New range in Brainerd at Fleet Farm

[photogpat]

The one up in Brooklyn Park has plenty of space around it...

[plblark]

They could almost use Brookdale except that's a bit of a drive and the neighborhood doesn't help.

[dismal]

I'll put my dream in for Rochester...

sent from my droid.

[DeanC]

They could almost use Brookdale except that's a bit of a drive and the neighborhood doesn't help.

There's no such thing as Brookdale.

Actually an award winning gun shop and range nearly relocated to within a half mile of the old Brookdale site.

[FJ540]

I wish they had, it'd be much closer to me.

Brookdale is now wally world under construction. They demolished most of it.

[2in2out]

I think that's very cool, and hopefully a sign of things to come for Fleet Farm. To those of you that can shoot on your own property, I'm envious!

Still, I belong to a gun club about 10 miles away for something like $20/year. That's an awesome deal, except when it's -20 or raining. I'd love to have an indoor range within that distance where I could go when I don't want to shoot outside. I also like to try out different firearms, and an indoor range is a great place to do that.

[Dave Timm]

Hey Guys,

Ok, all wishes and dreams documented and Ill see what I can do but no promises . The range project has been a fun project for quite some time now, I have seen the plans and been involved with some planning and can say this is going to be a great facility. While we know a lot of folks in our area have back yard ranges we are also planning to have leagues, competitions, training, and more to offer things for our local customers. Sure some visitors will use the range passing through etc, but we want this to be great for our shooting community. Sorry I didn't respond sooner, just got back from SHOT and am catching up on the forums.

Let me know if I can answer any questions, and yes prices for range time and ammo will be very reasonable!
Take care,
Dave

[FJ540]

Dave, can you get them to stop bagging the handgun ammo? Walmart doesn't even make you go through that.

Care to tell us what the facility will include? Specifics - number of bays, ranges, what the archery stuff will look like?

Also, are you just using the bowling alley's building, or will this be a tear down and fresh start?

[Dave Timm]

Actually the handgun bagging issue came out at a discussion at the show. It goes back to the time of when the registers didn't prompt the buyer to confirm age, so basically it was Fleet Farms way of confirming age requirements had been met. I think the might be updating or changing soon but that's not my area so I don't have any more info. I know I hear about that issue alot and so has management.

As far as the range the firearms side will be rifle/pistol, 50 yards with alot of bays. Don't know the exact number yet off hand. The archery side will be 40 yards and we are still researching archery target systems. It won't be a complete rebuild but I can tell you if you knew the current building you won't recognize it when it's done.

Thanks for your questions,
Dave

[Joe]

I bought some 9mm at fleetfarm in Lakeville today. Waited at the counter for help only to find out that they had moved most of it to the shelves where I could help myself.

They said that there had been a policy change and soon it would all be "help yourself"

[tullibee]

Hey Dave,

Any idea on the timeline for the range project? Any chance you'd like to show off your operation if a couple of us wanted to meet up in Brainerd one of these days for a quick tour?

Other Brainerd area guys - I guess I hadn't realized how many of us are in the area! (now that I moved back up... hadn't paid enough attention I guess)

Jon

[Ivan45]

The bagging really turned me off of buying handgun ammo from Fleet Farm, that was an annoying and time consuming process! That policy needs to go away...

[Dave Timm]

I know they are working on the handgun ammo thing, I know it can be a drag, but your patience truly is appreciated. As far as tours etc go, permits have just been approved and we don't have a hard opening date yet. Once more info is available I'll let you know. I would love to do a Brainerd meet up though, once we have the range open that's one thing, but I love meeting up with people who want to check out our rifles as well.
Once I know more ill keep you updated, some stuff is still in the planning stages and other stuff is still being kept internal while things progress. Hope you understand, Mills wants to see everything done right so it can be the best facility it can be.

Take care guys,
Dave

[dleong]

I was over at the Lakeville FF last Saturday with a friend who does not handload. He purchased two boxes of the 100-count WWB 9mm ammo. Per previous experience, we were expecting the boxes to be bagged and tagged at the counter, but the salesperson just told him to bring them straight to the cashier.

[photogpat]

FF's handgun ammo policy was for compliance with MN law -- right?

It is a petty misdemeanor to display handgun ammunition for
sale to the public in a manner that makes the ammunition
directly accessible to minors who are not employees or
agents of the store, unless the ammunition is under
observation by store employees or the store takes reasonable
steps to exclude minors from the vicinity of the ammunition
display. Ammunition that is displayed in an enclosed
display case or behind a counter is not directly accessible to
minors. Minn. Stat. § 609.663

..or is this the operative portion thats been re-examined by FF management:
" unless the ammunition is under observation by store employees "