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Next weekend we're headed up to visit my in-laws in Allen. We've generously (ahem) offered them some time alone with their grandkids while we go out for a while, and we're thinking it would be fun to spend a little time at a range together. Can anyone recommend a good range in that area? We'll be near 75 and Stacy Road, and close to "home" would be nice. I'm completely unfamiliar with the area (they just moved up there around Thanksgiving) and relatively new to shooting, so suggestions are much appreciated.

Thanks!

Slum a little and go down south to Plano. Google Bullet Trap on Avenue K between Park and Parker. But come well armed, it's a bad part of town. If you see an old man shooting there who looks like a homeless person there, that will be me. And be prepared for the staff to be surly, rude and to talk down to you. We loyal regular patrons wouldn't have it any other way.

I probably won't be at Bullet Trap next Sunday, but can recommend it as a fair place to shoot. Nothing else really nearby, yet.

Thanks, we'll check them out.

Napier, is it really a bad area of town or is that just relatively to the fancy neighborhood in Allen? I'm honestly not familiar with the Dallas area; I've always lived near Austin. For whatever it's worth, our neighborhood at home doesn't much resemble my in-laws' neighborhood. Their place is nice, but I prefer to live where I don't feel like I have to keep up with the Joneses.

Napier wrote:Slum a little and go down south to Plano. Google Bullet Trap on Avenue K between Park and Parker. But come well armed, it's a bad part of town. If you see an old man shooting there who looks like a homeless person there, that will be me. And be prepared for the staff to be surly, rude and to talk down to you. We loyal regular patrons wouldn't have it any other way.

How funny you say this.... I grew up in Plano on Blossom trail (Park and Shilo) from 73 until 89. The area you are talking about used to have a bowling alley??? I used to ride my bike up the the bowling alley with a buddy to play video games. We would always stop at a gas station down the road and buy smokes, get a whataburger across the street and play games all night.

I used to work at a Kroger (my first job) at Ave K and Parker.

Sorry, just a short stroll down memory lane.....

MotherBear wrote:Thanks, we'll check them out.

Napier, is it really a bad area of town or is that just relatively to the fancy neighborhood in Allen? I'm honestly not familiar with the Dallas area; I've always lived near Austin. For whatever it's worth, our neighborhood at home doesn't much resemble my in-laws' neighborhood. Their place is nice, but I prefer to live where I don't feel like I have to keep up with the Joneses.

You won't have to worry about keeping up with anybody at The 'Rap. BarfaBurger next door. Pawn shop across the street. Dart station on the other side of the tracks. Rent-a-Tire down the block.

The real danger there is that you can be sure that every car you see pulling into the lot has one or more guns in it. And every employee in the place is open carrying! Can't say much for their taste in guns, though. They mostly like Glocks.

RX8er wrote:

Napier wrote:Slum a little and go down south to Plano. Google Bullet Trap on Avenue K between Park and Parker. But come well armed, it's a bad part of town. If you see an old man shooting there who looks like a homeless person there, that will be me. And be prepared for the staff to be surly, rude and to talk down to you. We loyal regular patrons wouldn't have it any other way.

How funny you say this.... I grew up in Plano on Blossom trail (Park and Shilo) from 73 until 89. The area you are talking about used to have a bowling alley??? I used to ride my bike up the the bowling alley with a buddy to play video games. We would always stop at a gas station down the road and buy smokes, get a whataburger across the street and play games all night.

I used to work at a Kroger (my first job) at Ave K and Parker.

Sorry, just a short stroll down memory lane.....

Ah, yes, those were the glory days. There wasn't any Plano west of Custer. I didn't move there until '75. Quite genteel it was then. A bit scuffed at the heels now. It looks as old as me. No doubt you bagged for me if you worked at Kroako '75 or later.

Assuming you're in town the 15th (until 8:45pm) and 16th (until 5:00pm), drop by the Allen Home Depot and visit the appliance department and say hi to the guy with the harmonica on his apron, that would be me.

A short trek to the east is Eagle Gun Range in Lewisville. Only a few months old, but an awesome facility. You'll be able to breathe the whole time, and not end up with soot in your nasal cavities. Plus there is a range safety officer on the bay at all times.

RX8er wrote:How funny you say this.... I grew up in Plano on Blossom trail (Park and Shilo) from 73 until 89. The area you are talking about used to have a bowling alley??? I used to ride my bike up the the bowling alley with a buddy to play video games. We would always stop at a gas station down the road and buy smokes, get a whataburger across the street and play games all night.

I used to work at a Kroger (my first job) at Ave K and Parker.

Sorry, just a short stroll down memory lane.....

Both the bowling alley and whataburger are still there. Matter of fact, the bowling alley is right across the street from Bullet Trap. We bowl there as a family during the "Kids bowl free" summer program.

I would recommend http://topgunshootingclub.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; if you would be interested in up to 500 yrd range.

Fee is $20 per person.

discoqueen wrote:A short trek to the east is Eagle Gun Range in Lewisville. Only a few months old, but an awesome facility. You'll be able to breathe the whole time, and not end up with soot in your nasal cavities. Plus there is a range safety officer on the bay at all times.

That looks waaaay too clean. I like my gun ranges filthy dirty so my poor dress standards and personal hygeine don't seem out of place.

RX8er wrote:

Napier wrote:Slum a little and go down south to Plano. Google Bullet Trap on Avenue K between Park and Parker. But come well armed, it's a bad part of town. If you see an old man shooting there who looks like a homeless person there, that will be me. And be prepared for the staff to be surly, rude and to talk down to you. We loyal regular patrons wouldn't have it any other way.

How funny you say this.... I grew up in Plano on Blossom trail (Park and Shilo) from 73 until 89. The area you are talking about used to have a bowling alley??? I used to ride my bike up the the bowling alley with a buddy to play video games. We would always stop at a gas station down the road and buy smokes, get a whataburger across the street and play games all night.

I used to work at a Kroger (my first job) at Ave K and Parker.

Sorry, just a short stroll down memory lane.....

I grew up here too, and still work in East Plano, it has changed but it isn't that bad-really, it is fine

Maybe it's just my perception. When I look in the mirror it looks pretty rundown compared to 35 years ago. I am thankful that The 'Rap is in a semi-scuzzy location. That way nobody will ever want them to move out.

Napier wrote:Maybe it's just my perception. When I look in the mirror it looks pretty rundown compared to 35 years ago. I am thankful that The 'Rap is in a semi-scuzzy location. That way nobody will ever want them to move out.

No doubt it has changed. I remember the old Kroger, the Ben Franklin Store, the Plano Drive Inn k and many other Plano landmarks from over 30 years ago as well but generally I feel pretty safe here-my Dad still lives in East Plano (Los Rios).

The Bullet Trap is always busy however, even the middle of a work week/day. It is a good option coming from Allen and not real familiar with the area. I used Red River Firearms LLC in Sherman-that is a bit out of the way from Allen-45 miles but nice people there.