Lakes Training Center - Forest Lake

[2in2out]

I know I saw a thread on the new indoor shooting range in Forest Lake, but now I can't find it. Because of that original post, and because I had some time on my hands today, I drove to Forest Lake to check it out. Overall, very nice facility and extremely helpful staff.

Got to shoot a couple of pistols that I've never shot before:
M&P9 Pro with fibre optic front sight - impressed, heavy but very smooth. The weight probably helped keep recoil to a minimum.
Sig P238 with night sights - I didn't expect to like this gun when I picked it up, but I like it a lot. 50 rounds went by really fast and easy.

It's cool to see new ranges open, and this is a great place. Like Vantage Point in Kasota, the facility is a good 2 hour drive for me, but that's why I have a car, right?

Anybody else been there yet?

[tenmilmag]

Stopped by to see the inventory and the new lanes. Ben's show room was like a closet before. The remodel is "Very" nice.

[fjrdc]

Well worth the trip very nice range

[mmcnx2]

Yup I've been up there and they are nice folks, range is very clean, the air flow is strong(enough to make paper targets wave).

Gun selection was nice, not huge but for the area a good selection.

I''ll go back, the have a bowling pin shoot on Thursdays.

[qualcorp]

I know I saw a thread on the new indoor shooting range in Forest Lake, but now I can't find it. Because of that original post, and because I had some time on my hands today, I drove to Forest Lake to check it out. Overall, very nice facility and extremely helpful staff.

Got to shoot a couple of pistols that I've never shot before:
M&P9 Pro with fibre optic front sight - impressed, heavy but very smooth. The weight probably helped keep recoil to a minimum.
Sig P238 with night sights - I didn't expect to like this gun when I picked it up, but I like it a lot. 50 rounds went by really fast and easy.

It's cool to see new ranges open, and this is a great place. Like Vantage Point in Kasota, the facility is a good 2 hour drive for me, but that's why I have a car, right?

Anybody else been there yet?

No but..As For the M&P ‘Pro Series’ I recently traded into one and was very pleased with the out of the box shooter, that is after the First 50 rounds that were rough in a couple of ways (no dough how it became mine) keeps right up with 75D.

[Eric Marleau]

I'm the RO on the Thursday Bowling Pin Leagues, and folks are having a great time.

We have four lanes set up with pins, and four more lanes set up to shoot paper targets.

This way shooters get much more shooting time instead of just standing in line waiting to shoot pins.

Shooters switch off between the bowling pins and the targets (if they choose) so all the folks get a lot of shooting in.



Eric

[PRS]

whats the bowling pin shoot like?

[Eric Marleau]

Each lane with the pins are at different yardage. That is about it. We do have shooters set their own pins, so I am able to stay back at the shooting line taking care of things.
When I call a cease-fire, all firearms are unloaded with actions open and all shooters are well back of the firing line so there is no chance of any problems. I make sure that every shooter is on the same page as far as the Range Safety Rules go.

All comments to Ben have been very positive, with shooters having a good time.

Eric

[IDPA Shooter]

Eric:

Thanks for the description, a few more questions:

1) Hours and cost of the league

2) How many pins total do we need to knock down ( I understand the # of rds will vary, just like the Steel Shoot)

3) How long does it typically take

Its a 2 hour round trip for me and just trying to understand what is involved

[Dakotared]

I plan on getting there this Thursday, wanted to the last 2 weeks now just was unable to make it. When I talked to Ben I believe he said it goes 6-9 for $15. Not sure on scoring.

[Spike]

Is the real name "Lakes Trading Company"? Google is failing me for Lakes Training Center.

http://www.gunsforestlake.com/

[Dakotared]

Is the real name "Lakes Trading Company"? Google is failing me for Lakes Training Center.

http://www.gunsforestlake.com/

Yes that's the place.

[dcam]

My google fu didnt work well either, so I called them and got this. Lots of good info about the place here.

http://www.lakestradingco.com/


Their Youtube bowling demo:

[Spike]

Are all matches revolver, pistol, rifle?

[Eric Marleau]

I have to be honest with you folks, right now, the shooting is not exactly that way.
This is how it will be, but as of now, shooters are taking turns shooting at any of the four lanes where the pins are.
With the amount of people, I'm asking them to work with each other and take turns shooting pins.
As I stated, the lanes between the pins are being used for shooting paper targets for those who wish to keep shooting.
It sounds like Ben is coming up with a final league plan, but for now, it is basically shooting the pins and setting them up again.
You will leave having a great time, and will have shot all that you will want to shoot.
Nothing complicated about shooting the pins thus far.

A good time to beat the crowd is not to get there too early but to "shoot" for the last hour and a half of shooting time. I seems to slow down at around 8:00pm. Just a suggestion.

Again, folks are having a good time.

Hope this helps a little.

Eric