- Sep 5, 2016
- 778
I absolutely hate going to indoor gun ranges. Most of them are filled with incompetent and untrained people pulling triggers, they tend to be crowded and I can never just go and train. I can’t do holster draw, some don’t allow high velocity, and some don’t allow automatic or rapid fire and some don’t allow shotgun except slugs. Collecting and saving my brass in these places tends to be a headache and in short, public indoor ranges (for me) sucks. I tried to purchase land to shoot on for the last two years but that’s been another needle in the haystack!
I almost pulled the trigger (no pun intended) to use 1200 SF of my warehouse and convert it to an area just for me to shoot. So, I started thinking about going bigger if others would be interested. So, if things keep lining up, I have a different indoor gun range concept that I’d like to build and get everyone’s feedback for possible pitfalls and/or misses in services provided. This isn’t so much about making money as it is for the love of shooting. I assure you however, I’m not going into this to lose money.
I own commercial warehouse space in Northern Baltimore County and I’d like to do a build out for an indoor range. The concept is simple, this is purely a private shooting range. No guns will be rented, no glass counters and shooters will need to bring everything they need themselves. I don’t want to be competition to the existing gun ranges and would prefer word of mouth as I don’t want every knucklehead trying to get in and shoot.
I’m looking at a simple vending setup for ammunition, eye and ear protection just in case someone is forgetful and even drinks and snacks. I have not found anything for target vending but still working on it.
No firearms will be stored in this facility but that may need to change to a rental locker system if everything goes well. Zero retail will be conducted at this range, no cash transactions and the vending will even be credit card only to reduce overhead. It may be a 24/7 operation with a card access, but I don’t have those bugs worked out yet. Either way, access will be tight and there will be around the clock surveillance.
To use the facility, shooters will need to be members in good standing (reasonably priced) and screened through an appropriate entity. To become a member, you will need to be an NRA member, 21 years of age, references and indemnify the range for your negligence by naming the range as additional insured through your homeowner’s or business policy. Still working out the details for the indemnification with my attorneys and insurance broker. I’m also looking to make this range available to law enforcement through government contracts but that’s still being worked on.
The concept is this facility will have 3 main areas, very well ventilated, a lead dust evac system with ballistic and acoustic protection 360 degrees including ceilings. One area will be for individual shooting booths with programmable targets and two areas will be 3 gun sections which can be quickly and easily converted to a ten-lane target area for “possible” law enforcement.
The two, 3 gun sections excites me the most but I’m not sure how many members would utilize 3-gun. I love indoor 3 gun but those areas will consume the most square footage thus, the most expensive. I was at a range some years back and loved this indoor 3 gun set up and it’s exactly what I’d like to duplicate. Sorry for the YouTube post,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0spoomUw0w
Also looking for feedback on building an additional CQC area which may be another law enforcement draw. I’m still speaking with some experts in the know on layout for CQC training but again, if this space can be used for law enforcement too, why not. I don’t see many members using a CQC space, but I could be wrong.
Members will likely need to go online and schedule their range time and see what’s available like making a reservation through OpenTable for a restaurant. This range won’t be intended to just show up and shoot but that’s still being thought out too. If everything looks promising going forward, I will likely go to the county for preliminary approval and permits. Input would be great appreciated and thanks in advance!
I almost pulled the trigger (no pun intended) to use 1200 SF of my warehouse and convert it to an area just for me to shoot. So, I started thinking about going bigger if others would be interested. So, if things keep lining up, I have a different indoor gun range concept that I’d like to build and get everyone’s feedback for possible pitfalls and/or misses in services provided. This isn’t so much about making money as it is for the love of shooting. I assure you however, I’m not going into this to lose money.
I own commercial warehouse space in Northern Baltimore County and I’d like to do a build out for an indoor range. The concept is simple, this is purely a private shooting range. No guns will be rented, no glass counters and shooters will need to bring everything they need themselves. I don’t want to be competition to the existing gun ranges and would prefer word of mouth as I don’t want every knucklehead trying to get in and shoot.
I’m looking at a simple vending setup for ammunition, eye and ear protection just in case someone is forgetful and even drinks and snacks. I have not found anything for target vending but still working on it.
No firearms will be stored in this facility but that may need to change to a rental locker system if everything goes well. Zero retail will be conducted at this range, no cash transactions and the vending will even be credit card only to reduce overhead. It may be a 24/7 operation with a card access, but I don’t have those bugs worked out yet. Either way, access will be tight and there will be around the clock surveillance.
To use the facility, shooters will need to be members in good standing (reasonably priced) and screened through an appropriate entity. To become a member, you will need to be an NRA member, 21 years of age, references and indemnify the range for your negligence by naming the range as additional insured through your homeowner’s or business policy. Still working out the details for the indemnification with my attorneys and insurance broker. I’m also looking to make this range available to law enforcement through government contracts but that’s still being worked on.
The concept is this facility will have 3 main areas, very well ventilated, a lead dust evac system with ballistic and acoustic protection 360 degrees including ceilings. One area will be for individual shooting booths with programmable targets and two areas will be 3 gun sections which can be quickly and easily converted to a ten-lane target area for “possible” law enforcement.
The two, 3 gun sections excites me the most but I’m not sure how many members would utilize 3-gun. I love indoor 3 gun but those areas will consume the most square footage thus, the most expensive. I was at a range some years back and loved this indoor 3 gun set up and it’s exactly what I’d like to duplicate. Sorry for the YouTube post,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0spoomUw0w
Also looking for feedback on building an additional CQC area which may be another law enforcement draw. I’m still speaking with some experts in the know on layout for CQC training but again, if this space can be used for law enforcement too, why not. I don’t see many members using a CQC space, but I could be wrong.
Members will likely need to go online and schedule their range time and see what’s available like making a reservation through OpenTable for a restaurant. This range won’t be intended to just show up and shoot but that’s still being thought out too. If everything looks promising going forward, I will likely go to the county for preliminary approval and permits. Input would be great appreciated and thanks in advance!