Last Chance Tactical/Carry Depot

[cforberg]

Hi everybody, I've been reading the forum for some time, and really appreciate the solid info found here.

I'm sure that many of you know Jerry at the Carry Depot (http://www.carrydepot.com) and may or may not have participated in his Last Chance Tactical events in the past. For those that haven't, you may never get the chance.

My wife and I stopped into his shop last weekend and had a nice time visiting with Jerry and Pam (also picked up a G22 and G19 at VERY reasonable prices!), and he mentioned that the LCT may not be held this year, due to cost increases for insurance, and the fact that a few volunteers had to run all of the stations and did not get a fair opportunity to shoot. He may have to raise the price from $35 or so to over $50 just to break even. I, for one, would be willing to pay the added premium, but Jerry has really not had much response from his previous attendees to see if it is worth carrying on with the event.

My wife and I attended for the first time last summer, and were welcomed as old friends. It was a great, family friendly, experience, low pressure- just fun shooting and fellowship with like-minded people. In fact, my wife was so comfortable, she went to an event without me! For a short 2 hour drive to the rural Alexandria area, you will get lots of fun shooting at tactical-type targets...It's a super fun day!

I'd hate to see this go away. Please, if you are interesed or attended in the past, let Jerry know. If you are willing to spend and hour or two running one of the stations, whatever. I intend to cross post this on some other forums, please feel free to do the same.

I'm no expert, but happy to chat or answer questions to my limited ability...clintf (at) rticorp (dot) com.

ps- His prices are outstanding, and has wide array of holsters and guns. I encourage you all to give him a call or email before your next purchase!
pps- I don't work for him!

[tt3]

I've been to a couple now and second everything you say. It is always a lot of fun.
Heck, even driving out there just to buy a couple guns is worth it!

[ttousi]

I don't know about that guy..........he does very well at emptying my pockets every time I go see him.

Just kidding. You are right on...........Jerry is a great guy to deal with and very good prices. I even checked hammAR out of the home one day and got him up there.

My schedule is always tough to accommodate a weekend day but I would try again to make it happen.

Welcome to the forum!

[nyffman]

After meeting Jerry for the first time last fall, and, yeah, he did lighten my pockets some, but not as much as I added to my gun safe, these events better be held, or I'm going to feel like I missed out.

[cforberg]

thanks for the responses...I'm not sure if Jerry reads this board or not, but I encourage anyone interested to contact him and let him know if you are interested in the event continuing.

clint

[ttousi]

thanks for the responses...I'm not sure if Jerry reads this board or not, but I encourage anyone interested to contact him and let him know if you are interested in the event continuing.

clint

He reads and posts occasionally.........you know how it is with old guys.....forgetful and all

[jerry45]

I don't get to spend much time on the forums anymore as I'm swamped with sales and training (just came back from a 5 day training gig in Duluth). Based on very little response to an email I sent to about 200 interested individuals last October, it is quite clear that 95%+ of those 200 feel that the $35 fee charged in 2008 was a fair price and that a price increase would probably result in a decrease in participation. Since very few people responded saying that $50-$60 would NOT be out of line, I have to assume that $50-$60 is, in fact, too much for the event. This revelation is MY problem and not that of the participant! Even at a $50-$60 price tag, I would have to count on 8-12 volunteers to man an event. We have had a good number of people who have indicated that they would "help out when they could" but what we really need is a more firm committment to the season. My main partner, of last year, has already indicated that he would not be available to the extent he was in 2008. I think we all have hobbies that we try to squeeze into Minnesota's short summer and I, likewise, would like to spend more time traveling and on the motorcycle. In my opinion, Last Chance was one heck of a lot of fun and we had no problem with participation in terms of acquiring the limit of 30-35 participants to participate. However, without a increase in revenue plus some committed partners (especially instructors), I don't see a way for Last Chance Tactical to continue. Bottom line, I made a significant investment into ranges, target systems and facilities that did not appear to be of much value to participants. This, again, was due to my poor judgement of what represented "value". I certainly do not, in retrospect, feel the venture to have been a waste as I, personally, had a lot of fun and got to meet a lot of great people. We never had one instance of where someone indicated that they were not having a GREAT TIME. My thanks goes out to all of the participants, the volunteers, and the instructors for giving me such a fun experience!

Jerry

[ttousi]

pick a date and I'll see what I can do

[hammAR]

....all I need is date, time, and coordinates................


...and iced Patron, cigar, and a place to crash.........

[rtk]

I'm in.

[Stradawhovious]

I have no idea what I might have to offer in my limited experience, but anything I can do I will do, even if it's just setting targets and being waterboy. Let me know what the dates are, and how I can be of service. If Im free, I'm there.

[tt3]

If Jerry could extend this thing maybe one or two events, with volunteers like the above, it would be super cool. I was one of the guys who said "maybe" since I just don't know my wife's call schedule for weekends in the summer. The fun part is, if we know well enough in advance we can finagle into something. Val and I are for whatever we can do to help if she can get it off.

We've both been to several of his Last Chances and thoroughly enjoyed them. Ambush alley is absolutely worth the drive alone. Add the other courses of fire and the plate tourney at the end and you've got yourself a great way to pass a weekend day!

[westberg]

If the dates work out for us, Dawn and I are always happy to drive somewhere for the some shooting and good company. Sam you will have to keep you eye on hammAR and ttousi...........

[deleted]

Just to be clear this is not a Tactifun event it is Jerry’s Last Chance Tactical Shooting event.

I along with a dozen or so others were volunteers at all three of last years events. It was great fun and I would love to see it run again this year. I think the issue is revenue more than manpower. Jerry is big hearted and gave incredible discounts for ammo, equipment , enterance fees and even firearms. What we need to commit to is ensuring the event is self supported not a financial burden to Jerry. So we need to pay more and go more often and bring a friend or two as well. And ofcourse Jerry has to want to do it too.

[macphisto]

I have no credentials, but do have some shooting experience and love to yell at people.

If you've got enough volunteers, I'll happily pay $60 to attend.