Mad River Armory and Range Reviews

Thank you for your feedback! We’re always striving to provide the best experience possible, and we’d love to know more about what we could do to improve. If there's anything specific you'd like to share, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly. Your input is valuable, and we’d appreciate the opportunity to make things right for you!"

It sounds like you had a frustrating experience, and I completely understand why it came across as uncomfortable and invasive, especially if you’re experienced and confident in your abilities. However, it might help to consider this from the range's safety perspective, even if it doesn’t change how the situation felt for you and your wife at the time. Ranges like Madriver often adopt strict oversight policies not because they doubt your abilities personally, but likely because they’ve encountered safety issues in the past. Handling firearms responsibly is critical, and for better or worse, range officers tend to err on the side of caution—sometimes to the point where it feels excessive or even patronizing. This can understandably come across as frustrating, especially if you feel like you’re being treated like someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing. From the range's point of view, though, their main priority is ensuring that every single person on the range is safe at all times. Even minor lapses in safety—intentional or accidental—can lead to severe consequences. The policies they enforce, such as spacing between rounds, may seem restrictive, but they’re likely aimed at keeping everyone focused, minimizing risks, and maintaining control. For someone like you who trains for realistic scenarios, it’s understandable why these rules might have felt limiting or unnecessary. As for the constant supervision, I can see how that felt overbearing and made the experience less enjoyable for both of you. However, based on the staff’s comment about needing to “make sure people follow the rules,” it seems their goal was to vigilantly watch everyone—not just you—and ensure that no one inadvertently compromises safety. That said, the way it was handled could have been better; overly critical oversight often creates a stressful environment, which can be discouraging, especially for someone like your wife who’s still gaining confidence. At the end of the day, every range has its own style of operation, with some leaning toward stricter enforcement of rules and others being more hands-off. While these strict policies may work for some people, it’s completely fair for you to feel like it wasn’t the right fit for you and your wife. Shooting is supposed to be both a safe and enjoyable activity, and finding a range that offers a balance between those two things is important for anyone’s experience.

It’s understandable to feel that way—pricing can definitely vary widely depending on the range or gun shop. Factors like overhead costs, location, and even the types of firearms they stock can contribute to higher prices. In some cases, ranges or shops that are smaller or more specialized might charge a bit more because they don’t have the same buying power as larger retailers or chains. That being said, while the prices might seem high, it could also be worth considering what comes with the cost. For example, does the range provide exceptional customer service, maintain their guns well, or offer access to additional amenities? Sometimes, higher prices can reflect those added benefits. Still, it’s always good to shop around and compare prices with other locations to make sure you’re getting the best deal for what you’re looking for—whether that’s for renting, purchasing, or just range time. If you're otherwise happy with the selection and service, the convenience or quality might justify the prices.

We're thrilled to hear you had a fun experience and found our staff helpful! We look forward to welcoming you back soon. Thank you for recommending us to others in the Springfield area.

Thank you for your frequent visits and recommendation! We're delighted to hear you enjoy coming here regularly.

Thank you for leaving a review. We always appreciate feedback. If you encountered an issue, please reach out to our customer service team. Your satisfaction is important to us, and we’re here to help.

No appointment needed. Stop in anytime we are open 12-8 weekdays (closed Tuesday and Wednesday) 12-6 weekends.

Thank you for your loyal support and kind words! We're delighted to be a part of your shooting experience in Springfield. If you ever have any questions or suggestions, feel free to let us know.

Thank you for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed your experience with Chris. We look forward to welcoming you back soon for more range time and purchases.

set good examples for all others .we do have a diverse set of shooters and many cannot assert control , they will copy people . for the safety of and sake of all , we ask for controlled pairs . we only asked for that and do not accuse anybody of anything .

Thank you for your feedback. We're glad you appreciated our focus on safety and enjoyed the facilities. We look forward to welcoming you and your firearms again soon!

Thank you so much for your enthusiastic recommendation! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed learning with our instructors and felt safe throughout your experience. Your support means a lot to us!