About Us
Barracks 616 is West Michigan’s newest, state-of-the-art shooting facility, firearms & accessories retail store, and training/education center. We offer friendly, knowledgeable service for all skill levels — from beginner to the expert marksman — with the product selection you want.
Our goal is to provide a comfortable environment to anyone interested in shooting, whether you have experience or not. Safety and education are our top priorities.
We offer everything you need for a great day of shooting, or firearms & accessories shopping — all under one roof.
Hours
- Mon: CLOSED
- Tue: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Wed: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Thu: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Fri: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Sat: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Sun: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. (RANGE ONLY)
HOLIDAY CLOSINGS
- December 24th Hours: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- December 25th: CLOSED
- December 31st Hours: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- January 1st: CLOSED
- January 23rd: CLOSING EARLY 10 a.m – 6 p.m.
**Last available Range Time is ONE HOUR before the facility closes.
Contact Us
We are receiving peak call volume. Please send us an email or leave a voicemail if you do not get through.
Phone: (616) 259-6979
Training Requests / Class Questions: [email protected]
General Inquiries: [email protected]
Gift Cards
We offer gift cards that can be used on anything in the store: Firearms, Merchandise, Classes, Memberships, and more!
Gift cards can be purchased in-store or over the phone! If a gift card is purchased over the phone, the physical card can be picked up at a later date or mailed for an additional fee.
**Gift Cards cannot be used on our webstore and expire 5 years after the purchase date
Indoor Range
Standard Range Fees
- $20 per hour
- $15 per 1/2 hour
- 50% off for 2nd person (maximum 2 people per lane)
OR
- $30/month – Unlimited Range Time
Call ahead and make reservations up to one month in advance.
Range Rules and Policies
Prior to using the Barracks 616 Firing Range, you will be required to read and sign (on-site) our Range Policies document. These Rules & Policies are posted online only for your review — actual form must be filled out on-site before entering the range.
Range Waiver Form (Example ONLY – Download in PDF format)
Barracks 616 Consent & Release Agreement (Download in PDF format)
Rental Firearms
We offer a wide selection of rental firearms with two options for rental:
- Full rental – $10 for the firearm ($20 for suppressed firearms) + Cost of ammunition (rentals must use our ammo).
- 10 for 10 – $10 for the firearm + 10 rounds of ammunition to try it out.
Purchase of Firearm within 24hrs of firearm rental will result in rental price credited toward purchase (Two Rental Maximum)
NOTICE: Due to limited ammo supply, customers may use their own new, brass cased ammunition in our rental firearms if ammunition is unavailable for purchase at the store.
Facility/Technology
12 Shooting Lanes - 25 Yards
Our state-of-the-art range offers safety & environmental benefits not available elsewhere in the greater Grand Rapids area.8 full-time public lanes, 4 private lanes
Our private lanes are used for classes, events, classes and overflow. Call us today to reserve lanes for your event.Industry Standard
Action Target’s Total Containment Trap™ (TCT) is the dominant industry standard for modern, heavy-duty, steel bullet traps.Action Target’s Total Containment Trap™ (TCT)
The TCT incorporates the strengths, and eliminates the weaknesses, of other traps, and is the superior choice for ranges where safety, reliability, and ease of use are top priorities.Environmentally Friendly
It also protects the environment by collecting lead fragments into sealable containers, filtering lead dust.Environmentally Friendly
It eliminates the need for potentially hazardous materials like rubber, oil, or contaminated water. It also protects shooters by eliminating dangerous splatter, ricochet, and lead dust build up.Funnel Plates
Gently sloping funnel plates reduce bullet break up on initial impact. Splatter and ricochet are virtually eliminated, even when firing at very close distances.How it works
Bullets slide along the plates until they reach the deceleration chamber where they are safely contained.Deceleration Chamber
Bullets slide along the funnel plates through the open throat, safely spin along a round steel path until their energy is fully dissipated, and fall harmlessly to the bottom of the trap.Patented Open Throat Design
the Total Containment Trap™ (TCT) has absolutely no deflectors, side walls, or other vertical edges found in other designs. The chambers are assembled to form a continuous sealed environment with no gaps.Dust Collection Unit (DCU)
Designed with a negative pressure vacuum system that continuously removes lead dust and other fine airborne particles from inside the deceleration chambers of the TCT.OSHA Approved Filtration
To comply with OSHA regulations and protect the surrounding environment, the DCU uses its own internal filters to clean the air from the trap before it is exhausted. Our negative pressure vacuum system is superior to positive pressure.Retail
Training and Classes
Private Instruction: $75/hr
The instructor will consult with the student to determine what type of instruction that they are interested in. To schedule, send us an email at: [email protected]
Finding the time to take a 8+ hour training course is hard these days, let alone the cost of ammo that comes with shooting all day. Because of these factors, a private lesson might provide more opportunities for advanced training with less time and cost!
Private lessons are an excellent resource for people new to firearms in general, new to concealed carry, as well as, a great way for experienced shooters to work skills not typically allowed on indoor ranges.
Possible Private Lesson Topics Include:
- Working from the holster
- Shooting from cover
- Moving and shooting
- Low Light
- Malfunctions
- Reloads (Speed reloads/Tac reloads)
- Competition/Shooting Sports
- And More!
Basic Handgun
- Cost: $100
- Duration: 4 hours
- Class Size: Min 4 / Max 8
- Provided Equipment:
- Eye & ear protection provided
- .22 caliber handgun with 50 rounds of ammunition will be provided
- (Optional) Bring your own personal handgun & 50 rounds
This class is for the first-time gun owner, or those who are new to handguns. The purpose of this class is to teach the new handgun owner the essential safety skills required to operate, transport and store a handgun safely and effectively. Students will learn the different types of handguns, major components of each, and how to properly care and maintain their firearm. Students will also learn the fundamentals of handgun marksmanship. The class will conclude with a live fire session on the range, where each student will fire 50 rounds and receive individual instruction from a qualified handgun instructor.
Intermediate Handgun
(GRIP – SIGHTS – TRIGGERS)
Cost: $125
Duration: 4 hours
Class Size: Min 6 / Max 16
Equipment Requirements:
- Eye & ear protection (Electronic Encouraged)
- Legally Owned Handgun
- 100 rounds of ammunition
- Pen and paper for note-taking
Picking up where Barracks 616’s “Basic Handgun” Group Class leaves off, “Intermediate Handgun” will take the handgun owner down a deep dive on how to improve his or her practical accuracy. This group class will take a very focused approach to proper grip, use of sights, and trigger control through both “dry” and “live” fire drills. These specialized shooting drills, combined with copious amounts of instructor feedback, will give any handgun owner all the proper tools to self-diagnose oneself while on the range.
This 4 hour class will be primarily spent on the range with two of our Barracks 616 Certified Handgun Instructors. Whether you are looking to out-shoot your friends on the range, seeking to hone in on your handgun proficiency, bust off some rust, or looking to learn the basics of self-diagnosis, this class will better prepare you and teach you how to think, in order to make the most out of your range trip.
Concealed Pistols License (CPL) – USCCA Concealed Carry and Home Defense Class
The United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) Concealed Carry and Home Defense Course is the newest, most up to date class that meets and exceeds all of the requirements you need to apply for your Michigan CPL. This is NOT a learn to shoot class. Prior firearms experience is required. This class will include a professionally produced multi-media classroom presentation as well as range time.
What you will learn:
- Developing a Personal & Home Protection Plan
- Self-defense Firearm Basics
- Shooting Fundamentals
- Michigan CPL Law and Legal Supplements
- The Legal Use of Force
- Violent Encounters and their Aftermath
- Gear and Gadgets
- Basic and Advanced Skills
- Cost: $150
- Duration: 8+ hours
- Class Size: Min 8 / Max 16
- Equipment Requirements:
- Handgun
- 100 rounds ammo (check for availability at retail)
- Eye & ear protection
- Lunch/snacks
- Pen/Pencil
AR-15 INTRO
4 hour basic level course will provide you with the knowledge and confidence to enjoy and maintain your AR-15 properly. Upon completion of this course students will have gained a firm understanding of the AR-15 / M4, its parts and operation. As well as a solid foundation of basic marksmanship skills.
Topics Covered:
- Parts and operation of the AR-15
- Disassembly and reassembly the of AR-15
- Basic maintenance and cleaning
- Accessories, optics, slings
- Basic marksmanship skills
- How to obtain a proper “zero”
- Equipment Requirements:
- AR-15 rifle (rentals available free of charge)
- 50 rounds of ammunition (.223/5.56)
- *If renting firearm, ammo must be bought from Barracks 616*
- Eye /ear protection (provided if needed)
COST: $100
Save a Life – Stop the Bleed
While most Americans are comfortable dealing with the cuts and scrapes of everyday life, and tens of thousands have learned the Heimlich maneuver and CPR. Most individuals would be a bit less comfortable dealing with severe, life threatening injuries or illnesses when seconds count, and EMS personnel and the emergency room are minutes (or longer) away. Severe traumatic injuries result from forces as everyday as a serious fall or automobile accident, to forces as unthinkable as a shooting or stabbing as the result of an assault or robbery. This class will address the assessment and treatment for a number of trauma emergencies including severe bleeding and penetrating chest injuries.
Cost $75
**Max 12, Min 4 students
Intro to Shooting Sports
$100 – Class Max: 8, Class Min: 4
What you will need:
- Handgun
- 2 magazines
- Kydex Holster (IWB or OWB)
- Quality belt to support the holster
- 50 rounds of ammunition
- If you do not have any of these yet, you can still attend the class and walk through the stages! A Cert Pistol can be used with a loaner holster. Please still wear a belt.
Are you interested in competitive shooting but don’t know where to begin? Not sure which sport will be a good fit for your skill level? Or, how about what gear you will need to get started?
This 4 hour class will cover some of the different types of competition shooting-sports, their divisions, competition-specific safety concerns, gear requirements, scoring, and stage planning. In addition to classroom learning, students will enjoy range time consisting of a competition “Stage” where students will draw from the holster, move and shoot, all while following the rules and commands you learned in class.
Our Instructors
Derek Jensen
Derek has been with Barracks 616 since it’s very beginning. A lifelong hunter, Derek’s interest in firearms began as a child, hunting and target shooting with family and friends, eventually participating in multi-gun competitive events. That passion has grown into a career focused on high quality firearm training, from the safety basics to certification classes, from one on one instruction to reality based self defense training classes.
Derek obtained his CPL after taking the NRA PPITH class and knew immediately there was a great need for high quality firearm instructors. He has trained through many of the top quality schools, including MPD, HSP, GCT and the NRA, and has spent hundreds of hours working with MIL/LEO instructors. Derek is certified to teach the USCCA Concealed Carry & Home Defense Fundamentals Course, NRA’s Personal Protection Inside the Home course, NRA Basic Pistol course and the NRA’s First Steps course. He is a Certified Pistol Instructor and Chief Range Safety Officer. In 2018, Derek became one of the first Instructors in the Country certified to teach the USCCA DSF Level 1&2 courses.
Derek is dedicated to delivering the highest quality education and training, including reality based self defense, in a relaxed, professional setting. He continues to further his own education, skill and knowledge working with the best instructors nationwide.
Certifications Include:
USCCA Certified Instructor
USCCA DSF 1
USCCA DSF 2
NRA PPITH
NRA Certified Pistol
NRA First Steps
NRA Chief Range Officer
ADSI Intuitive Sight Fire Instructor
ADSI Defensive Shooting Instructor
M&P Armor
NSCA-CPT
AHA Heartsaver CPR-AED
Gary Dredge
After completing his training as a Pilot and Aircraft Mechanic at Grand Rapids School of the Bible & Music and serving as a staff flight instructor Gary was recruited by Missionary Flights International for service in Haiti and other needy island countries.
After serving as a DC3 Pilot & Mechanic with MFI for 12 years Gary, His wife Cheryl and their 2 children returned to the Grand Rapids area. He worked for a time as a charter pilot before He began a second career with Grand Rapids Fire Dept. as a Firefighter, Fire Equipment Operator and Medical First Responder.
Gary began teaching firearms classes in 2011 and is certified in several disciplines with the NRA and the United States Concealed Carry Association. He also enjoys competing in defensive pistol and Cowboy action shooting and hunting. Additionally, Gary is the Director of Safety & Security at his local Church and is called on to consult with other Churches developing safety ministries.
Gary retired from GRFD in 2015 and began working at Barracks 616 in 2016. He has a passion for teaching and strives to enhance his instructing abilities through further training.
United States Concealed Carry Association Certified Instructor
Concealed Carry & Home Defense
Defensive Shooting Fundamentals I & II
Countering the Mass Shooter Threat
National Rifle Association Certified Instructor
Basic Pistol
Personal Protection in the Home
Personal Protection Outside the Home
MAG 40 (Legal use of deadly force) Masaad Ayoob
ICE “Intuitive Defensive Shooting” Rob Pincus
M & P Armorer
Bad Day Industries
Tactical Emergency Casualty Care
Church Responder Training
AHA CPR/AED
Michigan State Police “Security Issues in Places of Worship”
Sheepdog Seminars (Church Security) Col. Dave Grossman
2TheRescue Church Security Team Training
Kent County Sheriff Dept. “Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events”
Zechariah Gurley
Zechariah (goes by Zech for short) did not grow up around firearms. In his teen years, his interest in firearms grew as he was exposed to various firearm classes alongside family members. After experiencing a few classes, Zech chose to further his firearm education by pursuing a gunsmithing career through Sonoran Desert Institute (SDI).
During his time at SDI, Zech obtained an Advanced Gunsmithing Certificate, in addition to his Associates of Science in Firearms Technology degree. Continuing his love for gunsmithing, Zech obtained a Glock Armorer Certification and now offers Glock Armorer services at Barracks 616.
Zech began working at Barracks 616 in 2019 and quickly found interest in teaching others how to safely use firearms for recreation, hunting, and preservation of life. In December of 2021 Zech completed training to become a licensed instructor through the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA). He now teaches Basic Handgun, AR Intro, and Private Lessons.
Certifications:
USCCA Certified Instructor
Glock Armorer
Advanced Gunsmithing Certificate
Associate of Science in Firearms Technology degree
MDFI Alumni
Sage Dynamics Alumni (and patch holder)
Zachary Gruchow
Zachary Gruchow (goes by Zak / Z3) is an Army combat veteran, an avid competitive shooter, and a USCCA-Certified Barracks 616 firearms instructor. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he graduated from East Kentwood High School and Grand Rapids Community College before joining the US Army in 2004. Zak was trained by Army intelligence and infantry to help with intel operations in the Global War on Terror. He deployed to Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division from 2005-2006. From 2008-2009, Zak was also deployed to Afghanistan as an attachment to US Special Forces where he aided with intel operations.
Upon completing his Army Service, Zak earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Grand Valley State University and a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Western Michigan University. After two years in the profession of Psychology, Zak returned to the firearms industry armed with the clinical knowledge of how the brain and body work together and a desire to apply these principles to both competitive shooting and preservation of life.
Zak began shooting competitively in 2021. Not only does he regularly participates in USPSA, IDPA, and multi-gun, he also wrote and currently teaches the Barracks 616: Introduction to Shooting Sports class; a course designed to help newer shooters successfully enter the world of competitive shooting. He has been personally trained by Scott “Jedi” Jedlinski of Modern Samurai Project, Aaron Cowen of Sage Dynamics, and is a Michigan Defensive Firearms Institute (MDFI) alumni. Outside of firearms, Zak enjoys dog training, reading books, camping, overlanding, and drinking expensive bourbon.
Army Awards:
Army Combat Action Badge
Overseas Service Ribbon x 2
NCO Professional Development Ribbon
Global War on Terrorism Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
Meritorious Unit Accommodation
Iraq Campaign Medal w/ 2 Campaign Stars
Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ 1 Star
Army Achievement Medal x 3
Donald Love
Donald Love (goes by Donnie) joined the Barracks 616 Team in 2020. Since Donnie joined he has made many contributions to Barracks 616: dominating in retail sales, refining our in-store NFA process, and bringing together his outside connections within the greater shooting community to Barracks 616’s facility. Earlier in his life, Donnie spent four and a half years in the Marine Corps as an Infantry assaultman. He then transitioned into a career in manufacturing before moving into the firearms industry full time.
Donald Love is a certified instructor through USCCA and Stop the Bleed. Because of his constant desire to learn, he is an Alumni of Barracks 616, MDFI, Sage Dynamics, Modern Samurai Project, and Dark Angel Medical. Donnie has also been the driving force for bringing in these bigger names in the firearms industry to Barracks 616, providing top-tier experiences and opportunities for our interested guests. When he is not at the shop he can be found on the range competing in IDPA, USPSA, ACTS, and BPSL (Barracks Practical Shooting League). Donnie was also instrumental in revitalizing the Shooting League that is held at Barracks 616’s facility once a month. And if he’s not on the range, you can find him hiking parts unknown with his dog or taking sunset strolls on the beach.
Joseph Sowers
Joseph (Joey) Sowers’ love of firearms began at a very young age. His father brought him squirrel hunting in the woods of Saranac, MI with their .22LR lever action rifle. From there, Joey would continue his firearms journey, being introduced to the competitive shooting sports of trap and skeet, and learning how to shoot a shotgun. When he turned 21, Joseph came to Barracks 616 and purchased his first handgun, and became a regular patron that visited the range and practiced his shooting skills. It would only be a year later when he would officially apply for a part-time position as a Firearms Range and Retail Associate and be hired at Barracks 616.
Even though he was growing more and more dissatisfied with his full-time warehouse job, Joey quickly leaned into what he described as his “dream career” at Barracks 616. No matter what job was required, he would be the first to volunteer. And once he left his warehouse position for a full-time position at Barracks, Joey quickly worked his way up to the top, becoming top salesman of the year, being promoted to Sales Floor Manager and NFA Associate, and a Barracks 616 Firearms Instructor.
Joseph would continue to push himself, constantly training his firearm skills specifically for Preservation of Life applications. He started off assisting with weekly basic handgun and concealed pistol license classes for a full two years, devoting thousands of rounds of ammunition and hundreds of hours of training with our in-house instructors, all while completing his USCCA Instructor Certification in April 2023. Because Joey greatly enjoys teaching new shooters firearms safety and proficiency, he is now one of the instructors that teach our intro/basic classes.
USCCA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR
MI FORKLIFT | HI-LO CERTIFIED DRIVER
Kathryn VanNote
Kathryn VanNote (Kathy) is a retired special education teacher and came to firearms a bit later in life. After a “date night” at Barracks 616’s firing range with her husband, she was hooked. Kathy became a regular at the range, and helped start the first chapter of The Well Armed Woman (Now Armed Women of America) in the Grand Rapids area. After 5 years of leadership, Kathy stepped back and began to focus on her own self improvement as a shooter and as an instructor. Kathy considers herself a lifelong student, particularly focusing on not only improving her own shooting skills, but also constantly working on her curriculum and methods of teaching as a firearms instructor. Kathy’s passion is helping people who are new to firearms pick the right firearm for them, making sure they are safe, building accuracy and having FUN! When not shooting or training, Kathy likes gardening, sewing, spending time with her family, camping, and traveling.
Kathy’s credentials:
Active Self Protection Certified Instructor
USCCA Certified Instructor (Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals)
USCCA Women’s Handgun and Self Defense Fundamentals course completion
NRA Range Safety Officer
FirstCare Provider Stop The Bleed Trainer
MDFI Alumni
CERT (Citizens Emergency Response Team) trained
Trained in the use of OC (pepper spray) for self defense
Licensed Amateur Radio Operator (HAM Radio) Technician Class KE8LIN
Completed 18 hours of Fighting Handgun Concepts coursework with Defenders USA
Co-Leader The Well Armed Woman (2014-2019)
Active member A Girl and A Gun Women’s Shooting League
Memberships
BRONZE Membership – Monthly
$30/month
Includes:
- Free range time during store hours
- One-Time Waiver
No hidden fees, no tricks – its that simple
SILVER Membership – Monthly
$40/month
Includes:
- Free range time during store hours
- 10% Off All Online Orders
- One-Time Waiver
No hidden fees, no tricks – its that simple
PLATINUM Membership – Monthly
$50/month
Includes:
- Free range time during store hours
- 10% Off All Online Orders
- 5% Off All In-Store Purchases
- Free Rental per Range Visit
- One-Time Waiver
No hidden fees, no tricks – its that simple
“Enlisted” Membership
$250 annually, or $150 semi-annually
Includes:
- Free range use first three business hours on weekdays
- Free range use all day Thursday
- One-time waiver/policies sign-in (Member is required to disclose any changes to their status)
- 5% Off in-stock and in-store firearms (excludes online store)
- 10% off in-stock and in-store merchandise (excludes online store)
- Annual: Six (6) 1-hour guest range passes ; Semi – Annual: Three (3) 1-hour guest range passes
- Annual: One (1) Free Private Lesson
- One free firearm rental daily
- 10% Off All Classes
- Private Lesson for 2 people for only $100
- Free CPL Renewal Course if CPL expires during membership
- Ammunition Discount – 20% Off FMJ Range Ammo – Valid for 4 boxes of 50 rounds per visit. *Regular Priced, In-stock Ammo Only
- 2nd membership in the same household is 1/2 off
“Officer’s” Membership
$450 annually, or $250 semi-annually
Includes:
- Free range time during store hours
- One-time waiver/policies sign-in (Member is required to disclose any changes to their status)
- One Free firearm rental per day
- 5% Off in-stock and in-store firearms (excludes online store)
- 10% off in-stock and in-store merchandise (excludes online store)
- $10 discount on all firearm transfers
- Annual: Ten (10) 1-hour guest range passes ; Semi – Annual: Five (5) 1-hour guest range passes
- Annual: Three (3) Free Private Lessons ; Semi – Annual: One (1) Free Private Lesson
- 10% Off All Classes
- Private Lesson for 2 people for only $100
- Free CPL Renewal Course if CPL expires during membership
- Ammunition Discount – 20% Off FMJ Range Ammo – Valid for 4 boxes of 50 rounds per visit. *Regular Priced, In-stock Ammo Only
- 2nd membership in the same household is 1/2 off
“Corporate” Membership
$250 per month – 10 Person Membership*
Includes:
- Free range time during store hours
- One-time waiver/policies sign-in (Member is required to disclose any changes to their status)
- Discounted Private Range Rental
*Additional members can be added for $25 each and will expire with the original account.
Reservations required for Main and Private Range use. Private Range Rentals must be at least 2 weeks in advance.
Private Range Rentals are $100 per hour with an additional $25 RSO fee.
Monthly billing cycle.