Burnsville Pistol Range

[XDM45]

I know for the old hats on here, this isn't a new place or probably even news; but while I'm not new to guns, I'm new to the local ranges, so here's my experience and viewpoint on the Burnsville Pistol Range (BPR).

The Pros:

1) The staff is professional, nice, and has zero-tolerance for unsafe behavior / b.s. from what I've seen. That's the way it should be everywhere.

2) It's only a gun range. Period. BPR is NOT a gun shop PLUS a range, which is great for those of us who just want to shoot and not shop. Adding to that, while there is a need for a gun shop plus range for trying and buying weapons; there's also room for range-only businesses to survive and thrive. When I shop for guns, I go to Bill's Gun Shop and Range in Robbinsdale, but when I go to shoot, I go to BPR.

3) Related to 2 above, BPR does not rent firearms. I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY (did I mention how much I REALLY) like that. Why do I like it so much? Well, I like it because you don't (usually) get people at BPR who fall into the "Hey let's go rent-a-gun and blow some sh*t up!!" crowd. If there is something like that which happens there, it's often due to an untrained / unaware gun owner or a companion of an untrained / unaware gun owner.

I know that no range or gun shop/range could survive if only trained shooters could go there, but I think at least in theory, that it'd be a great idea if all of the range-only places got together and developed a training class with certification that you had to complete before you could shoot at one of the participating ranges. It would not guarantee safety, but it would help promote it and help eliminate the whiz-bang-shoot'em-up-rent-a-gun crowd from the range-only places. The various ranges could handle everything, it would need to have the guv'ment involved at the city, county or state level.

I did catch someone loading a gun behind the firing line (he felt into the "an untrained / unaware gun owner" and I nicely explained that he needed to help the gun at the firing line pointed down-range while he loads on he table behind the firing line because no one felt like getting shot today. I only had to mention it once (and I'm surprised Roger or Sue didn't notice), but everything was cool about it. He saw I was firing my 22 and his didn't like the ammo, so he gave me a box of 50 rounds. In turn, I let him fire both my weapons.

4) In general, I like the overall vibe of the place. The prices are reasonable, the staff is knowledgeable, helpful and friendly.

5) I took some training with them and it was full of valuable information and non-fluff. At the end of the 2-day class, no one really had any questions. They really covered it pretty well with a very developed training program for the course I took. I would recommend their training classes and range to anyone, and I do.

6) I like their target holders, big metal V clamps vs just some alligator clips like I've seen at other ranges.

7) They don't charge you for the cardboard you have behind your cardboard like another range I went to does. BPR also supplies masking tape for the targets and they will sweep up the brass, while some other ranges you do that yourself. I don't know how the vast majority of ranges are because I've only been to a few, so I don't know what's normal and what isn't as far as those things go.

8) The memberships are very reasonably priced and well worth it.

The Cons:

1) It's nice that they have a rifle bay, but it costs them more money to run it due to damages, repairs and taxes, than it does to have it. It doesn't break-even, let alone profit for them. Hunters need a place to sight their rifles, true that, but they would have been better off adding more pistol range space.

2) I wish they had longer hours on Sunday, but that's not a big deal, it''s just that weekends are usually my only times to shoot.

3) They don't have an outdoor range. I'm sure it's because of being inside the city limits or some other laws, which I understand.

[Tromix-Saiga-12]

I actually prefer BPR for their rifle range. It seems like 90%+ customers only shoot handguns, so the rifle range is always wide open for us 'black rifle' nuts. But, I haven't been there in nearly a year

Just like any other place, there's still at least one douche-bag employee to tolerate though. No, I am not talking about Roger or Sue.

[TH3180]

I actually prefer BPR for their rifle range. It seems like 90%+ customers only shoot handguns, so the rifle range is always wide open for us 'black rifle' nuts. But, I haven't been there in nearly a year

Just like any other place, there's still at least one douche-bag employee to tolerate though. No, I am not talking about Roger or Sue.

I agree 100%. Except it's only been two days since I've been there.

[Iasca]

I did my carry qualify at BPR. I was impressed with the facility and the staff.

[MrVvrroomm]

Thanks for the review.

[Snowgun]

I just wish their rifle range when to 50 yrds instead of 46. what a pain in the ass when sighting in. Otherwise I like the place.

[XDM45]

I did my carry qualify at BPR. I was impressed with the facility and the staff.

When you did your C&C, was that with BPR itself? or did you someone else, but at BPR? I know Shade's Landing does their range time there for their C&C courses.

[XDM45]

@Tromix-Saiga-12
"Just like any other place, there's still at least one douche-bag employee to tolerate though. No, I am not talking about Roger or Sue."

@TH3180
Right on.... Send 'em downrange, mags full at a time. I hear ya. I wish I had 50 acres of land to go shooting on, I'd be at it every day. BPR is my next best thing.

@MrVvrroomm
You are most welcome.

@snowgun
I'm a pistol-only guy for now, so I'll take your word on that.

@All

I usually go on Saturdays, so if anyone ever wants to share a lane, let me know.

[ex-LT]

They don't have an outdoor range.

I seem to recall in another thread, you mentioned you are a veteran. If you're eligible for membership in the American Legion, there's an outdoor option (Post 435 Gun Club) available about 15 miles south of BPR, and I know for a fact that they're accepting applications for membership.

Check out the link. If you're interested in going down there some time, send me a PM. If I'm going to be heading down there, I'll make arrangements to meet you, and you can come as my guest.

[XDM45]

They don't have an outdoor range.

I seem to recall in another thread, you mentioned you are a veteran. If you're eligible for membership in the American Legion, there's an outdoor option (Post 435 Gun Club) available about 15 miles south of BPR, and I know for a fact that they're accepting applications for membership.

Check out the link. If you're interested in going down there some time, send me a PM. If I'm going to be heading down there, I'll make arrangements to meet you, and you can come as my guest.

Well, I consider myself a veteran, but the US Government doesn't. Long story, but here it goes.........

My recruiter screwed me and about 100 other people. He ended up doing god knows what to fill his quote (and for MEPS to fill their quota), so he ended up getting 25 years in Fort Leavenworth and I got the shaft. I wanted to join since age 12, joined at 17 in the DEP (Delayed Entry Program), I shipped down to Fort Skill, OK to become an Arty boy ( 13-Bravo / Artillery ). Apparently I had bad night vision (b.s. at age 18, but now, yeah, a bit) so I couldn't qualify with an M-16. Hours away from boot camp, I got yanked out and shipped home. Out of all the guys I joined with and shipped out with, I was one of four that went in full-time to the regular Army, not a weekend warrior. If you're going to do it, do it. Go big or go home, ya know? I was looking at a career, but I got ******. It's a sore point with me because I couldn't get a VA Home Loan since I served less than 180 days active duty. ( I did 31. )

I got my DD-214 with a medical discharge, I went in with my full intention of honoring the agreement, and I got ******. I don't care by who, why, or how, the US Government broke the agreement. I went in honorably, but their recruiter did so dishonestly. As far as I'm concerned, I held up my end of the bargin and should have at least SOME benefits. I'm not saying that I'm equal to those guys and gals that served for years, fought in wars, etc, but da*n it, I deserved better than I got.

I'm sorry for the rant, it's not you, and I appreciate the offer, but I probably don't qualify. I'd love to go, if I can/could that is.

There's also irony in this story because of what I do for my current job, but that's another story and one best told in person (at least what I can tell about it)

I love our troops, I support them. You guys and gals have all my love and respect. My father served in WWII, I have an uncle that was awarded the Silver Star, the 3rd highest honor in the US (2nd is Navy Cross, 1st is the CMOH), because he went into the filed of fire three times to save someone. You'd talk to him and he'd pick pieces of shrapnel out of his skin years after he got hit. The Germans threw everything at him.

We are not a perfect county, and freedom is not free. the price of freedom is paid for in the blood and suffering of a few so they many may have it. Once lost, freedom is never regained. The cost of doing so would be infinitely higher than first obtaining it.

Ok, end rant. I'm in a mood today, sorry. I'll shut up now.

[ex-LT]

It appears I touched on a sore subject. I'm sorry about the way you were treated.

My father served in WWII

While it appears you're not eligible for Legion membership, based on your father's service, it would appear that you are eligible for membership in the SAL (Sons of the American Legion), which would also qualify you for membership in the gun club.

[XDM45]

It appears I touched on a sore subject. I'm sorry about the way you were treated.

My father served in WWII

While it appears you're not eligible for Legion membership, based on your father's service, it would appear that you are eligible for membership in the SAL (Sons of the American Legion), which would also qualify you for membership in the gun club.

Man, no worries. You meant no offense or harm, and none was taken. We're all good. No need to be sorry. I just wish I could have served. There's no glory in war, but there is honor in defending your freedom. I'm 45 now, this was 27 years ago. I'm also having an odd day. Forgive me please.

Now as for the Sons of the American Legion, what proof do I need to provide? I'm also checking out a place that is also near here and outdoors, a bit further way from the metro.

[Iasca]

I did my carry qualify at BPR. I was impressed with the facility and the staff.

When you did your C&C, was that with BPR itself? or did you someone else, but at BPR? I know Shade's Landing does their range time there for their C&C courses.

Range time only w/ Shades Landing.

[XDM45]

I did my carry qualify at BPR. I was impressed with the facility and the staff.

When you did your C&C, was that with BPR itself? or did you someone else, but at BPR? I know Shade's Landing does their range time there for their C&C courses.

Range time only w/ Shades Landing.

Right on. That's my plan too. Did you do the online portion or in-class? I can see the pros and cons of both.

[Iasca]

Right on. That's my plan too. Did you do the online portion or in-class? I can see the pros and cons of both.

I did it online, though there are definitely cons of not being in a classroom for the material. I recommended Blue Line Defense to a friend of mine after I took their defensive handgun course a week or so ago. I'll likely tag along and take a look at their carry course. If its as thorough as defensive handgun I'll likely have quite a bit more peace of mind.

No experience beyond the range portion with Shades Landing. From what I hear, they have a comprehensive live carry class. Online is perfect for renewals, just didn't seem like "enough" for a first time class.