Help with "the pit"

[AKslinger]

Whats the deal with this place? is it a DNR location? who controls it? Are there rules?

Can I get some detail about this place?

[G22]

Whats the deal with this place? is it a DNR location? who controls it? Are there rules?

Can I get some detail about this place?

Its just a gravel pit. Its open to the public. Its not DNR run.
Allot of people go there & bring just about anything you can think of to shoot at. There was a group of people who go there to do a "cleanup / full auto shoot. Basically you spend an hour or 2 cleaning up all the crap that people bring out there to shoot like computer monitors, cans, & everything inbetween.

Heres a link to a Glock Talk spring shoot at the pit. On page 2 there is a post with directions.

http://glocktalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=350979

Another map:

http://glocktalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=294129&highlight=pit

A link from a search on Glock Talk. Allot of good posts & pics here:

http://glocktalk.com/search.php?s=&action=showresults&searchid=2602016& sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending

That should keep you busy reading for a while!! 8)

[AKslinger]

Thanks for the info. Funny, right after I posted that thread, I called my buddy and we hauled ***** up there. Found it with no problem. There were a couple guys out shooting. We talked with them and swapped guns for a bit. I brought my SKS, and AK-47. My friend brought his Ruger .357 wheel.

I was finally able to bumpfire! TOO MUCH FUN!!! especially out of a 30 rd mag. I'm gonna get pretty creative with my targets. The ones that I saw up there being most fun seemed to be stuffed animals! That was funny. We hung a couple up and shot at them. I got a couple computers. I think I'm gonna bring em up with me. Lets see what a 762 does to it.

How is this place on the weekends? is it busy?

[Dave]

The pit is a spot located on state land in the Lapeer State Game Area. It closely resembles an old gravel pit as the end of the range has a high hill for a backstop. From the edge of the parking area (where most folks shoot from), it is about 100 yards to the base of the hill.

There are no target stands or shooting benches. There are no posted range rules so it is important that shooters stay aware of what is happening around them at all times. The parking area is pretty small and will only accomodate 5 or 6 vehicles but you can park on the road.

I do 99% percent of my shooting at the pit. I rarely bring targets as there is always something there to shoot at. Sadly, it is like a dumping ground used by slobs.

I am also one of the guys that tries to attend the various clean up shoots when they happen. This is done by machine gun enthusiasts from all over the state. We usually meet up in the morning, clean the place up, and then do some shooting. The DNR usually provides us with a dumpster for the metal and we burn the paper stuff.

Here are links to some pictures from one of our earlier clean ups. They will give you an idea of what the place looks like.

Results of our efforts: http://home.comcast.net/~Delta_3-63/images/20030525_Lapeer_MG_Shoot_03_800x600.jpg

Some of the belt feds: http://home.comcast.net/~Delta_3-63/images/20030525_Lapeer_MG_Shoot_04_800x600.jpg

Belt fed .50: http://photos.ar15.com/ImageGallery/IG_LoadImage.asp?iImageUnq=12650

Thompsons: http://home.comcast.net/~Delta_3-63/images/20030525_Lapeer_MG_Shoot_28_800x600.jpg

Sawdust ignited by tracer fire: http://home.comcast.net/~Delta_3-63/images/20030525_Lapeer_MG_Shoot_45_800x600.jpg

Before: http://photos.ar15.com/ImageGallery/IG_LoadImage.asp?iImageUnq=12655

During: http://home.comcast.net/~Delta_3-63/images/20030525_Lapeer_MG_Shoot_40_800x600.jpg

After: http://photos.ar15.com/ImageGallery/IG_LoadImage.asp?iImageUnq=12660


Edited to say that it looks like I was a bit late with my post. I see you posted again while I was writing this one.

[AKslinger]

awesome. thanks. :D

[G22]

Sadly, it is like a dumping ground used by slobs.

:(


Please plan ahead to remove whatever targets you plan to use.
Don't use it as a dump... :poed:

[Batman]

Question,

Are those guns full auto? If so, I thought that full auto NFA gun were illegal in MI? What am I missing here?

[Dave]

Yes the guns are full auto. Legal full auto ownership in Michigan is like some well kept secret.

Some of the guns in the pictures are C&R machine guns. Michigan law allows for Michigan residents who have a C&R collectors license to own and keep machine guns that qualify as Curios or Relics. You still have to go through the paperwork steps (application form, fingerprints, LEO sign off, $200 tax) in order to have a machine gun transferred to you. Having a C&R license is probably the "cheapest" way to own full auto but, the C&R guns command a premium price because of laws like ours. The ATF maintains a list of C&R qualified machine guns on their web site here http://www.atf.gov/firearms/curios/sec4.htm

Another way to own full auto in Michigan is to be a title one dealer of firearms (FFL) and in the buisness of selling guns. In addition to having your FFL you would also have to have paid the Special Occupational Tax (SOT) to the feds. An FFL who has paid his SOT may deal in machine gun sales. The nice part about this is that a dealer may have the newer machine guns (M16, MP5, M60, etc.), as well as suppressors. The dealer must be in the business of selling guns and cannot just get the license for the purpose of building a collection.

Another option would be to become a licensed manufacturer, but I don't know enough about that to give good information about it.

In my case, I went the C&R collector route. Money and the fact that I couldn't get around zoning issues prevent me from going the dealer route.

If the weather breaks, I wouldn't be suprised if we did another clean up shoot in Lapeer sometime in April. I will post it in the shooting events section when I hear about it. Seeing the hardware that shows up for the clean up shoots will make your eyes bulge. Provided I am not working and can show up for the clean up shoot, and you are there, I am pretty open to letting folks try out either the AR18 or the .45 subgun.

If you have any questions about full auto ownership in Michigan, I will be happy to help where I can.