Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/575593
S P O R T I N G C L A S S I C S 1 9 1 N ot often, but sometimes, the little sparkle that catches your eye turns out to be a diamond. That was pretty much my reaction recently when I discovered Stoddard's Range and Guns nestled among the industrial-chic warehouses and condominiums of midtown Atlanta. Stoddard's, which opened earlier this year, is a jewel of a facility that may well become the prototype for urban shooting ranges of the future. The find was unexpected. At least 30 years have passed since a new gun range opened in the downtown– midtown portion of Atlanta, an area politically well to the left of center and hardly a hotbed of firearms enthusiasts. But Ken Baye, a former Home Depot executive and long-time Atlanta resident, thought he detected a market for a high-end indoor shooting range that would cater to a growing population of young urbanites as well as law-enforcement personnel and other more traditional shooters. Ken and his partners, fellow Atlantans Michael Halbreich and John McColl, found a good location in a former ware-house that sat near a rapidly redeveloping neighborhood midway between the downtown business district and Buckhead, Atlanta's premier residential and commercial area. His team reconfigured the space to create a state-of-the-art indoor range with 24 shooting lanes suitable for both handguns and rifles at distances up to 25 yards. Targets are deployed via a programmable wireless rail-and-wheel system. Eight of the 24 shooting lanes are framed by glass partitions, which allow instructors to monitor more than one shooter. A negative-pressure HVAC system maintains constant airflow and air quality. Coupled with the range is a spacious with the weight, feel, and features of a multitude of handguns. For obvious reasons, the firing pins are removed from the guns, which are connected to the display table by retractable lanyards so that customers can handle them safely at will—a nice way of allowing newcomers to proceed at their own pace. The display is also an excellent tool for experienced shooters who wish to compare makes and models. S uch elaborate facilities represent a significant investment, but Ken believes the marketing platform they provide is well-suited to the needs of shooters in the local community. My family's own experience at Stoddard's is a case in point. At the time I scheduled a tour of the facility in preparation for this article, my wife Daphne and I were packing for a Tanzanian safari with our daughter Mackenzie. The Stoddard's tour seemed an ideal opportunity for the ladies to shop for safari clothing in the Beretta collection and for the three of us to do some shooting. Daphne and Mackenzie are both relatively new to handgun shooting, so we scheduled a lesson. In addition, I asked Ken if he thought the range backstop could withstand reduced loads from the .500 Nitro Express double rifle I planned to use for Cape buffalo. To my surprise, Ken said reduced loads weren't necessary—the range could handle even a .50 BMG, so bring my regular hunting loads. Wow! I'd never shot a heavy rifle such as the .500 indoors. This was going to be interesting. When we arrived at Stoddard's on a weekday morning, Daphne and Mackenzie were favorably impressed by the clean, brightly-lit facilities and by Visit Stoddard's in midtown Atlanta, and enjoy a state-of-the-art shooting facility and the out-of-the- ordinary petting zoo. Robert Parvin Williams e s t i n a t i o n s D and elegant retail facility that features an astonishing selection of firearms, ammunition, shooting and sporting clothing, and accessories. Of particular note is the large room devoted to Beretta products and the hands-on display of nearly 100 handguns, which Ken's team calls the "petting zoo." The idea, he explains, is to provide a low- key, accessible environment that allows new shooters to familiarize themselves eretta's Ethan Greer discusses the features of a Beretta shotgun with Mackenzie and Daphne, the author's daughter and wife. Below: Mackenzie receives some shooting tips from handgun instructor Jeff Nesmith. B