Beware: Alpine Gun Range

[wllmwallace]

Magnum Sports Center in Sanger, Texas allows FMJ, and MilSurp. The rifle range or "pit" as we call it, has targets as far out as 200 yards. Lou Vargo, the owner, closes for the holidays to freshen up the range and replace targets/pallets. The range will re-open after the first of the year. He also offers ammo, targets, and does LTC classes.

 

[Mike_from_Texas]

It's been AT LEAST a year if not two since I've been to Alpine. They have been no FMJ for at least that long.


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[ed308]

I been told the reasons are due to insurance, ricochet and damage FMJ causes to the berms. Makes it more difficult if you don't reload since FMJ is usually the cheapest ammo. If you reload, not a big deal since you can load a different bullet. It's probably more accurate too.

 

[TX69]

Magnum Sports Center in Sanger, Texas allows FMJ, and MilSurp. The rifle range or "pit" as we call it, has targets as far out as 200 yards. Lou Vargo, the owner, closes for the holidays to freshen up the range and replace targets/pallets. The range will re-open after the first of the year. He also offers ammo, targets, and does LTC classes.

Oh boy .... I've been to Magnum in Sanger. wow . Uhmm I get there despite having to turn around like three time since there's zero signage and its just a trailer sitting there where the range is nowhere in sight. You guys weren't kidding that this place is just a place to test for function since accuracy is NOT at the top of the goal set here.

Short story. I go in to meet with the crustiest old gal on the planet. She is instantly rude and abrasive but hey so what. I follow her rules to a T and she asks if I am LE. I say no. Then she barks the rules at me and gives me a piercing stare. No worries I tell her I have legal firearms, I show her, legal ammo , I show her, and I do not rapid fire. I drive down to a super cramped, busy, poorly constructed range atmosphere that has the old man there. He's doing the same as the old gal and screaming at everyone repeatedly NO RAPID FIRE !!!!! SAFETY SAFETY!!! Range is hot or cold according to him. I go, set up, and fire when ready. Then some dudes show up at the lower part. Take out whatever rifle and BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAMALMALAMALAMLALMLMAMMAA.... The old man goes bonkers kicking everyone out. I was lucky since I had already packed up BEFORE these dudes got there and was headed up to pay. The old gal lets ME have it scolding me as if I was the person that broke the rules. So I turned to her at attention and told her very firmly that I DI NOT do that as I respected her rules. She never responded and we parted.

haven't been back.

 

[wllmwallace]

crustiest old gal on the planet.

- Gayle Vargo

the old man

- Possibly Lou Vargo

Well, sorry for your experience. I've been going there for more than 15 years, my wife longer. They won't even charge my now 21 and 19 year old sons because they've seen them grow up. Gayle can be abrasive, and I'm almost willing to bet the "old guy" in the pit was one of Lou's "volunteer" RO's, as I have never seen or heard of him yelling at anyone.

They have put some $$ into the range in the last couple of years, and you CAN shoot for accuracy as there is even now a prone platform that can be utilized. Individual shooting stations with screen partitions now separate each shooter on the benches. In the middle there is a separate single shooting bench that is stable and utilized for accuracy shooting out to the 200 yard targets. I just used my lead sled and multiple sand bags to accurize a Savage in .308, and an M1A build.

If it's been a while, try them again if you have exhausted all other available ranges, or have surplus FMJ to shoot. Again, sorry for your experience, and I will definitely show Lou your post/experience.

 

[cbp210]

It would be great if we could develop a list ranges that outlaws FMJ so we could go elsewhere.

 

[Fishhooker]

I went to Eagle last Sunday. the range is only 25.5 yards, but they do allow steel-cased FMJ. Just make sure you tell them you are shooting a rifle when you check in. They don't like the rifles on certain lanes. Walls/richochet issue maybe?

 

[jeepinbanditrider]

I went to Eagle last Sunday. the range is only 25.5 yards, but they do allow steel-cased FMJ. Just make sure you tell them you are shooting a rifle when you check in. They don't like the rifles on certain lanes. Walls/richochet issue maybe?

I work at Eagle Gun Range. We try to keep the rifles (and magnum handguns) and pistols separated for noise abatement issues. Some folks don't like the muzzle blast off of rifles while they're shooting pistols and I totally get that. You need some pretty serious cans and in some cases cans plus soft plugs to be able to block out some guy's rifles, when I pull RSO duty on the rifle bay (when we're running both bays) I come out of there with a pretty good headache usually even wearing double ear pro.

On the lanes that are right on the walls the owner wants targets all the way out at 25 yards for rifles as he's worried about the walls getting shot up. Again I don't blame him. The vast majority of folks that come in can barely keep their shots on a whole 3x4 target. We also don't allow rapid fire (more than one shot a second) or holster draws but IMO we do run one of the cleanest ranges in Dallas. We squeegie and vacuum the bays every single day even only a few rounds of been fired on them. The owner (and those of us that work for him) are pretty proud of the place and don't want it destroyed or ruined by folks. We do try to be as tactful as possible with people though that can be tough sometimes. Such as today when I asked some folks to unbag and rebag their weapons at the bench instead of behind the line. Guy busts out a M1 Carbine (after reading the range rules and signing a document to that effect and being briefed on the range) behind the line and starts flagging everyone in a 20 foot radius from the pelvis down with it. I had to grit my teeth and keep from yelling at the guy and calmly inform him that everyone is to case and uncase weapons at the firing line not behind it.

We are one of the only indoor ranges in the DFW area that I know of that allow steel cased ammo. Just no AP, Tracer, incendiary ect.

Anyway I'm getting off on a rant here haha. Just remember that the ROs and guys working the counter don't make policy so try not to take it out on them if you can help it. If ya'll have any questions about EGR let me know and I'll answer them as best I can.

 

[Fishhooker]

I work at Eagle Gun Range. We try to keep the rifles (and magnum handguns) and pistols separated for noise abatement issues. Some folks don't like the muzzle blast off of rifles while they're shooting pistols and I totally get that. You need some pretty serious cans and in some cases cans plus soft plugs to be able to block out some guy's rifles, when I pull RSO duty on the rifle bay (when we're running both bays) I come out of there with a pretty good headache usually even wearing double ear pro.

On the lanes that are right on the walls the owner wants targets all the way out at 25 yards for rifles as he's worried about the walls getting shot up. Again I don't blame him. The vast majority of folks that come in can barely keep their shots on a whole 3x4 target. We also don't allow rapid fire (more than one shot a second) or holster draws but IMO we do run one of the cleanest ranges in Dallas. We squeegie and vacuum the bays every single day even only a few rounds of been fired on them. The owner (and those of us that work for him) are pretty proud of the place and don't want it destroyed or ruined by folks. We do try to be as tactful as possible with people though that can be tough sometimes. Such as today when I asked some folks to unbag and rebag their weapons at the bench instead of behind the line. Guy busts out a M1 Carbine (after reading the range rules and signing a document to that effect and being briefed on the range) behind the line and starts flagging everyone in a 20 foot radius from the pelvis down with it. I had to grit my teeth and keep from yelling at the guy and calmly inform him that everyone is to case and uncase weapons at the firing line not behind it.

We are one of the only indoor ranges in the DFW area that I know of that allow steel cased ammo. Just no AP, Tracer, incendiary ect.

Anyway I'm getting off on a rant here haha. Just remember that the ROs and guys working the counter don't make policy so try not to take it out on them if you can help it. If ya'll have any questions about EGR let me know and I'll answer them as best I can.

Not questioning the validity of why rifles weren't allowed on certain lanes, just curious about why. :-)

I'm just happy to be able to shoot indoors without spending $1/round on brass cased, soft point 7.62x39. The complimentary rifle rests are nice to have as well. I had been putting off sighting in my AK, but was finally able to get that done while I was there.

 

[Tcruse]

I've never seen FMJ not allowed at an outdoor rifle range until I moved to this area. Very odd that most places don't allow it.

I think that the facts do not show an increased risk high enough for such restrictions. The indoor ranges that ban "steel" cased ammo are just as bad. I can understand that "bi-metal" jackets might "spark more" against steel back plates, but the steel case has nothing to do with such.

 

[Darkpriest667]

Hi! Y'all may want to check us out... TxGunRange in Midlothian. We are an outdoor range, have pistol range; rifle at 25, 50 and 100 yards; and shotgun/skeet.

Low fees, no extra charges to use more than one gun or range.

We ALLOW FMJ!!

Give us a call for more info. Working on edits on website... (469)487-4810

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I second TXgunrange... I've been going there since march.. the picture on my profile is from TX gun range. I love that place.

 

[majormadmax]

Maybe you ought to check the rules about advertising on here without being a vendor...

 

[cm76065]

Maybe you ought to check the rules about advertising on here without being a vendor...

So sorry. Will delete. Was more trying to provide info to answer questions.

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[Texasjack]

IMHO, the "advertising" restriction shouldn't apply in this case. It's a discussion on who does or doesn't allow FMJ and he posted to say that his range allows it. If someone unaffiliated with that range posted EXACTLY the same thing, it would have been fine. IMHO, it was an appropriate post.

 

[majormadmax]

IMHO, the "advertising" restriction shouldn't apply in this case. It's a discussion on who does or doesn't allow FMJ and he posted to say that his range allows it. If someone unaffiliated with that range posted EXACTLY the same thing, it would have been fine. IMHO, it was an appropriate post.

When you promote the business you own and/or work at, it's advertising.
If it was a customer recommendation, than it isn't. Big difference.

Plus, vendors on this forum pay for that privilege, so allowing someone to do so without paying is taking away business from those paid sponsors of TGT...

 

[TheDan]

I heard TxGunRange in Midlothian allows FMJ...

 

[Maverick44]

I heard TxGunRange in Midlothian allows FMJ...

I also heard they have a pistol range, and 25, 50, and 100 yard rifle range, and a range for shotguns/skeet. All for a low fee.

 

[Nightwatch]

can't get your link to open

 

[Kar98]

Not questioning the validity of why rifles weren't allowed on certain lanes, just curious about why. :-)

So I can instruct my wife on the finer points of handgun shooting without a muzzlebraked .308 going of next to me every 2 seconds.

 

[Maverick44]

can't get your link to open

Mine? Yeah, I let the domain lapse and have been too lazy to change my signature.

This link works. https://primarylineoffire.wordpress.com/