You might still be calling it Shoot Point Blank Merrillville. Honestly, most locals do. It’s like how people in Chicago still call the Willis Tower "Sears." It’s just stuck in the brain. But if you’re driving down Morthland Drive looking for that specific sign, you’re going to see "Range USA" instead. They rebranded a while back, but the bones of the place—the 20-yard lanes, the massive retail floor, and that distinct smell of burnt powder—remain exactly where you remember them.
Merrillville is a weird spot for a range. You've got the Southlake Mall madness just a stone's throw away and a mix of suburban sprawl and industrial grit. It’s a hub. Because of that, this specific location stays busy. Really busy. If you roll in on a Saturday afternoon expecting to walk right onto a lane, you’re probably going to be sitting in the lounge area for forty-five minutes watching tactical videos on the wall.
What Actually Happens Inside the Merrillville Range?
It isn’t just a dark room where you poke holes in paper. When you walk into the building formerly known as Shoot Point Blank Merrillville, the first thing that hits you is the scale. It’s clean. Like, surprisingly clean for a place where lead and carbon are flying around constantly.
They have 20 climate-controlled lanes. That "climate-controlled" part is a lifesaver in an Indiana winter when it’s ten below zero and the wind is whipping off the lake. You can actually practice without your fingers turning into popsicles. Each lane is rated for handguns and rifles up to .30-06. So, yeah, you can bring the hunting rifle, but maybe leave the Barrett .50 cal at home.
The range officers? They’re everywhere.
For some people, that’s annoying. For anyone who actually cares about not getting accidentally shot by a nervous first-timer, it’s a blessing. They are strict. If you’re doing something stupid, like "tea-cupping" your grip or flagging the person in the next lane, they will be on you in two seconds. It’s not about being jerks; it’s about the fact that they’re standing in a room full of loaded weapons.
The Rental Counter Reality
If you don't own a piece yet, or if you're looking to try something before dropping eight hundred bucks, the rental wall is the main attraction. It’s basically a library for ballistics. They’ve got the standard Glocks, the Sigs, and usually a few oddballs.
One thing people get wrong: you have to use their ammo in their rental guns. Don't bring your cheap steel-cased stuff from the gun show and expect them to let you run it through their rentals. It’s a liability thing. It makes the "cheap" rental a bit more expensive once you factor in the marked-up box of 9mm, but it beats buying a gun you end up hating.
Classes and Training: Beyond the Basics
Most people think of Shoot Point Blank Merrillville as just a place to shoot. It’s actually more of a school. Indiana’s laws on carrying have shifted significantly over the last few years, especially with "constitutional carry" becoming the law of the land.
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Does that mean classes are dead?
Hardly.
In fact, the Merrillville location sees a ton of traffic for their Basic Pistol classes. Just because you can legally carry doesn't mean you should without knowing how to clear a jam or find a proper sight picture. They offer:
- Basic Handgun: For people who are literally afraid of the tool. It’s slow-paced.
- Concealed Carry Essentials: Even though Indiana doesn't require a permit anymore, people still want them for reciprocity when traveling to other states.
- Private Lessons: This is where you actually get good. An hour with an instructor who isn't your "know-it-all" uncle can fix a lifetime of bad habits.
The instructors here aren't all "tacticool" guys in plate carriers. Many are retired law enforcement or competitive shooters who understand that the average person just wants to feel safe at home. They speak English, not just "military-speak."
The Retail Side: Is It Overpriced?
Let’s be real. Buying a gun at a big-box range can sometimes feel like buying popcorn at the movie theater. You’re paying for the convenience.
At the Merrillville shop, the prices on firearms are actually competitive with most online retailers once you factor in the FFL transfer fees you’d pay elsewhere. Plus, you get the "try before you buy" perk.
The ammo prices? That’s where it gets dicey.
If you’re buying in bulk, you’re still better off ordering online or hitting a dedicated supply shop. But for a box or two to get through a range session? It’s fine. Their selection of holsters, cleaning kits, and "preparedness" gear is decent, though it leans heavily toward the big brands like Blackhawk or Magpul.
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Memberships: The Math Behind the Monthly Fee
They push the memberships hard. It’s the gym-business model applied to firearms.
Is it worth it?
If you go more than twice a month, yes. The basic tier usually covers your lane fees. If you’re a "once every six months" shooter, just pay the hourly rate. Don't let the sales pitch talk you into a monthly draft if you aren't going to use it. The Merrillville location is part of a national network, so if you travel to, say, Cincinnati or Memphis, your membership usually follows you. That’s a cool perk if you're a road warrior.
Safety and Etiquette (Don't Be That Guy)
The culture at Shoot Point Blank Merrillville is welcoming, but it has rules. You’ll see a lot of families there. You’ll see couples on dates. It’s not a "grumpy old man" gun shop vibe.
But there are some unspoken—and spoken—rules you need to follow:
- Case it up: Do not walk into the retail area with a holstered gun or a loose firearm in your hand. Keep it in a case until you are at the firing line.
- The 1-second rule: They generally don't love rapid-fire. If you're trying to dump a 30-round mag in three seconds, the range officer is going to have a "chat" with you.
- Clean up your brass: Technically, the range staff sweeps it, but don't be a slob.
The ventilation system in Merrillville is a high-tech HEPA setup. It pulls the smoke away from your face and downrange. This is huge. Older ranges often leave you feeling like you’ve smoked a pack of unfiltered cigarettes after an hour. Here, you leave feeling clean.
Dealing with the Crowds
Merrillville is a "crossroads" town. You get people from Gary, Hobart, Crown Point, and even people coming over the border from Illinois because the laws are so different there.
Because of this diversity of shooters, you see everything from high-end precision rifles to tiny pocket pistols that have never been cleaned. The staff is used to it. They are remarkably patient with people who have no idea what they’re doing, which is the mark of a good shop.
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If you want a quiet experience, Tuesday morning is your golden hour.
If you go on a Friday night? Expect a wait. They use a digital check-in system, so you can usually put your name in and go browse the aisles or grab a coffee nearby while you wait for a text.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
If you’re planning to head to the range formerly known as Shoot Point Blank Merrillville, don't just wing it.
First, check the website for lane reservations. You can actually book a time slot online now, which is a game-changer compared to the old "show up and pray" method. It costs a few bucks more sometimes, but your time is worth more than that.
Second, bring your own eye and ear protection if you have it. Using the "loaner" earmuffs is... fine, but they've been on a thousand other heads. A decent pair of electronic muffs will cost you fifty bucks and make the experience ten times better because you can actually hear people talking while the shots are muffled.
Third, double-check your ammo. They don't allow birdshot (slugs only for shotguns) and they don't allow steel-core or armor-piercing rounds because it ruins their backstop. If you’re unsure, just ask the guy at the counter to look at your box before you go into the range.
Lastly, if you're a first-timer, tell them. There is zero shame in it. The staff would much rather spend five minutes explaining the controls of your rental than five minutes filling out an incident report because you got a "slide bite" or didn't know how to engage the safety.
The Merrillville location remains one of the most accessible, professional spots in Northwest Indiana to get trigger time. Whether you call it Point Blank or Range USA, the quality of the facility is hard to beat in the 219. Just remember to bring your ID—they won't even let you past the retail counter without it.