jlowrie Posted June 13, 2013 at 02:00 AM Posted June 13, 2013 at 02:00 AM I headed out to Maxons this afternoon to put some rounds through the p-64 to see if I fixed the feed issue I've been having with my replacement magazines. I also wanted to pull the PPQ out of the safe for a quick spin around the block. Here's a range report. Location is convienent near the Lee st exit for I-90 just north of O'hare. the range is off of Mt Prospect rd on Bradrock just before Oakton. Walking through the doors the range rules are posted on a big board to the right, you can see the lanes through the windows to your front and left. There are two classrooms opposite of the range left rear and a good selection of vending machines as well. The sales floor is just past the vending machines and is large and well lit. The inventory seems small for the new sales floor but I'm sure that will change. Prices were average for the area at $22 for range time and a packet of targets. there was a two dollar cash deposit for the PVC target hanger which you get back when you return the hanger (in one piece). Prices seemed on line with Article 2 and a bit more expensive than Midwest guns or Rinks. They have 10 lanes on the range, it's very clean and spot lit at the 21 and 75 foot target distances. Look like it will remain pretty clean with painted concrete floors with painted cinderblock seperating the lanes. Target runners are electronic and there is a LED light at the shooters booth. No installed glass for checking targets at 75 feet. I did notice you have the option of being able to turn on or off the lights for your lane and the lane was quite dark with the lights off. I'll have to go back and try it out with my new pistol light. Air filtration was by far the best of any indoor range that I've been to in the Chicagoland area. Staff were friendly and did not seem the least bit upset that I asked questions and was unfamiliar with the way they operate at this particular range. There was a guy that came in to ask some questions about CCW and spoke with a staff member. The staff gave him good advice to wait until we have an actual law and the state develops the training before committing to a training course. The only thing that I did not like is that they prohibit wolf ammunition on the range. Note there is nothing posted about prohibiting steel casings just the wolf brand. Luckily I was shooting some old white box Tula Cartridge Works ammunition that pre-dated the Wolf name. Nobody noticed. Unfortunately, the feed issue with the replacement magazines for the p-64 persists. These have a six round single stack and rounds four, five and six are not hitting the feed ramp correctly and jam at a 45 degree angle between the upper lip of the chamber and the magazine. The original magazine doesn' t cause this problem.
r4ndy Posted June 13, 2013 at 02:05 AM Posted June 13, 2013 at 02:05 AM Thanks for the report, was going to check out the new location next week. I am bummed they upped the range fee, $22 is steep IMO.
jlowrie Posted June 13, 2013 at 02:18 AM Author Posted June 13, 2013 at 02:18 AM mag lips to tight?That's what i was thinking, as is the magazines are a tight fit with the original grips. No go after loosening the lips about a half a mm. I have some new grips coming from Marschal's in a few weeks. hopefully they won't be as tight as the stock ones. Thanks for the report, was going to check out the new location next week. I am bummed they upped the range fee, $22 is steep IMO.$22 included targets so total range fees were right around $20
BobPistol Posted June 13, 2013 at 02:30 AM Posted June 13, 2013 at 02:30 AM Actually they prohibit steel cased ammunition. Wolf is the one that seems to be the top of the banned list. I shoot there regularly, bought a platinum pass so I could go shooting with my wife.
jlowrie Posted June 13, 2013 at 02:37 AM Author Posted June 13, 2013 at 02:37 AM Actually they prohibit steel cased ammunition. Wolf is the one that seems to be the top of the banned list. I shoot there regularly, bought a platinum pass so I could go shooting with my wife.I noticed the bit about no steel jacketed ammunition, and no wolf. must have missed the no steel case on the sign.
AlphaKoncepts aka CGS Posted June 13, 2013 at 03:04 AM Posted June 13, 2013 at 03:04 AM You beat me to it. I was going to do a range report last week but haven't found the time. The layout of the facility is confusing. Other than that nice place. The old maxons didn't allow steel cased ammo either. Having said that, there was steel casings all over the floor when I was there.
OneLastRound Posted June 13, 2013 at 03:37 AM Posted June 13, 2013 at 03:37 AM I've been to Maxon's several times and really enjoy the new personnel, customer service, and new ranges.
McCroskey Posted June 13, 2013 at 03:56 AM Posted June 13, 2013 at 03:56 AM Not allowing steel case ammo is annoying. There's no reason for it other than someone doesn't want to separate it out from the brass for the scrapper.
Paulkucz Posted June 13, 2013 at 05:16 AM Posted June 13, 2013 at 05:16 AM Can't that be accomplished with a magnet? Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
AlphaKoncepts aka CGS Posted June 13, 2013 at 08:09 AM Posted June 13, 2013 at 08:09 AM Not allowing steel case ammo is annoying. There's no reason for it other than someone doesn't want to separate it out from the brass for the scrapper.Previously they claimed it was too dirty and clogged their filters. I could see that being a possibility.
RockerXX Posted June 13, 2013 at 09:30 AM Posted June 13, 2013 at 09:30 AM Not allowing steel case ammo is annoying. There's no reason for it other than someone doesn't want to separate it out from the brass for the scrapper. A majority of steel cased ammo also has steel mixed into the brassish metal jacket, the steel in the bullet jacket can spark and ignite a fires upon impact... I'm not going to suggest how probable it is, but there is likely some legitimate risk behind it sparking...
BobPistol Posted June 13, 2013 at 12:40 PM Posted June 13, 2013 at 12:40 PM I noticed the bit about no steel jacketed ammunition, and no wolf. must have missed the no steel case on the sign. Its not on the sign, it is on the waiver form you sign every time you use the range.
jlowrie Posted June 13, 2013 at 12:56 PM Author Posted June 13, 2013 at 12:56 PM I did a bit of research on Wolf ammo and found a pretty legitimate reason that they might not want folks shooting some of this ammunition at the range. Wolf products labeled "Bimetal" have a copper plated steel jacket with a lead core and it causes damage to the range backstop.
jlowrie Posted June 13, 2013 at 12:58 PM Author Posted June 13, 2013 at 12:58 PM I noticed the bit about no steel jacketed ammunition, and no wolf. must have missed the no steel case on the sign. Its not on the sign, it is on the waiver form you sign every time you use the range.that explains it. The form was so busy that I only gave it a gloss over and didn't read carefully.
r4ndy Posted June 19, 2013 at 11:10 PM Posted June 19, 2013 at 11:10 PM Just got back from my first trup to the new Maxon's. The range is really nice and has lots of space to put range bags, which was an issue at the old site. What really blew me away was the showroom and range admission area. The store looks great, very wide open and the area for signing in and paying for the range is at the front, then you can go right into the range. I like the layout and the waiting/snack area. I also like the windows to see into both the pistol and rifle ranges, makes it easy for employees to keep an eye on things. Lastly, I scored 3 bricks of SPP @ $38/brick! Will definitely be going back.
ming Posted June 19, 2013 at 11:19 PM Posted June 19, 2013 at 11:19 PM Just got back from my first trup to the new Maxon's. I was there today also. It's a very nice setup.
lowrider12 Posted June 21, 2013 at 04:35 PM Posted June 21, 2013 at 04:35 PM Actually they prohibit steel cased ammunition. Wolf is the one that seems to be the top of the banned list. I live about 2.5 miles from their new location, but I haven't gone yet. The no-steel-cased thing is annoying because I'm not a reloader. I either go to Bristol or Article 2 Range. I *did* just buy a bunch of reloaded/brass-cased .38 spl, so maybe it's time I give Maxons another try.
BrowningHP Posted June 21, 2013 at 04:42 PM Posted June 21, 2013 at 04:42 PM hmm, midwest is a bit closer to me, and $12 + ammo purchase seems a better deal. will have to go check it out though. what's their inventory (for sale and for rent) look like compared to midwest?
lowrider12 Posted July 19, 2013 at 02:12 PM Posted July 19, 2013 at 02:12 PM I went to Maxon's last night, my first time at their new location.Very nice facility, but the staff was horrendous. Wasn't just one guy, either. Makes McDonalds seem like a bastion of polite customer service.I won't be back, if I can help it.
patriot1776 Posted July 19, 2013 at 02:41 PM Posted July 19, 2013 at 02:41 PM I went to Maxon's last night, my first time at their new location.Very nice facility, but the staff was horrendous. Wasn't just one guy, either. Makes McDonalds seem like a bastion of polite customer service.I won't be back, if I can help it. Maxon and Mega Sports hhmmm , a trend ?
RandyP Posted July 19, 2013 at 03:00 PM Posted July 19, 2013 at 03:00 PM IMHO every gun shop, or for that matter every store, has an 'off day' regarding staff attitude. In the current heat wave I'm amazed folks can stay civil - lol Personally I have had only one bad employee interaction at Mega, and the same goes for GAT, Rinks, Midwest (OK maybe a couple there) Bass Pro, Cabelas etc.etc.etc.I thank my lucky stars every day that I don't have to make my living serving the general public many of whom are just miserable mooks to deal with.
solareclipse2 Posted July 19, 2013 at 03:04 PM Posted July 19, 2013 at 03:04 PM I have to go to Des Plaines tomorrow for some family thing, was thinking about checking this place out as it's not far from my relatives' house. How are the prices on guns/ammo? Range seems a little high compared to what I'm used to but, I guess being in Des Plaines is all I need to say about that.
lowrider12 Posted July 19, 2013 at 03:12 PM Posted July 19, 2013 at 03:12 PM I didn't look at the guns. I had been planning to but I was so annoyed at the end I just left. They'll only sell you brass case ammo for shooting so that tends to be a little more expensive. I don't think their prices for that are super-high/ripoff though. I hear they can get busy on weekends, so make sure there aren't like 10 people in front of you before you pay. $20/hour for handgun, +$2 deposit on target hanger
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