Shooting Range Buyout or Start one?

[Adobe]

Hey guys,

I have been a major gun enthusiast for sometime now. I have been to a lot of ranges and they all have there ups and downs. I got this crazy idea the other of wanting to own my own range. There is a dumpy little range near where I live that could use some TLC. Also it has a lot of negative reviews with the same opinions as me, which could be fixed.

What do you guys think? Would you buy out a range or start your own if you had a chance?

[2W2X1]

Location is everything if this is a cash flow business. Buyout if location is key, otherwise, start fresh... Will provide no preconceived opinions. The term, under new management does not negate all past negative views of a place.

I have dreams of owning my own private range on my own property... Retirement can't come soon enough.

[baih777]

indoor or outdoor

[L84CABO]

As others have said, location is key. If it's a good spot, then yes, it might be worth it. But consider this...could you buy, say, the lot across the street or down the road? And maybe this is a good idea...maybe it isn't. Buying out the existing range would kill any competition in the immediate area which may be worth it. But maybe buying the lot across the street could save you a ton of cash. Just gotta weigh all the options.

[Rosebud22]

Keep in mind the current ones are under attack. The people around Chabot and Los Altos ranges are trying to have them shut down. Everything from lead contamination to noise pollution and anything else they can come up with.
So, it would be a heavy lift. I live in Alameda. Thought the old Navy base would be an excellent choice for an indoor range. I mean 50yd indoor range in one of the old hangers. How cool would that be. But our city gov is sooooo screwed up, it would never happen.

[cannon]

I would imagine it is easier and cheaper to transfer a permit than get a new fresh one.

[sl0re10]

I would imagine it is easier and cheaper to transfer a permit than get a new fresh one.

yeah; if this is true its a big deal.

Getting a new location in many cities seems pretty uphill.

If this one is not doing well for a correctable reason.... then sure. Something to look at.

If its indoor; remember the gov (fed and state) has been paying more attention to ventilation and lead in the air lately. Might need some improvements ($) there to get up to spec.

[prod39]

When you consider buying the existing range or trying to build a new one, consider this; In communistfornia, you may not be able to build a new one?
Each office would have new restrictions and, there is public comment? Add the lead ban coming?
I'd say try to save the existing one !

[Adobe]

The existing one I am looking is an indoor one. It is short range so mostly handgun ammo is shot there right now. Kind of a down side.

[edgerly779]

When I built the Target Range in Van Nuys in 1981 the permits were easy to obtain. Now they are 5 times as expensive and takes months. Buying a range is much easier if you can change the name and overcome bad reputation.

[ChrisC]

It is much easier and cheaper to buy an existing gun range then going through the process of opening a new gun range where one does not exist. I deal with the city, county, and state in regards to construction and building permits. Trust me when I tell you to buy an existing place and fix it up.

Just the planning process alone can set you back up to 6 figures. Then you have to do a complete site and building submittal if approved by the planning committee. Then throw in environmental testing and reports. And that is just a tiny part of the whole process.

It is not like it was back in the 70's and 80's. Things now suck big time.

[Untamed1972]

It is much easier and cheaper to buy an existing gun range then going through the process of opening a new gun range where one does not exist. I deal with the city, county, and state in regards to construction and building permits. Trust me when I tell you to buy an existing place and fix it up.

Just the planning process alone can set you back up to 6 figures. Then you have to do a complete site and building submittal if approved by the planning committee. Then throw in environmental testing and reports. And that is just a tiny part of the whole process.

It is not like it was back in the 70's and 80's. Things now suck big time.

^^^this^^^

If we were talking another state it might be different. But if we're talking CA, especially any urban or semi urban areas of CA, you are going be MEGA $$$ ahead to buy an existing one that it already zoned and permitted for that use and just rehad, refurb, upgrade it.

Since ranges are getting fewer and farther between these days for the most part, I would think with some good promotion and customer service overcoming the previous bad rep shouldn't be that hard.

[bigbearbear]

The existing one I am looking is an indoor one. It is short range so mostly handgun ammo is shot there right now. Kind of a down side.

Wait, is Target Masters in Mipitas up for sale?

[CK_32]

There isn't really a solid answer. Way too many variables to account for. You'd have to crunch the numbers and weigh the cons and see what's the best possible investment.


Also why the original range went under.

[Jimi Jah]

If a range comes up for sale, there is good reason. With a shortage and crowds, it's not lack of biz, it's everything else, California, EPA, zoning, taxes, endless paperwork, occasional suicides and cleanups, fighting endless liberal lawsuits and lack of personal time.

I'd rather open an illegal alien law office, that's where the $ is and the govment has your back.