Gopher Rifle Club was formed by a group of employees from the D.W. Onan Co. This group was highly interested in target shooting and was also made up of avid hunters. This interest motivated them to form the club and build a shooting range; the Gopher Rifle & Revolver Club, Inc. was incorporated August 15, 1946.

Research shows that the beginning of the construction of the Johnsville Range was started in the late 1940’s. This range was located in Johnsville (Andover) on land leased from Anoka county and what is now Bunker Lake Park, Bunker Prairie Park and Coon Rapids Golf Course complex. Over the ensuing years, the facilities built were the Hi-power range at 100, 200 & 300 yards with 14 firing points and 500 yards with five firing points. Pistol, Smallbore, Benchrest and Shotgun ranges were built later.