[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Bullet Trap (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 6/1/2007 12:44:51 PM EDT
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So, anybody else here have crappy experiences with Bullet Trap in Plano on Avenue K? Every time I come up to Dallas to visit my cousins I usually go to the range with them, and Bullet Trap is where we always went; until today. They're already known for being range nazis about things like rapid fire and other draconian range policies, but today they really stepped over the line. The younger of my two cousins was arbitrarily barred from shooting for not being 18 when we went there today. He's been shooting there since he was 13, and I've been there several times with both of them. However, today, when we signed in and tried to rent a lane, we were informed he could not shoot there since he wasn't 18. As if that wasn't bad enough too, we got attitude when we asked why we'd been allowed to shoot there before. After all, we've been shooting there since both of my cousins were under 18. However, when we asked, all we got was a stiff-lipped reply in a hick accent, "Well ahm the range supervahser and ahm sayin' he cain't shoot. In fact, I'm gonna have to ask you ta leave the store since he's not 18." We just looked at each other dumbfounded. Not only were we barred entrance from a range we've been shooting at for years, but we get threatened with being kicked out of the store when we ask a question. A hearty fuck you to Bullet Crap; we don't need your attitude, and our dollars are going elsewhere. Rest assured we'll never be back, so they won't have to worry about us polluting their range with our inferiority. Can anyone recommend a good Dallas area range to shoot at where they don't practice asshattery and give you an attitude? |
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targetmasters.com/ In Garland off Jupiter. They have some cool military vehicles outside the shop, rapid fire friendly, and have always been extremely courteous to me and my friends that visit. |
Wow, the day after our wedding, we took my nieces (15 and 16) to Bullet Trap. They didn't get any hassles and had a great time shooting for the first time. I, on the other hand, got yelled out for taking their picture holding a gun. I personally hate that you can't draw from a holster there. I've been getting some trigger time, but I have to qualify soon, and that means drawing from a holster., and they don't allow it. Does that place in Garland allow it? |
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After many years as a loyal patron of the Bullet Trap, I refuse to put a foot through their door, and never will again. Several months ago, the rudeness just got to be too much. You would think that an old-time regular customer would at least be treated with a degree of respect -- but not there. I wrote a lengthy detailed letter to the owner, who basically said, "Too bad," -- not even an apology. I know the $2500 I spent with them annually won't be missed, but Gunmaster and Targetmaster at least appreciate your business. Just an aside, I had taken one of my grandsons there many times -- starting when he was 7, without a problem. |
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I refuse to do business after being told it was unsafe to swap the barrels on a SIG. They refused to allow me to change from .40S&W to .357Sig, so I decided to leave. Then the things they said and did to my friend Danny, Centuryhouse here, over the transfer of an AK has caused me to trash Bullet Trap any chance I get. Fuck that piece of shit facility, the piece of shit range nazis, and most of all, fuck "Matt" the owner. |
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I hate the place, and have since day one. They are dicks, and always have been. I was always professional and courteous.... and they were always rude and disrespectful. However, I have seen firsthand some of the stupididity and idiotic clientele they have to put up with. They make a lot of money from renting guns.... and that is a good draw for people who want to try out several.... but it also draws out the idiots who just wanna go once every two years, rent a couple hand cannons with their gansta friends... and blast away, missing the target completely. Until they learn to discern the difference, I wont ever go back. |
| Some people are a glutton for punishment. I never can understand why the hell people keep giving hard earned money to shithole establishments. When you continually read about how crappy Bullet Trap is and others like Elm Fork, why would you venture to it? I guess nothing ventured, nothing gained. |
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Yeah that place sucks. A bunch or SLAPS work there. I was in there one time looking at a Pocket pistoa nd the guy kept trying to sell me a larger model in 9mm. I told him if I wanted that I would just carry my 1911. He says to me - 1911, Man that is old and outdated. I looked at him and said - Don't talk , just show me what I want to see or get another guy over here. He went and got another guy and stod off at a distance like I just pissed on his foot. Looked - told the other guy I did not want anything and that the other guy lost my business and went down the street to GUNMASTER and bought it. (Have not been back) |
| I've been going there off and on since the early '90's when Ken Taylor owned the place. The quality of the staff has been hit and miss since he left. Not all of the current staff are assholes. There are two there now that fit that bill and I just try to get someone else to wait on me. I haven't seen any anti-EBR bias. They've got a Bushmaster M4gery of rent and haven't given me any trouble when I take mine up for function checks after I screw with something. Gunmaster, are you kidding me? I quit going there in the mid '90's when the gaggle of assholes working there got to be too much with their ceaseless bullshit critiques on everything. Plus their ass-rape prices are hilarious - I cannot understand why people pay them. Back when I worked in Farmers Branch, I'd go to the Winchester Public Shooting Range off of Luna Road. Same type of deal, some of the folks were okay, some were jerks. When I took my Mini-14 there to try it out, they told me they didn't welcome "assault rifles" and didn't let me shoot it. I guess the point to all of the proceeding blather is shooting ranges and gun stores draw some real jerks to work there. However, as one poster said above, they have to deal with some real idiot customers also. |
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I haven't found a range or a shop yet in the north Texas area that makes me jump for joy. I honestly pretty much detest 99% of the ranges and brick & mortar gun shops I've visited in the D/FW area, so I won't even get into the whole Range-Nazi/poor customer service/gun-shop-know-it-all-couch-commando thing, because that's pretty much a given regardless of what facility you're talking about. I go in, pay, shoot, maybe look around, buy something if need be, and leave. No idle chit-chat. No asking for advice or assistance, and certainly no asking any gun-related questions, because your chance of actually getting an accurate/honest answer from someone who works in a gun shop is pretty much nil. With that said, I just signed up at the Bullet Trap this afternoon after a 5-year hiatus from them. In my experience, they've always had their assholes and their good guys. But like I said, go in, shoot, pay, leave... I wish the good places weren't so damn far away. |
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I've never received any attitude at Targetmaster, they're EBR friendly, but no FMJ. Garland Public I like, however again, no FMJ. I want to try out APG. It's farther for me (33 miles) but they're FMJ and EBR friendly and I've heard nothing but good things so far. |
Unfortunately, even that was too much to ask from Bullet Trap. I don't expect to be treated like a king, but I do expect to not have rules made up on the spot and then have removal threats for asking why. They can fall off a cliff for all I care. I'm sorry I ever gave them a cent. If they treat all their customers like that, it's amazing they stay in business. |
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Yea, Bullet Trap is a bunch of crap. All the guys that work there are low class assholes who think they are god. Their fatass manager looks like he could use another burger in order to feed his giant ego. They are completely range nazis and dont let you do crap. Their rental guns are also never in stock, and if they are, they are usually very dirty and liable to jam constantly. Talk about a low class establishment. I hope they go out of business. |
I'm pretty sure that they want you to shoot FMJ or JHP. They are an indoor range and any non-jacketed bullets increase lead stuff getting into the air. They don't allow AP for obvious reasons. You can shoot the 5.7 ( they even have one for rental), but it has to be in the rifle bays. They also allow rapid fire and drawing from a holster. |
Thanks a ton for the suggestion, man! We went there today and had an awesome time. The rifle and pistol ranges were far nicer (and air conditioned), they weren't range nazis, the staff were courteous, helpful, informative, and just generally great. Prices were good too. Fantastic place; we'll definitely be going there from now on. Targetmasters is better than Bullet
Negative, FMJ is fine. The girl at the checkout said you can shoot pretty much anything as long as it's not steel core or some other AP. |
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I hope you told them you found out about them from this forum, and what people are saying about them. They (and other area ranges) need to know shooters will let other shooters know what type of experience they get from them. A way of keeping them on their toes perhaps. Quoted: Thanks a ton for the suggestion, man! We went there today and had an awesome time. The rifle and pistol ranges were far nicer (and air conditioned), they weren't range nazis, the staff were courteous, helpful, informative, and just generally great. Prices were good too. Fantastic place; we'll definitely be going there from now on. Targetmasters is better than Bullet |
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The only thing that bugs me about BT is the rapid fire rule. That's why I went back to shoot at Targetmaster in Garland. I never took any shit for swapping out top ends or anything at the BT. They were all pretty cool with me. Me and another arfcommer at Targetmaster a while back, and were treated well. They didn't get on us for shooting fast or anything. For a little bit further of a drive, it was worth it. |
I didn't, actually, but now that you mention it I should have. Back in Houston today, but next time I'm shooting in Dallas I'll be sure and mention to Targetmasters that I came by Arfcom recommendation. 
Thanks for the invite, but my ability to do quick, accurate follow up shots is what really needs the most work, and it sounds like that would probably be a no-no there. Trips to BT were just for the fun of shooting with family, but if a place allows rapid fire I can actually work on my skills while having fun as well. Two birds with one stone, hence my really being thrilled with TM. |
| I don't shoot indoors much but I took my 15 year old daughter to Bullet Trap a few weeks ago and they let her shoot for cheap (5-6 bucks?). I shot there a lot back when Ken first opened with my IPSC club and we shot 2 matches a week there for a long time. Then there was a big lawsuit when a kid caught a freak ricochet in the back of the head at DPC (92-93?) and some of the range owners got a little flinchy about shooting "out of position" i.e., not how the range was designed to be used because of insurance issues. I've been in a few times since and haven't had any trouble per say but different employee’s attitude has varied greatly. In defense of all business owners, everyone can have a bad day, including customers, some days we all can have a low tolerance for bullshit. shooting ranges in particular have a big ax hanging over their head just from a liability standpoint. and just like the Navy, most rules and procedures are written in the blood of some ones mistake. The guys at Gunmaster are some of the nicest people I have met in the gun business, but the above rules still apply. In my experience, gun owners, and especially shooters, are pretty opinionated and clashes of opinion and personality are fairly common. ' nuff said. |
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Glad you had a good experience with TM. Look forward to running into more arfcommers there! APG is the range I intend to check out next. They are a bit closer to me than Gibson's Outpost and they appear to offer a bit more in terms of what I'm looking for in a rifle range (such as defensive training and a bit more distance). I was thinking of dropping by not this weekend but the weekend after if anyone might be interested in meeting up for a shoot. ETA: For anyone interested in APG (Adrenaline Proving Grounds), check out their website HERE |
Be sure to call before you go out! |
| I have been there quite a few time and never had any bad experiances i took my youngest sister once (she's 9) cuz my dad was outta town and they said if she's gonna shoot make sure she's got eye protection so no problems there. No picture taking but i can see how the flash might be bothersome to other shooters and garland public doesnt allow double taps either i was told 2x a week ago i was shooting to fast lol. Sure 25yrd rifle is lame but its the only fmj place close by and its good for trying out a new gun or sighting in and when its 110 or raining cats and dogs indoors isnt so bad. |
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I did my CHL training at Bullet Trap. When the range qualification testing started, all of the other students were concentraing and trying their best to have a tight group. I figured there's no way I could NOT qualify on a target that close, so I chose to put my rounds on target as fast as possible figuring what the hell...this is the only time I can shoot like this here  Ed P.S. My biggest beef is that they will let just about anyone on the range with a rental gun with NO training. I saw a lady and her daughter there one time renting a gun. The lady was saying something like "So I push DOWN on the safety when I want it to fire right?" as they shuffled them off to the range by themeselves. |
Full auto is full auto. Semi autos fired fast are not .... Why. Because the VAST majority of people can not hit a damn thing except our target sleds and lights shooting that way. |
But what if I can fire fast and get all shots on target, and I'm working on turning that into firing fast and getting all shots in the bullseye? 
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Well, I agree there are drawback to not getting muddy an wet, and not traveling too far from home to shoot for score. If you are security or LEO you can rapid fire at DFW Gun Range. Draw from a holster ETC.... But because the 10% ruin it for the 90% when it comes to indoor shooting. We stop it to keep people safe. EVERY weekend we have someone with a rifle shoot one of our sleds. We charge 75 $$$ for this iddiocy, and kick them off the range for the day. They miss the 24x45 inch target!!! At 25 yards!!!! |
And that disappoints me. There were two ICE people in your range the other day, and neither one of them could hit the target with slow deliberate fire. The range boss, John, wouldnt allow double taps at seven and ten yards. I have taken your security class in the past and have seen not only SWPG folks, but others blow through a mag, and have numerous misses. My question is how does throwing a badge on make you more "qualified" to shoot rapid fire? |
That's something that's common at area ranges and I just don't understand. Who the fuck are they that they get special priviliges?  I know it's not your call, personally, but WTF? That shit pisses me off to no end!
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| Quail Creek off I-35 W at F.M. 1171 isn't to bad...of course they have the range nazi but isn't to bad as long as you follow the rules...no rapid fire or FMJ on the rifle range. Magnum Shooting Range in Sanger is a good one...just about anything goes there. It is down in a hole like an old gravel pit. FMJ... rapid fire...full auto...it is kinda primitive and no target stands other than some old pallets laying around but it beats putting up with the range turds. It's a mom and pop owned place, the guy is a Denton county Deputy Sherrief, there is covered benches and you can set up targets out to about 300 yrds. I've been there a couple of times and was the only one there...not even a range turd to tell me what I could and couldn't do....it was pretty nice to not put up with anyone else, went down range when and where I wanted. I went one Saturday and they were doing a CHL class so you might want to call first...the range was closed for that. Bass Pro in grapevine is pretty good too...of course the same rules that apply there as with most of the others...if you've never been there they have a bad ass underground rifle range...it's down stairs and the room is about 10'x 6' with a 100 yrd tunnel with lights that you control...there is a switch that you cut the light on at what ever range your target is at...I would love to have something like this under my house...it's bad to the bone!! |
You thinking the 16th or 17th? I could meet ya there in the afternoon. |
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For those that live north of DFW, you need to check out Texoma Gun Club in Sherman. It's on Texoma Parkway, just north of 82. They are "everyone" friendly, just as long as you are safe. Hell, they even let me shoot my shotgun in there (I was working on my trigger speed and tactical reloads). Every time I have been there, it has been a good experience. They are open to the public, just call ahead to see if they have anything special going on. The Bullet Trap is just that, a "trap". They con you into thinking you are going to have a good shooting experience and then they go screw everything up by telling you that you are shooting too fast even though you are eating out the bull's-eye at 15 yards. When that happened, I turned to the rangemaster and said, "you think that's fast, watch this". I proceeded to empty the rest of my 10 round magazine through my 1911 at a fire rate that did not please him. When I was finished, I cleared my gun, loaded up, and went to the counter to pay. I haven't been back. |
Target Master is pretty much my favorite indoor range. DFW-Gun is closer, but they have an extra fee for Rifles, and only go out to 25yds. TargetMaster is one fee for the entire day and their rifle bays go out to 50yds. They allow FMJ, SP, whatever - as long as the JACKET is not magnetic. In fact, I'm planning on going out there Friday (need to see if I can sight-in a scope on my SMLE, and function test some various 9mm in my new Cougar). I'll try to remember to tell them about this thread. I used to go to Bullet Trap, but last time I went (a few years ago), they were FMJ only, unairconditioned, the rifle bays were leaking, and they accosted my friend for coming in with a Mini14 out of a case. |
It's still unairconditioned; rifle AND pistol bays now leak; the smoke is so thick you can taste it; and you need a Surefire to find your target in the dim light. |