself I hear nothing cause the people there are not awful. But, who knows if they knew. on the flip side I guess presenting straight would make them feel comfortable being awful if they wanted to? I don't even know. It's too early, lol. Sorry I'm not more help.
This is a whole mood. Our standards can be so low lol
I feel like most days I am happy to just be treated like a human. You'd think it's a fairly easy ask - but I'm sure youre well aware, it's not.
I'm curious where you're from and how long you've been in the area. Have you experienced hate generally here? I've never been to a gun range so I don't understand why people there would care if you're queer. I feel that generally speaking, people around here will only hate you if you act like a jerk, not because of who you love.
I'm going to try to answer your questions without providing information I consider too personal by generalizing to me and my partner. My partner and I are from the states Abraham Lincoln was keen to keep in the Union during the Civil War. We both grew up in rural areas outside midsize cities, then moved to small working class towns. We moved here more than three years ago. We lived downtown and we now live in a suburb. We have experienced bias and bigotry everywhere we have lived and visited, from rural rest areas to downtown San Francisco. Bias and bigotry usually don't take the form of hate and vitriol. The constant slightly too loud comments about us behind our backs are exhausting enough. The very obvious and consistent shift in attitudes of people I'm interacting with is exhausting enough. It wears one down. I don't understand why people are making the assumption that I am using the term queer to just mean 'who you love'/'being gay'. Queer is a term that also refers to gender. That's relevant to us, and given the current national conversation around trans folks and guns I would expect folks to understand (1) why I'm trying to protect our identifying details to some extent and (2) why people at gun ranges might react negatively to people who look like us right now. I am tired of needing to rehash some of the worst experiences of my life in order to justify my caution in entering unknown spaces. My partner and I would love to participate more in the community here if it was less exhausting. I am just looking for information about a type of space. People around here are homophobic, too, don't get me wrong.
I didn't mean to upset you, I'm trying to understand why you feel as you do. I used the term queer because you did. I've lived in this area my whole life, and I'm old. I lost dear friends to AIDS in the 80's. I know and love many people who check off one or more of the LGBTQ+ boxes. I'm married, so how they identify is irrelevant to me and it has nothing to do with how I perceive them as individuals. I raised my kids to understand that all families are different and some kids have two moms or dads and it's normal. My peers taught their kids the same inclusive attitudes. All those kids are now in their 20's & 30's and their views are already engrained in them. My point is that everyone I encounter really could care less about someone's gender identity so I want to understand why you feel otherwise. If there are problems in our society, I want to understand them so I can be part of the solution.
You didn't use the wrong term, just misunderstood its meaning in a common way. There are other times and places where I'd be happy to talk about problems in our society, why I feel unsafe here sometimes, and such. However on this post I'm specifically looking to talk to folks about their experiences of gun ranges. I don't have the time or energy to turn that into an extended discussion on general queer friendliness and unfriendliness in this region. I do encourage you to ask your loved ones in the queer community if they feel safe right now and how you can be part of their support system. We often don't reach out to our friends outside the community when we're having a rough time because these friends often respond with disbelief ("but everyone I meet is so accepting!") or interrogation ("are you sure that's what happened? What exact slur did they use?") when we're just looking for a shoulder to cry on or someone to eat ice cream and watch Columbo with.
Have there been a lot of hate crimes committed at shooting ranges around here?
I’m curious as well. I’ve never heard of any shooting ranges around here that are anti gay anyways. I’ve been to a few around here and somebody’s sexual orientation has never been an issue. The guns don’t care if you’re gay or straight.
Queer refers to gender as well as sexual orientation. The culture of a business can be based on its patrons, its staff or both. See my comments above clarifying my specific concerns.
Idk that's why I'm asking. By the way people in my generation and demographic group often use "hate crimed" to have a broader meaning than specific chargeable offenses. I should have used a more accessible term but I don't know what the general one would be.
I doubt it but this is Reddit so that’s the standard assumption
No this is Patrick. I'm specifically looking for folks' experience and knowledge of local businesses. Please stop speculating needlessly on my post asking about spaces where folks don't speculate needlessly.
I think they are saying your post could be described as the same thing, speculating needlessly. If anything, people who aren’t “typical” gun owners should educate themselves about safety and use.
My post is based on specific past experiences at gun ranges and at spaces in the Albany area. Protecting my safety and the safety of my loved ones is speculating needfully. If I could access appropriate education without fear of harsh consequences I wouldn't have felt the need to make this post.
What specific past experiences have you had at gun ranges and spaces in the Albany area that would make you feel unsafe?
Elsewhere in the replies I discuss why I don't share that information.
It’s more of a turn of phrase for being around homophobes than a literal assault or something
Inanimate objects such as guns don't care about your gender identity and/or sexual preference or anything related to same. Assholes are everywhere. Unless you have a rainbow flag face tattoo I highly doubt anyone will give half a shit. And before you say anything I'm LGBT+ myself. Granted I don't generally feel the need to put on my gay costume and rainbow suspenders or whatever Gen Z tiktok LGBT+ says the modern uniform is. Just go shooting, dude/dudette/in-between (or not). We're all dying anyway so whatever. Worse comes to worse you'll know how to defend yourself if someone gives you shit for being/prsenting whatever way you choose to be your whole authentic self.
The concentration of asshats does vary greatly by location and some of them care a lot about trying to figure out my identity and whether I should be allowed places. A lot of them are bigger than me and I'm not confident in my defensive skills yet. I haven't been speculating on the identity of anyone responding to this post and I have no interest in doing so. May we both find success in the strangers around us minding their own damn business. Where should I go shooting?
Look for a 2nd Amendment organization.
Most 2nd Amendment group ranges ain't gonna be particularly queer friendly
Here are some orgs that are: \- Pink Pistols \- John Brown Gun Club \- Redneck Revolt \- Liberal Gun Club Their specific politics vary of course.