DFW Area Shooters, ranges, shops, groups, etc...

Status
Not open for further replies.

TechBrute

Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2003
Messages
3,264
Location
DFW, TX
It seems that the left-coasties up there in the bay area seem to get together on a semi-regular basis, and I wondered if y'all in the DFW area ever have such fun?

I'm from this area originally, but I've been in San Diego the last few years and don't know any shooters from the area. I've been the Chairman for a Friends of NRA comittee for the last 3 years, and I'd be interested in getting involved in another comittee for NRA, GOA, or other 2nd Amendment group local to me.

I'd also like to get peoples feedback on local stores. I frequent K2 Sports in Richardson, but haven't gotten much of a chance to get out and browse many other shops.

I have nothing good to say about the range in Alpine, but don't feel like opening that can of worms at this point.

I love the fact we pretty much have at least one gun show per month around here. I know someone will want to whine about the quality of shows declining, and I won't say that I disagree, but it could be worse. There IS the occasional good deal to be had.

I already know about Gunstock, and plan to be there. If you're going, chime in.

I've rambled more than enough now, but this should give you plenty of leeway to bring up your favorite yea/nay about DFW.
 
Let's see, there's Backwoods Traps and Collin County Gun Range both on 380, W & E of 75. There's Bullet Trap Inc in Plano, just off Parker, E of 75 too. I hear that the Decatur Grasslands, out W by Decatur is a nice place to shoot in an uncontrolled area (not a formal range). There's also Denton County Sports Assoc. which has a small range in SW Denton county (I think).
That's all I know about so far, but I've only lived here for 6wks...

--Vic
 
I also used to shoot at the Bullet Trap; no complaints. As I recall, it had better lighting than a lot of places I've been.
 
Indoor: Bass Pro shop even though they are a pain in the butt with locking up all your gear. Usually it is pistol only because the rifle tube is down most of the time.

Outdoor: Gibson's out in Mesquite (Hwy 80 at Lawson Rd exit) - nice couple owns the place, they allow FMJ on the range unlike most around here. Both pistol & rifle, a lot of the TX FN/FAL guys show up there.

Buy/Sell: Bachman Pawn & Gun, Doc Walther at gunshows. Dallas Reloading for surplus ammo & reloaded stuff.

I plan on being at Gunstock at least on Saturday, might see you there. Regards, Splat.
 
There is DFW Gun Range (indoor) on Mockingbird in Dallas, Targetmasters (indoor) on Jupiter in Garland and Garland Public Shooting Range (outdoor) on Pleasant Valley in Garland.

Jim Hall
 
Yeah, The Bullet Trap is a nice place; knowledgeable folks, nice range, goodish prices. I've been over to K2 Sports once; was a few years ago. Haven't had a chance to go back since, and it seemed like they had 'odd hours' of being open. Nice inventory when I was there. Lately I've been hanging around SPS Guns in Carrolton off Beltline east of 35. The regulars refer jokingly to it as 'an adult daycare center'. Go, have a Coke or DP, scratch Moke the Chocolate Lab on the ears, enjoy. Repeat all steps as needed. Larry and Mark are great guys. Don't buy my Pentax scope I plan to buy before I do, though. Richard at Big Bear just east of there has a good shop as well, but he can be short on personality sometimes. Must be an Austrian thing.

Ditto on Bass Pro. I see where they think locking up your weapon when you head for the range may make sense to their insurance carrier, but it's damed inconvenient. Don't attempt to whip out your concealed handgun after getting in their range, though. They get real hinkey about that. Their pistol range is ok, but you're right, the rifle tube is chronically OOS.

DFW Gun has improved in demeanor and other areas since Ken sold it, but I still don't shoot or buy there. Bachmann Gun has a nice retail operation on Northwest Highway not far from there. Ray's Hardware and Sporting Goods on Singleton is a *must experience to believe* place, much like Oshmans was downtown during the 60's. The bad thing about Rays is the neighborhood on Singleton- there's a reason there is razor ribbon on the roof. You have to make that pilgrimage, though. THere is a second location, D-Ray's, at Preston and Forest (NE Corner)...inventory was a little low today when I was there today, but it's always a good stop.

My range of choice is the Garland Public Range on Pleasant Valley Rd. Good range, usually good folks there. You see a lot of different rifles there almost every time. Also has a trap and pistol range. I stopped in TargetMaster on Jupiter a couple of weeks ago; good inventory, good indoor ranges, good people working there.

Winchesters is reported to be a favorite range also, but I've not been there.

There's a store just up Ave. K in Plano from Bullet Trap, but the name escapes me at the moment. Good inventory also- in fact, I saw a nice little Martini custom in .17 Ackley Bee that was trying to entice me last time I was there.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Rabbit.
 
Too lazy to do the search myself, but there have been several other good threads on DFW gun shops and ranges.
 
Ok, what's this Gunstock thing, and why haven't I been invited? No really, please tell me when and where.

I would be up for a "THR gathering." It doesn't just have to be a West-Coast Thing.

My favorite shop/range is the Bullet Trap. The guys are great, knowledgeable, enjoy gabbing (if it's slow), and the prices are good on the new stuff, and can be great on the used stuff. It's the place where, "everybody knows my name."

Give me a call (email me for my number) and I'll meet you up there (open till 8:30pm.)
 
Yeah, by 'Gunstock' are you referring to the Dallas Market Center show at the end of the month? If so, we're going to go.
 
Richard at Big Bear just east of there has a good shop as well, but he can be short on personality sometimes. Must be an Austrian thing.

A word of warning: don't let Richard work on your 1911. He botched a trigger job on one of my guns, then lied about fixing it after I brought it back to him. As if I wouldn't notice the whole "gun not firing" thing. :rolleyes: I found his combination of arrogance, incompetence and dishonesty less than appealing. I don't think it is an Austrian thing, though... more of an a-hole thing.
 
Rabbit said

"
<snip>
Ditto on Bass Pro. I see where they think locking up your weapon when you head for the range may make sense to their insurance carrier, but it's damed inconvenient. Don't attempt to whip out your concealed handgun after getting in their range, though. They get real hinkey about that. Their pistol range is ok, but you're right, the rifle tube is chronically OOS.

<snip>
Regards,
Rabbit."

SPS is friendly, but their prices aren't great. I was looking at some shotguns the other day. Their used prices were higher than new at local sporting goods stores. Bullet Trap has a decent range but again prices aren't great there either.

I did whip out my CCW yesterday at the range. No one confronted me about it. I emptied my CCW and the extra mag down range, reloaded it and concealed it again. Then, proceeded to shoot the handguns they had locked up.

Bass Pro also doesn't let you use sillouette targets either. I do like their computerized system for setting and retrieving your targets.

Scott
 
I also remember shooting at an outdoor range somewhere a little south of Fort Worth, but I don't remember where.

I have also heard of a private shooting club somewhere near the big lake west of Fort Worth (Eagle Lake ? Lake Worth ?), but supposedly the members were extremely snobbish towards outsiders (even to the NRA instructor who told me about it).
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top