In-door vs.out-door range ?

BIGDOC

BIGDOC

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So what are the pro's vs. con's for shooting at a range... I talk to some people I know and some don't like in-door ranges and they prefer out-door...and vis-versa... just looking for some opinions.
 
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To me, there are two major health concerns when using an indoor range: 1) the most important - is airborne lead contamination, and 2) potential hearing damage due to noise. When shooting indoors (there is an indoor range less than 3 miles from my front door), I always wear both ear plugs and muffs, and the noise is still bothersome.

Regards,

Dave
 
I much prefer to shoot in my club's indoor range during the winter when the temp is in the single digits and the wind is blowing a gale. Otherwise, I like the outdoor range. Double-O-Dave is correct about the lead contamination problem indoors for ranges that have inadequate ventilation, which is just about all of them. I've had problems with elevated blood lead levels in the past, and now always wear a half-face respirator with P100 filters when shooting indoors. We're usually just shooting .22s indoors, so a good pair of muffs will do the job, but if someone is shooting anything larger I agree it's a good idea to double up.
 
Two things I can only do at my outdoor range: Long distance rifle shooting, and trap shooting.

Two things I only get at my indoor range: Year-round comfort, powered target trolleys (no waiting for a range shooting halt to replace your target).

There are other site specific perks that may offer value to the user. There are several indoor ranges near my home and the amenities range from bare-bones to extensive. The range rules and price structure also vary. The more noticeable differences are restrictions to ammo and lane time.

My club has fresh air ducts over each shooting station that push air very forcefully. Takes some getting used to. Some members wear brimmed hats to deflect it.
 
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There are many variables to consider - noise, lighting, airflow, rain, temperature, drive distance, shooting distances, ability to shoot reloaded ammo, etc

I prefer shooting outside unless it's cold, raining, or too windy. Thankfully my city has opened 2 indoor ranges in the last year. Previously there were none. One of them just opened last week. The newest one allows you to shoot reloads whereas the first one did not. Since 90% of my shooting is reloads I rarely visited the range that's been around for a year now.

Indoor ranges are fine for pistol distances but most people aren't too interested in shooting rifles at 25 yards.
 
I haven't been to an indoor range since I was a kid. Still I prefer outdoor. Much more comfortable for me. I like being outside even in the cold weather. And I handle the noise much better outside vs inside.

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I dislike indoor ranges intensely.

They are too loud and cramped and limit what shooting can be done.

My outdoor club is infinitely more pleasant physically and offers much more variety from trap to 200 yard rifle to silhouette, to small bore ranges to pistol ranges that allow movement and multiple target sets.

Going to an indoor range is like standing in a closet by comparison.
 
I can't remember the last time I went to an outdoor range.

There are two indoor ranges I use. Both let me draw from the holster and rapid fire. One has programmable turning targets I can use for reactive shooting.

One of the last times I went to an outdoor range someone negligently discharged a round after the RO/instructor called a cease fire and walked down range to check on a target. I like the fact that I don't have to go down range to check my target at an indoor range.

The only outdoor ranges near me are either public ranges that are only open 2-3 days/week or private ranges that aren't accepting new membership applications...at least they weren't the last time I checked.
 
It depends on what I'm doing (and the weather).
In the Winter and on rainy days, I go to the Indoor range, but all other times, I go to the Outdoor range.

The Outdoor range only charges $10 for all day, where the Indoor range charges $10 per Hour.

When there are no CHL (Now LTC) classes going on, the owner of the Outdoor range Lets me use the LTC bay to set up multiple targets and practice IDPA scenarios and shoot on the move, whereas the Indoor range is 'Static' shooting.
 
On an indoor range the sound reverberates off the walls and you get the vibrations several times as opposed to once outdoors. No matter how many pairs of ear protection you wear, you will suffer more damage indoors than out. Ask me, I know after instructing for 25 years.
Plus the air is a heck of a lot cleaner outdoors and you can shoot longer distances.
 
I prefer a outdoor range. Among its many attributes is the potential to be much longer than a indoor. I have a close to 100 yard safe range on my own property and use it often.

I belong to a small rural "redneck club" about 15 miles from my house. They have a 70' indoor range. Any conventional pistol can shoot there, no rifles other than rim fire. As the club is small me and Mrs Lakesider go there about twice a week lately and have always had the 9 position range to ourselves. Its heated and a heck of a lot better during the winters or rain time of upper NYS.:D FWIW the club also has up to a 200 yard outdoor range
 
Wow thanks for the input guys, I'm prior military and served on MARINE CORP. tanks as a gunner so I'm used to noise.. great point about the ventilation for sure and I've shot at out-door ranges before but doesn't really matter to me, thanks for your input all.
 
My father and grandfather helped build the local indoor shooting range. But, with politics and the way the place was run, we never go there. As others have said, take a good hard look at the rules, other shooters, owners, board members if its a public club, ect. The place could either be a hazardous because of lack of management, or nit pickity you can't do what you went there to do, or turn things miserable instead of a day of fun. Ask lots of questions, and observe who is there.
 
Being that he's from Florida I don't see cold weather being much of an issue.That being said, I prefer outdoor to indoor. I'll go out even in the snow to shoot, rather than being at an indoor range with poor ventilation.
 
On a nice day, how can you go wrong with an outdoor range? Plus I find there's a little bit more space between shooters and no one is on top of eachother
 
I just joined an out door range this past week ..

outside is less noise, better air quality, varied positions to shoot from, longer shooting distances out to 300 yards .. 8 different ranges .. bring your own ammo (cheaper) .. cost 100 first year 75 for following years for family .. children to 18 living at home .. locked gate to let your self in and out .. opened sunup to sunset .. No gunsmith, ammo or supplies .. can't rent weapons .. safety could be questioned as you might be on the property alone if an accident were to happen .. range officer there about 8 hours during the day during the week but all daylight hours on weekends ..

indoor range 75 yards max .. warm in our Midwest winters .. noisy loud, poor air quality at times, have to use their ammo, have to use their targets .. costs 10 for a 1/2 hour with 5 dollars for additional guest age limit .. only 2 people allowed per lane .. can be long waits on weekends .. Tuesday night Ladies Only for 4 hours .. free gun rentals for the ladies .. No men allowed on the range except the ranges own instructors free instruction on how to shoot that night which is a great deal for a woman new to the sport or for carrying .. guns both pistols and long guns for rent by the 1/2 hour for 10-15 dollars good selection .22 to 45CP.. usually around 15 to 20 pistols and 3-4 rifles 2 shot guns .. 2 AR's there a little more to rent ..
 
Some outdoor ranges don't have dividers between shooters and shooters take brass hits as well as revolver cylinder side blasts.
I don't even like being pelted with casings by the guy next to me. I imagine the guy next to me probably took some of my brass also.
Indoor ranges are very loud as well. For these reasons I made my own sand bullet trap for less than $100 in my back yard that stops any gun shots fired at it. I even get to pick up my own brass. Granted I am lucky to live out in the country where I can safely shoot my guns.
 
I've always held the opinion that incorporating dynamic movement, GOTX/getting off the X and scenario and close-quarter skills into defensive shooting training was imperative. Luckily, I've always had a private outdoor range available to me. With the exception of beginners, I find limited benefits from statically standing in an indoor range booth shooting at motionless paper targets in the context of effectively training for self-defense.

JMHO, YMMV
 
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