About Shooter’s Choice
Shooter’s Choice operates at 5105 N Dupont Hwy in Dover, Delaware, as a combined gun shop, indoor shooting range, and training center serving a wide spectrum of firearm owners. The business draws local regulars, families, travelers from surrounding states, and first-time buyers who need to satisfy Delaware’s permit-to-purchase requirements. As the first indoor range established in the state - built in the 1990s - the facility retains steel backstops and a compact footprint that visitors often contrast favorably against larger, more impersonal commercial ranges. The retail floor stocks firearms, ammunition, accessories, and gear, and the business operates a rental program that lets customers test handguns on-site before making a purchase. Seasoned collectors also note the depth of inventory and the staff’s ability to recommend pieces matched to specific expectations.
The training curriculum is a significant draw. Instructors teach basic handgun safety, introductory permit courses, and concealed-carry certification classes. Reviewers regularly describe the instruction as patient, detailed, and accessible, noting that newcomers are walked through firearm safety fundamentals and state compliance without a superior attitude or sales pressure. Class sizes are sometimes small, allowing for extended question-and-answer periods. Instruction frequently covers situational awareness and practical preparation alongside mechanical handling, which reviewers say adds value beyond simple range qualification. For retail and range visitors, staff are frequently cited as approachable and highly knowledgeable, with several accounts noting that employees will search for specific models, source out-of-stock magazines or parts online, and provide UPC information to ensure correct orders. The willingness to spend extended time with customers who initially come in only to browse or ask questions is repeatedly mentioned.
The atmosphere is broadly characterized as friendly, family-oriented, and relaxed. The range is reported to be well ventilated and clean, and the pace of sessions is described as unhurried, even for visitors who drive in from the DMV region or farther away. The family-run character is evident in owner responses to online feedback, where staff routinely thank guests and clarify policies in detail. That said, the aging steel-backstop design limits the types of ammunition that can be used, excluding certain higher-pressure or steel-core rounds that newer ranges with rubber backstops typically accept. Additionally, the retail floor can become crowded and visually overwhelming during peak times, and at least one long-term patron of more than a decade has reported episodes of brusque service during busy transactions, with simple questions answered in curt or dismissive tones. Ownership maintains an active presence in online feedback threads, acknowledging service lapses and reinforcing expectations for courtesy, which suggests ongoing attention to service recovery.