A Red Light, a Revelation, and a Real Shot at Preparedness
A letter from someone who shared his experience
Driving back home to Medina from a meeting in Mansfield, I wasn’t expecting to stumble onto something that would reshape the way I think about self-defense and gun training. But as I approached the red light at Baney Road along US-42, bold lettering stretching across the top of a building caught my eye:
“Hot Shots Shooting Center”
“Simulation Range”
“Firearms Training Center”
“Family Fun”
“CCW Classes”
As someone who holds a CHL and considers myself a responsible gun owner, curiosity got the better of me. I turned into the lot.
First Impressions: Warmth, History, and the 2nd Amendment
Walking inside, I was greeted not by sterile walls and hard benches like so many other ranges, but by warm wooden tones, old replica firearms adorning the lobby walls, and a bold passage above the hallway that made me stop in my tracks:
“The Second Amendment”
I was promptly welcomed and asked if I had been there before. “Nope. Just saw the sign and wanted to check it out,” I replied. What happened next surprised me more than I anticipated.
Touring the Unexpected
They offered me a tour, and the first room I entered was The Dutton Room — an elegant yet practical training and event space with Amish-built oak tables, custom cabinetry, and a towering 86” screen. Here, they host everything from CCW classes to Youth Gun Safety, Situational Awareness, and Gun Maintenance courses.
Across the hallway? Their crowning jewel: The Yellowstone Lounge. This place looked like it was plucked from a modern-day western film set. Leather furniture. Live edge tables. A poker table built from a Jack Daniels whiskey barrel. Euchre tables. A fireplace mantel that practically begs for a wedding ceremony.
“We even do weddings and rehearsal dinners in here,” the staff member smiled.
The Main Attraction: The Simulation Range
When I asked to see the range, I wasn’t prepared for what followed. Five private shooting suites. Sliding black industrial doors with 10-paned glass. Beige T1-11 walls. Oversized black sconces. It was warm, high-tech, and shockingly beautiful.
I stepped into one suite. A 14’x8’ screen towered in front of me. This was no arcade.
“Every first-time guest gets a free 30-minute session. Want to give it a try?”
Absolutely.
The range tech walked me through my gear choices. I picked the Glock 17 SIRT gun, nearly identical to my own. Weighted. Realistic. Built for feedback.
A SIRT (Shot Indicating Resetting Trigger) gun is a laser training pistol used for building real muscle memory.
We began with plate shooting. Then came the real test: a “Shoot/Don’t Shoot” law enforcement simulation. Set in a school. Gunshots. Screaming. Columns obscuring view. My adrenaline spiked. My pulse quickened.
At one point, I nearly fired at a hostage, mistaking her for the shooter.
A Shift in My Mindset
I left that simulation suite shaken — not from fear, but from realization. Live fire ranges can’t prepare you for this.Shooting paper targets doesn’t force decision-making under stress.
At that moment, I realized something else: My fiancé and I carry our firearms regularly, but we were NOT actually prepared to use them.
The instructor from my CHL class once said:
“Every time you choose to carry, ask yourself if you’re prepared to take a life. And if you draw, you just became the biggest target in the room.”
Today, I understood that.
Not Just Training. Also… a Party?
After the range, I couldn’t stop thinking about the Yellowstone Lounge. I pictured my family gathered for a reunion. I imagined exchanging vows in front of the fireplace. Heck — we could call it a “Shotgun Wedding” and mean it in the best way possible.
Hot Shots is not just a range. It’s an experience. A training center. A party venue. A confidence builder. A family destination.
Memberships That Make It All Possible
Before I left, they told me about their new Membership Program and provided me with a flyer to take home and look at with my fiancé (No Sales Pressure):
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Silver: 25% off Range Time
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Gold: 25% off Range Time + 50% off Recoil Rentals
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Platinum: 25% off Range Time + 50% off Recoil Rentals + 25% off Classes & Training + 5% off Party & Event Bookings
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Diamond: 50% off Range Time + 100% off (Free!) Recoil Rentals + 50% off Classes & Training + 10% off Party & Event Bookings
Memberships can be shared by up to 5 users — not even from the same household. No hidden fees.
Veterans & First Responders? 20% off any plan.
You can book events, take a CCW class, or just come for fun. One membership saves you hundreds.
Final Thoughts from the Road
I went in expecting plastic guns and a gimmick.
I walked out humbled, impressed, and grateful.
This place is the real deal.
If you’re driving US-42 through Ashland, and the light turns red at Baney Road… thank it. Then turn in. You won’t regret it.
Hot Shots Shooting Center — where fun meets firearms, and preparedness is more than just a mindset.
The Door’s Open — Experience Hot Shots for Yourself!
Visit our website to schedule a tour of our facility and book your Complimentary 30-minute Range Session today.
https://hotshotsshootingcenter.com/
Hot Shots Shooting Center
Ashland, Ohio — just a short drive from Columbus, Cleveland, Akron, Medina, Wooster, and Mansfield.
Open Tuesday through Sunday (Closed Mondays)
