Had a wonderful brunch at "The Lodge" in Robbinsdale today, and followed up by taking my 2 special women in my life, my mom, and wife, to the range after.
For indoor ranges, I've never been more impressed than Burnsville Range. I've shot at Bills a few times before, and never had a very bad experience, but their lack of lane supervision (especially on newer shooters) and cost kept me away. Today, their service has kept me away for good.
Lane Sharing
My wife and Mom were going to shoot with me... they were going to take turns, so there would only be 2 people in the lane at any time. I still had to pay for 3 shooters. I guess I can understand this... but it certainly is not a very customer centric policy. 2 people on the line, is 2 people on the line.
Their prices confuse me too... $20 for one shooter, $10 for a second, and $15 for a 3rd?
Buy Cardboard and tape.
I had brought targets, but I find the fact that they can't supply cardboard (especially with the restaurant) ridiculous.
Pay for renting eyes and ears.
You really can't build this into your operating costs?
No aluminium cased ammo.
I didn't have any idea why they would do this, other than they are too lazy to separate brass. This policy annoys me. He made me present all my ammo, and then insisted it wouldn't be enough, and tried to sell me more... repeatedly.
So before I even get shooting, I'm out the same as 2/3rds of my annual dues at the gun club.
3 shooters - $45
Cardboard - $2
Glasses - $1
Muffs - $1
$49 + tax
Lets take this and compare it to Burnsville Range:
3 Shooters - $24 ($14+$5+$5)
Cardboard - Free
Tape - Free
Glasses - Free
Muffs - Free
$24 + tax
But whatever... It's mother's day... I'll spend the cash.
No paper plates?!?
So about 10 mins into shooting with Kirstie... The older range officer comes in and says: "You can't use paper plates in here"
"You've got to be kidding", I replied.
He said, "Owner's policy, I don't make the rules"
I asked why?
he replied "It doesn't look good"
Not wanting to argue with him on the line, we took the plates down... Shot up the cardboard. (More on this later)
No picking up brass?
As Kirstie was transitioning out, and my Mom was coming in, RO comes in again with the broom, and sweeps away the brass I was collecting. I informed him that I was a reloader, and wanted to brass back. He replied, "Once it hits the floor, it's our brass"
Now I'm just wanting to leave... but I stick with it for mom, who was coming up.
Mom comes in, and things go fine.
Paper plate saga continues...
Once in the lobby, I asked why the paper plates were banned, and if they didn't allow customer to bring in targets.
The same RO said customer targets are allowed but "If you start shooting paper plates, next you will bring in napkins. There is a difference between a backwoods home range, and a professional firing line"
I replied, "Right, only the professional ranges have targets with Zombies eating porn stars" pointing to this target that they sell:
RO walked away.
I'm furious at this point. I take a card, and leave. Plan on following up with John M. later.. but there is little he can say that would make me want to set foot in there.
For the record.. Burnsville is obviously a non-professional range, as they let you shoot alum. ammo, pick up your brass, and shoot just about any paper targets you want.... The only time you will hear from Roger or Sue is if there is a safety concern.
Venting done... I know there are good people that work there, and good people that love it... But, today was just completely uncalled for.
. 
I'll get over it.
