NooB from Columbus, OH

[BadTrainDriver]

Just wanted to take a sec to say "Hi" and "Thanks" to all that have made that site what it is.

I found this after purchasing my XD and have spent hours reading the post, learning alot on the way.

So, thanks again.

[Ed Ely]

Welcome!

Ed

[R Dub]

Welcome to the HS/XD mad house.

[carlkolchak]

Go buckeyes! (if anyone outside of Columbus cares)

Have you tried shooting at Blackwing yet? Good place.

[BadTrainDriver]

No, I haven't shot at Blackwing yet, but have been through their store a couple of times.

Very nice place, but kinda high prices. At least I thought so.

[carlkolchak]

Originally Posted by BadTrainDriver

No, I haven't shot at Blackwing yet, but have been through their store a couple of times.

Very nice place, but kinda high prices. At least I thought so.

Yeah, and some of their store personnel lack social skills.
Example: I go to buy ammo, and I get to hear from the sales person how he dislikes my preferred brand of pistol (idiot).
I could vent on a few other encounters I've had there that were sub-par but not here....

However, if you go to the range you'll probably meet their one real decent fellow named Rick - SUPER GUY! Nice, helpful, humble as all get out, just a great person.

Yeah, I wouldn't purchase a pistol there b/c of their prices (and personnel) that's what I have Vance's for. But their range is about the best there is.

Whereas the Powder Room has some great people working there, but thier range is the suckiest out of all three in midOhio. Oh well, still like them the best anyway.

Enjoy that piece!

[chrome]

hey guys, I live on campus in columbus. We all should get together and get some trigger time. I like indoor ranges, but need some rifle range time (hard to find in columbus unless you guys know someone with land?)

I am personal friends with the smith at BW, I have had really good experiences there. Rex (owner) is a real nice guy, works the counter alot because he likes to shoot the ****. He used to be co-owner of New Albany shooting range, but split due to certain 'reasons' if you have any idea what im talking about..

[BadTrainDriver]

Chris at Vance's told me that The Powder Room was soon(?) closing. Going to tear down that building with the one next door and build a restaurant.

And I agree.

Powder Room=great guys, but high prices(probably due to lack of volume)
Vance's=very good overall
Blackwing=high prices(gotta pay for the new building) and not the best personality to deal with

Just personal opinions.

[gharsh]

Hey guys, also a c-bus resident.

I agree with all you've said. I used to do a lot of shooting at New Albany, but I let me membership lapse and haven't re-upped. I actually do most of my shooting at the Powder Room. Always have to clean out the nose afterwards. I also heard the rumor about their closing, but was just there this week and they sure didn't act like they were closing.

I think I'll be in the market for my second XD shortly. Thinking about the 3" or 4". Would like to find one with the stainless slide. I'll start at Vance's and then work my way out from there. One place that always seems to have decent prices, if you're up for a drive, is Fin Feather Fur in Ashland. A little over an hour from c-bus.

Well, good to chat with some buckeyes.

[crossroads_gunner]

Hi guys, I visit OH many times during the year and spend some of my time in/around Columbus. I haven't previously heard of Blackwing, so I'd like to check it out. Can you let me know where it is? Also, I've been to both the Powder Room and New Albany Shooting Range. I was not at all impressed with the Powder Room - their sales personnel ignored me and remained sealed in their bubble of conversations, though I cruised the counters and paused several times to gaze at various items with more than passing interest, and the place absolutely stank of old, old cigarette smoke (I am not an anti-smoker). Someone who appeared to be a "regular" there was smoking while he was seated at a largish table that was densely spread with full ammunition boxes, save for the room he'd cleared for his ashtray, which was beginning to overflow. That spurred my quick exit, never to return. So, if it closes, I won't miss it. I didn't think their prices were all that great for regular folks' budgets. I guess they thought they could ride the same wave as all those antique emporia in Powell.

As for New Albany, I've been there several times and used their range as well. My impression is that their sales personnel are helpful without being overbearing or aggressive, and IMO, their range is about as good as it gets for indoor facilities. Yes, their prices are on the higher end, but in and around New Albany, I think they don't have much trouble getting them. Overall, I like NASR.

I haven't been to Vance's yet, and I've been told it's in an unsavory part of town on the south side. I've already been aggressively panhandled when patronizing the Golden Phoenix Chinese restaurant on Morse Rd, so if Vance's has more people like that in their area, I am not going there. Besides, since Columbus passed their "assault weapons" ban last July, I don't spend any money within its limits unless it's absolutely necessary. I hope that all firearms owners, in and out of OH, do the same. To that end, if Blackwing is actually inside Columbus, I'll go look, but unless they have something I absolutely cannot get anywhere else (unlikely), they will not receive any of my business.

Well, that's my $0.02.