New range in Brainerd at Fleet Farm

[FJ540]

http://brainerddispatch.com/news/2012-0 ... proved-too

Should be interesting to see how it does, since most townships have no regulations against shooting guns and there are numerous public venues which are free for all.

Archery Country has a big archery range in their new store up there, which has been open about 6 months now.

[goatroper]

I know it's a bit of a pipe dream, but, would be pretty cool if they put
one in at the new Fleet Farm going up in Chaska.

[FJ540]

This one is going to replace a bowling alley that closed last year. It's not in the same building as the retail store, but across the street from it.

[shooter115]

Sweet......The man's mall just took it to a whole new level. Now if you could only pick up a choice thick slab of ribeye and a 6 pack it would be close to heaven

[goett047]

Kiss Gouger Mtn's ass goodbye

[photogpat]

Price will be the deciding factor. My parent's live 25 minutes north of there - and until recently our shooting options were to pay $20/head and shoot at the "trap range" by Pequot...basically $20 to shoot in the neighboring gravel pit. Or drive 5 minutes up the road from my folks and shoot for free on Forest Service Land. Given the choice, for me and my brother, we'll hit the Forest Service land and spend $40 on ammo and beer (for afterwards).

Now, on a nice -20F day like today -- an indoor range could do quite well...but I think they'll suffer in the nicer weather unless they have some type of draw to get people to come. Its just too easy to hit the "back 40" or the public land for free.

[DanM]

I agree with Pat that city folk need indoor ranges because country folk will hit the 'back 40'.

I took my boys to Wild Acres near Pequot last summer when we were at a resort on Whitefish. Was just going to have fun plinking in the gravel pit when Mary mentioned she could instruct the boys in trap shooting. We discussed it a little further and it turns out she has been a state champion trap shooter! So we did. She is a very good instructor. My boys did better than I did on the last round of trap.

There is a 100 yard rifle range, but it needed mowing that day. So we went to the gravel pit and shot. The beauty of the gravel pit is the flexibility. We shot pistols, .22 rimfire rifles, and centerfire rifles at the (different) distances we wanted to. And we had the whole place to ourselves. I thought that $20 a head seemed a bit much on the way there but we had so much time, freedom, and space that I thought it was worth it after all.

The boys have asked to go back and do it again this summer. Not sure how an indoor range can compete with that.

[photogpat]

I agree with Pat that city folk need indoor ranges because country folk will hit the 'back 40'.

I took my boys to Wild Acres near Pequot last summer when we were at a resort on Whitefish. Was just going to have fun plinking in the gravel pit when Mary mentioned she could instruct the boys in trap shooting. We discussed it a little further and it turns out she has been a state champion trap shooter! So we did. She is a very good instructor. My boys did better than I did on the last round of trap.

There is a 100 yard rifle range, but it needed mowing that day. So we went to the gravel pit and shot. The beauty of the gravel pit is the flexibility. We shot pistols, .22 rimfire rifles, and centerfire rifles at the (different) distances we wanted to. And we had the whole place to ourselves. I thought that $20 a head seemed a bit much on the way there but we had so much time, freedom, and space that I thought it was worth it after all.

The boys have asked to go back and do it again this summer. Not sure how an indoor range can compete with that.

Mary, I had forgotten her name...absolutely for a full round of trap Wild Acres is worth it if you don't already have a thrower and clays...but $20/head to shoot in a gravel pit? I can name 5 pits within 30 minutes of there where you can shoot for free with COMPLETE flexibility!

[FJ540]

I have to drive past the pit to get to FF from my place. Then there's the fact my land is 8x larger than the pit.

I'm sure they'll do well with the weekend city crowd, but as others have said - there's not a lot of locals who'd venture much past their porch if they weren't so inclined.

[Seismic Sam]

Still, FF opening up an indoor range is kind of a ground breaking thing, with their expansion into selling guns and having a good supply of ammo at a REASONABLE price. In this damn recession, it's not like there aren't various empty store fronts near commercial areas where FF's have their stores.

[dleong]

Would it be unrealistic to expect the FF in Lakeville to follow suit shortly?

[hornswaggle]

It will be interesting to see if they do this at other locations. I like how they are expanding the guns and accessories and I hope it's profitable enough for them to keep it up.

[ex-LT]

Would it be unrealistic to expect the FF in Lakeville to follow suit shortly?

Personally, I don't see it happening for a couple of reasons.

1. Lack of empty commercial space nearby
2. Local competition (BPR & GM)


I think it would be more likely to see something of that order in the (under construction) Carver location.

[plink]

I know it's a bit of a pipe dream, but, would be pretty cool if they put
one in at the new Fleet Farm going up in Chaska.

What a beautiful dream though. Wonder if they'll give range coupons with every store purchase like they do with gas.

[Pezhead]

To bad they aren't building one in Shakopee. Big building is available.