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| - I have belonged to several sporting clubs (mostly for range access) as well as shot at ranges from coast to coast. Blackstone is a top-tier range in a new, stand-alone building, with integrated range and shop. They have installed state-of-the-art range equipment. Air quality is superb and there is no detectable breeze. The range is divided into three bays, allowing the range staff to, for example, separate pistol and rifle. And when I was last there, there was indeed someone shooting high-powered rifle in the first bay while there were seven or eight handgun shooters in the middle bay's lanes. The third bay is currently reserved for VIP members, who also have their own lounge area, restrooms, and both viewing windows as well as separate entrance onto their bay.
Although the facility is new, the staff is superb. Everyone is very helpful and pleasant. The shop area is not laid out like a conventional gun shop. Rather than the typical salesman behind the counter set up, firearms are in large glass cases arranged on the floor, and you interact with sales people directly side-by-side. The only counters are the checkout register counter and the (separate) range counter.
Some details on the range, besides the air-quality mentioned above, are that the lighting is superb and even. The target system controls are easy and intuitive. There is an anteroom between the range counter and the range bays themselves where you can wash up. Check in and check out is a simple matter of presenting your ID, the staff looks you up, and you're in. No little card to carry around for once. The range boasts a full 25 yards. The check-in system allows you to run a tab for anything you need (like hearing and eye protection rental), targets, ammunition, firearms rental etc. The rental system is good - one fee allows you to try multiple guns. The range allows shotgun as well as rifle to .300 Winchester Magnum, if I recall, and up to .50 BMG on special days.
The location is really, really convenient. It is essentially at the intersection of two highways in Charlotte, 277 as well as 77. Either way, you pop off on Wilkinson, travel a few hundred yards to where the divided portion of the road ends, and turn directly into Blackstone's parking lot. Tons of parking and easy in/out.
You can shoot as a nonmember, of course, and there are three membership tiers - basic, premium, and a VIP. Basic buys you a reduced hourly rate. Premium eliminates the hourly rate - you shoot for "free." And VIP gives you the lounge and private range bay as well as other perks. Membership fees are moderately higher than competing ranges - and there are initiation fees, which is one thing I do not like, but there is no range in the same quality league, in my opinion, in the area.
Shop prices vary. Gun prices range from pretty good to typical. I can tell you that two handguns that I bought at a decent discount elsewhere were cheaper at Blackstone. Ammunition prices are pretty typical and a stock is fairly deep. I don't find the prices of most other goods in the shop to be competitive, however. That includes cases, personal protective equipment, knives, holsters, clothing, flashlights, etc.
Blackstone gets my highest recommendation in the Charlotte region for anyone looking for an indoor range.
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