Jared and Joseph Stanyer grew up surrounded by guns, as their father had a collection as a hobby. He loved guns so much that, upon retirement, he decided to open a small gun shop in Grapevine, just off Main Street. The brothers would help out during the summers and weekends while in grade school.

While their dad continued to live out his dream of owning a gun shop, the Stanyer brothers dove feet first into serving their country. Jared served as a captain and aviation supply and logistics officer in the U.S. Marine Corps for eight years. Joseph served as a U.S. Army captain for eight years as a Black Hawk pilot.

Some years after both brothers returned home, their dad, at 80 years old, decided to retire in 2012. He asked Jared and Joseph to take over the gun shop, which had been moved to Bedford.

“We said, ‘Hey, we’ll try it,’” Jared said.

And try it they did. The brothers took over and renamed the shop DFW Shooting Sports, which they still own today.

But their heart and goal remained in Grapevine. Remembering their father’s dream of opening a gun range, the brothers spent four years researching and learning how to operate one.

In October 2018, the brothers found themselves full-circle as they broke ground at 1901 S. Main St. in Grapevine to start construction on their very own gun range. On Oct. 14, 2019, Texas Gun Experience opened its doors, complete with an indoor gun range, knife and gun shops and training courses.

Because the brothers grew up in the gun world, they work to create a comfortable environment for everyone.

“We want everybody, when they walk into the door, to see a smiling face and have a good time,” Joseph said. “They’re there to learn and to feel safe while they’re shooting.”

The range also offers something unique to the gun range experience. Shooters can rent and try machine guns, including two specialty firearms.

“It’s a 100% safe environment, but it’s about the experience,” Jared said. “So people can do things that nobody else normally can do.”

And it’s not just the Stanyer brothers who are veterans. Joseph said 20 out of the range’s 80 employees are veterans. Since veterans tend to be very comfortable with firearms, he said they “gravitate toward us.”

“We know their work ethic, so we welcome them when they show up,” Joseph said.

Texas Gun Experience, 1901 S. Main St., Grapevine. 817-285-0664. www.texasgunexperience.com Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Editor's note: The original post has been updated to correct an error. The last name of the owners of Texas Gun Experience should be spelled Stanyer.