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View Full Version : Any interest in Arvada indoor range?



srhcustom
01-31-2011, 22:18
I would like to get some feedback here before continuing any further.
I'd like to see how much interest there would be in a public indoor shooting range/gun store in the Arvada/Westminster area.
This is something that my wife and I are seriously considering.
Thanks everyone!

BPTactical
01-31-2011, 22:51
Do you have any idea of the cost involved?
I know of one shop that looked into it and the cost was prohibitive- in excess of $1 Mil. per lane not including liability insurance.

srhcustom
01-31-2011, 22:58
We've looked into the cost somewhat, but don't have all our research done yet. So far, we figure that we could get one started for a total of about $2.5M (taking into account for construction, safety, and inventory... we have a good family friend who handles big insurance policies for such things as this and will be talking to him soon after we iron out some of the details. Figuring about $3M of liability insurance.

BigMat
01-31-2011, 23:00
I would be curious to be sure.

There are a few stores in the area, especially around southern Arvada. 5280, Gun room, G&G, Machine Gun Tours (Sort of close), Blunderbus (sort of a gun store) and maybe one or two more. Up north there isn't much I can think of, thinking near-Broomfield-ish.

Depending on cost for the lane usage I would be very very curious. I knew of one in Tucson, AZ that offered shotgun and pistol classes at their indoor range, that was fun to watch.

mx'r
01-31-2011, 23:03
Maybe try underground/below grade. Might save some big $$$ doing it that way. There are lots of underground water storage facilities that arent used any more. Permits might be a problem though when you mention gun.

srhcustom
02-01-2011, 00:03
BigMat... The gun store portion is just that, a portion... the main focus for us would be on an indoor range. And would actually hope that the customers from those other stores would make it into the range.
As far as range cost, we haven't really nailed down a number, but figuring about $15 and offering a discount for Military and LE at $12 or so. Some other numbers we'd like to hammer out are memberships.

Gunner
02-01-2011, 00:13
Open one in littleton!!!!!

Power87
02-01-2011, 01:17
100% interested. There are no "good" ranges anywhere close to Arvada.

Please keep us informed.

Bowtie
02-01-2011, 02:17
I would be interested. I have never been to the Arvada Rifle and Pistol Club but it doesn't look to appealing with this being the only guns you can shoot.

".22 rimfire rifle
.22 - .45 pistol including black powder
Please note: Centerfire pistol ammunition is limited to non jacketed bullets with a maximum velocity of 800 feet per second"

Byte Stryke
02-01-2011, 08:32
I would be interested. I have never been to the Arvada Rifle and Pistol Club but it doesn't look to appealing with this being the only guns you can shoot.

".22 rimfire rifle
.22 - .45 pistol including black powder
Please note: Centerfire pistol ammunition is limited to non jacketed bullets with a maximum velocity of 800 feet per second"


those restrictions sound more like a backstop issue

srhcustom
02-01-2011, 09:25
That is exactly why there is a need in the area. Plus, we're planning on it being a public range.

StagLefty
02-01-2011, 09:48
I would be interested. I have never been to the Arvada Rifle and Pistol Club but it doesn't look to appealing with this being the only guns you can shoot.

".22 rimfire rifle
.22 - .45 pistol including black powder
Please note: Centerfire pistol ammunition is limited to non jacketed bullets with a maximum velocity of 800 feet per second"

Their range is a small limited membership and is used for a lot of youth programs.
To the OP-we sure need an affordable range facility and it would great to see one. Like others have mentioned though it seems to be cost prohibitive for new facilities with all the red tape required. Good Luck [Beer]

srhcustom
02-01-2011, 17:46
Well, for those interested in an indoor range near Arvada/Westminster, we're getting some good info and feedback. Found a targeting system, sound proofing & trap, a property, and now looking into insurance.... We're getting ever closer to making this happen.
I want to thank all of you for your input... please keep it coming

DSB OUTDOORS
02-01-2011, 18:14
Open one in littleton!!!!!
I second that!!^^^^^ But the way I look at it is any time a range opens / gun store, You can't go wrong!! If you build it they will come!! [Coffee]

BPTactical
02-01-2011, 19:21
I am all for it if you can pull it off. We need a good range up north. One of the biggest obstacles besides investment is going to be EPA issues-Clean Air act, Clean Water Act etc.
Best of luck and if we can be of help let me know.

For trying:[Beer][Beer][Beer] to you and the Mrs!

Thank You srh

rondog
02-01-2011, 20:09
Ever heard of this? http://www.ais-sim.com/index.htm I have NO idea what the cost might be, but check out their prefabricated modular ranges, especially the Quick Range product. Basically trucked in and set on your prepared slab, hooked up and turned on. Probably expensive as hell, but very cool-looking and high tech. http://www.ais-sim.com/video/training_products_sri_cgi.htm http://www.ais-sim.com/video/training_products_sri_video.htm

OK, I see now they also offer a less-expensive product, the Alpha Range, as well as range components. You might check 'em out. Hell, if you can get the local Law Enforcement Agencies interested in using your place for training, who knows.....

Irving
02-01-2011, 21:08
Some guys just retired from Green Mountain Family Shooting Center, maybe you could get them to come run your place. ;)

sniper7
02-01-2011, 21:16
i know i would come. the closer up north the better.

srhcustom
02-01-2011, 23:16
I am all for it if you can pull it off. We need a good range up north. One of the biggest obstacles besides investment is going to be EPA issues-Clean Air act, Clean Water Act etc.
Best of luck and if we can be of help let me know.

For trying:[Beer][Beer][Beer] to you and the Mrs!

Thank You srh
BP... The range system that I'm looking at actually wrote the book for the EPA. However, still need to look into clean-up of lead. If anyone knows someone here, please chime in...
Also looking for a vendor to sell all the spent brass to.

BPTactical
02-01-2011, 23:19
BP... The range system that I'm looking at actually wrote the book for the EPA. However, still need to look into clean-up of lead. If anyone knows someone here, please chime in...
Also looking for a vendor to sell all the spent brass to.

Wet backdrop with filtration system.

As far as the brass I think you would have a few takers here......

sniper7
02-01-2011, 23:39
Wet backdrop with filtration system.

As far as the brass I think you would have a few takers here......


yes, I would love to get some brass!

srhcustom
02-02-2011, 00:10
Well, for all you brass junkies out there... We'd be selling it, not just giving it away. If that's something anyone would be interested in also, throw me some numbers and maybe (assuming this thing gets off the ground) we can work something out.

sniper7
02-02-2011, 00:53
i would want some, only in a couple thousand pieces at a time.

or maybe sell it by the pound like the .mil and then you don't have to worry about separating it.


either way, whatever you do, just please make the range air as clean as possible. I really don't enjoy indoor rangers because the ventilation is pretty poor.

oh, and also having the backdrop and target holders designed not to have ricochets. i was hit several times at the shootist range. never going back to that one. i was lucky i was wearing glasses one time as it would have hit me straight in the eye. another time right in the chest. both .45 rounds that ricochet off the backstop.

at the firing line I have seen a few as well from people in stations next to me being dumb asses either by poor shooting or trying to double-tap and they hit the target holders square on and ricochet a round back or fragments go all over the place.

and good lighting would be nice as well. some of them are soo poorly lit that at the 25 yard mark you are squinting in the dark. not that it is a bad thing to have some practice in low light, but i also want to see what i am shooting since i plan on shooting for a while.

Graves
02-02-2011, 00:58
I'd be there! Based off of who I've met so far I'd be willing to bet the majority of us are north of Denver.

meatman
02-02-2011, 10:48
I'm sure myself as well as a bunch of my neighbors would love to use a range in Arvada! Good luck![Beer]

tonantius
02-02-2011, 11:23
Yes, I am interested. But I would liek to see an indoor rifle range with 100-yd lanes for sighting in without worrying about wind.

srhcustom
02-02-2011, 13:54
Yes, I am interested. But I would liek to see an indoor rifle range with 100-yd lanes for sighting in without worrying about wind.
From the looks of things, 100 yd lanes are pretty much out of the question. However, the plan as of now is for 30 yds... only because some shooters like to be able to set targets at 25 meters (27.3 yds)

pickenup
02-02-2011, 15:00
Any chance of having a "match" type setup, like once a month? With some low-light, flashlight stages, once a quarter, or so?

srhcustom
02-02-2011, 15:18
Shooting matches are something that we're considering but haven't really put a whole lot of thought into at this stage.

By the way, for everyone wondering, my wife & I are plugging along at this. I looked at a building today and we're currently researching some financing options. More stuff we need to look into.... Becoming a dealer for a few firearms manufacturers, a gunsmith, lead clean-up, and staffing (we'd like for everyone to be NRA instructors with the possibility of sending staff to courses on our dime for pay raise incentives)

ChunkyMonkey
02-02-2011, 15:20
tagged! [Beer]

StagLefty
02-02-2011, 16:05
and staffing (we'd like for everyone to be NRA instructors with the possibility of sending staff to courses on our dime for pay raise incentives)

OR see if there's any out of work folks like myself who already have several NRA certifications !!! [Beer]

srhcustom
02-02-2011, 16:08
OR see if there's any out of work folks like myself who already have several NRA certifications !!! [Beer]
That's always another option... however, I hope everyone here knows that we are just in the infancy stages right now... still lots of work and time before any shooting would happen

StagLefty
02-02-2011, 16:11
That's understood-I've been in the infancy stage most of my life [ROFL1]

srhcustom
02-02-2011, 22:30
That's understood-I've been in the infancy stage most of my life [ROFL1]
I think we're all there with you, brother... [Stooge]

tonantius
02-03-2011, 09:57
From the looks of things, 100 yd lanes are pretty much out of the question. However, the plan as of now is for 30 yds... only because some shooters like to be able to set targets at 25 meters (27.3 yds)

That would be an acceptable alternative.

GlockDog47
02-03-2011, 10:05
Hell ya you should.... I would go!

Lex_Luthor
02-03-2011, 10:36
I'd be interested as well! Good luck!

Seamonkey
02-03-2011, 12:32
at the firing line I have seen a few as well from people in stations next to me being dumb asses either by poor shooting or trying to double-tap and they hit the target holders square on and ricochet a round back or fragments go all over the place.


One of the reasons I don't go there anymore. Last time a lady a couple lanes over was glaring at us and complaining cause she was getting hit by fragments so we stopped shooting to let her be the only one firing. She thought we were shooting the target holders. She fired off a round and jumped about a foot in the air when she got hit by fragments from HER round.

Plus poor ventilation and lighting issues.

Good luck on your range!