Ranges
The ranges used by Shade’s Landing Inc. for our classes are as follows:
Online Classes: Prior Lake Horse Club Prior Lake MN
Instructor Classes: Prior Lake Horse Club Prior Lake MN
Private Classes all use either Burnsville Pistol Range, or private land *
Classes held in: Henriette, Pine City and Cambridge Classes use private land (public land when available) or scheduled shooting qualifications at Boone’s Fine Guns in Isle.
Classes held in Isle Minnesota classes use the indoor range at Boone’s Fine Guns
* Private rand on land provided for that purpose by the person(s) contracting with us for the private class.
Shooting Qualifications
Range and/or shooting fees are the responsibility of the student.
WE ONLY OFFER RANGE QUALIFICATIONS OUR STUDENTS! NO OTHERS!
The MN BCA stated on 12/04/2006 that “actual firearms” must be used in performing an actual shooting qualification exercise (which we have always used in our training). Note that the BCA has NO administrative law making capability under this law, but instead tied their interpretation to the certification of companies that provide training (i.e. do it our way or lose certification).
Further, the BCA interpretation of the 2005 MCPPA law is one that requires “live fire” (though live fire is not explicitly stated in the law). The BCA Commissioner’s office issued a statement to all MCPPA instructors, (though they have no administrative law powers under MCPPA) that MN Law requires an “actual shooting qualification exercise” which is interpreted by the MN BCA (the entity who certifies training organizations) to mean an exercise using “actual firearms”. If an “actual firearm” is not used, then the certifying organization risks being decertified.
However, note that Minnesota does not have a set course of “qualification” per se. There is no fixed course of fire specified by the law, no live fire requirement fixed by statute (though the BCA as stated above has issued their interpretation of the law), no minimum caliber and the exercise is NOT a test. Each instructor is free to design their own shooting qualification exercise as they deem reasonable.
You qualify by performing the exercise and by learning something in the process. If you need work on shooting accuracy, we work with you as the exercise is being performed (within reason). You should be prepared to show us you know how to shoot as opposed to us showing you how to shoot.
In our exercise, we have you shoot 10 shots (depending on the shooter’s skill) at 21 feet. You absolutely must perform the exercise safely and of course hit your target 7 out of 10 shots minimum. We do have a firearm for your use for those of you who do not yet own a carry gun. If you fail, you are give two more 10 shot opportunities to qualify. If you fail at all three attempts you will have to come back to us and take a one hour Fundamentals course. The fee for this course is $75. We will qualify you at the end of the Fundamentals course for your carry permit.
To pass: Handle the firearm safely and hit the target 7 out of 10 consecutive rounds in center of mass and handle the firearm safely.
If we see something in your stance, grip, trigger control or other shooting fundamental that requires correction, we may have you correct the defect and shoot some more.
Our 10-shot course of fire is designed for experienced shooters. If we can’t tell that you know how to handle a firearm by having you shoot 10 rounds, then we should not be instructing. In fact we tell all students that if they DO NOT know how to shoot, then shoot last so we can work with them or sign up for a private lesson with us before you take our carry class.
Q: Can I qualify with a .22 caliber pistol?
A: Yes. Minnesota law does not specify a caliber that you need to use in performing the actual shooting qualification exercise. Your focus will be on safety and safely completing the exercise. A .22 is however, too light of a cartridge to be used for reliable self-defense purposes. It is however fine for the qualification exercise.
For carry purposes, there are small handguns available in smaller calibers such as .380. Some are excellent semi-auto firearms such as the Glock Model 42 in .380. And of course there are excellent firearms by Glock and Walther in 9mm and .40 caliber as well. On the big-bore size there are .45, 10mm, and .357 Sig or .357 Mag. All make excellent calibers for carry and self-defense.
You choose a caliber and a firearm that is the largest caliber that you can accurately control and shoot.
We do not want you shooting with a .50 caliber handgun (i.e. the Desert Eagle) or a .32 or .25 caliber “mouse gun”, or a Judge. Other than that the choice is yours.