Noob in Knoxville + question about Norris range

[Guest ATB]

Nice site you have here.

This is Andrew, posting from a little apartment in Ft. Sanders. I'm currently attending UTK in hopes of becoming a Fish & Wildlife officer. I'm fairly new to shooting... bought my first and only pistol last year as a 21st b-day present to myself... A Walther P99C in 9mm. Other than that, just a lightly modded 10/22. I plan on taking a CCW course when funds allow me to... probably in the summer.

Anyway, I have the itch to go shooting. After some reading, it seems that Coal Creek Armory sucks. I keep hearing good things about the range in Norris. The rifle range sounds good, but I can't find any details on the pistol range. For anyone that shoots pistols there, how is set set up? How many lanes, max yardage (I hear 40?), etc.

Thanks

[Dolomite_supafly]

Pistol range is nothing more than a bermed 25 yard range next to the rifle range. It does have overhead cover in case it is raining but it is nothing special. I like Norris a lot. I have shot at a number of ranges in the area and like Norris the best. The reason is there are no RSO's or funky rules, common sense applies. Everyone there is respectful unlike Volunteer range where everyone has an attitude, RSO's and shooters alike.

I have a range at my house and prefer Norris to it.

Dolomite

[Bassoneer]

Agree with Dolomite - Norris is a nice place to shoot and everybody that I've ever met there has been friendly. The pistol range is a little long for most folks who want to snap off some practice rounds from a self-defense handgun, so I have notice that most users walk up closer to the targets (as do I). If there are two users, you just need to coordinate with your neighbor so you're both on the same page and doing the same thing. I don't think I have ever seen anybody actually shoot from the tables because they are so far away from the targets. But it is a nice place to go shooting. One of my sons likes to use their rifle range and we set up a box with little army men and various small stuffed toys (cereal box type toys, old coke cans, etc) and he blasts them with a .22 rifle.

Coal Creek Armory is hit or miss...sometimes it is fine. I am thinking about running over there today and trying out a revolver that I just got back from a gunsmith. Good luck with your shooting, B

[Guest pfries]

Welcome to the forum,

Sorry I can't help on the range questions.

[BrasilNuts]

You could try ORSA.

ORSA Home Page

[Guest Grot]

I agree Norris is an excellent range.

AS stated, the pistol range is 2 "lane" and a maximum distance of Aprox 25 yards, IIRC.

The Rifle range has 6 "lane" and goes from aprox. 50 yards to 200 yards.

There is a ~7 foot berm between the ranges.

The targets are nothing more than plywood on railroad ties.

Its an excellent range, and is very rarely filled to capacity.

Its a hell of a deal at $40 for your annual membership.

It is tricky to find the first time you head up there.

It is my range of choice as well.

[Clod Stomper]

I've only been to Coal Creek and ORSA. Coal Creek is ok if you like indoor ranges and their rules. I've had tons of fun participating in IDPA matches at ORSA. The cost isn't much more than what you would pay for range time at Coal Creek. $15 per match for non-members. For practicing on my own, my preference is always private land.

I got my degree in Wildlife and Fisheries at UT as well.

PM me. We can talk about where to shoot and why you should change your major.

[Guest ATB]

Thanks for the info everyone... looks like I have more than a few options.

I'll definitely look into ORSA in the future... just can't justify the $120 right now.

Clod Stomper, you have me curious now. PM incoming.

[greenego]

Welcome I just returned from Norris. Trick on weekends is to get there early.

[Guest nj.piney]

welcome

[Guest lostpass]

I thought the pistol side went to forty yards. You guys sure about the twenty five yards thing?

[Guest Grot]

I thought the pistol side went to forty yards. You guys sure about the twenty five yards thing?

No im not. it had been a while since i was there.

[Garufa]

I thought the pistol side went to forty yards. You guys sure about the twenty five yards thing?

It is at least 40 yards.

[UncleJak]

Greetings!