When nearly 500 curious visitors showed up June 22 for the grand opening of First Strike Range in Newbury Township, partners Ian Friedman and John McCreery knew their venture had a good shot at success.
When nearly 500 curious visitors showed up June 22 for the grand opening of First Strike Range in Newbury Township, partners Ian Friedman and John McCreery knew their venture had a good shot at success.
Nearly a year ago, Friedman, of South Russell Village, and McCreery, of Mayfield Heights, shook hands on a deal to turn the bare-bones facility at 12375 Kinsman Road into a one-stop shop for firearm sales, training and target practice.
They also planned for the range to be a venue for informal social gatherings in a comfortable lounge area just inside the door.
“It’s been kind of a big hit here,” Friedman said, gesturing to the bright, open lounge with couches, recliners and a big-screen television.
But, the transformation didn’t happen overnight.
“It looked more like a warehouse,” Friedman recalled of his first visit with the previous owner. “We gutted the whole place. We wanted it to be warm, inviting and attractive to all levels of shooters.”
Friedman, McCreery and their team also are focused on safety, first and foremost, Friedman said.
McCreery spends a lot of time teaching at First Strike, Friedman said, adding he and a number of other certified firearms instructors are happy to lead new shooters through the tenets of gun safety, use and marksmanship.
“A lot of people don’t even know where to start,” Friedman said, urging beginners to visit the range. “Just come up here. We’ll get your needs assessed. Our goal is to make sure everyone has a good time and looks forward to coming back.”
Experienced shooters can reserve space and shoot as long as their ammo lasts for $22, according to the website, FirstStrikeRange.com. Annual family plans are also available.
Retail is an important aspect of First Strike. Boxes of ammunition line shelves against the wall and myriad items needed for hunting or recreational shooting are on display on racks and in showcases.
Of course, a wide selection of firearms are available — from handguns to long guns made by Glock, Smith and Wesson, H&K, Sig Sauer, Taurus, Ruger and more — some of which are displayed on the retail area’s back wall. Rentals are also available.
First Strike offers a comprehensive program to help shooters obtain a concealed carry permit.
Friedman, a defense attorney, takes participants beyond the essentials and explains the legalities of carrying and using a weapon for defense, he said.
The recently legislated constitutional carry law is far more restrictive, he said, adding he explains in his classes how a full CCW permit gives the carrier more rights.
The 12-lane range provides target practice up to 50 feet away. Friedman said the instructors teach range manners and a range master constantly oversees the action.
Competition is popular among the members.
Every month, one is set up by the United States Practical Shooting Association and listed on the First Strike website, Friedman said.
Many hunters like to practice in a warm space during hunting season, he said, adding he is strictly a recreational shooter.
Focusing for an hour on a tiny target 500 feet away is a good way to put away other stressors, he said.
“It really helps relax me,” he said. “I hope it does that for the people who come here.”
