Shooting Range Fire in St. Louis

[TraditionalCatholic]

I know this is a fairly popular range in the area, so in case any members of THR don't know about this yet:

Top Gun Shooting Sports had a fire at their range last night around closing time. The attached retail store did not suffer any damage and will remain open, but the range is likely closed for the time being, and they still do not know the full extent of the damage to the range, or how the fire started.

J
ust a heads-up in case any of you were headed out there to shoot this weekend!
(No, this does not contain any copyrighted or quoted material)

 

[cleardiddion]

A couple years ago the local public range's berm caught on fire because some guy didn't recognize tracer rounds in a mix of milsurp rounds he'd bought. Added a little adrenaline to the mix.

 

[CoRoMo]

Indoor range?

Heard or read that indoor ranges can light up after years of buildup, of remnant propellant chemicals.

 

[writerinmo]

It was in the back room, still haven't heard what caused it.

 

[Mousegun]

I believe that about 12 years ago the NRA sent out a warning to all their affiliated ranges to fill any cracks in a concrete floor because of the potential of unspent gunpowder build up that could, and in some cases did, ignite.

 

[JTHunter]

Is that the range near the intersection of Kingshighway and Manchester?

 

[TraditionalCatholic]

JTHunter, no, that range is Bullseye Shooting LLC. This one is located South of St. Louis City about thirty minutes away.

 

[Sky]

The combustible build up with inside ranges that do not have a well designed ventilation systems is a problem.

 

[crasen]

Top Gun is a pretty new range, a little over a year old at this location. I believe they said it was an electrical fire. The retail are of the store will still be open while they repair the range. I think they said it might be a couple months till they reopen the range. It is just south of Saint Louis in Imperial taking I-55.

 

[writerinmo]

That bites, I just got a postcard in the mail today for a FN factory rep day on the 19th and 20th that invited me to come in and shoot their FN firearms. Hope it aint canceled, the postcard gives me an entry into a drawing for a free FNX 9mm.

 

[Azul]

I hope they survive this okay. It's a really nice place; best renting place I've found so far.

 

[wicker1L]

I'm a silver member there. Hands down the best indoor range I've been to. It's only been open for a year or so. The staff is top notch too. They already stated they'll be taking good care of the members for the inconvenience of being down for a few months. I was told it was an electrical fire too. On the bright side, Jay Henges outside shooting range just opened after a complete rehab.

 

[writerinmo]

I'll have to give them a call and see what their plans are for the FN event I guess.

 

[Bradypatullo87]

Turns out that it was a faulty electrical conduit in the back room of Top Gun's range. The fire didn't have anything to do with negligence on behalf of the employees or members attending the shooting range when it happened.

Top Gun really is a great establishment, and i was there on november 20th for the FN event. Purchased a new FNX-9 and one of the employees gave me a free FN shooter's pack because I missed the raffle. I'm glad to find out that no one was injured and Top Gun's range did not suffer any permanent damage. Even though there are 3 firearm dealers in my immediate area, I still make the 45 minute trek to Top Gun because the shop and staff are great.

Btw, the FNX-9 is great, just wish they would have fixed the magazine problem the FNP series also had. All in all, it is still a great pistol for lefties.

 

[writerinmo]

I stopped in to the event with the wife just to drop off my entry for the giveaway and to check out the FN's that they had on display, it's sometimes difficult to just take a look at something at some shops without the instant pressure to buy. The wife liked the 9 pretty well, I liked the .40, but didn't buy anything but some more targets while we were there. I drove by there today, the parking lot was basically empty where its usually packed tight on the weekends, hope they get everything fixed soon, I know it's a great source of income for them. We used it when I took my CCW class there, they have two or three guys who instruct there so I'm sure it's taking a bite out of their wallets as well.