Bass Pro raises range fee again, I'm shooting elsewhere next time.

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It's too expensive. $12 an hour, and I stay for 2-3 hours
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That's what I'm wondering! Per hour? My local range is $12 unlimited (well, closing time I guess). I frequently show up mid-morning and leave mid-afternoon. Of course what I shoot is about 25% their over-priced ammo, to support their operation. That's not a requirement, but jeez, I actually saw some guys walk in last week with about 5 boxes of ammo...still in the plastic Wal-Mart bag!! The counter guy didn't say a word. I just couldn't do that...I sneak mine in, in my range bag...:o
 
An earlier poster mentioned Eagle Peak, which is where I shoot. It's about 15 miles from my house, $20 lifetime membership and $10 a day to shoot, bring your own ammo, no requirement to buy it there. True, they don't allow rapid fire, but neither do most ranges. It's clean, outdoors and offers three pistol distances. I get the complaints about rising prices, but having a nice place to take your guns is worth a few bucks to me.
 
I WISH - no public outdoor ranges and the 2 closest indoor ranges are an hour away and $18. Won't mention how busy they are in Winter in Minnesota.
 
Hey Grayson97

I hear you about rapid fire, but I was not truly firing "very rapidly". It just seemed that way compared to most there who were getting off about 1 shot per minute, or less, and tinkering with their rifles & scopes.

I didn't "Bonzai" the range, but was firing a magazine full (10 shots) in about 30 seconds. I just wanted to see how easy it was to reaquire the target and place an accurate shot in "relatively" quick succession. If you are under Indian attack, you don't have time to calibrate your weapon and put the distance and windage into a fire-control system and plot a firing solution. (I exaggerate to make a point).

Those that have fired an SKS know the muzzle does move on firing, but is quite controllable compared to heavier caliber rifles- especially if the sling is used properly. Since that was the first day I had fired it, or any rifle similar to it, I tried to vary the firing frequency to see how easy the weapon was to control.

Actually, it worked better than I had expected - since I had bought it on a whim and was somewhat doubtful that it would perform that well or it would have cycling or jamming issues. I am so old that when I was in the army I trained with M14's and was more familiar with the heavier miltary calibers used before the transition to the more modern assault rifles. The SKS is so relatively diminuative in comparison, with a much lighter cartridge, it is easy to forget it was a military design that was quite lethal but did it's job in a different way. With some of the available larger capacity mags available now, I can see why this cheap gun has been so popular as a "project" gun or plinker.
 
Bass Pro Shop in Grapevine

My brother-in-law and I have shot several times at that Bass Pro Shop. We went last fall, and it was $10/hour. They also do not allow for rapid fire, and frown on double taps. I make sure that I do not allow the people at the front to check my weapons - I had a guy point a revolver at me while he decided how to check to see if it was loaded! I had a second gun in my ammunition bag, and he said he had to put a lock on it. When he pulled it out, pointed it at me while he decided how to open the cylinder! I vowed to never let them check my guns again.

There are several outdoor ranges in the north Dallas area. There is one in Coppell on Beltline Road, just east of MacArthur Blvd. There is another in the Las Colinas area, over by LB Houston Golf Course. There is great private range in Highland Village/Flower Mound area.

I personally just go over to my friend Jon's house! No range fees, we can shot all the double taps we want, and no one ever points a gun at me while they check to see if it is loaded!
 
Lordy!! I wish I had a reasonable indoor option like that!!

The private club here in Colorado Springs charges a $300.00 initiation fee, plus a monthly fee of ($30.00??).

Otherwise you are out in the cold and snow for 5 months of the year.

I know my gas and electric bills have gone up. Do you think maybe Bass Pro has had increases too?
 
I think it is interesting that people will spend thousands on guns they are buying just because they enjoy them and then complain about $12 in range costs.
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It is interesting, although I've never met one of these people. My handgun collection, cases included, fits into a small backpack. I paid somewhere in the range of $300-$400 for each one. If it helps, I drive a 1999 Mazda with a 4-cylinder, and I watch an old school 20" TV with rabbit ears on top.

Sure, I'm complaining, and I expected to hear about it. No worries. Let me try to separate my arguments into practical vs. principle.

If you factor in the extra money it now takes to procure 300 rounds of 9mm ($3 more per box), and add it to the increased range fee, you're looking at an extra $26 for two people to shoot for an hour. In 2008, that trip cost $70. Now, it costs $96. I have a hard time shrugging off the extra expense, no matter how paltry it may seem to some.

Now to the principle of the matter.

I'm a bit stunned by how emotion seems to drive the shooting market. When the price of milk increased, stores provided an explanation through signage. You could read online about the rising cost of feed, the limited production capacity of farmers, and increased consumer demand. It made sense.

I don't see any signs at Bass Pro that explain the range fee hike, though. They only have a sign that says "Two more bucks". I called today and politely asked to speak with the gun range manager, and I heard "I don't think he's here today". I'm only seeking a rational answer.

I feel in my gut, though, that no rational answer exists. Emotions have overly influenced the market, and the various costs associated with shooting have fluctuated wildly. Why not take the opportunity to jack up range fees by 50%? Yes, and pay attention to the Wizard of Supply and Demand, not the man behind the curtain.

I know that many retailers have found themselves in trouble, but it's not my job to dress their boo-boos with my nickels and dimes. I'll continue to frequent places like Bachman Pawn & Guns, who have kept their prices consistent and reasonable. Too bad they don't operate a range.
 
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Man I am feeling lucky. We have a small ancient club with a 50' indoor basement range limitied to rimfire and 800 fps. lead projectiles but it costs me $15 a year plus $2 per visit. It is 3 miles from my work so we bug out for a long lunch at least once a week and shoot as much as we can all winter. Never had another person there except the 4 of us that meet there.
 
They raised the price to $10 an hour

Our local indoor range has gone to $10 in the winter and $8 in the summer.
You need to check and see if there is a FREE National Forest range in your area.
Not to consider a $4 a gallon price, I drive 43 miles to a free range, once a week. I save money, even at gas prices.
 
My apologies.

To think I was complaining about our local gun club raising it's rates from $60 a year to $75 a year. Rifle & pistol range out to 600 yards, covered firing line, open 6 days a week, dawn to dusk, use as much or as little as you want.
 
Wow!!! Our outdoor range, where you get an electronic key-card and can go any time you want to, and doesn't have stupid "range officers", costs a total of $75 a year. And I can bring guests, which means my family members if I want. I really feel sorry for so many of you. It's not like you have a choice. Then again, we don't have all the liberal legal mentalities where we have to pay for tons of insurance. We don't have lawyers suing because someone had a brass case hit them in the forehead. (My dad lives in New Jersey and was playing golf, and the golf ball hit another player down range, in the hand after taking a bad bounce. He's suing my dad and the course for physical and mental injuries. So I know how stupid many places can be). Anyway, sorry you all get screwed trying to enjoy a day of shooting.
 
Price is still reasonable. Are there less peole shooting there, due to less spending money in the economy? If so then prices would need to be raised to maintain the range(salaries, heat, electricity. etc.). If they can't make a profit then the facility closes. Many people would not like that option I guess.
 
If they are anything like the folks at the Independence Missouri store, they probably had to raise their prices because the staff has chased off a a lot of customers with their poor service and know it all attitudes. They have to make up the lost money some how.

Try to write the store and see why they raised the prices. The manager will usually get back to you so long as your question/complaint does not hurt their feeling to much.

As much as I like to support the stores here in Missouri and especially the ones closer to home, I have sworn off doing business with Bass Pro.

Is there a public range close by? Maybe write your Department of Wildlife and see what is available.
 
Prices go up. Prices rarely go down. Prices are different in various areas. This really isn't a topic for a handgun forum.

Closed.
 
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