Gun training in the Twin Cities, Minnesota

[santo]

Good morning. I recently moved to Minnesota from Virginia and need firearms training. Specifically, a class for beginners. Broad sides of barns everywhere mock me.
I am grateful for suggestions of facilities or trainers you may have experience with in or around Minneapolis or Saint Paul.

thanks,
santo

Psalm 118:24

 

[ralphie98]

Burnsville Pistol range holds beginner handgun courses. http://www.bvpistol.com/courses_1.htm

I haven't taken a class from them but I've had nothing but good experiences with the people there.

http://www.shadeslanding.com/ these guys do basic handgun also, but looking at their class schedule they seem to focus more on their permit to carry classes. I took my permit renewal class through them and wouldn't hesitate to recommend classes through them.

 

[bronicadave]

I just recently had Mike Briggs from www.MNfirearms.com spend an hour with my son and I perfecting our trap technique. He's a nice guy and conducts training in all sorts of firearms.

 

[dacotah]

I've gotten training through Allied Tactical Defense before. Good bunch with practical approach to training.

 

[Lex Luthier]

My instructor at Bills Gun Range was very good. He trains both St. Paul and Minneapolis LEOs. While they are higher priced on a few items, I believe their training courses are worth it.

 

[MrDig]

My instructor at Bills Gun Range was very good. He trains both St. Paul and Minneapolis LEOs. While they are higher priced on a few items, I believe their training courses are worth it.

I trained at Bills North for my Carry Permit could not agree more about the quality of the course and the professionalism of their staff in general.

 

[wrench]

Welcome to the Twin Cities, Santo!
Here's the site for the local gun nuts...
http://www.mnguntalk.com/index.php

Look on there for the member 'DonL', he's the best. Also second the vote for classes at Burnsville Pistol Range or Bill's Gun Shop. Professionals all around, both places do a great job.

 

[BemidjiDweller]

I second what wrench said.

 

[mnrivrat]

rivervalleytraining.com

Should be Rick's web site. He does training courses from biginners to advanced.

 

[dubya450]

I'd have to give another vote for Bill's. They have two ranges/stores, one in circle pines off I35 & Lake and the other in Robbinsdale. Only have been to the circle pines one but I'm sure both are great and i believe the Robbinsdale one is bigger.

 

[shiftyer1]

it's been 15 years at least since i've personally been to bills location in robbinsdale. It was a good experience then for me, I do have a friend that still shops there and uses the range. If the atmosphere had changed.....he wouldn't

 

[Skunk Pilot]

10-12 years ago at Bills in Robinsdale I took a 1 on 1 course since I just got my Glock G23 (.40). He was very good I thought, I shot really well after that for a little bit. Then more physical problems and never shot the G23 for 4-5 years before I sold it for a 9mm. Much easier on me. Hope to get even easier if I get into reloading and making really low power factor (wussy) 9mm rounds, some day soon hopefully.

9 years ago I took a CCW class at Bills in Circle Pines. That was a good experience. Believe it was taught by a Sheriff or Deputy from Anoka county or around there at the time, nice guy.

I went to Bills in Robinsdale 2 weeks ago and again tonight and had good experiences both times. The range tokens help a lot keeping the costs down, I went in with someone this past December to split the cost.

So I'd check with Bills and like others said the Burnsville one. I sold my S&W 17-4 tonight to a guy and he said he shoots at the Burnsville one in the winter and really likes it. So after you've gotten your training I'd recommend the Bills range tokens so then you can go anytime, even by yourself and only pay like $12 with tax IIRC. That way you will retain what you were taught. At Bills you can stay for hours at the range and pay the same amount, no hourly rates.

Bills gun prices are expensive though, not as bad as Cabela's though. One time I saw they had the M&P22 handgun for a very good price, but that's the only time I saw a good price for a firearm at Bills.

 

[Win_SX-1]

Another vote for Bill's Gun Shop

I would like to add another vote for Bill's Gun Shop and Range. http://billsgs.com/

About 12 years ago when I first moved in with my girl-friend (now wife), she was uncomfortable about the fact that I had guns. So we both went to Bill's for a gun safety course.

After the safety lectures, we first got to use air guns, then .22's and finally .38, 9mm and .45's. My wife did not like the bigger calibers (mainly the noise), but loved the .22 and was surprised at how good she was with a .22. Even her dad who worked for Federal Cartridge was amazed and had to be convinced that it was her shooting and not me!

Most important was that she learned that there were responsible gun owners and the proper way to handle firearms.

Assuming the training course has not changed, definitely two thumbs up!

 

[1911Jeeper]

Bill's GS as well as - https://gandermtnacademy.gandermountain.com/

 

[dubya450]

Skunk Pilot, I think Bills actually has the best prices on guns in the general area, for MOST guns. Cheaper than cabelas and WAY CHEAPER than Gander mountain. I realized about 12 guns ago to check Bills first! Its also nice that you get a free range pass and gun rental for two people when you buy from Bills. Can't beat that.

 

[BemidjiDweller]

I agree with skunk, they tend to be a bit more expensive than other places around town. But they do have good prices on some firearms, last I was in there (Circle Pines) they had a few SKS's I wouldn't mind buying if I had the cash. Other than that, I've only been disappointed in their customer service once out of all the times I've been there. I think the clerk was having a bad day.

 

[Hk Dan]

Drive 4 hours south and take a class with me, or contact one of Rob Pincus' instructors in your area (I know he has several)