1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Outdoor Gun Range Feeler

Discussion in 'Guns & Hunting' started by WhiskeyDeltaTango, Oct 27, 2011.

  1. Oct 27, 2011 at 12:52 PM
    #1
    WhiskeyDeltaTango

    WhiskeyDeltaTango [OP] Resident Redneck

    Joined:
    May 16, 2011
    Member:
    #56732
    Messages:
    649
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Will
    Braselton, Georgia
    Vehicle:
    Dirty Black Taco
    ARB Bull Bar, ProComp 9" lights, Dual Hella aux backup lights, WARN VR10000, OME 886x, Dakar Leafs, UWS Low Profile Toolbox, Kicker CVT10, Kicker 750.1
    I've been throwing around the idea with my future father in law about starting an outdoor public gun range. We are both getting heavily involved with idpa/ipsc/combat pistol/multigun shooting and realized there are no ranges nearby that faciltate practicing these kinds of sports. We do have indoor ranges (25yd max) which allow stationary shooting. We also have private clubs, that host most of the competitons, but are member only, ie. extremely expensive, limited numbers, club BS politics. But there is nowhere that allows us to practice: draws, shooting on the move, reloading on the move, shooting from cover, weapon changes etc.

    Now, this is not just about us wanting a place to hang out and shoot. We both share a passion for shooting sports and weapons alike and are looking at this proposition as a business venture not just extending our hobby. We see the opportuniy to provide a place for people like us to shoot, practically practice with firearms, and let people learn how to shoot their tacticool weapons.

    Here is roughly what we are thinking about offering:

    300 meter bench/prone/any position you want rifle range
    multiple 25ydx75yd (sizes vary) pistol/tactical carbine and shotgun bays
    steel pistol/shotgun targets
    cardboard silhouettes with stands
    providing cover and partial rooms
    weapon instruction

    We are thinking 2 hr time on bays with 3 cardboard silhouettes included and a manditory 30min safety briefing for first time shooters, manditory slings and holsters. unlimited time on rifle range one target included.

    Now comes... what do you guys think? is this something that would interest you? how much would you pay?

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Oct 27, 2011 at 1:01 PM
    #2
    longbow

    longbow I see you now..................

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2008
    Member:
    #7586
    Messages:
    4,029
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bill
    Indiana
    Vehicle:
    05 Tacoma Silver Mica TRD 4 Door
    Toy-tec Coil over lift, Eibach 700 lb springs, Sway bar relocate, Total Chaos UCA's, Moto metal wheels, BFG mudterrians, HID, custom 3 piece grill, Highlift jack w/custom mount, Highlift jack cover, bed matt, de-badged 100%, storage box lock mod, using defrost w/o AC mod, short antenna mod, horn re-locate, Tire Gate flat spare tire mount, engine cover painted, bed light (1) mod, wreck bar carrier, Blue Sea 5026 fuse block, center console outlet, flash light mod, Blue Sea inline fuse, Shrockworks sliders, All-Pro front bumper, Piaa 510 driving lights, Warn shackles front, Kennesaw rear bumper, "Tag Boltz" plate lights, Warn shackles rear, Warn M8000 winch, devil horns, BHLM, weathech liners front and rear.....T.W. sticker of course. Custom Sock bed decal for Michele
    I think the idea is great, and sounds like you all would have alot to offer.
    I belong to a gun club here, my dues for a year are $85. That moneys goes for ground clean up, and any other items that need to be addressed.
    We have to supply our own targets, and police our brass.
    Are you going to have a full time person on duty at the location? At our place were went to a scanner card to get in, before it was a key.
    I would join if I was close :)
     
  3. Oct 27, 2011 at 1:10 PM
    #3
    WhiskeyDeltaTango

    WhiskeyDeltaTango [OP] Resident Redneck

    Joined:
    May 16, 2011
    Member:
    #56732
    Messages:
    649
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Will
    Braselton, Georgia
    Vehicle:
    Dirty Black Taco
    ARB Bull Bar, ProComp 9" lights, Dual Hella aux backup lights, WARN VR10000, OME 886x, Dakar Leafs, UWS Low Profile Toolbox, Kicker CVT10, Kicker 750.1
    yeah it would be run like a typical indoor range. a couple people on staff for the store, a couple rangemasters for safety. and 85 bucks?! i would pay that in a heartbeat! I pay 275 for an indoor range! and all the clubs around here are 500 a year minimum with a waiting list and a 2 member referal, plus you have to supply your own targets
     
  4. Oct 27, 2011 at 1:16 PM
    #4
    KodiakToyTRD

    KodiakToyTRD Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2010
    Member:
    #39186
    Messages:
    15,627
    Gender:
    Male
    CO
    Vehicle:
    2013 Scion FR-S Whiteout
    Are you going to be offering classes as well? Basic firearms handling, concealed carry classes, tacticool shooting etc?

    Those might be an idea later on but I can understand just starting off with the range and shooting.
     
  5. Oct 27, 2011 at 1:20 PM
    #5
    Zombie Runner

    Zombie Runner Are these black helicopters for me?

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2008
    Member:
    #5246
    Messages:
    15,074
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kevin
    Wichita Falls, TX
    Vehicle:
    2011 taco, sport 4x4
    oil change...
    I pay 40 a year for our local outdoor field and stream gun range. pistol range has 3 targets, 3 yards, 5 yards, and 10 yards. rifle ranges are from 25yrd range, 50 yrd, and 100 yrd. there are also several skeet sections as well.

    but I would love to be able to go to a more "tactical" type of range. all of ours are from behind a bench, minus the skeet.

    Ive thought about tryin to open an indoor range in my town in the distant future.
     
  6. Oct 27, 2011 at 2:11 PM
    #6
    WhiskeyDeltaTango

    WhiskeyDeltaTango [OP] Resident Redneck

    Joined:
    May 16, 2011
    Member:
    #56732
    Messages:
    649
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Will
    Braselton, Georgia
    Vehicle:
    Dirty Black Taco
    ARB Bull Bar, ProComp 9" lights, Dual Hella aux backup lights, WARN VR10000, OME 886x, Dakar Leafs, UWS Low Profile Toolbox, Kicker CVT10, Kicker 750.1
    We will definitely offer basic to advanced handgun, carbine and shotgun. and once i complete the NRA self defense class we will offer the concealed carry.


    Thats most of our motivation. get rid of the bench and let people put targets where they want them
     
  7. Oct 27, 2011 at 2:12 PM
    #7
    Konaborne

    Konaborne Pineapples on pizza Hawaiian does not it make.

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2010
    Member:
    #46536
    Messages:
    31,906
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Cody
    Kealakekua, Hawaii
    Vehicle:
    Lifted 00 TRD Off-Road
    fox extended travel remote resivoir coilovers, 14" eibach 600lb coils, All Pro tubular chromoly 1" uniball upper control arms, All Pro expedition leaf packs, 10" bilstein 5150 piggyback reservoir shocks 265/75r16 Goodyear wrangler MT/R kevlars wrapped around 16" Helo 791 gloss black, Mini H1 retrofits with 6000k bulbs, 18" magnaflow w/custom exhaust reroute various decals, Sockmonkey retro hood stripes
    Move to the Big Island of Hawaii, then start it

    and I will love you, unconditionally, forever.
     
  8. Oct 27, 2011 at 2:16 PM
    #8
    Zombie Runner

    Zombie Runner Are these black helicopters for me?

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2008
    Member:
    #5246
    Messages:
    15,074
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kevin
    Wichita Falls, TX
    Vehicle:
    2011 taco, sport 4x4
    oil change...

    shooting behind the bench is great for leanring the fundamentals but it also gets very boring.

    I hope you are able to get this going. Good luck!
     
  9. Oct 27, 2011 at 2:25 PM
    #9
    JDCPA

    JDCPA Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2008
    Member:
    #10777
    Messages:
    931
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    SW FL
    Vehicle:
    09 5 Lug Access Cab SR5
    Curt Hitch and etrailer.com wiring harness.
    I'd look for something a lot longer than 300 yards. We have a 1200 yard section of our local range and have shooters come from all over Florida. Not many ranges available beyond 800 yards.
     
  10. Oct 27, 2011 at 2:39 PM
    #10
    WhiskeyDeltaTango

    WhiskeyDeltaTango [OP] Resident Redneck

    Joined:
    May 16, 2011
    Member:
    #56732
    Messages:
    649
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Will
    Braselton, Georgia
    Vehicle:
    Dirty Black Taco
    ARB Bull Bar, ProComp 9" lights, Dual Hella aux backup lights, WARN VR10000, OME 886x, Dakar Leafs, UWS Low Profile Toolbox, Kicker CVT10, Kicker 750.1

    That's a lonnnnggg way. haha our plan right now is 300 yd minimum. 1200yds takes A LOT more land. But I'm with you, the bigger the better. If we can get a good deal on the property we will be able to extend the rifle range. I defintely would love to host those long range competitions
     
  11. Oct 27, 2011 at 2:41 PM
    #11
    WhiskeyDeltaTango

    WhiskeyDeltaTango [OP] Resident Redneck

    Joined:
    May 16, 2011
    Member:
    #56732
    Messages:
    649
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Will
    Braselton, Georgia
    Vehicle:
    Dirty Black Taco
    ARB Bull Bar, ProComp 9" lights, Dual Hella aux backup lights, WARN VR10000, OME 886x, Dakar Leafs, UWS Low Profile Toolbox, Kicker CVT10, Kicker 750.1
    if you cant even get 223 rds, there's no way I could start a range! haha how bout you move to the dirty South and I'll give you a free membership
     
  12. Oct 27, 2011 at 3:29 PM
    #12
    WhiskeyDeltaTango

    WhiskeyDeltaTango [OP] Resident Redneck

    Joined:
    May 16, 2011
    Member:
    #56732
    Messages:
    649
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Will
    Braselton, Georgia
    Vehicle:
    Dirty Black Taco
    ARB Bull Bar, ProComp 9" lights, Dual Hella aux backup lights, WARN VR10000, OME 886x, Dakar Leafs, UWS Low Profile Toolbox, Kicker CVT10, Kicker 750.1
    Wow! That is an awesome advertising plan. Free range. What was the name of this place?
     
  13. Oct 27, 2011 at 3:49 PM
    #13
    WhiskeyDeltaTango

    WhiskeyDeltaTango [OP] Resident Redneck

    Joined:
    May 16, 2011
    Member:
    #56732
    Messages:
    649
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Will
    Braselton, Georgia
    Vehicle:
    Dirty Black Taco
    ARB Bull Bar, ProComp 9" lights, Dual Hella aux backup lights, WARN VR10000, OME 886x, Dakar Leafs, UWS Low Profile Toolbox, Kicker CVT10, Kicker 750.1
    looks like a quality outfit.

    making customers buy your ammo isnt a bad idea if you have a type 6 FFL (ammo manufacturer) or a hook up with one
     
  14. Oct 27, 2011 at 4:30 PM
    #14
    WhiskeyDeltaTango

    WhiskeyDeltaTango [OP] Resident Redneck

    Joined:
    May 16, 2011
    Member:
    #56732
    Messages:
    649
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Will
    Braselton, Georgia
    Vehicle:
    Dirty Black Taco
    ARB Bull Bar, ProComp 9" lights, Dual Hella aux backup lights, WARN VR10000, OME 886x, Dakar Leafs, UWS Low Profile Toolbox, Kicker CVT10, Kicker 750.1
    :eek:! is right.. that is one dead target. wow 15% mark up on expensive ammo = great profit margin.
     
  15. Oct 27, 2011 at 4:43 PM
    #15
    WhiskeyDeltaTango

    WhiskeyDeltaTango [OP] Resident Redneck

    Joined:
    May 16, 2011
    Member:
    #56732
    Messages:
    649
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Will
    Braselton, Georgia
    Vehicle:
    Dirty Black Taco
    ARB Bull Bar, ProComp 9" lights, Dual Hella aux backup lights, WARN VR10000, OME 886x, Dakar Leafs, UWS Low Profile Toolbox, Kicker CVT10, Kicker 750.1
    So what would you guys pay for 2 hours in the pistol/rifle bays? 3 cardboard targets included. extra targets for $2. target pasters $1 for 100. use as many target stand as you want.

    we were thinking $20 per person with each additional shooter being $10 and getting 1 extra target per shooter.

    so you and 2 buddies go to shoot for two hours for $40 and get 5 targets.
     
  16. Oct 27, 2011 at 4:49 PM
    #16
    jspadaro

    jspadaro Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2009
    Member:
    #12342
    Messages:
    2,991
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    Knoxville, TN
    Vehicle:
    Former Tacoma Owner
    Blue Oval Mod
    Whoa buddy, I'd take a step back here... You really should talk to some folks who run small gun ranges. I'm not saying don't do it, I'm saying I'd look a little more before you leap.

    I think you may be overlooking several practical points that jump to my mind:
    - Insurance
    - 30 minute mandatory instruction? Who is going to give that?
    - 2 hours? Our range does 30 minutes, i suspect for good reason... Especially since by nature your range won't have very many bays.
    - I think you can safely scrap steel targets. At least around here, nobody lets you shoot them on the ranges, probably because of the risk of projectiles ricocheting.

    But yeah, I'd definitely call some range owners (probably in other areas of the country) and try to find someone who will give you the ins and outs of running such a business before you sink cash into it.

    BTW, FWIW: The indoor range here is $9 / 30 minutes. The outdoor skeet range with automatic traps is $9 / 1 box (25 rounds). The outdoor state-run bring-your-own-shit-and-shoot range is $10/year.
     
  17. Oct 27, 2011 at 5:02 PM
    #17
    JimBeam

    JimBeam BECAUSE INTERNETS!! Moderator

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2008
    Member:
    #5966
    Messages:
    51,773
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    JB
    Vehicle:
    2015 Tundra
    Also make sure that you local governing body is going to OK the range

    At the local indoor range (that I hate because of the dicks who work there and the idiots who shoot there) I think I pay around $5 for a half hour

    With that being said, I cannot do anything but static shooting



    I liked the idea of calling some other places (outside of your competition area) and explain your ideas and find out some of their issues and pitfalls etc etc
     
  18. Oct 27, 2011 at 5:11 PM
    #18
    tacoman15

    tacoman15 Boobies

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2011
    Member:
    #62001
    Messages:
    3,567
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Northeast Georgia
    Vehicle:
    2015 Tacoma TRD OR & 1985 SR5 4Runner
    dude that would be awesome. I was a member at Etawah in Dawsonville for a little for skeet shooting but it got a little boring after a while cause they never changed the stations up.
     
  19. Oct 27, 2011 at 9:49 PM
    #19
    WhiskeyDeltaTango

    WhiskeyDeltaTango [OP] Resident Redneck

    Joined:
    May 16, 2011
    Member:
    #56732
    Messages:
    649
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Will
    Braselton, Georgia
    Vehicle:
    Dirty Black Taco
    ARB Bull Bar, ProComp 9" lights, Dual Hella aux backup lights, WARN VR10000, OME 886x, Dakar Leafs, UWS Low Profile Toolbox, Kicker CVT10, Kicker 750.1
    I've already talked to a three range owners, so I have an idea about the details. This isn't and won't be a shoot from a single lane indoor range. I am already a certified range master so is my partner so we can give the safety briefings. Our price point is low compared to the services we offer compared to an indoor range. Plus this isnt state funded.
     
  20. Oct 28, 2011 at 12:08 PM
    #20
    rmb_crew

    rmb_crew My other ride has 18,400HP!!!!!!

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2009
    Member:
    #12837
    Messages:
    6,069
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ryan
    Jacksonville, FL 30.243103, -81.591007‎
    Vehicle:
    2010 F150 XLT SuperCrew 4X4
    Access larado tonneau, magnaflow exhaust
    I have a nice outdoor range near me. They have a member section which has 1 dedicated pistol range (prob 15 bays) and it have 3 different distances in it. and 2 rifle ranges (100/200) just for the members. For the public you have 3 pistol ranges 3/7/15yrds and each with 15 bays each and than a 100yrd rifle range. Also they have a trap and airsoft area. So its a big play and lots of space. The yearly membership is $115 and than a daily nonmember is $18 so its a steal and there no time limit so you can stay all day. Heres the website. http://www.grpc-jax.com/
     

Products Discussed in

To Top