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...spends time together...has fun together...trains together...learns together...laughs together...competes together...stays together...loves together...

Friday, February 28, 2014

Tactical Firearms Indoor Range and Pro Shop

On a recent trip to Katy, TX we decided to find a local gun store to check out. Using our trusty smart phones we actually found a gun store that was open on Sundays. When we pulled into the driveway, we realized that this was much more than a gun store. The place is called Tactical Firearms and it is an indoor range and gun store. It is a big place, as it is in a building that was once used as a health club. When we first walked in we immediately noticed that it did not smell like a range or a gun store and it was very clean. There were also cool large screen TV's on the wall televising the action on the range. We were welcomed by a friendly staff member at the front counter. Behind him, every type of semi and full auto firearms that you can imagine hanging on racks on the wall. These firearms are available to rent and we were very tempted to do so. Even though we did not have any of our safety gear with us, they had everything we would need for a fun time on the range. A very fun time!

Speaking of the range, let's cover that first. It is completely indoors and it is very well ventilated. They have a triple HEPA filtration system that filters the air so you don't leave smelling like gun powder! Also, unlike a lot of indoor ranges, it is a very comfortable temperature. It is heated and cooled so it is comfortable in any season. They have 25 lanes divided into three bays. Regular shooters have 15 lanes at their disposal in the first bay, and then they have two specialty bays of 5 lanes each. The second bay is used for suppressed firearms. It is a super quiet bay since the firearms are suppressed and it has a special back stop/bullet trap made of crushed rubber so you don't hear the sound of the rounds impacting the back stop. There is also sound baffling material on the walls to further suppress the noise. The third and final bay is for VIPs that have Platinum and Diamond range memberships and it gives them a more private shooting session.

The range can handle anything from a pellet gun up to 50 BMG. They also allow shotguns as well! Each lane is individually lit and ventilated. Also, the target carriers are motorized and are automated as well so there is no wasted time when it comes to changing targets. Each bay is separated by bullet proof glass capable of stopping a .308 round. They allow up to four people per lane which is nice when working with clients or shooting with friends. The prices are reasonable as well. The cost is $20 for one person and then $10 for each additional person. The cost for rentals is $15 per hour for handguns, semi auto rifles and shotguns. Suppressors for these guns are $20 per gun. Full auto fun will cost $65 per hour per gun and they have a great selection of guns to choose from. If we hadn't been in a hurry to get back home we would have been going full auto for sure!

The range hosts several events and competitions each year. They host a Ladies' Night all day on Tuesdays and from 3-7 pm on Thursdays. The range fees are half price during these times for women only [of course]. They also provide free coaching for the ladies as well. Tactical Firearms has classrooms upstairs for holding classes and for holding CHL licensing. The classroom and the range portion of the class are all held at the same place which makes things really convenient.

Next, we moved onto the portion of the facility that we originally came to check out, the gun store. They have a unique lay out that is not at all cluttered or crowded like a lot of gun stores. They have a good selection of both firearms, accessories, and shooting supplies.  They also offer gunsmithing services as well. Their prices are comparable to what we usually find in the Austin area. We were continuously attended to by the courteous staff but they gave us our space whenever we gave them the typical "just looking" response!

They did have a great selection of Geigerrig hydration carriers and bladders. They are usually sold out online so we decided to get two 3L bladders [ Hydration Engines] for our existing carriers. What makes their bladders unique is that you actually "pressurize" them so that they squirt the water out versus you having to squeeze or suck on them like a straw. The guy helping us gave us a demo of the bladder by pressurizing it and then standing on it on one foot. He was every bit of 200+ pounds and the bladder did have water in it so we backed a good bit away "just in case"! The bladders also have a lifetime warranty. We will do a full review of the bladders in the near future.



We highly suggest that if you live in the Houston area or are planning a visit sometime soon that you check out Tactical Firearms. Make sure to leave yourself plenty of time to partake in the fun that they have to offer!

Tactical Firearms
Range Hours M-F 10-7 Sat-Sun 8-7
Store Hours M-F 10-7 Sat 8-7 Sun 11-7
Gunsmith Hours M-F 10-7 Sat 8-7 Sun 11-7
Address: 1200 S Mason Rd, Katy TX 77450
Phone 281-693-GUNS
Tactical Firearms

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Truglo Brite Site TFO

The Springfield XDs comes with a red fiber optic front sight and standard white dot rear sights.  It also comes with replacement green and orange fiber optics.  As much as I love my XDs, I decided that I needed to replace the sights.  I wanted a product that would help improve the speed of my sight acquisition and that I would be able to see in the dark.

Happy Birthday to me!
I didn't even know where to start looking.  Gene told me about the Truglo Brite Site TFOs.  He said he thought that they had everything that I was looking for.  My birthday was coming up so it sounded like a perfect present, even if I picked it out myself.  Of course Gene didn't tell me he bought them.  I had to find out the hard way...when I opened my presents.  Whew that was tough!  I was very excited when I got my sights and I could not wait to have them installed.  My XDs was at Springfield at the time due to the recall and I had no idea when I would get it back.  I waited, somewhat patiently, for my XDs to be returned.  I am sure that Gene would not agree about being patient since I checked for a status update every couple of days.

Once my XDs finally came home I took it to Guns Plus in Georgetown, TX to have my sights installed.  It was inexpensive and they did a great job.  I tested the sights as soon as their employee handed my XDs to me. I immediately loved them.









The TFOs are a little larger than the stock sights, but they do not cause any problems with the use of any of my holsters.  Truglo offers a green/yellow combination, but I chose the green/green combination.  The green color is very eye catching and their size makes them quite a bit easier to see.  They do glow in the dark which is one of my favorite features.  Sorry, no picture of them in the dark.  You will have to trust me on that one.


My XDm 5.25 and XDs
Gene had recently changed out the front red fiber optic on my XDm 5.25 to the green one that came with it.  I use my XDm when I compete and I really can spot the green a lot faster that I could the red.  Well, as you can see from the picture the Truglo TFOs on my XDs are significantly larger and brighter than the front sight of my XDm.  I am very impressed with my new sights.

I highly recommend the Truglo Brite Site TFOs to anyone in the market for new sights.
Just a little testing...