New to shooting · Blackstone Charlotte
New to shooting?
No problem.
There’s no right or wrong way to begin. Walk in, and a friendly team member and a Range Safety Officer will walk you through everything.
- Walk-ins always welcome
- Open 7 days, 10am–9pm
- RSO on every bay
- No equipment needed
Your first visit
See what to expect.
A quick look at checking in, getting set up on a lane and shooting with a Range Safety Officer nearby.
Where to begin
Three ways to start.
Visit the range, find your first firearm, or start with an instructor. Pick one, or do all three.
Visit the range
Jump right in! Start by visiting the range and having a friendly team member explain the process to you. There is no right or wrong way to begin your journey in shooting sports.
- Walk-ins always welcome
Open 7 days a week, 10am–9pm.
- Guaranteed safety
Range Officers ensure safety on the bays at all times. Our safety standards
- A friendly team
We have everything you need to get started and will walk you through all your questions. How we work
Purchase a firearm
Shop in-store or online at Blackstone Shooting Sports for a handpicked selection of firearms and accessories. Our knowledgeable team and great selection make finding what you want easy, and every purchase is backed by our Great Shot Guarantee, so you can buy and shoot with total confidence.
- Over 30,000 firearms & accessories
Shop online or come see us in Charlotte.
- First-time buyer’s guide
What to know before you buy your first firearm. Read the guide
- Come on in!
Open 7 days a week, 10am–9pm.
Training
If you are new to shooting, starting with instruction is always the best option! Our industry-leading instructors are here to help you start your journey or meet you where you are, one-on-one or in a small group course.
- Private instruction
Meet one-on-one with an instructor and customize your journey to fit exactly what you need, on your time. Book private instruction
- Classes
Sign up for one of our introductory (100) courses to learn the basics and get on-range training with a small group. View all classes
Step by step
The beginner’s journey.
Most new shooters follow the same path. Go at your own pace, and ask our team anything along the way.
Learn the basics
Start with an instructor: a Handgun 100 class or a one-on-one private lesson.
Private instructionVisit the range
Rent a lane and try different firearms, with a Range Safety Officer on every bay.
The indoor rangeFind your firearm
Shoot a few rentals, then buy with help from our team and the Great Shot Guarantee.
First-time buyer’s guideMake it a habit
Members get Free Range Time, 50% off rentals and classes, and member-only rental guns.
Range membershipsWhere Freedom Meets Safety™
Safety first, every visit.
Our Range Safety Officers are on every bay. Here is what we ask of every shooter, whether it’s your first visit or your hundredth.
- 01Treat all firearms as if they are loaded.
- 02Always keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction.
- 03Always keep your finger off the trigger.
- 04Always know your target and what is beyond.
- 05Follow the 12 Golden Rules for safe gun handling.
Our standard
Safe firearm handling protocol
These rules apply to every guest and every team member, everywhere in the building.
- No guest- or employee-owned firearm is handled outside of a shooting lane bench, facing downrange, without first being cleared and flagged by a trained team member in designated areas (using clearing tubes).
- All firearms must be unloaded, cased or properly holstered before entering our facility.
- If you ever feel uncomfortable or witness unsafe behavior, please let us know.