Gander Mountain Academy in Lakeville

[EAJuggalo]

The wife and I went down to Lakeville to take a look at the new Gander Mountain Academy this morning. The simulators are very interesting in both the 180 degree and 300 degree variety, and if you got a couple people together the price isn't horrible. I'm not a big fan of being forced to disarm before going into the simulator area and having my sidearm sit in a basket in a closet. My wife is excited that she can work on handgun basics without the fear of live fire. The only options presently for the simulators are Beretta 92, Glock 22, 12 gauge and AR-15. I shot the Glock and it had about half the recoil of an actual 22.

There is also a virtual range that had about 8 lanes that were set up just like any other indoor range, same weapon limitations but otherwise a very nice set up.

Lastly, there is a live fire range with either five or six bays. Maximum shooting distance is 10 yards and they say their system will take anything up to .300 Win Mag. Holster work and movement are not allowed on the live fire range but if you have a holster for either of the simulator weapons you may work with those.

It seems that they are going to offer quite a few classes at about $100 each, none of them appealed to me, even less so when every other word out of our tour guides mouth was talking about "concealed carry courses." I did not ask about instructor credentials and who was actually teaching the courses.

I'll be going there with friends during the winter months to shoot on the virtual range and in the simulators but that will be about it. I walked through the firearm section and still laughed at what they were charging for both guns and ammo, so that hasn't changed one bit.

[mnmike59]

I shot the Glock and it had about half the recoil of an actual 22.

An actual .22 or G22? I'm assuming a G22.

[Paul]

How were the crowds today? Thinking about going tomorrow.

[goett047]

Disarm...I think not...let my gun out of sight like that...HELL NO

[tman]

Disarm...I think not...let my gun out of sight like that...HELL NO

I'd be really PISSED if someone brought a real firearm into a training simulator.

When we do our use of force and self-defense training, all real guns and ammo are left somewhere else.

Leave it in the car.

[RobD]

Leave it in the car.

+1, if it's not in my possession, it's lock where only I have access.

[goett047]

I don't disagree with you about not bringing it into a simulator, but I would much rather know I secured it MY way. On top of it all giving money to Gander is not exactly on my to do list.

[EAJuggalo]

An actual .22 or G22? I'm assuming a G22.

Yes, G22

[PileDriver]

I tried out both simulators about a week and a half ago, they're pretty cool. I don't see myself using them much, but they'll be nice once in a while. Shooting at fake steel in the winter is better than not at all, I suppose. I haven't used the range yet, seems alright at $25 for an hour and you don't pay for targets, and allows two people.

Went to the reopening yesterday, got a $10 gift card, a hat, and got autographs from Tony Oliva and Carl Pavano. Went to Fleet Farm later on during the day though, and it looked like a damn zoo at Gander.

[Snowgun]

I haven't used the range yet, seems alright at $25 for an hour and you don't pay for targets, and allows two people.
.

Allows for as many people as you want, though only 2 up at the firing line at a time. No reloads though...

[2in2out]

I thought about going up the grand reopening, but figured it would probably be a zoo. Might have to check that out next chance I get though. Sounds interesting.

[PileDriver]

I haven't used the range yet, seems alright at $25 for an hour and you don't pay for targets, and allows two people.
.

Allows for as many people as you want, though only 2 up at the firing line at a time. No reloads though...

Even better. And the latter seems standard for any indoor.

[TH3180]

I haven't used the range yet, seems alright at $25 for an hour and you don't pay for targets, and allows two people.
.

Allows for as many people as you want, though only 2 up at the firing line at a time. No reloads though...

Even better. And the latter seems standard for any indoor.

I shoot reloads at Burnsville all the time and Roger knows they're reloads. I have never shot at Bill's but I have never heard anything about reloads being a problem there either.

[PileDriver]

I shoot reloads at Burnsville all the time and Roger knows they're reloads. I have never shot at Bill's but I have never heard anything about reloads being a problem there either.

Oh. Cool.

[Pezhead]

Dad & stopped in on Saturday. It was very busy.