BlueCore Shooting Center - Lakewood

[Guylee]

I stopped by and shot at Blue Core today. Overall, a good experience. The gents at the counter were friendly, and there was no wait to get a lane. They asked to look at my ammo, but didn't give me a hard time for the reloads. My friend bought a couple boxes of 9mm at 13 bucks and some change for the S&B. We shot our guns, had a good time, and left. Here's a few things that caught my attention:

As far as rental guns go, there were pretty slim pickins. About all I saw were a couple Ruger LCP's, a Sig, a couple wheel guns, and about 50 XD's. I'm sure they will expand sooner or later, but it's obvious right now that they're more into a variety of caliber than gun.

Their range rules say drawing from the holster is only permitted from approval. My friend and I are both Security Officers, and he was in uniform (just got off). When he asked if he could draw from the holster, they came in and asked him to demonstrate his technique. The guy said all was good, and my friend went ahead with shooting. I don't know if it was this easy because he was in uniform, but it seems to me that they just want to make sure you're not going to be sending bullets all over the place.

The rules also state you can pick up YOUR OWN brass. I don't know why the emphasis on only your own, but I wasn't questioned when picking up my .45 casings, and I know I picked up a few that weren't mine.

They make it very clear that they don't want wolf, or any russian ammo for that matter. Don't know why they hate it so much (other than the fact that a lot of it is steel core and they just don't want to have to differentiate), but their ammo prices are good enough that I won't be crying about it.

Overall, a good experience. Clean facility, nice people, and good prices. I hope they can keep their prices low, but one of the guys there said they will go up a little with the coming increase in price of ammo. As long as it's not too bad, I'll keep going back. Hell, might even get a membership!

One more thing-They expect to have the retail store open in about four weeks and the rifle range in six. If you want to shoot your AR in the pistol bays you can, but at 15 yards max, I don't see the point unless they will let you do reloading drills and such.

[stevelkinevil]

was thinking about giving this place a shot on Sunday as its gonna be to cold for heading to the mountains, however looks like the rifle range is not up yet, and seriously? $24 per hour??!! that's 40 rounds of cheap ammo!

[mrghost]

Their range rules say drawing from the holster is only permitted from approval. My friend and I are both Security Officers, and he was in uniform (just got off). When he asked if he could draw from the holster, they came in and asked him to demonstrate his technique. The guy said all was good, and my friend went ahead with shooting. I don't know if it was this easy because he was in uniform, but it seems to me that they just want to make sure you're not going to be sending bullets all over the place.

I fully support BluCore's or any range's staff vetting a request like this. Firstly, it's nice of them to make an exception (after a demo) and secondly, you never know what the skillset of the person in the lane next to you is or what's going on in their brain at any particular moment, so some vetting of special requests puts me more at ease.

[risk]

So i've been back more than a couple times to Blue core. after the third round i decided to get a membership. I went pretty late and ended up chatting with one of the guys after they closed. i think ive spoken with all of the staff and they are all good people.

one thing that really impressed me as i was packing up near 8:00, one of them was in there vacuuming each of the stalls. this just tells me that they really care about the range and work to keep it nice.

As far as asking to see someone draw from a holster before they allow it, im completely ok with that. Ive seen someone shoot their ankle off doing this because they didnt now what they were doing. Frankly, ide rather not get shot because someone feels like being john wayne for a day. Ive also seen so much stupid crap happen at every outdoor range its not even funny. Im glad that this place has the sense to limit the risky behaviors to those who know how to do them.

Im totally impressed with this place.

[Buzzkill69]

So i've been back more than a couple times to Blue core. after the third round i decided to get a membership. I went pretty late and ended up chatting with one of the guys after they closed. i think ive spoken with all of the staff and they are all good people.

one thing that really impressed me as i was packing up near 8:00, one of them was in there vacuuming each of the stalls. this just tells me that they really care about the range and work to keep it nice.

As far as asking to see someone draw from a holster before they allow it, im completely ok with that. Ive seen someone shoot their ankle off doing this because they didnt now what they were doing. Frankly, ide rather not get shot because someone feels like being john wayne for a day. Ive also seen so much stupid crap happen at every outdoor range its not even funny. Im glad that this place has the sense to limit the risky behaviors to those who know how to do them.

Im totally impressed with this place.

How much was the membership?

[risk]

How much was the membership?

$270

Sounds like alot, but for as much as i used to shoot this would pay for itself quickly.

The biggest advantage for me is for reloading. I basically stopped for a year because it got too difficult to drive an hour to go test reloads. Now i can do up a few loads, drive down the street and not freak at paying $17 for shooting 15 minutes. It makes a big difference.

[Buzzkill69]

$270

Sounds like alot, but for as much as i used to shoot this would pay for itself quickly.

The biggest advantage for me is for reloading. I basically stopped for a year because it got too difficult to drive an hour to go test reloads. Now i can do up a few loads, drive down the street and not freak at paying $17 for shooting 15 minutes. It makes a big difference.

Being close definitely helps. $270 is a little spendy but not too bad. What all is included with the membership? I am thinking about getting one myself.

[risk]

5% off products in store, a t-shirt, and free range visits. Also the pistol range fee for guests of members is $11 instead of 14.

[Guylee]

I fully support BluCore's or any range's staff vetting a request like this. Firstly, it's nice of them to make an exception (after a demo) and secondly, you never know what the skillset of the person in the lane next to you is or what's going on in their brain at any particular moment, so some vetting of special requests puts me more at ease.

That's the way I saw it. I wasn't really interested in holster drawing this time, but I'm sure if I asked they would have let me (after a quick demo, of course).

[DeusExMachina]

I went today after meeting up with a member to sell my M&P. He was a member at the range, so I got in as a guest. Always happy to save a couple bucks.

The ventilation was great, no black boogers afterward. My only complaint was that it was really cold (probably due to the ventilation?) and there wasn't enough brooms to sweep up. Some dude that was there must have REALLY liked to sweep, because he wouldn't give it up and wasn't paying attention to anyone when I tried to ask him for it. I thought he worked there or something but no, he just really liked to sweep brass I guess.

I was kind of disappointed that the range was only 15 yards and not 25 yards, but oh well.

$270 for a year membership seems pretty spendy, but if you go once a week or even twice a month it would be worth it. I'm about a half hour away so I probably wont go too often, as the Firing Line is about 10 minutes away and I haven't had any problems.