Business Travel, Vinyl Siding, and the Call of the Indoor Range. My Visit to Chauncey’s Pawn & Gun

After long days on a siding job, I found the perfect escape: Chauncey’s Pawn & Gun, a welcoming, top-notch indoor range that turned my work trip into a highlight reel of sharp shooting, camaraderie, and unexpected relaxation. Curious how a pawn shop became my sanctuary?

On a recent business trip from Tennessee to North Carolina, I found myself working long days on a vinyl siding project.

By the time evening rolled around, I was looking for a way to relax and stay sharp at the same time. As any shooter knows, marksmanship is a perishable skill. If you don’t practice, your accuracy can slip faster than you’d like, and I didn’t want that to happen just because I was out of town for work.

So I started looking for a local indoor range where I could spend an hour or two a few nights a week. That’s how I came across Chauncey’s Pawn & Gun in Elizabeth City.

Chauncey’s is more than just a pawn shop.

As soon as I pulled into the lot, I noticed how clean and well-kept the place was, and when I stepped inside, I was greeted like a regular.

The staff were laid‑back but professional, and they made sure I felt comfortable, especially as a first‑timer to their range.

The range itself is indoors and climate‑controlled, which was a nice break from working out in the summer heat. The staff provided a brief safety briefing, assessed my experience level, and ensured I had the necessary ear and eye protection.

It felt like a space designed for people who just want to focus on their shooting and enjoy themselves, whether you’re a novice or an experienced shooter looking to stay sharp.

I didn’t see pricing listed online, but after checking around, it seems that most indoor ranges charge roughly $20 per hour for pistol lanes and about $25 for rifle lanes, and Chauncey’s felt like it fell right in that range.

Whatever the exact cost, it was worth every dollar. The range is well‑ventilated and clean, with paper‑towel dispensers right by the shooting positions and well‑lit targets that gave a crisp view down the lane.

It felt like a place you could spend an hour or an afternoon, focusing on technique, breathing, and making sure those hard‑earned skills didn’t slip away.

Each evening after work, I’d wrap up the siding job, grab a quick bite to eat, and head over to Chauncey’s for an hour.

The routine quickly became a highlight of the trip. The sound of shots down the lane, the smell of powder, and the focus required to maintain precision offered a mental reset after long days hauling siding and framing windows.

Between strings, I’d browse the pawn shop, checking out their collection of guns, optics, and accessories, or chat with the staff and some of the regulars. It felt like more than a range. It felt like a place where working people could drop in, hone their skills, and relax.

If you’re traveling for work like I was or if you’re a local looking for a well‑run range where safety and customer service matter, Chauncey’s Pawn & Gun is worth checking out.

It’s easy to find, with convenient hours and a staff that goes out of their way to make you feel welcome. Even if you only have an hour or two between shifts or meetings, it’s an ideal spot to spend some quality time making sure those shooting skills don’t slip.

And honestly, after a long day of hauling siding, it felt like the best way to stay sharp, de‑stress, and make the most of a work trip.

In the end, it was one of the best decisions I made during that trip and one I’d recommend to any traveling tradesman or shooting enthusiast passing through Elizabeth City.

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