Continental Arms

The facility is clean, their prices seem fair, but the part that turned me off was how they stole from me. I WAS A CUSTOMER, AND THEY STOLE FROM ME!

Gun range is good, well kept. The gentlemen at the sales counter are nice and knowledgeable, the women have all been miserable to deal with, like they are doing you a favor to wait on you.
Prices are VERY high, not sure how they actually sell any guns.

The two stars are for the range facility, which is nice and pretty new. The retail side is what leaves a lot to be desired.
The first issue? The prices. Some guns are reasonable, but a lot aren’t. We’re talking $ 800 for a Yugo Mauser, $ 450 for an Enfield in rough shape, and $ 1200 for a basic AR that other stores charge $ 850 for. The second issue is the employees. A few of them are cool, others are cantankerous and unhelpful.
The real problem are the bizarre store policies. I understand wanting to protect your FFL, but flagrant misinterpretation of the law are not acceptable. For instance, they won’t sell a long gun or ammo to anyone under 21. That doesn’t sit well with a lot of my veteran buddies who went to war well under that age. When one of them asked someone in charge about the policy, she mumbled off something about «Maryland law.» Apparently every other FFL in the state must be in the wrong.
My primary issue is with their knowledge of the HQL system. According to the Maryland State Police, a Handgun Qualification License is not required for «A person purchasing, renting or receiving an antique, curio or relic as defined in federal law.» The employees of the store claimed that Curio and Relic status does not exist in Maryland, despite my insistence to check what MSP says. I gave them the chance to correct themselves, but they continued with the lecture that what the State Police meant to say is that only black powder arms are exempt. An associate even went so far as to allege a competitor of breaking the law.
I had started patronizing Continental Arms after their renovation, as it seemed that they had addressed a lot of past criticism and improved. It seems now that they have regressed. This is a shame, because as a collector of historical weapons, I really wanted to purchase from their well-​curated selection of vintage handguns. Buying a firearm in Maryland is a confusing and daunting task for almost every first-​time buyer. Intimidation and misinformation is a completely unnecessary addition to the process. Fix yourselves, Continental. I’d save a lot of mileage on my car if y’all did.

WHAT?! Why are the reviews so low!!! I didn’t realize how good I had it at this place until I had to go to a competitor because Continental was closed. I normally visit this place weekly. I recommend this place for experienced shooters. There is not much hand-​holding or coddling, which could explain the low reviews? I’m totally fine with that. I can handle a firearm, and I like my space. I like that it is not super crowded. It is hard to concentrate on precision handgun shooting when there is an inexperienced couple, wildly shooting a shotgun literally 1 foot away from me (that happened at the competitor, not at this range). It was downright scary. (Was there no supervision at this other gun range? What if they shot me – as they were struggling to figure out «what the safety button meant»??)
The range is clean! When I went to a competitor, I realized that there were bullet shells everywhere on the floor. It was very dangerous, as people can slip and misfire the gun. Scary! This range, on the other hand, is extremely well-​maintained. The minimal shells were swept neatly onto the concrete.
I LOVE that there is constant supervision. Even though I classify myself as a semi-​experienced shooter, I still feel much much better that there is an employee watching over, not only myself, but mostly for the new shooters around me who may do something dangerous while handling a firearm.
I LOVE that there are lead wipes outside the range as well as lead cleaning solution and a nail scrub inside the bathroom. Leaving the building with lead residue on the fingers is no joke. I was semi-​freaked out when I left the competitor with my fingers and nails black with lead residue. This is dangerous to get on clothes, on the car, and on anything I may touch, ESPECIALLY on something I may eat or drink right after leaving.
Oh, and I really like the prices. They are considerably reasonable, and after trying about 3 – 4 indoor ranges, in the DC/​MD/​VA area, this place is the most affordable. Of course I don’t care for buying ammo at the range in the first place (buy in bulk!).
Try it out! (Actually don’t, because I don’t like crowded ranges and I prefer you stay where you are haha.)
But in all seriousness, I wrote this long a** review because I think the owners deserve a positive review, thoughtfully written by someone who is a long-​time shooter and is NOT just going to this range for a one-​time Groupon deal, or just for the novelty of «going to a gun range.» This place deserves more credit.

I have had multiple experiences at Continental and they have always been extremely helpful and friendly. I would highly recommend stopping in to learn/​shoot/​shop, you will surely have a first class experience with down to earth individuals.

I have purchased several firearms through Continental and they have always treated me with respect and professionally.
My last purchase a couple months ago was for a sporting clays shotgun.
I haven’t had the opportunity to use the range since they have remodeled, but I’m sure I will this winter.

I went to Continental for the first time this past Saturday to both browse and use the range. When I walked in I spoke to the range staff and they were pleasant and informative about wait times/​prices/​etc. At that point my friend hadn’t showed up yet so I went and browsed the shop a bit while I waited for him. The guys behind the counter let me browse a bit and once I seemed to narrow in on a few pistols they offered to take them out and show me them. I informed them I was really just browsing to which they said «If you change your mind let us know.»
My friend eventually came, so we spent a bit on the range, the ammo prices are slightly marked up from the normal prices, but overall they aren’t incredibly expensive. The range was well maintained and they had glasses and hearing protection available at no cost if you don’t have your own. We browsed a bit more after the range and the staff were much more talkative to us at that point. I agree with some other reviewers who mentioned them being cold, however it was a polite «Coldness» towards us. Once I mentioned my own collection and demonstrated on the range, they were much more talkative. I think it’s more of an industry thing based on the kind of business they deal in and how careless people often are around a range and not realizing they might have a round chambered when handing back a weapon. The prices were high to comparable with area shops and the range is worth a visit.

BEWARE DONT COME HERE! if you’re a novice shooter don’t come here. These people are HORRIBLE. I’ve been to a lot a couple of gun ranges and this is by far the worst gun range I’ve ever been to. The staff are so rude and ignorant it’s unbelievable! One man insulted my grandfather because he wanted to take the gun because he was done with it. He was a little short ass***e who wants to play cop! The butch behind the counter was even more rude. She wasn’t rude to me idk if it was because I’m a woman but she was rude as hell to my grandfather and my husband. I’m serious don’t come here go someplace where they actually treat u like another human being :-/​. It’s sad the first time I went here it was nice
and I felt good shooting but yesterday Saturday it was disgusting. The lighting is horrible! If u go in summer time get ready to sweat ur a*s off its gross. The lady behind the counter wanted to charge my grandfather for bullets he didn’t use. Let’s just say these people have ruined our experience here. I will tell everyone to go to the middle river gun range. AGAIN BEWARE OF THIS HORRIBLE BUSINESS AND HORRIBLE PEOPLE

they are rude have been for years I won’t shoot there anymore I am an avid shooter am 61 years old and the attitude and disrespect in that store is almost enough to turn me against shooting. dont waste your time and hard earned money here, people should be treated nicely, take the time to find a place that I’d friendly. That should be part of the enjoyment of the shooting atmosphere. Howard

This place is terrible, customer service is bad, they treat you like a criminal and I will never go back there. Horse and McCain in Belair is so much better and they treat you with respect. Don’t support these racist people

Good selection – actually quite nice of a selection. One of the better stocked stores I’ve seen in terms of variety – rifles, handguns, cases, reloading equipment, suppressors, optics. Good deal in terms of that.
However aside from the owner, who is awesome to deal with – the customer service stinks. I’ve read a few of the reviews here, they sound like they were written by the gun store employees. «Noobs need to earn respect» and «prove their knowledge for respect» is a common theme I’ve read. I disagree 1000%. How about you treat your customers with respect when they walk through the door? I wonder how many sales you’ve lost due to poor service. I’ve noticed a trend these past few years where customer service in gunstores has improved exponentially. Except this place. Stay away from the short haired girl who talks like she has something in her mouth – as noted by another reviewer, she is rude and ignorant. She always acts as if she if doing you, the customer, a favor. If you question anything that she made have done incorrectly, she will get loud and ignorant. Aside from her incompetent sales skills, the others are mediocre – in knowledge and friendliness.
Overall the place is ok because the owner is friendly, knowledgable and helpful. I feel bad that I couldn’t give a higher grade because I do like dealing with him. But his employees are either rude, clueless or both.

I took fundamental pistol course last month, most of the course material are common sense, but there are few useful tips. Their firearm price is way too high. For a new glock 34 gen 3, I find it online $$ 550+$ 30 shipping, my local gun store sell them for $ 625, and the price they give me is $ 679!!!

I’ve been to this range several times to shoot. I’ve also gone into the store area to look at some of their sale stock. Pretty much every time I go there, the employees act annoyed that I’m bothering them, arrogant if I ask a question, surly and as unhelpful as possible. And I’ve been shooting for 40+ years. I can’t imagine what it would be like for someone with genuine questions. Not a very friendly or helpful place to go.
On the up side, they do have a decent enough selection of rental pistols to try out, for only $ 5 each. The range fees seem reasonable. The range could be better lit, but overall it’s functional. If they improved their customer service DRASTICALLY it would be an ok place to go.

These people do not want to be bothered and act as if they don’t want your business. I was just asking questions about business and a lady with short hair behind the counter was absolutely rude. She sounded like she had marbles in her mouth, and didn’t even look at me in the eye when I spoke with her.

This place is great. I have been shooting there a handful of times over the years. One time when I was there this guy two lanes down from me was waving a loaded Mac 10 around the rage trying to cock it. If he had successfully cocked it and tapped the trigger everyone there could have been killed. In other words if you have the cash they will put any rental gun in your hand, automatic or not, with absolutely no instruction what so ever. You are taking your life into your hands walking in there. Not to mention there has been a couple fatal «accidents» there over the years. The staff are a bunch of assholes and they over price the living shit out of the guns they sell because of the high income area in which they are operating. But I shoot there in the winter because it indoor and I don’t like freezing my balls off.

I like this place; they have good selections of guns and shooting range .
I rent different guns here to shot .
Personnel is very helpful answer all my questions .
I like to do research and I have a lot of questions .
I recommend this place to others !

Around 2003 I went there to shoot pistols. Not being from Maryland, I did not know all of Maryland’s quirky laws. In my range bag, I had a loaded magazine. The guy behind the counter went crazy. He yelled at me and threatened to call the police and have me arrested.
This is the last place I would go. Maryland laws are difficult, and the last thing I need is a jerk who wants to have me arrested at a range because I don’t understand all the goofy nuances of Maryland laws. Note: I have a CCW in three different states.
Avoid this range.
Update: 10÷11÷13: I met a person who knows several Baltimore County Police Officers. He said these guys frequently call the police on customers for infractions of Maryland’s difficult laws. I think the only thing that saved me was there was a police officer working there who was a friend of a police officer friend of mine.
These are not good people!
Go to Freestate Gun Range in Middle River

Went there for a bday party on a thursday which is ladies night so it was super cheap.
The staff played no games about the bank ground check luckily I’m not a terrorist. But omg the knowledge they offered on all of the guns. They did not push the 22 on us ladies in fact they wanted us to try everything. Safety was also stringent which is always a plus. I was given a heat set and lovely protection eyewear. Although not Chanel they were hot to death. I’m going back hope to see you there.

I like Continental, for the most part. Their range is fairly clean, it’s maintained, and the ventilation is some of the best in the area.
The shop carries a good selection of both guns and ammo, at reasonable prices. Staff are helpful, but as mentioned by other reviewers, until you get to know them they can come off as stern. And honestly, in a business where people are in your shop handling deadly weapons, I don’t blame them. If you’re a newb, tell them up front and pay attention to even the tiniest safety rules, and you’ll begin to gain their trust. Come in and act a bad-​ass, and yes, you’re gonna get an attitude right back.
Experienced shooters — if you’re new to the range, just show them that you know safety protocol: tell ‘em what you’re bringing to shoot, clear your weapons safely at the counter, and show your ammo. You’re asking them to trust that you’re not a danger to themselves and their other customers, after all. Demonstrate that, and they’ll provide you with a very professional range experience.
The only thing I wish is that their range lighting was a little better. They do provide good scrubby soap in the washroom to get powder and lead residue off your hands, however, and that’s always appreciated.

Been shooting here several time, bought several firearms there. Good service– a bit gruff at times, but they become helpful if you seem genuinely interested in what they have to say. Range is clean, well ventilated, reasonably priced. Firearms pricing not bad, either.
I should add– Happiness is a warm gun, bang bang shoot shoot! :)