My view from the range at Bill's in Robbinsdale today

View · by **XDM45** on Fri Feb 01, 2013 4:46 pm

Snakeman721 wrote:Many, MANY years ago (1975) I worked retail at the Woolworth's in Northtown (remember Woolworth's?). Back then they had a sporting goods department and sold long guns (no handguns). I had one customer with his son bring back a Winchester model 190 .22 rifle because he said it wasn't working. The FIRST thing I did was pull back the bolt and wouldn't you know it, out pops a live, unfired .22 round from the chamber. Yep, they're out there. douches walking into stores with a loaded cocked and locked firearms! Hmmmm, I can't remember if we exchanged his rifle or not.

I'm a douche! I walk into stores, banks, all sorts of places with a loaded gun locked and loaded ready to go. It's in my holster though, so at least I'm a safe douche

View · by **Snakeman721** on Fri Feb 01, 2013 6:55 pm

XDM45 wrote:
Snakeman721 wrote:Many, MANY years ago (1975) I worked retail at the Woolworth's in Northtown (remember Woolworth's?). Back then they had a sporting goods department and sold long guns (no handguns). I had one customer with his son bring back a Winchester model 190 .22 rifle because he said it wasn't working. The FIRST thing I did was pull back the bolt and wouldn't you know it, out pops a live, unfired .22 round from the chamber. Yep, they're out there. douches walking into stores with a loaded cocked and locked firearms! Hmmmm, I can't remember if we exchanged his rifle or not.

I'm a douche! I walk into stores, banks, all sorts of places with a loaded gun locked and loaded ready to go. It's in my holster though, so at least I'm a safe douche

Haha...yeah, after the .22 round hit the counter, the customer said he didn't know it was loaded....DUH! At least he brought it back in it's original box. Not like he walked in the store brandishing the rifle outright.

View · by **aht_six** on Fri Feb 01, 2013 9:08 pm

goett047 wrote:Metro Gun Club in Blaine will rent I believe. Call to see what kind of selection he has though.

Unless things have changed drastically over the last few years, Bill's is much cleaner, warmer and better lit than Metro. When it was busy, you could taste the air.

View · by **sgruenhagen44** on Fri Feb 01, 2013 9:12 pm

aht_six wrote:
goett047 wrote:Metro Gun Club in Blaine will rent I believe. Call to see what kind of selection he has though.

Unless things have changed drastically over the last few years, Bill's is much cleaner, warmer and better lit than Metro. When it was busy, you could taste the air.

IIRC they only rent shotguns. Used to be a memeber

View · by **sgruenhagen44** on Fri Feb 01, 2013 9:15 pm

By the way... Good post. I feel like this is more effective than contacting management. My father is an actuary so safety has always been priority. I would like to start seeing Gun ranges booting people as soon as they screw up. At times like these we don't need any more bad press of accidental shootings. Load at the firing line keep it pointed in a safe direction. Seems simple enough to me.

View · by **Brunsi** on Sat Feb 02, 2013 12:37 am

I went there once years ago and there was nothing about the place that made me ever want to go back, bad vibe? I don't know I cant really pin it down to anything and like I said it was years ago. I have the opposite feeling when I have gone to BPR, Again I cant pin it down to anything I just feel it is a very safe and well run range.

View · by **sgruenhagen44** on Sat Feb 02, 2013 12:48 am

Brunsi wrote:I went there once years ago and there was nothing about the place that made me ever want to go back, bad vibe? I don't know I cant really pin it down to anything and like I said it was years ago. I have the opposite feeling when I have gone to BPR, Again I cant pin it down to anything I just feel it is a very safe and well run range.

Agreed. Only been to BPR 3 times I think, but the shooters there seem to be more knowledgeable. I think it stems from the fact that you can't rent guns there.

View · by **Mn01r6** on Sat Feb 02, 2013 1:09 am

sgruenhagen44 wrote:By the way... Good post. I feel like this is more effective than contacting management.

I think it is a disservice to a very valued and supportive member of the shooting community to trash them on a public forum without giving them a chance to respond to your concerns privately first.

I contacted them about a rather trivial gripe a few days ago and it was remedied almost instantaneously.

View · by **sgruenhagen44** on Sat Feb 02, 2013 1:22 am

Well the OP said he approached them and said something in person.. They told him to not worry about it. I have never been to Robbinsdale and it will continue to stay that way. In my experience, the ROs at Circle Pines are very safe in everything they do. There are enough stupid people sweeping me at the range. I don't need the ROs doing it too. Yes he could have just contacted management but ya don't really know if that would solve anything. For all we know the guy in the picture posted might be a forum member... If he is I bet he will never lay a tommy gun down on the table again uncased. If I ever sweep anyone at the range or do anything stupid for that matter, please by all means post pictures of me doing it. Or at least post pictures of me doing at after I tell you to leave me alone to my unsafe gun handling.

I'm about safety. They are the "professionals" they should set an example. In my mind this whole thread should not exist. But it does.

View · by **sgruenhagen44** on Sat Feb 02, 2013 1:23 am

Thunder71 wrote:I would 'think' the manager would know about multiple full auto weapons being brought to a firing line, but that's just me.

View · by **walstien** on Sat Feb 02, 2013 11:22 am

I'm done. Going to soccer, then the range.

Shoot straight fellas!

View · by **wrench** on Sat Feb 02, 2013 12:40 pm

I just feel that everyone at a range is somewhat of a range officer while they are there and should always help out people that are new to the sport with out talking down to them.

This.

I shoot at OGC all the time, and at Bill's occasionally. There are boobs and newbies both places. A gentle correction goes a long ways towards welcoming people to our sport.
Maybe that newby that just rented a gun at Bill's, is scared to death, and would be very grateful for a few pointers. Sure, they could have taken a class first, or asked someone they know that knows guns, unless they don't know any...

Back to the OP-inexcusable to have that Thompson laying on the back bench like that, as any of us would get yelled at or tossed.
I believe Bill's is a quality operation, I'll give them a chance to fix their problems.

View · by **Snowgun** on Sat Feb 02, 2013 2:10 pm

If you need to quick check a zero or sight in a rifle when its cold as hell and you dont have a membership to a private club bills and bpr are lifesavers.

Bills provides a great service to the shooting community. While i still think they need an RO in the bays at all times when it is busy, they do their best.

View · by **Sarge_44** on Sat Feb 02, 2013 3:00 pm

Want to head to Robbinsdale tonight and shoot my sr9 for the first time. Only problem is that I just have steel case. What are the chances I will be able to get some ammo there?

Liberal Gun Owner

View · by **Lunchbox** on Sat Feb 02, 2013 3:05 pm

Sarge_44 wrote:Want to head to Robbinsdale tonight and shoot my sr9 for the first time. Only problem is that I just have steel case. What are the chances I will be able to get some ammo there?

Liberal Gun Owner

Chances are good to find ammo there. The steel case is fine. The problem is the wait. Just went through the range, they're at an hour+ wait right now and it doesn't usually let up. Tomorrow evening may be a better bet.