A new virtual shooting range is coming soon into downtown Pendleton.
Lock ‘N’ Nock Virtual Shooting Range is planning to open its indoor laser facility around early January at 239 SE Court Ave. in the corner of the LaDow Block building.
Owner Chad Chamberlin created a family-friendly electronic simulation range featuring laser firearms that replicate the feel and function of a real gun. The replica firearms provide recoil simulation, swapping out magazines and realistic sound effects.
“If you’ve got somebody that has never ever shot a gun before in their life and they want to come in here and learn how to shoot, we can come in, we can put up a target on the screen and we can teach them,” Chamberlin said while demonstrating one of the laser guns. “This is the slide, this is the trigger, this is the magazine and everything. And then they can practice.”
The facility provides three lanes with a large projection screen equipped with a variety of modulations for target practice, including open range shooting, tactical scenarios, fast draw and more. Chamberlin also has two virtual archery lanes for customers who want to practice big game hunting.
He said customers are able to bring their own bow and arrows to the range and the facility will provide a blunt tip to practice. The archery lanes feature outdoor hunting simulations for shooting small game, such as rabbits or squirrels, or big game, such as deer or elk.
Chamberlin was one of four winners in 2024 to receive a forgivable $20,000 loan from the city’s Path to Success program to open a new business in downtown Pendleton. The Forage Apothecary, Herbal by Nature and Moe Mart rounded out the winners.
Apart from running the laser range, Chamberlin also owns Dean English Lock Shop, a full locksmith service for residential, commercial buildings and vehicles. He said his motivation to open the virtual range was partly inspired from his former police training.
“I’ve got a background in law enforcement,” he said. “When I was at the police academy, we did something similar to this for training, which is scenario based training for people.”
Chamberlin has worked for police, fire and ambulance departments for nearly 20 years in Oregon from Lake Oswego to Baker City and Boardman until he quit in 2005.
Chamberlin said he’s been kicking around the idea for a virtual range for three to four years and finally made the decision to pull the trigger to build it.
“I wanted to make it family-friendly where if you’ve got a 5 year old that you want to teach the basics of gun safety to, we can bring them in,” he said. “If you’ve got a 90-year-old grandma that’s in a wheelchair and wants to go out and shoot. Can’t get out in the woods to do it, then come in here and shoot.”
Lock ‘N’ Nock also will feature a pool table, video games and a pinball machine.
Chamberlin said the facility will sell soft drinks but not alcohol. Although the range is not selling food, customers are allowed to bring in their own meal, he added.
Lock ‘N’ Nock Virtual Shooting Range offers booking lanes on its website. Rental prices are $40 an hour per adult, $20 an hour per student ages 12-17 and free for children under 12.
The business plans to be open Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Lock ‘N’ Nock Virtual Shooting Range also has a Facebook page for customers to keep up with the latest information on laser firearm rentals and more.
