Had an absolutely horrible experience at Kingsbury shooting range in Laporte, IN and will NOT be returning! I am an experienced shooter with experience in law enforcement but this was my first time at this range or any DNR range for that fact. The range officer handed my mother an I a list of rules to read. We explained to him we were first timers there and he did not offer any form of explanations as to how things worked at that range. Twice I had to go ask questions and his explanations were weak. During a firing break while no firing was allowed, I mistook this for a ceasefire and went to hang my target (yes, my mistake). Instead of simply and RESPECTFULLY getting my attention and correcting me adult to adult, he yelled at me over the speaker like I was a child while there was an audience. My mother and I decided to immediately pack up and leave. I went to the office to make a complaint and the manager was apologetic and made it a point to mention many other people have made comlaints about him, but made excuses for the ranger officer stating "he's just gruff", "that's how he treats his family", and even mentioned that the DNR paid $3000 to send him to anger management. That last point makes me question the managers competence considering she disclosed personnel information and seems to enable the behavior of a range officer with an apparent anger management problem. This officer is dangerous and needs to be removed from his position immediately! read more

stay away! Range master by the name of john is a completely disrespectful, unprofessional individual. John yelled at me over the speaker while hanging targets during cease fire and told the shooters on the right side clear to fire! as I signal him to stop he yelled at me who am I to tell him to wait!!!!! excuse me!!!! then told me my range my rules ! my life is worth more then what John thinks is his personal play ground read more

I will not be coming back to Kingsbury Shooting Range. The Range Nazi John is incredibly rude. Any question you ask him, you will be sorry. He will talk down to you Your not supposed to cross the yellow line during a ceasefire, most of the brass lands across the yellow line. He will then yell at you for not sweeping up your brass but you're not supposed to cross the yellow line either. Keep in mind he's doing this over the intercom so everybody can hear him belittling you. There's not just one instance but the last year it's gotten worse and worse I will not be coming back. If you call and ask for directions or are their public restrooms etc, he will all but hang up on you. R.S. read more

Range Nazi is the worst and he doesn't even seem to be qualified. He should be fired if he hasn't already been. Being an ass doesn't make you the equal of a proper range master. Range masters can be tough, but the best ones are also good teachers. By the way, post your range rules on the window. I've been there three times and rules weren't posted. Osmosis isn't a good way to convey them. read more

It's a great range, but the fat bastard, range officer needs to retire. Sucking off the State of Indiana's teet.

We have been going to the range for years (4 to be exact) and after our last visit would not be returning I was yelled at for not sweeping brass during a cease fire. but doing so would require passing the yellow line you're not supposed to cross. Then later the same guy yelled at someone else for sweeping their brass during a ceasefire. Had other moments where we were flat out disrespected throughout the day. I have always cleaned up my brass after shooting and have shown respect to everyone there. So to be treated so poorly was obviously a surprise. read more

The worst thing about here is the range master. It's always someone awful and rude. The fact that you can't 'rapid fire'. I want to use my firearm not just plink every 10 seconds. If you pull the trigger faster than 10 second intervals they yell at you and threaten to kick you out. Also, story time: one time my younger brother and I were there. He was 16. We went to put our targets up and the ranger master called an 'All Clear' while we were still setting up our targets on the 50 yd section. For people that love to micro-manage and follow the rules to a T this was despicable. read more

I used to come to this place for years. Low price( $4 shoot until you're bored). Plenty of variety (pistol, rifle, skeet). And I enjoyed it being an outdoor facility especially when the weather is nice. I really wanted to like this place, but the range officer is the reason why I won't come back. The guy has a stick up his rear or something. This places does a hot/cold routine on the pistol and rifle lanes where you shoot for ten minutes and then they call a ceasefire where you clear your firearm and step behind a safety line located behind the shooting lanes. During this period you are not allowed to cross that line until the range officer designates the firing line as safe to resume shooting. During a ceasefire myself and my group were yelled at for not sweeping up our brass. However, all the brass is in front of that safety line that I cannot cross plus most of the brass that was near my bench was coming from the person shooting next to me.... when I tried to explain it to him he wouldn't listen and threatened to kick me out for the day. Second, for as long as I was going there the skeet shooting lanes were first come first serve. They were full when I arrived with my group which was no problem. We would wait until someone was finished and then head over so we shot pistols instead. It took most of the day, but one group was finishing up. I asked them if I could use that lane when they were finished and if anyone else had approached them asking the same thing. They said nobody did and that the lane was available for my group once they left. As soon as I began setting up, another group approached me saying that they were next. I told them I asked the previous group and they said I was good to use it after them. So this group went and complained to the range officer. He came back and told me to leave the skeet shooting area and refused to listen to my side fo the story. At that point I was done with this guy's attitude. I packed up all my stuff and left. I've never experienced such poor treatment to myself and other guests. Unless they replaced that guy and I haven't been made aware, I avoid this place like the plague. read more

Ahh, Kingsbury range. Visiting here from the Chicago area reminds me that nice people still exist. The rules are pretty relaxed (no rapid fire though), and you can avoid the wanton invasion of privacy and red tape you'd face at an Illinois range. It's extremely cheap and nicely well-run but stripped-down - nothing at all to purchase or rent, just staple guns you can use for free to tack up your targets on their posts. Basically, this facility is an adjunct to the surrounding hunting areas, geared toward sportsmen sighting in and practicing with their guns. The nice lady in the control room offered us hot chocolate for free when we came here on a winter morning in the teens and were the only customers. Seriously??!? Living in the urban jungle, I forget about that sort of humanity. In Chicago they just watch you freeze to death. It's all outdoors, with 25 yard pistol, 50 and 100 yard rifle, and a clays area with manual spring-loaded traps pulled by whomever came with you for the day. A restroom and a park bench or two rounds it out. Stray bullets are blocked by concrete barriers, which reflect the blast backward and make it loud, particularly in the rifle area. Not a bad idea to wear muffs over plugs if you have both. I write this review with a bit of trepidation, because I know that the stringent and stingy policies closer to Chicago are in response to idiotic behavior of irresponsible city folks. During another visit, some hoodlums were shooting dragon's breath shells in the clays area. This started a large brush fire, requiring me to run to the range master and have him call in the fire department. It took maybe 45 minutes for the fire fighters to put it out. So I urge all readers to behave themselves here. Or soon even this gem may fall prey to stupid rules, heavy-handed range masters, long waivers, ID checks, sanctions against Illinoisans, etc. That would be a real shame. read more

Beware of the range Nazi! I was there a few weeks back when the range Nazi accused me of shooting the overhead baffle. I informed him that I have not shot his anything and that he has the wrong person. All shooting lanes were full, roughly 25 shooters in all. Any one of them could have had a misfire, but it was not me. I do not take kindly to being falsely accused and the range Nazi came dangerously close to having his butt kicked then and there. I for one will not be back. It is a shame our tax dollars are being wasted on harassment by narcissistic range officers who like to abuse their 10 cents of authority. read more

Kingsbury is hands down one of the best shooting ranges in the area! While it is a bit difficult to locate and a bit of a drive from Mishawaka, it is totally worth the effort. The range is pretty bare bones and by that I mean they sell nothing...they do have a soda machine. You pretty much get a lane (and there are 25 lanes if I remember correctly) and staple gun to hang up your targets with. If you fancy skeet they have an area and are more than happy to let you use their thrower. The range masters there are strict but are very friendly and more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Spending a a few hours here on the weekend in the fall is a great way to relax. Also, you CANNOT wear your firearm while on the range (you will be yelled at if you do)! All that said, I say check this range out. read more

Went here for the first time in October. The range aide was very helpful and polite. Range fee is very reasonable. This is my outdoor range from now on! read more

I've been here several times. Every time was a great experience. TRUE- The range masters don't allow horse-play, rapid fire or disrespect. It's the only way to run a shooting range that allows all ages of shooter and does their best to insure no injuries. The "indoor" section can get kind of noisy (with the .50 cal. rifles that are allowed.) The shotgun practice area is outside, well away from the rifle and handgun area. I would also like to mention that there is a dedicated area for those that want to use a long or cross-bow. All in all, it is a great place for the newbies as well as the pros. read more

$4 dollar entrance fee , bring your own equipment and your own stapler/or tape. very nice when weather is nice. you do lose phone signal when you get out there but fairly simple to get there. Note to other sportsmen, bring your own STAPLER or sticky targets because the range officer is a jackoff about staplers and told me no way in hell he was gonna let me use one , what a nice guy.. read more

Three years ago I visited and it was very laid back. Workers were helpful, range officer was friendly etc. Really enjoyed it then. Not the same story this past weekend. The gruff DNR range officer had a chip on his shoulder. Told me with his glasses pulled down and in a "don't mess with me attitude" the major rules I must follow. Then he mentioned there's 23 total rules on the board and we wouldn't get to #3 before he'd "kick my ass out of here". Made very clear its a $50 charge if you hit the concrete ceiling (totally understand) as he was tired of fixing peoples "dumb ass" mistakes. During each ceasefire he walked up/down the range yelling at people for not picking up their spent shells quick enough and any other infraction he could find. I even saw a guy get yelled at/threatened to be kicked out for handling an empty magazine during the ceasefire. The facility itself is great and well maintained. Pricing is best bang for the buck you can find. I totally understand the liability and risk in operating a range and rules that go along with it as a shooter. However, the range officer with his rude tactics and "my way or highway" attitude has made that the last trip there for me. There's better ways to get your point across w/out being a jerk. read more