Take a look at this gun, outdoor equipment business that opened in Myrtle Beach area
A gun and outdoor equipment store that features a 34-lane shooting range and museum opened Wednesday in the Myrtle Beach area.
Palmetto State Armory made a home out of the old Myrtle Beach Sun News building when the business bought the property on Frontage Road a few years ago. The business replaced the newspaper’s red and orange sign at the U.S. 17 Bypass location with their logo in February 2021.
The armory, which is the largest Palmetto State location, originally had a January opening date. But it was pushed back due to construction.
Paul Airey, who is the assistant store manager, said the business had seen hundreds of people since opening at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
“We have been trying to get to the Myrtle Beach area for a long time, “ he added.
What can visitors expect?
The store has a large section dedicated to apparel and hunting gear. There is a smaller section on the right of the store displaying guns for purchase.
Guests can try guns before they buy them, and Palmetto State offers guns at every price point, Airey said.
A firing range, which will not be open until mid-June, will have 34 lanes. Eight of them will be for rifles and 26 for pistols. The rifle side is 25 yards, and the pistol side is 15 yards.
The long gun range will accept rifle calibers up to .308.
Annual memberships will be available for people who plan to spend a lot of time shooting at the range.
For everyone else, it will cost $10 to shoot for half an hour, and another $10 for a second half hour of range time. After that, it’s capped, and people can shoot at that price for the rest of the day.
There will be over 100 guns available for people to use at the range, and guests are allowed to bring their own ammo.
The armory will also offer different classes, including a concealed weapons permit class and a one-hour basic training session for beginners.
The museum will be on the second level of the store and feature World War II relics, “Star Wars’” Han Solo’s pistol and guns from “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider,” according to Airey.
The store also features a six-computer station that allows customers to easily complete a background check when purchasing a gun.
Official opening set for June
The official opening date for Palmetto State is June 3. There will be food trucks and giveaways.
Airey said there are plans to host leagues and competitions once the range is officially open.
This will be the company’s first retail location in Horry County. It is not located within city limits. The closest Palmetto State Armory is in Charleston.
The Sun News moved out of the building in early 2020 and later moved to its current location at HTC Aspire, a co-working space in downtown Myrtle Beach, in June 2022.
