It's always such a headache being in the city, especially London, for an airsoft player. Airsoft skirmish sites are almost non-existent, or if there are some available, they don't stay long as they get evicted by the owner for other more profitable purposes such as new commercial or residential developments. So whenever we hear of an airsoft venue in the city, we try to check it out and make the most out of it.

I stumbled upon The Range by accident when I was searching for airsoft news online. It was reported by the Westminster Chronicle about complaints regarding its opening. Perhaps due to the connotation of firearms, even if it's airsoft, would raise eyebrows among city residents and shop owners. However, the people in the area are divided, with some having the opinion that it's not appropriate in the area, and others don't mind at all since the new shop is not using real firearms.

Whatever, it's an airsoft shooting range, and that's what it's important for me. I immediately googled for the website and got their contact information. I called up the range and luckily, it was Benny Sootho, the Manager, who picked up the phone. I enquired if we can drop by and check the shooting range and we arranged for a Wednesday visit. Masterchief joined me along for the visit.

The Range is just a short walk from the Edgware Road Tube Station. If you take the Bakerloo line, the Edgware Road Tube Station exit is on the same street as The Range, an easier walk. Parking would be a headache as it's on a major thoroughfare and I suggest that you take the Tube or bus to get there. Their website has tips on how to get there. Also, it is strongly suggested to go there in civilian clothes, and use a bag that doesn't shout "gun inside" if you intend to bring your own equipment.

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The Range is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Weekends, and weekends, from 12 noon to 6pm.

Arriving at the The Range, we were greeted by Benny, who seated us at the reception area. There were some people inside the shooting range, so we took our time and had initial discussions about the shop. The Range doesn't display airsoft guns as they don't sell airsoft guns at all. The frontage is simple with some tactical gear and IPSC posters indicating it's a "combat shop". Inside the reception area are tactical gear and shooting supplies.

Paul Lyu, Benny's partner, came out to greet us too. He was busy inside giving instructions to customers. Funny, that the three of us all played at Elektrowerkz our favourite airsoft skirmish side when it was still near the Angel Tube Station, and never got to know each other. Only when describing what the usual airsoft guns that we bring to the site did we begin to recall each other's faces. Both partners explained to us how the range works.

The Range is still very much new, as it opened last August, and slowly getting to be put together. They offer memberships for those who are seeking discounts and plan to visit their regularly. There's no specific practical shooting discipline they offer, and they wouldn't mind if you prefer IPSC/Action Air or IDPA. What's important for them is to give you a great time and for you to appreciate shooting as a discipline.

At the moment, there are two working shooting ranges at The Range, with plans to put up more in the basement and it will also serve as a lounge area. Space is a premium and it will get easily crowded. The shooting range have poppers, or paper targets, and for the usual fun, cans for plinking.

If you're a new customer, an orientation is required, especially, if you're not familiar with airsoft shooting. Renting the range is in 30 minute increments, so before you start shooting or plinking, you will have to tell them how long you plan to stay in the range. From there, the clock starts ticking.

The targets, such as the poppers and paper targets are automated. You can press a button to drag the target plate for you to place the paper target, then press it to got to a distance that you want. The poppers have the usual red and green light for hits confirmation, and the last popper has a servo that will push it back to its usual position after you have hit it. Only the cans are old school, you will have to get inside the range to put them back on. The poppers can be rearranged manually and The Range can add more targets depending on how you want to shoot. The two shooting lanes are 8.5 metres long for standard practice and you can fold away the tables if you want to do some practical shooting.

In practical shooting, obstacles can be put in the way, and targets placed in different areas. You will need to put the best time to shoot the targets under the watchful eye of a range officer.

The shooting tables are sturdy enough to bear the weight of your gun and magazines. You can also shoot with AEG rifles and gas blowbacks, as Benny and Paul would say, whatever is your preference to shoot as long as you're having fun. Being reckless though would give you the boot. The Range is open only to responsible shooters.

Somebody from the Westminster Council dropped by to check the site, and had discussions with Benny and Paul. For us, we finished off a few more magazines, and waited until the visitor left.

Soon we came to serious discussions about practical shooting and stuff. Benny and Paul would like to encourage airsoft players to develop certain shooting disciplines, whether IPSC, IDPA, and 3-Gun. For us, we are much interested in the growth of Action Air in the UK, given that in the Far East, some countries and Europe, Action Air is getting more and more followers with competitive matches being sanctioned by the IPSC.

The Range is a good place for airsoft players based in London to visit, given the dearth of places in the city to fire off a few rounds after a hard day's work, or when there's no time to get out of the city for a skirmish weekend. It is small for big competitive matches, and Benny and Paul are looking at other potential places to hold such matches. The Range shall serve as a practice place, and also a good place for airsoft players in the city to bring their mates they want to introduce to airsoft.

It's still work in progress, and we hope that the basement gets finished soon, as long as the Council gets off their back. When that gets finished, then small corporate gatherings can be handled. Or for the suits to let off some steam after a stressful day.

Since only two lanes are open, I highly suggest that you call ahead before you visit. Walk-ins are allowed but you cannot be assured of an empty lane for you to use at once. Reserving ahead would guarantee you and your friends an empty lane at your chosen time slot. And if you get serious about practical shooting, you might want your airsoft pistol upgraded and The Range can do custom work for you such as putting together a race gun personalised for you.

We'll try to be there at least once a week, depending our schedules. If you want to join us, just contact us here or at our Facebook page. We would be more than happy to have you along, as we always stress that basic shooting skills should be developed before really going out in skirmishes.

Especially when it weather gets colder, and skirmishes are not much, doing some practical or target shooting indoors would not make you rusty. And The Range would be more than happy to serve you.

You can contact The Range at their website, their Facebook page, or give them a call at 0207 724 6781.