bristleconeshooting shooting training center - lakewood

[DenverGP]

Finally got by Bristlecone today. My blucore membership is up for renewal in a couple weeks, so I wanted to check them out before then.

I liked the programmable target system. Will play with it more once I'm a member, but I can definitely see the potential. Even if you weren't using the programmable stuff, their target holder system is nice just because it's so quick and precise to move the target to any distance you want out to 25 yards.

I asked at the range desk to make sure they were ok with me picking up my brass. They told me to just let the range officer know so he wouldn't sweep mine up with the rest. I think he actually swept some extra brass over to my lane.

Main selling points for me with Bristlecone are the target system and guest passes. My wife liked Bristlecone a lot for the brighter lighting, more room behind the lanes, didn't feel cramped, wasn't down in the basement and better ventilation.

Also, while the employees over at Blucore have always been friendly/polite for me, my wife said that some of the employees came off as condescending to her. She liked all the people at Bristlecone, including the RSO. I like having an RSO always on the line, as long as they aren't the pushy "let me show you what you are doing wrong" type. The RSO today was nice, chatted a bit, showed me the program options of the target system, offered advice when I asked, but didn't stick his nose in when unwanted.

I did like having the option of the 100 yard range at blucore, but I've probably only used it 4-5 times over the past year so I won't miss it much.

Already looking forward to my next trip to Bristlecone.

[DenverGP]

I've been a bristlecone member for about 10 months now. Considering renewing again when my current membership is up. Overall everything from my first impression still holds. They are definitely more crowded these days, but generally with members being able to make reservations I've been able to get a lane whenever I want.

One trend I see increasing there is making my renewal decision harder.

First, for the USPSA match they run each month, if you don't have a USPSA safety card, they require you to take their 3 hour $75 "Intro to Competitive Shooting" class. Compare that to the IDPA match at Centennial tonight, where new shooters were required to attend a free new shooter briefing which took about 30 min.

And the other day I learned that now to get holster qualified will cost members $15.00, And if you don't qualify, you need to take their 3 hour $50 "Draw Fire Qualification Class". When I first became a member (and when I was a member at Blucore), holster qualification was the RSO watching me draw several times to make sure I was safe, made a couple suggestions on ways to improve it, and that was it. About 5 minutes.

Neither of these things is a big deal, it's their range, they can decide how they want things done, but it will make me consider other range options. I feel like even after getting my annual membership money, they are trying to squeeze more cash out of me.

[colorider]

I got holster qualified at Bristlecone and got my uspsa safety card from them. The USPSA class is much more than the idpa class you took. R.W goes over safety, rules, scoring, scenarios, pretty much everything so when you shoot your first match you are prepared. It is very involved and he does not just touch base on the various subjects. He covers EVERYTHING that will go on during a USPSA event. Even target taping. Honestly, I feel there is no way in hell the class could be done in 1/2 hour and still have the participant be 100% safe and know what is going on.

[DenverGP]

The USPSA class is much more than the idpa class you took. R.W goes over safety, rules, scoring, scenarios, pretty much everything so when you shoot your first match you are prepared

I get that the paid course covers much more... but don't like that it is required. If I get in there and don't know the scoring rules for my first match, where's the harm? Yes, i don't know the best way to shoot various scenarios, so my first match, I just asked them to place me toward the end of the group so I could watch and learn.

I feel there is no way in hell the class could be done in 1/2 hour and still have the participant be 100% safe and know what is going on.

Well, I've now shot 3 IDPA matches and 2 USPSA matches just with the 30 minute or so (might have been 45 min, don't remember it being that long) orientation and haven't seen a single problem.

I'm sure the class would teach me extra stuff, but for the basic safety stuff, the free first time shooter briefing I've seen at every match was sufficient.

Again, it's their range, I just disagree with their requirements. Luckily, there are plenty of options in the metro area, like the Centennial IDPA I just did.

I just showed up and told them I shoot IDPA and they didn't make me jump through any hoops.

Not sure how they'll do it now. I did shoot one of the first USPSA matches there and my FRIDPA card was enough at that time. My son has shot 2 IDPA matches and 1 USPSA match, but doesn't have a safety card, and was told he'd need to take the class.

[Irving]

Most first time shooter introductions I've sat through for IDPA take about an hour and are pretty comprehensive. I just showed up and told them I shoot IDPA and they didn't make me jump through any hoops. Have they changed that?

[Hoser]

Most first time shooter introductions I've sat through for IDPA take about an hour and are pretty comprehensive. I just showed up and told them I shoot IDPA and they didn't make me jump through any hoops. Have they changed that?

If you have completed an IDPA match you are allowed to shoot any USPSA/IPSC in Colorado.

[Joe_K]

Stopped in a couple months ago for the first time on a trading post deal with another forum member, saw some familiar faces from CGC, but the atmosphere was 180 from Centennial. RW is awesome, they had extremely competitive prices on everything I saw on the sale floor, employees were helpful but not pushy. Did not get to shoot as my 2 year old son was with me. They rent out suppressed firearms, give discounts to Veterans, and Females. Place was well lit, and stocked. Will go again even though it's an hour out of my way from anything, and I can shoot for free whenever I want to.

[Guylee]

If you get the right RSO *cough*RW*cough* he'll still holster qualify you on the spot. I agree, the $15 "make sure you can draw a gun without shooting your foot off" thing is a little annoying, but I'm sure there's a reason for it.

[StagLefty]

^ probably gets distracting with so many folks hopping around the range !!

[SVT40]

Great range. I hope others don't renew their membership as its starting to get crowded!!