Indoor Shooting Ranges??

PTMGunner16 · January 5, 2011, 08:34 AM

Really interested in starting a shooting range near the Calhoun, Adairsville area! Does anyone have experince or even own one? Any info would really help.. hope this isnt to "off topic" of forum

WESHOOT2 · January 5, 2011, 10:30 AM

It's the air-scrubbing system you must consider (and insurance).

Contact the NRA for range assistance.

twhidd · January 5, 2011, 10:48 AM

Calhoun/Adairsville area? Are we talking Georgia?

EdInk · January 5, 2011, 10:49 AM

Proper ventilation is going to be the big thing. Also, zoning and noise restrictions will be a concern. Insurance won't be cheap either. The NRA can help you. Best of luck in your venture.

spclPatrolGroup · January 5, 2011, 12:20 PM

They just built one in my town, I think it cost like 1.5-2 mil.

BigJimP · January 5, 2011, 01:11 PM

It depends a lot on your local zoning laws .../permits, etc can cost you well over $100,000 ....but it depends....

Good people to run it - and a good physical operation ( lighting, ventilation, backstop, target retrievers, insurance, etc are all important).

I've seen some real mickey mouse operations ...where it was just basically an old building 60yrs old - with 6 bays ....(crummy lighting, dirty, and nasty ..) .....to first class operations with leather couches, big screen TV, snack bars, locker rental, cleaning rooms, etc .... but the insurance is going to be the "killer" ....and if you ever have a bad accident / don't quit your day job ....because you'll be out of business in a heartbeat. There is nothing scarier - than a bunch of 20 somethings coming in to rent guns, with their girlfriends on a sat evening, when they want to shoot - and don't even know how to load a mag.

I've seen some ranges - require a membership / and to get a membership you have to sit thru a safety lecture for about an hour. Range safety checks are pretty important - especially if you're going to let people draw from holsters, etc ... There is just a lot to it ....

riggins_83 · January 5, 2011, 01:24 PM

There's one I'm a member of here, great range. 25 yards (wish it was longer), bulletproof glass between the shooting lanes. Very well ventilated, in fact I sometimes think the air is better inside than outside (and I'm not in LA, Chicago, Denver, or New York City).

Ventilation and lighting are the key..

Casimer · January 5, 2011, 08:13 PM

The NRA has range development materials, and consulting available. They'd be able to give you a run down on the various business models, costs, requirements, etc..

http://www.nrahq.org/shootingrange/

proxpilot · January 5, 2011, 09:07 PM

if you make it like this one i promise i will come visit from NC.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyq90...layer_embedded

oneounceload · January 5, 2011, 09:18 PM

That indoor range IS something amazing........

Flint Ridge · January 5, 2011, 09:20 PM

Lead

EPA

Cheapshooter · January 5, 2011, 11:41 PM

Keep in mind not only the original cost of tons and tons of AC, and heating equipment, the utility bills to operate the necessary HVAC equipment will be quite high.
Good luck on your plans.

1911rocks · January 6, 2011, 11:32 AM

Occasionally I work in Longmont Colorado. Just outside yown is a magnificent indoor range called Triggertime. The owner was more than happy to explain all the process he went through (contacts, Federal EPA requirements, HVAC,etc). The indoor 100yd range with target retrieval was VERY nice. It's the quietest range I've ever been in.

Article:
http://longmontledger.com/longmont-c...easing-demand/

Telephone#
http://www.switchboard.com/results.h...&semSessionId=

Ozzieman · January 7, 2011, 10:30 PM

The indoor range that I use has 3 rooms with 8, 8 and 10 positions in the rooms.
The range was built by a friend that that I used to work part time for. He sold the store 3 years ago. The man that owns it now last year replaced the air filtration system for the range. $17,000.
If you don’t have a gun store attached, I really don’t see how you can make money. The first thing I would do is check with a good reputable insurance company and get the price for liability insurance, once you find out how much that alone will cost, you might not consider it a great idea.
Personally I wish you luck, I do know that he makes good money on the range in the winter time but the summer slows down.
Recently his business has plummeted, the reason is that he made a change due to insurance (he says) he only allows factory ammo, no reloads.

Cheapshooter · January 13, 2011, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Really interested in starting a shooting range near the Calhoun, Adairsville area! Does anyone have experince or even own one? Any info would really help.. hope this isnt to "off topic" of forum

Don't know how much you have researched the cost, or how deep your pockets are, but.
Talking with a shop owner yesterday who is adding a 15 point range to his shop located in a strip mall. With full reinforced concrete walls added to surround the range area, baffling built and installed by a company that specializes in ranges, target retrieval system, HVAC, and other costs. Total = 2.2 Million dollars!

Cowboy_mo · January 13, 2011, 08:03 PM

So are the ranges that ban "reloads" also requiring a shooter to purchase the ammo onsite?

It would seem to me that is the only way a range could be sure the shooters weren't using reloads. Heck, at the gun shows around here you can purchase "factory reloads" and save some money if you don't have the equipment yourself. They come in factory boxes but the boxes don't actually state reloads. They just show the company name.

WANT A LCR 22LR · January 15, 2011, 03:18 PM

Something on the HVAC side of things, there are heat exchanger devices that allow exchange of air while transfering heat to the incoming air. Some are pretty much paralell ducts and some use a rotating disc that transfers heat.

The smaller heat exchangers are installed on some newer houses that are built so tight no fresh air enters. I'm considering one for my garage for when it is warmer outside than inside but I don't want moisture to enter.

dlt · March 30, 2012, 10:32 PM

@ PTMGunner16

I know it's been over a year since the last post, but I was hoping you see this. I live in Calhoun and have been wanting one in the area that has guns for rent. So I was wondering how the progrees of your plans have come.

January 5, 2011, 08:34 AM	#1
PTMGunner16 Member Join Date: December 12, 2010 Posts: 20	Indoor Shooting Ranges?? Really interested in starting a shooting range near the Calhoun, Adairsville area! Does anyone have experince or even own one? Any info would really help.. hope this isnt to "off topic" of forum

January 5, 2011, 10:30 AM	#2
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	besides the trap and walls It's the air-scrubbing system you must consider (and insurance). Contact the NRA for range assistance. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

January 5, 2011, 10:48 AM	#3
twhidd Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2005 Location: Athens, Georgia Posts: 823	Calhoun/Adairsville area? Are we talking Georgia? __________________ Todd NRA Life Member

January 5, 2011, 10:49 AM	#4
EdInk Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2009 Posts: 3,968	Proper ventilation is going to be the big thing. Also, zoning and noise restrictions will be a concern. Insurance won't be cheap either. The NRA can help you. Best of luck in your venture. __________________ Sic Semper Tyrannis

January 5, 2011, 01:24 PM	#7
riggins_83 Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2009 Location: Wherever I may roam Posts: 1,505	There's one I'm a member of here, great range. 25 yards (wish it was longer), bulletproof glass between the shooting lanes. Very well ventilated, in fact I sometimes think the air is better inside than outside (and I'm not in LA, Chicago, Denver, or New York City). Ventilation and lighting are the key.. __________________ l've heard police work is dangerous. Yes, that's why l carry a big gun. Couldn't it go off accidentally? l used to have that problem. What did you do about it? l just think about baseball. -Leslie Nielsen

January 5, 2011, 12:20 PM	#5
spclPatrolGroup Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2010 Location: North Dakota Posts: 349	They just built one in my town, I think it cost like 1.5-2 mil.

January 5, 2011, 01:11 PM	#6
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	It depends a lot on your local zoning laws .../permits, etc can cost you well over $100,000 ....but it depends.... Good people to run it - and a good physical operation ( lighting, ventilation, backstop, target retrievers, insurance, etc are all important). I've seen some real mickey mouse operations ...where it was just basically an old building 60yrs old - with 6 bays ....(crummy lighting, dirty, and nasty ..) .....to first class operations with leather couches, big screen TV, snack bars, locker rental, cleaning rooms, etc .... but the insurance is going to be the "killer" ....and if you ever have a bad accident / don't quit your day job ....because you'll be out of business in a heartbeat. There is nothing scarier - than a bunch of 20 somethings coming in to rent guns, with their girlfriends on a sat evening, when they want to shoot - and don't even know how to load a mag. I've seen some ranges - require a membership / and to get a membership you have to sit thru a safety lecture for about an hour. Range safety checks are pretty important - especially if you're going to let people draw from holsters, etc ... There is just a lot to it ....

January 5, 2011, 08:13 PM	#8
Casimer Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2007 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Posts: 1,918	The NRA has range development materials, and consulting available. They'd be able to give you a run down on the various business models, costs, requirements, etc.. http://www.nrahq.org/shootingrange/

January 5, 2011, 09:07 PM	#9
proxpilot Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2010 Location: High Point, NC Posts: 588	if you make it like this one i promise i will come visit from NC. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyq90...layer_embedded __________________ W. German SIG Sauer p226 W. German SIG Sauer P6 Springfield Armory XD-S

January 5, 2011, 09:18 PM	#10
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	That indoor range IS something amazing........

January 5, 2011, 09:20 PM	#11
Flint Ridge Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2009 Location: Flint Ridge, Missouri Posts: 225	Lead EPA

January 5, 2011, 11:41 PM	#12
Cheapshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 8,306	Keep in mind not only the original cost of tons and tons of AC, and heating equipment, the utility bills to operate the necessary HVAC equipment will be quite high. Good luck on your plans. __________________ Cheapshooter's rules of gun ownership #1: NEVER SELL OR TRADE ANYTHING!

January 6, 2011, 11:32 AM	#13
1911rocks Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2006 Posts: 424	Avery helpful gentleman Occasionally I work in Longmont Colorado. Just outside yown is a magnificent indoor range called Triggertime. The owner was more than happy to explain all the process he went through (contacts, Federal EPA requirements, HVAC,etc). The indoor 100yd range with target retrieval was VERY nice. It's the quietest range I've ever been in. Article: http://longmontledger.com/longmont-c...easing-demand/ Telephone# http://www.switchboard.com/results.h...&semSessionId=

January 7, 2011, 10:30 PM	#14
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 6,117	The indoor range that I use has 3 rooms with 8, 8 and 10 positions in the rooms. The range was built by a friend that that I used to work part time for. He sold the store 3 years ago. The man that owns it now last year replaced the air filtration system for the range. $17,000. If you don’t have a gun store attached, I really don’t see how you can make money. The first thing I would do is check with a good reputable insurance company and get the price for liability insurance, once you find out how much that alone will cost, you might not consider it a great idea. Personally I wish you luck, I do know that he makes good money on the range in the winter time but the summer slows down. Recently his business has plummeted, the reason is that he made a change due to insurance (he says) he only allows factory ammo, no reloads.

January 13, 2011, 08:03 PM	#16
Cowboy_mo Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,039	Curious about "NO Reloads" So are the ranges that ban "reloads" also requiring a shooter to purchase the ammo onsite? It would seem to me that is the only way a range could be sure the shooters weren't using reloads. Heck, at the gun shows around here you can purchase "factory reloads" and save some money if you don't have the equipment yourself. They come in factory boxes but the boxes don't actually state reloads. They just show the company name.

January 15, 2011, 03:18 PM	#17
WANT A LCR 22LR Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2010 Posts: 389	Something on the HVAC side of things, there are heat exchanger devices that allow exchange of air while transfering heat to the incoming air. Some are pretty much paralell ducts and some use a rotating disc that transfers heat. The smaller heat exchangers are installed on some newer houses that are built so tight no fresh air enters. I'm considering one for my garage for when it is warmer outside than inside but I don't want moisture to enter.

March 30, 2012, 10:32 PM	#18
dlt Junior Member Join Date: December 4, 2011 Posts: 3	What's the progress @ PTMGunner16 I know it's been over a year since the last post, but I was hoping you see this. I live in Calhoun and have been wanting one in the area that has guns for rent. So I was wondering how the progrees of your plans have come.

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