Hey Guys, Gals

[Peaux-Boy]

Hey all. I'm new to the board...new to Minneapolis...new to Minnesota...new to the Midwest....please, be gentle.

Recently moved from Texas - still adjusting. But it seems like you have a great group here. Any advice (firearm-related or otherwise) from locals is greatly appreciated...it doesn't even have to be that good - I'll take what I can get.

Any suggestions for quality ranges, shops, etc. in the Twin Cities area? I currently just have handguns to shoot (H&K, Glock) but am looking to add an auto-load shotgun to the mix...(ahem) if anybody is giving one away anytime soon....

[FirearmFan]

Welcome to the forum and the state. There are lots of gun shops in the area but in my opinion Gunstop in Minnetonka is probably the best. They have a large inventory, fair prices, and if you reload they have everything you need for that too. Other gunshops are going to be Frontiersman in St. Louis Park, Bill's in Robbinsdale and Circle Pines, plenty of Gander Mountains in the area, Cabelas in Rogers and Owatonna, Capra's in Blaine is pretty small but they have pretty good prices and a nice staff. As far as ranges there is Burnsville Pistol Range which I've never been to but many people here shoot there. Bill's Gun Shop & Range is very nice for an indoor range. The circle pines one has a 50 yard range while the robbinsdale one is only 25 yards. If you're into skeet/trap Metro Gun Club in Blaine is pretty nice but their pistol range kinda sucks. Further outside the cities there are many outdoor gun clubs that offer longer distances but most of them are private ranges for members. Oakdale, Elk River, Forrest Lake, Beaverbrook, Isanti, Harris all have ranges.

[bstrawse]

Welcome!

To the gun shop list, I'd also add joe's sporting goods in Roseville. Great place, good staff, decent prices.


b

[Paul]

Welcome to the board, and to Minnesota!

[Pat Cannon]

Welcome aboard! I spent a couple of years in Texas -- well not really, I was in the army at Ft. Hood, so kind of in a separate universe from normal life in Texas. I did get to experience the climate, though (we're usually having much more Texas-like weather here in late July, BTW). And I liked the Texans I did meet. Well, except one highway patrolman, but never mind that, that was totally my own fault.

So anyway, yeah, welcome. Starting a few years back when I bought my first handgun, I made myself a Google map of the ranges I knew about -- so here's that, hope you find it helpful.

The nice thing about Bill's, both locations, is that they're a store and a range and they have rentals. Gunstop is the place to go if you're into reloading, but it's a good gun store too.

If you're looking for advice and don't care if it's any good, you're definitely in the right place!

[westhope]

Welcome.

Probably the must see shooter's event in Minnesota is "Ahlman's Shooter's Round-Up". August 22 / 23. This is a hands on event. You can try most anyfirearm or drive a tank.

http://www.ahlmans.com/events.html

[Pat]

Welcome. I like your name. Minnesota was founded by the French, so you should feel at home.

A word to the wise: When there are Lutherans about, lock up the good silverware...

[Stradawhovious]

Welcome. I like your name.

I like the sandwich.

[Belgiboy]

Welcome. Nothing to be nervous about over here, people are generally nice and helpful. You came to a great state to have fun in: our deer are bigger and there is real fishing: Walleye, not bass.

[gman1868]

Welcome

[Peaux-Boy]

Thanks everybody for the welcome. And thanks for all the quality information, maps, and location tips...it sounds like I got a lot of exploring to do. I'm sure I'll get right on it.

[Bender]

Welcome

[Thunderjohn]

Welcome from Savage.

[ex-LT]

Welcome from Garage Logic.