opening a gun shop\range in Modesto

[bonjing]

don't forget about the hazardous materials and dealing with OSHA and EPA(?).

[PIRATE14]

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?

Yeah....I'll buy it

[Pthfndr]

There's an indoor range / sporting goods / gun store, in Fairfield or Vacaville, that allows the 50 bmg. Just nothing over 3000 ft/sec MV. It's also only 25 yards.

Spend the money to buy the CD from the NRA on indoor / outdoor ranges. It's full of information you really need to know before you spend any more money or time. It's also a real eye opener.

Insurance is a real killer.

[xenophobe]

don't forget about the hazardous materials and dealing with OSHA and EPA(?).

OSHA isn't a problem... it's CA DHS - Department of Health Services, primarily and the EPA that you'll be dealing with.

[brighamr]

There's an indoor range / sporting goods / gun store, in Fairfield or Vacaville, that allows the 50 bmg. Just nothing over 3000 ft/sec MV. It's also only 25 yards.

Spend the money to buy the CD from the NRA on indoor / outdoor ranges. It's full of information you really need to know before you spend any more money or time. It's also a real eye opener.

Insurance is a real killer.

Definitely will buy the CD, didn't know one existed

[Can'thavenuthingood]

Bring money.

First off, get a legal pad out and start scratching out a business plan.

Look at the various bullet traps out there and design your range around the trap you select. Design your range to attract the women shooters and bring in new shooters. A guy will shoot anywhere, the women folk want clean, bright and SAFE. Above all, clean and plentiful RESTROOMS.

1. Site location-- get to the planning commision and get a copy of the zoning ordinances and map. Look up shooting range, they might be lumped together in outdoor ranges under 'Heavy Indusrial'. If so, you pay to have them separated into indoor/outdoor and rifle/pistol. Then pay to make adjustments to the city's General Plan.

2. Building- Look around and see if there is a building that would be adaptable to a range and if the City is open to the idea. If no building available, go find an Architect and discuss the project with him/her. I think 8% commision on the project is about right. Get as much natural lighting as possible built into the structure. Here in the valley take a hard look at solar panels across the top of the building. Might even get an archery range on top.

3. HVAC- Depending on the bullet trap you use you will probably be in the neighborhood of $8,000 per lane. You'll want to have a positive airflow towards the bullet trap away from the shooters. Filtration is a continuing expense. Best to recirculate and keep cool, especially in the valley with the heat and inversion layers. Filters must be disposed of IAW EPA regs, you don't just toss them in the trash.

4. Target equipment- cables, tracks, shooting stalls and benches. Shop around and see what you want to use.

You might want to apply for an FFL or at least a C&R 03 type up front to see if you raise any red flags as well as a COE. This will preclude any gothcha's after a massive amount of time and money is expended.
Same with a Business License.

Make up a letterhead and some business cards, start looking professional. Same with your wardrobe, don't go into these places looking like you just came off the range.
As mentioned above, get the NRA Range Sourcebook. They also hold classes/seminars on 'howto' build a range.

Security-for patrons, employees, building and equipment
Maintenance-building and equipment
Landscaping-initial cost and maintenance
Insurance- Medical, work comp, dental, lead testing
Employees- Hiring, training, Rangemaster, benefits.
Parking-Well lit, safe and secure with a camera monitoring
Equipment-Maintenance of target system, computers, traps, HVAC, etc.
Supplies-ammo, cleaning guns and building, targets, light bulbs, soap etc.
Utilities-Gas, electric, phone, cable
Vehicles-Initial cost, registration, maintenance, quantity and insurance.

About $2.5 million ought to set you up nicely by the time you open the doors.

Biggest headache will be government.

Vick

[brighamr]

Vick,

That's the answer I needed, thank you very much for the direction. I have to admit this line caught my eye "About $2.5 million ought to set you up nicely by the time you open the doors." I'm thinking an outdoor range will be much cheaper, do you agree?

Also, for the 27 people who have responded stating they want the range, do you care much wether it's indoor or outdoor? I know outdoor sucks during the rain season, but for the other 8 months of the year you could have 50-500 yard targets....

[tgriffin]

There's an indoor range / sporting goods / gun store, in Fairfield or Vacaville, that allows the 50 bmg. Just nothing over 3000 ft/sec MV. It's also only 25 yards.

I really hope you arent talking about "Guns, Fishing, and Other Stuff" ... they wont even allow shotgun with slugs, let alone .50BMG

[Can'thavenuthingood]

Those in the poll will come to your range regardless if its indoor or outdoor. In fact anyone on this board will come to your range.

Question is 'How often?'
Enough to make payroll?
Enough to make it pay to open the doors daily?
How often does the average guy/gal go shooting?
How long do you let them shoot in a lane?
What are you going to charge?
Is there a club membership? How much?
What are your demographics?

If its an outdoor range which will most likely be cheaper to build, land cost and buffer zone depending, your market will be limited due to distance from population centers.

If you build in the city's Industrial Park you'll have the proximity of the city for folks to stop on the way to work or home and pop off a few rounds. The Industrial Park will give you somewhat of an umbrella to protect you from frivolous and harassment lawsuits that will shut you down until a determination is made.
If little Johnny down the block finds a bullet where he plays and Mom runs to the City Council or nearest judge and says Johnny is scared to play outside now, you'll be shutdown until some sort of resolution is decided on or permanently out of business.

The women will feel safer within the city limits. They will be more likely to stop in with their buddies and shoot something. Most don't like to go somewhere alone, especially to a gun range.

Another thing, the first employee that is disrespectful to my wife or daughter will be the last time you'll see me in your range, probably forever. A bad experience travels fast. Its far easier to keep a customer than it is to find one.
There was a thread here a few weeks ago with range stories, I think tackdriver was the starter. Read through it and get lots of examples of what its going to be like. Also what would you do in those situations? How are you going to train your employees to handle those situations?

Start your Business plan.
Jot things down as you think of them, make calls, get estimates, research, research and do some more research.

And crunch numbers, lotsa numbers.

It will take shape.

Vick

[Travis]

I shoot my handguns at an indoor range regularly (usually 9mm and .45s). My biggest complaint is when there are guys in there shooting loud guns like 500 S&W or 44 Mag.