Burnsville Pistol Range

[XDM45]

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.

Good to know. I'll probably go with the in-class portion of it vs. the online method. According to their site, they were the first to offer said course in MN once the C&C law passed in 2003.

[jshuberg]

Maybe the few times I've been there have been the exception, but I really don't like the place.

I think I've been there maybe a dozen times over the years, and I can honestly say that more than half of them there was an equipment problem I had to suffer through. Mostly target carriers that get stuck, causing me to wait for another lane to open up. The last time I was there was when doing the range portion for my NRA instructor cert. I was put on a lane where the cable running out to the target carrier was literally hanging 1/3rd of the way down in front of the silhouette target. I actually had to shoot low so as not to hit the cable in front of my target. When I brought it up I was told that there were a limited number of lanes for the class and we just had to deal with it.

I understand that the equipment is used hard, and can malfunction from time to time, but the frequency at which it happens at BPR just seems to be *way* more often than it should. By way of comparison I've been to Bills in Robbinsdale literally thousands of times over the years, and while I've seen lanes that are down due to mechanical problems, I've never had one go down on me while I was using it, or been assigned a lane that's known to be unsat. The same can be said of other ranges I've been to, no where near the mechanical problems I've experienced at BPR.

Again, maybe it's just that the suns and the moons and the planets have always aligned badly for me there, but when I pay to go to shoot somewhere I expect a clean and functional facility for my money.

My $0.02...

[ree]

...
Again, maybe it's just that the suns and the moons and the planets have always aligned badly for me there, but when I pay to go to shoot somewhere I expect a clean and functional facility for my money.

My $0.02...

It sounds like dumb luck. The only time I've seen malfunctioning equipment in my 10 years of going there is when someone shot one of the hanging lights mounts and it was swinging around.

[XDM45]

...
Again, maybe it's just that the suns and the moons and the planets have always aligned badly for me there, but when I pay to go to shoot somewhere I expect a clean and functional facility for my money.

My $0.02...

It sounds like dumb luck. The only time I've seen malfunctioning equipment in my 10 years of going there is when someone shot one of the hanging lights mounts and it was swinging around.

Yeah, I have to agree that it's dumb luck. BPR is a great place, but I also only started going there in April, so I lack the time in that many others have there. I know what you mean though.... I've had some stuff just go wrong every time I go to do something..... like find ammo at Woally World. I SWEAR the ammo elves hide there and as soon as the staff unloads the ammo from the truck, the elves eat it all before I can buy it. I stopped in there 2 days ago and scored a small stash. YEAH ME!!

[jshuberg]

Enough people love the place that I guess I have to admit that it's probably just me, and one of those unexplainable mysteries of the universe kind of things.

It's kinda like canoeing down Minnehaha creek. I've tried it 3 times, and all 3 times I've sprung a leak. Sometimes the gods just throw weird stuff at you to go wrong for no other reason than to see you shake your fist at the sky.

[XDM45]

Enough people love the place that I guess I have to admit that it's probably just me, and one of those unexplainable mysteries of the universe kind of things.

It's kinda like canoeing down Minnehaha creek. I've tried it 3 times, and all 3 times I've sprung a leak. Sometimes the gods just throw weird stuff at you to go wrong for no other reason than to see you shake your fist at the sky.

Does your magazine go to 11?

[Parkerized]

I have a different take. Perhaps it will be helpful.

The range is safe, well maintained, comfortable and convenient. The hours are short. When most outdoor ranges are closed until 9 or 10am it would be good to shoot before work, but I could be alone here.

I have been to the range many times with mixed results. The one constant is the surly attitude of the staff. This is not uncommon mind you, I have shot or tried to shoot at many ranges across the country and found most to be cool at first, at best. This is understandable, but not acceptable. Like police officers (I was once sworn), a person responsible for the behavior of others must hold a certain amount of respect. Most respect others without overbearing, visceral, berating. A friendly reminder for the obviously skilled and a little tutoring for the uninformed would go a long way to promote the shooting sport and the range itself.

I have received "instruction" from said crew, on an occasion or two and found it quite insulting. Disregarding the fact that I have been NRA certified to instruct on various weapons, shooting since 1966 and "bring my own guns", there is really no excuse to be rude, overbearing or surly. This attitude is non-professionals and makes me want to ask the offender "Does your dad own this place? I guess if "they know you" you can get a break. I don't know them, and feel it would be hard to get it done.

Perhaps they saw me giggling when I shot my 1911?

I know there are safety concerns, I know there are equipment concerns. I don't want to own a shooting range or a gun shop. But if I did, all human beings would be welcome the first time. They would get a free smile every time they came in and they would have fun every time or I would know why.

I like people who like guns. All kinds of guns. If it goes bang, I want to shoot it. If we take responsibility for other shooters, staff would not have to get involved (better in this instance). We would all be safe and happy.

I usually prefer to shoot alone, but as I get older understand my responsibility to promote my sport to others. If you will only shoot with other experienced shooters, join a league.

I am sure that the folks who own and operate Burnsville Gun Range are good people - like most gunnys - but an attitude adjustment is in order.

Safety and fun are not mutually exclusive.

[LarryFlew]

Not really on my way to anywhere so I have only been there a few times but each time was treated well by the staff. Nice range and equipment. No hassles about recovering your own brass.

[patrick]

Been shooting at BPR for a long time.They do transfers for $20.00.It used to do them for free,but were doing sooooo many Roger figured he'd start charging for it to slow it down.He still does just as many.I love the BPR,though I did have a membership to the range down in Webster and I must say that shooting outdoors is much nicer.Plus they have 50,100,and 200 yard ranges which is nice for rifles.

[patrick]

I forgot,Roger (the owner) is a manufacturer of machine guns and on occasion has a machine gun night (bring ammo and rent a machine gun to shoot).Ask him about it when you're in there.