Hey everybody. I have been researching and looking into opening up a shooting range/ gun shop in the future, and I was wondering what you guys like about your current ranges or somethings that they could improve on? Also what would you like to see in ranges that they might not have?
Looking into opening SHOOTING RANGE!!
- Thread starter tparrack
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Indoor range with a simulated real life self defense situation with bad guy targets that without warning appear moving targets etc. I think the general public would like to train like the cops. Fixed stationary targets do not simulate a real life gun fight.
Russ
Russ
GnarlyTwoTrack
Member
The few I like (when I'm not shooting at my camp for free) is outdoor ranges. Here we can set up moving targets (if you have them) or stationary defense situations. IF you're the only one out there that day. It's 3.00 to members of the club or only 8.00 for non. No time limit or number of rounds in your clips which is nice. This has wood tables for resting on and cover so you don't get burned shooting all day. As well as 50',100, and 300 spots.
Another one I frequent is a free outdoor range. It has cement outdoor benches (so no one walks away with your picnic bench) and has a 50',100, and 300 spot. I like the 50' spot because thats where the shade hits first.
Downfall of that one is it's owned by dnr and you can only do one round in your mag. Also, you can only shoot at paper targets. Though, I've seen people load up more than one and shoot at things other than paper.
I really hate indoor ranges. They typically charge way too much, have a time limit, people supervising, can only shoot at paper, charge for extra people shooting with ya, etc. Keep it cheap and don't make too many strict rules and I think everyone will love it. Of course you also want to make money, not have the place too crazy or dirty, and it worth your time though.
Another one I frequent is a free outdoor range. It has cement outdoor benches (so no one walks away with your picnic bench) and has a 50',100, and 300 spot. I like the 50' spot because thats where the shade hits first.
Downfall of that one is it's owned by dnr and you can only do one round in your mag. Also, you can only shoot at paper targets. Though, I've seen people load up more than one and shoot at things other than paper. I really hate indoor ranges. They typically charge way too much, have a time limit, people supervising, can only shoot at paper, charge for extra people shooting with ya, etc. Keep it cheap and don't make too many strict rules and I think everyone will love it. Of course you also want to make money, not have the place too crazy or dirty, and it worth your time though.
BCDWYO
Member
The one thing that I think makes the biggest difference between a good range and a bad one is the attitude of the people you hire. We've all been to ranges with the know-it-all wannabe commando range officer that is either screaming about the smallest perceived infraction, or loudly trying to impress people with his (usually incorrect) advice. Yes you have to be safe, but make it friendly and fun.
Twoboxer
Member
1. Good, user-controllable lighting in each booth. At some ranges, you need night sights or eyes younger than 40 
2. It's nice to be able to set the target distance via the in-booth controller and not have to judge where the target is vs lines on the floor or wall. Dunno what that costs lol.
3. It's nice to be able to keep the range cool, and yet not have wind blowing targets around down range.
4. It's nice to have a shelf against the back wall of the range to put my stuff on/under rather than load it into a booth that's just big enough to hold me in the first place. However, this does give folks an opportunity to load guns outside of their booth . . . which is probably why a lot of ranges don't have them.
5. There are some options about how targets are hung . . . the one I personally like best is you're required to buy ($0.75) a large (2'x3' ?) cardboard backer. It has 2 pre-punched holes, hangs from two meat hooks attached to the trolley, and you tape your targets on with tape rolls stored inside each booth. I hate fiddling with paper clips and clamps, and running around looking for the damn tape.
6. Being able to reserve a lane time in advance might be useful, perhaps for an extra charge to compensate for potential time/revenue lost. I've been to 4 indoor ranges and none offered that, even for members.
7. Some level of supplies are necessary, but frankly most heavy shooters are going to buy ammo etc online if only to avoid the sales tax . . . until all that changes lol.
8. An indoor range with targets other than stationary (no pun intended) paper would warrant a premium rental price.
9. I think the ranges I use would have made a fortune if they had an SR22, an SR1911, an M&P Shield . . . get the idea? . . . available for rent.
10. If a (Ransom) pistol rest was available for rent, I know I would have used it at least 4 different times this year
2. It's nice to be able to set the target distance via the in-booth controller and not have to judge where the target is vs lines on the floor or wall. Dunno what that costs lol.
3. It's nice to be able to keep the range cool, and yet not have wind blowing targets around down range.
4. It's nice to have a shelf against the back wall of the range to put my stuff on/under rather than load it into a booth that's just big enough to hold me in the first place. However, this does give folks an opportunity to load guns outside of their booth . . . which is probably why a lot of ranges don't have them.
5. There are some options about how targets are hung . . . the one I personally like best is you're required to buy ($0.75) a large (2'x3' ?) cardboard backer. It has 2 pre-punched holes, hangs from two meat hooks attached to the trolley, and you tape your targets on with tape rolls stored inside each booth. I hate fiddling with paper clips and clamps, and running around looking for the damn tape.
6. Being able to reserve a lane time in advance might be useful, perhaps for an extra charge to compensate for potential time/revenue lost. I've been to 4 indoor ranges and none offered that, even for members.
7. Some level of supplies are necessary, but frankly most heavy shooters are going to buy ammo etc online if only to avoid the sales tax . . . until all that changes lol.
8. An indoor range with targets other than stationary (no pun intended) paper would warrant a premium rental price.
9. I think the ranges I use would have made a fortune if they had an SR22, an SR1911, an M&P Shield . . . get the idea? . . . available for rent.
10. If a (Ransom) pistol rest was available for rent, I know I would have used it at least 4 different times this year
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Skeptic 9c
Member
The costs of EPA compliance will kill your business. Front money will be difficult to find. There are at least two ranges in FL that would love to put in A/C but the cost of compliance is prohibitive and the Feds uncooperative to the point of suspected sabotage.
Do you have Small Business Experience? Four or five failures and lessons learned?
Geoff
Who notes those are just the good points.
Do you have Small Business Experience? Four or five failures and lessons learned?
Geoff
Who notes those are just the good points.
My local LGS just finished putting A/C in his range, 18 lanes with a vent above each stall.. ugraded the entire system = $435,000.000
Moonman
Member
Hope you have DEEP POCKETS as EPA Compliance for air filtering and lead, liability and other business insurances can be expensive, especially if you would have moving targets and inexperienced new CCW shooters.
I would think that you would need a FULL SERVICE gun and supply store along with firearms RENTALS to have a chance to pay the bills and be successful.
OMAHA area, maybe you could submit a BUSINESS PLAN to WARREN BUFFET and take on a partner. He has really, really, really DEEP POCKETS.
I would think that you would need a FULL SERVICE gun and supply store along with firearms RENTALS to have a chance to pay the bills and be successful.
OMAHA area, maybe you could submit a BUSINESS PLAN to WARREN BUFFET and take on a partner. He has really, really, really DEEP POCKETS.
Ed45
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
The other factor of cost and I am not trying to be a negative contributor, is insurance. Unfortunately a range with gun rentals (and most do rent guns) are used by disturbed people from time to time to commit suicide. We have had several at the range I belong to.
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First of all, market research, a sound business plan and financing, as others mentioned. I've seen more than a few ranges go out of business.
A separate section for low- and high-noise guns, if possible, and noise-reducing coverage on the walls.
One large national chain sporting goods store's range has a 100 yard underground tunnel, accessed indoors, for sighting in rifles, not a bad idea for areas with bad weather.
Reasonable prices for ammo, supplies and guns (although you'll probably make most of your money on this, rather than range fees or memberships).
Training classes for new shooters, or having an instructor available by appointment, so your nice shiny new range doesn't pick up all those holes in the ceiling, walls and elsewhere.
A separate section for low- and high-noise guns, if possible, and noise-reducing coverage on the walls.
One large national chain sporting goods store's range has a 100 yard underground tunnel, accessed indoors, for sighting in rifles, not a bad idea for areas with bad weather.
Reasonable prices for ammo, supplies and guns (although you'll probably make most of your money on this, rather than range fees or memberships).
Training classes for new shooters, or having an instructor available by appointment, so your nice shiny new range doesn't pick up all those holes in the ceiling, walls and elsewhere.
1fly2ty
Member
While I agree with 98% of what has been posted by others, I will tell you I managed a LGS last year and the guy that owned it also owned the building and it is an Industrial Building in an industrial zone. We were doing an estimated cost break down and even with him owning the building we figured somewhere around 2.5 Million dollars to build and comply with EPA and other agency's. You have to have air scrubbers and a host of other eqipment, but one of the toughest battles you will have is with your local city commisioners obtaining a conditional use permit. We live in a totally gun friendly state and municipality, but the Attoreny figured it would take 1.5-2 years of battle to get the permit, and that would probably be your biggest battle.
When county or city commisoners hear the word gun range, the battle is on. I think if you were going to start an outdoor range you would have a smaller investment in the land and possibly an easier battle with local municipalities. Then you add onto or modify the use permit that would allow you to enclose the the covered firing line with bays that have an opening or port to shoot through. Theres a range in Casper Wyoming that has a heated building, adn a port that you pull a rope to open the shooting lane you occupy. Just sayin there's always more than one way to skin a cat!
When county or city commisoners hear the word gun range, the battle is on. I think if you were going to start an outdoor range you would have a smaller investment in the land and possibly an easier battle with local municipalities. Then you add onto or modify the use permit that would allow you to enclose the the covered firing line with bays that have an opening or port to shoot through. Theres a range in Casper Wyoming that has a heated building, adn a port that you pull a rope to open the shooting lane you occupy. Just sayin there's always more than one way to skin a cat!
M_E_
Member
If you do it, have a VERY LARGE pile of cash handy! The trick to keep your range profitable is to offer services others don't Hand gun rentals will be HUGE! If you can do class III all the better. That's what is keeping places like Scottsdale Gun Club in business. Handgun rentals and a good selection of them for rent will be HUGE too. It will also influence your customers to buy guns FROM YOU.
But the killer deal will be a 40 to 50 yard SHOTGUN patterning lane. But the biggie will be a 100 yard rifle range. Build 6 lanes with room for 10 more!! Air handling will be the hard part here. I know Scottsdale Gun Club was going to build a new facility in Peoria, Az with 12 ,100 yd lanes. That stopped when they had $$$ issues. So, you will need some real capital when you begin the project. I would say if you can rent a building, you will need $500,000 to get started due to construction costs & inventory stock.
These businesses are successful but take $$$ to open up. I would suggest you first come to Phoenix & check out Scottsdale Gun Club and Shooters World, 2 locations here prior to doing anything.
But the killer deal will be a 40 to 50 yard SHOTGUN patterning lane. But the biggie will be a 100 yard rifle range. Build 6 lanes with room for 10 more!! Air handling will be the hard part here. I know Scottsdale Gun Club was going to build a new facility in Peoria, Az with 12 ,100 yd lanes. That stopped when they had $$$ issues. So, you will need some real capital when you begin the project. I would say if you can rent a building, you will need $500,000 to get started due to construction costs & inventory stock.
These businesses are successful but take $$$ to open up. I would suggest you first come to Phoenix & check out Scottsdale Gun Club and Shooters World, 2 locations here prior to doing anything.
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