opening a gun shop\range in Modesto

[brighamr]

I know there's a lot of people, myself included, who would like a good gun shop\range close to Modesto. Sierra Sports doesn't have a range (though they are a good shop), and Ronning Arms is horrible.

I've been researching what it takes to open a shop (ie. permits, insurance, etc) but I would like to hear from the people who currently have shops:

1) How hard was it to get started?
2) Are you open to helping another calgunner start a shop? (meaning, can you tell me exactly what permits are required, and or who I would need to contact to start the process)
3) Even though there's a lot of complaints stating "it doesn't make any money", does it make enough that you can do it full time?

I'm considering starting the shop by myself, and working it full time. I currently make a decent living in Computers, but I hate them and would rather do something I enjoy. I also think the more shops we get in California, the better (most of one's I used to go to are closed or closing).

If you're going to respond, please don't do the usual "it's not worth your time, you wont make any money, too many hassles from DOJ" replies. I know it's possible and I'm determined, just need some honest help getting started.

Thanks in advance.

[BigMac]

I tried running my gunshop full time and nearly went bankrupt.

I didn't charge enough and competing with the internet sucks..

Want to buy Irvington Arms instead?

[brighamr]

Big Mac, I sent you a PM. I agree competing with the internet is hard (I have the same competition in the computer buisness, but you don't need an FFL for transfers).

KimberCarry, my thoughts exactly. What I hope to do is find an old building (warehouse maybe?) and build the lanes myself. For a back drop for the .50bmg lane, I planned on using about 6 yards of concrete. For the other lanes, about 4 feet of tightly packed fallen trees from the sierras. I also plan to build all the shelving, target machines, and store counter as well. If my plan will work, I'll have to pay for the building, permits, goods and more permits, everything else will be relatively cheap.

I'm hoping more shop owners will let me know if there's more involved (ie. zoning requirements, sound limitations, etc)

[mltrading]

I tried running my gunshop full time and nearly went bankrupt.

I didn't charge enough and competing with the internet sucks..

Want to buy Irvington Arms instead?

Amen, brother. The out-of-state sellers could avoid CA sales/use taxes. That sucks.....

[mltrading]

To the original poster:

What do you mean 50BMG? Hope you just include ammo and parts. The complete 50BMG firearm or receiver is a big NO-NO.

[brighamr]

To the original poster:

What do you mean 50BMG? Hope you just include ammo and parts. The complete 50BMG firearm or receiver is a big NO-NO.

LOL

sounds like a DOJ statement. I wrote .50BMG lane, not rifle

[mltrading]

LOL

sounds like a DOJ statement. I wrote .50BMG lane, not rifle

My bad.

Thounsand-yard lane? That would be very cool. Might need a shuttle bus between bench rests and targets.

[brighamr]

haha I wish I could do a 1000 yards indoor. What I'm really planning on is about 50 yards. The BMG lane would be usefull for sighting in new scopes and such, as well as giving people a place to shoot. One other thing I was thinking is that shooters could bring their own "targets" (ie. computer monitors, etc) as long as they pay for the lane and clean up the lane at the end of session.

Good idea?

[moulton]

I hate ranges that make you buy bullets from them

[tgriffin]

haha I wish I could do a 1000 yards indoor. What I'm really planning on is about 50 yards. The BMG lane would be usefull for sighting in new scopes and such, as well as giving people a place to shoot. One other thing I was thinking is that shooters could bring their own "targets" (ie. computer monitors, etc) as long as they buy the bullets onsite and clean up the lane at the end of session.

Good idea?

Bad idea....... you want to be the hall monitor making sure that they clean up the range? Or if they come in the middle of the day, are you going to shut down your money-making lanes while they clean up when they want to leave 30 minutes later? BAD. Plus, you'd likely have EPA all over your @$$ for the illegal disposal of monitors and TV's that's a result of your service. Best luck bro.

[brighamr]

Yep, didn't think of that BS. Thanks. I'm just brainstorming out loud here, trying to find ways to make the range better than the ones I've been to, which would result in more buisness.

So far I've heard that you don't like places that make you buy bullets onsite, and you only want to shoot paper. How about some sort of action lane? (Targets swing in from left and right?)

For the people who currently go to ranges, what would you like to have at or in an indoor range?

What do you not like about the ranges you currently go to?

I figure if I do actually open a new range, it may as well have what people want (if possible)

[tenpercentfirearms]

I would think opening a range would be a lot of time, energy, and money for what might not be a very big profit. Here in Kern County, I find it offensive to pay to go shooting and so I don't think I would want to hastle with the headache of having a range.

[Mr. Mildot]

I think it's a great idea, and I'd be interested in helping you out as well. We need more ranges/facilities and retail establishments as infrastructure to support our passion/sport/hobby....

May I submit that nobody (at least not me) would want to go shoot a .50 at 50 yards. It'd be like flying a 747 around inside the superdome.

Theres lots of land around Modesto that would potentially make for a great outdoor range, possibly with a longer yardage target. Shooting long range is very popular and getting more so every day, so I would suggest making a long yardage (min 500 yd) range a part of you plan if possible.

Whatever you want to do, I'm behind you because any new range/shop would be good.

P.S. Solicit help from the NRA on this, they may prove to be a valuable resource in helping you overcome some legal and financial obsticles.

[brighamr]

Mr Mildot, thanks for your reply. An outdoor range would probably be cheaper and easier, the only problem is raising money to buy the land. Land is insainly expensive right now, but your mention of people wanting longer yardage is a good point. I will also consult the NRA, as I want to have training sessions there as well (handgun safety, hunting safety, tactical training, etc). Do you have any other suggestions for what you'd like to see at the range? (Sillouettes, action range, etc)

Tenpercent, here in modesto you have to drive over 2 hours to shoot for free, and when you get there it's a muddy road where most cars can't go. Where I lived in Utah, it was remote and I could shoot off of my porch, but in modesto ranges are the way to go unless you have a day off and a 4x4

[xenophobe]

.50 BMG indoors? No way. It would have to be a single lane of it's own, pretty much closed off all the way, and the backstop would be a difficult one too, as it would need to be maintained daily... I can't imagine how many layers of tire, sandbags and steel would be needed to keep it containable. Plus the rapport of a .50 BMG would be incredibly loud indoors. Ear plugs with ear muffs might not be enough unless you have a sound tunnel of some sort....