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The day spa of gun ranges: Giant new shooting facility focuses on sexy luxury with military cred
CultureMapHouston ^ | 11-29-12 | Whitney Radley

Posted on 11/29/2012 8:33:28 PM PST by smokingfrog

Even in name, Athena Gun Club doesn't come across as your average shooting range. Nor does it feel like one upon entering the airy lobby off the Katy Freeway, its spa-serene atmosphere belying what takes place behind soundproof walls until a visitor glances to the right or left to see a plentiful array of handguns, machine guns, rifles and Tasers on display.

*snip*

.. the largest gun range in Houston and the most expansive facility in the nation, with 26 indoor lanes that boast Action Target and digital retrieval systems, bullet traps, ammo recycling and an advanced ventilation system that mitigates the effects of lead.

"We're the only commercial range that uses this system," says Cho, who argues that even most law enforcement and military ranges aren't so well-equipped.

More than 150 firearms, including premium handguns, can be rented for a shooting session or purchased in the retail store, where handguns and accessories are set up in lifestyle vignettes to make the concept of gun-toting more approachable to the average consumer.

"The real litmus test was whether a female who had never shot before would feel comfortable coming back without a friend," Cho says of the concept.

(Excerpt) Read more at houston.culturemap.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: banglist; houston; indoorshootingrange; shootingrange
They even have valet parking and a cigar lounge.
1 posted on 11/29/2012 8:33:39 PM PST by smokingfrog
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To: smokingfrog
bullet traps, ammo recycling and an advanced ventilation system that mitigates the effects of lead.

Our local range is nearly usless in the dead of the winter or the summer. The ventilation system moves a lot of air....... enough to make hanging targets bounce. In the winter it pumps in really really cold air and really really hot air in the summer.

2 posted on 11/29/2012 8:48:12 PM PST by umgud (No Rats, No Rino's)
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To: smokingfrog

I have seen a billboard on the sw freeway for this place. Only question is price... Place looks like a 50 buck an hour range. Hope the don’t charge per weapon you bing in


3 posted on 11/29/2012 8:55:56 PM PST by Syntyr (Happiness is two at low eight!)
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To: Syntyr

It’s going to be a pricey place to shoot. I read somewhere that membership is $5K & $200 a month.


4 posted on 11/29/2012 8:58:45 PM PST by smokingfrog ( sleep with one eye open (<o> ---)
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Here is the story they did on the local news.

Photos: New gun range shows how shooting can be sexy

5 posted on 11/29/2012 9:17:44 PM PST by smokingfrog ( sleep with one eye open (<o> ---)
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To: smokingfrog

I’ve been shooting for 40 years. Shooters are cheap. Nothing to be ashamed of, just cheap. I don’t see a long life-span for this place. If they bring in some table dancers it might last a little longer.


6 posted on 11/29/2012 9:52:52 PM PST by Lockbar (Quality factory loaded ammunition ---- The New Gold)
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To: Lockbar

i would guess they will aim for business memberships. the economy’s in the crapper but i can see a more stale market for it with places that have more money than individuals.


7 posted on 11/29/2012 10:45:06 PM PST by Secret Agent Man (I can neither confirm or deny that; even if I could, I couldn't - it's classified.)
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To: smokingfrog

I was hoping they were really making a combination... like you could pop a few rounds off in the sauna range while getting a good schvitz, or get a nice rubdown while shooting prone, something like that.


8 posted on 11/30/2012 12:06:24 AM PST by Boogieman
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To: Lockbar

“Shooters are cheap. Nothing to be ashamed of, just cheap.”

Not cheap, just prioritizing. The more money you spend on other stuff, the less money you’ve got to spend on the arsenal!


9 posted on 11/30/2012 12:08:00 AM PST by Boogieman
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To: Lockbar
You should check out the Scottsdale gun club in Phoenix AZ. They are not cheap ad they are doing a bang up bussiness.

There are lots of gun people that have lots of money and are welling to spend it.

10 posted on 11/30/2012 4:10:29 AM PST by riverrunner
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To: riverrunner

“...they are doing a bang up business.”

Don’t you mean “BUSINESS IS BOOMING”?


11 posted on 11/30/2012 4:30:40 AM PST by nonsporting
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To: Anoreth
They even have ... a cigar lounge.

Vacation destination? I have friends in Houston we could visit!

12 posted on 11/30/2012 5:37:48 AM PST by Tax-chick (Are you getting ready for the Advent Kitteh?)
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