Minnesota

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Hey Burnse!

The only other indoor ranges I have been to are here in Bama and in Georgia and I have never been to Bills so I cant compare thier prices to Burnsville. I dont know where else you can go to shoot indoors in the MSP area, its hard to even find farm land where you can shoot anymore in that area, you gotta drive at least an hour out of the metro area to even have any chance of any area suitable for shooting.

Burnsville range was open previous to 2006, I dont know when it opended, I started using it 2004, at that time the 25 yard pistol bays were limited to pistols, .22 rifles and up to 12 gauge slugs. The rifle lanes were still under construction.

What I meant by "strict" is the staffs constant monitoring of the shooting lanes via cameras and screens that always had eyes on them, they were quick to enter the lanes and verbally chastise anyone they even thought might be about to do something potentially unsafe, they were also very stringent in thier policy regarding eye/ear protection and entering/exiting the shooting area. They often verbally commanded people that were not quick enough in putting on thier eye/ear protection, I understand they are running a business that is potentially dangerous, it just gets to feel a little insulting to be treated like an absolute novice each and every time you use thier facility, no matter how frequent your range sessions are.

Myself and some of the guys I used to shoot with also thought that there is either a problem with the climate control in the shooting lanes or they are just so cheap they dont turn on the thermostat until people start shivering or sweating, even then they wouldnt do anything until they got a few complaints. It is a nice range though and at least targets are fairly priced and in plentiful supply with many different types to choose from, or at least that was the case last time I was there.
 
Another MN person here. I'm in MPLS near lake Calhoun. I go to bills in robbinsdale 1-2times a week because it is convenient for me. During spring/summer I hope to get out of the cities for more outdoor shooting.

For me this is a win/win, I can go on drives with the summer car and combine it with some target shooting.
 
Greetings from Robbinsdale

I live close to Bill's yet don't really care to shoot there. First, there is the price. Not cheap. The last time I was there, some guy was pretending he was Matt Dillon, and was doing a quick draw with a holsterd Glock.:uhoh: On my left were two urban youths who were holding their Sigma sideways and trying to hit something.:barf: The guy at the counter was busy with a couple of large breasted women to notice what was going on. I finished my 200 rounds and left.

After twenty year haitus, I am finally getting back into reloading.

I belong to a club north of the cities. The price is right. Winter cold? Yes, but we are in Minnesota don't ya know.
 
Gravel pit on state land is my choice. We shoot .22 and clays in the back yard too.

When it is too cold to shoot, I go ice fishing. It is never too cold for that... well yeah, it gets too cold to fish here too. It never gets too cold to play on the internet at least. lol
 
Bill's has another indoor range north of The Cities in Circle Pines/Lexington called, appropriately enough, Bill's North. It used to be called Armored Fire but the previous owner was forced to sell for personal reasons. I have not shot there but have stopped in a few times to look. I have yet to see a "young urban troubador" there and I think it may be a bit far for them to go. I imagine prices are similar to the Robbinsdale location. You can also rent full auto firearms there and at least one of the lanes is rated for at least 30/06 as they shot machine guns there as well as SMGs.
A little further north on 35W in Blaine is Metro Gun Club. They are not real modern looking but they were reasonable to me. I shot there a fair bit when I lived down there. They also have trap, skeet, 5-Stand, and a duck tower to shoot if you are into shotguns.
Even further north on I-35 is Bullseye Shooting Range. It is around Harris off old Highway 61 but I have not been there. I have no idea on the cost but they do have full auto guns to rent like Bill's.
The Edina Police Dept has an indoor range that is available to the public during certain times of the week. I don't know the schedule but it seemed spendy when I saw the prices. Then again, it being the only place in the area, it could be considered pretty cheap compared to a drive to elsewhere.
I think that is it for indoor ranges around the Cities, there may be one or two across in Wisconsin but I don't think there others.
 
I suppose it's warm enough that shooting outside is not going to be a problem til winter starts up again. You know, on October 15th or so.

FREERANGETIME!, I agree with you on all points regarding burnsville, now that you mention them. However, I really just don't like the atmosphere of Bill's, either. I was at Bill's north just 2 weeks ago. Just wanted to check the place out, and there's just something that I don't like about someone younger than me (I'm 24), open carrying a glock, and the man can't even answer some of the simplest questions about the guns he's got for sale. I feel like Bill's is really no different from a Gander Mountain gun section with less ammo and accessory selection. No disrespect meant to the store or any fans, but I just don't see a reason to shop there, ever. Not while Frontiersman sports exists.

Anyway, I think that it's just best to enjoy our tools and toys outside, even if we're in Minnesota.
 
Agreed

Outside is the way to go with shooting, to me, there is just something that feels unnatural about shooting indoors, I am blessed to live within driving distance of 2 public outdoor ranges, with shelters, tables & benches, and seperate lanes with barriers between the 25, 50, 75 and 100 yard lanes. And the best part is its FREE! All you need to have is a valid hunting license or Alabama Wildlife Preservation card ($10) The ranges are patrolled be DNR officers, and are kept clean and maintained by inmates doing work release maintenance on the grounds and kids on probation doing community service.

With no range officer it can get a little scary at times, I just assume the role and no one has challenged me yet, I think people assume I am supposed to be in charge when I start calling out hot range or cold range, a lot of people dont know "proper range ettiquette" unless some one teaches it to them, my dad was a firearms safety instructor for 13 years, so I have had it all drilled into my head from a very young age and it is very easy for me to "talk the talk & walk the walk" and basically imitate my dad at the range and people for the most part listen and realize that their actions are being observed and it is in thier best interest and everybody elses on the firing line to be as safe as possible. I have got to meet a lot of people worth knowing and had a chance to shoot a lot of guns I otherwise wouldnt have had the opportunity to by going to the public ranges here in Bama, truthfully, there is no place else I would rather shoot.
 
Hey guys, I'm new to the site as well. I'm down in Eagan. I just got my first handgun (FNP45). Anyone know when the Bvill range ends their winter hours (closed on Mondays)?
 
I live close to Bill's yet don't really care to shoot there. First, there is the price. Not cheap. The last time I was there, some guy was pretending he was Matt Dillon, and was doing a quick draw with a holsterd Glock. On my left were two urban youths who were holding their Sigma sideways and trying to hit something. The guy at the counter was busy with a couple of large breasted women to notice what was going on. I finished my 200 rounds and left.
Click to expand...

Now you have me not wanting to go there lol..

Anyways, does anyone here know of any twin cities area ranges with handgun rental besides Bill's?
 
True, there is an "urban" element that has the right to shoot there, and while they are often unaware of etiquette, I have had the opportunity to help a young man understand the importance of sweeping up. He also needed to be reminded to slow down a little, and he understood that I was trying to help him, not diss him. The best thing we can do in this situation is to carry ourselves in a disciplined manner, be an mature example and follow the rules, and shoot tight groupings to their envy. Trust me, they are watching.

To your second point, people are people. As long as there are flirtatious LBRs, there will be distracted men.
 
My posting was not a slam against Bill's. Bill does a brisk business. Only two people have died at that shooting range. (Suicide by rental gun) Other then that, Bill's has a good safety record.

For some, Bill's is THE place to go. I just don't care for the crowds, and morons.

Personally, it is not my cup of tea.

I usually show up at Bills once every two years.

Not all my experiences have been as bad as the one mentioned.

The latest owner of Bill's must be doing something right. He not only purchased armored fire, (Bills north), he bought the bar and restaurant next door to Bill's south.
 
So there's no other twin-cities area ranges with handgun rental?
Click to expand...

Bill's is it, that I'm aware of, for handgun rentals.
I shoot at Bill's once or twice a year, same at Burnsville pistol. I'd rather shoot outdoors, unless it's just unbearably cold. The rules at Burnsville don't bother me, I feel safer there than at Bill's/Robbinsdale.
Normally you'll find me at Oakdale Gun Club, in Lake Elmo, east of the cities.:)
 
No problem.
I like Bills because it is close and convenient, and I have good relationships there. Thanks for telling me about Frontiersman Sports. I am going over there on Monday. Do you like the Gunspot?
 
Formula94 said:
Hey guys, I'm new to the site as well. I'm down in Eagan. I just got my first handgun (FNP45). Anyone know when the Bvill range ends their winter hours (closed on Mondays)?
Click to expand...

That's not winter hours, that's how it will be from now on. Roger needs a day off a week. He started the closed mondays last spring and has said he is going to keep it that way.
 
Hey Everyone from Twin Cities MN area,
I've posted here a couple of times, but this posting got me interested again.
I'm looking for a rifle range, or a SAFE place to shoot within 100 miles of St. Paul, MN.
It does not need to be developed, but I do need permission to shoot there, as my main rifle of choice is the AR-50 in 50BMG. I am a competition target shooter with the 50, and am alweays looking for a good place to shoot, preferrably on private land. I also shoot about 34 different calibers just for fun and am always teaching others, women preferred, to shoot safely. I like to shoot where I can retrieve my brass for reloading and for examination of load condition. I also need access in front of firing range to setup the chronograph to enable accurate readings of velocity, which is required for sighting accurately at ranges of up to 1000 yards and at 1 mile which I like to shoot.
Any suggestions ??????????
The person who finds me a good place to shoot will also be allowed to shoot my rifles.

Oldman FCSA ( the Oldman from the Fifty Caliber Shooters Association)
 
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Ranges

You might like the Faribault Rifle and Pistol Club Range. Its out in the beautiful country to start with...it has I think 7 or 8 pistol pits (I don't shoot much pistol but there are a lot of guys there who do and have occasional matches). The rifle range goes from 50 yards out to 600 yards in increments; Great people...low cost membership. This time of year in the mornings it is so nice with wildlife and birds around plus great people. If this is your choice tho, I will probably pass on shooting the 50 (lol) Best Wishes
 
If I remember correctly, the range in Harris goes out to 1000 yards. I don't know the name. The club I belong, has 100 yard rifle and 3 pistol pits.
 
Wish you guys would get together and lobby your AG for reciprocity with CO. so I could carry when I visit my home state.
 
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