How to spruce up an indoor range?

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MatthewVanitas

MatthewVanitas

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I'll probably take some razzing for this, but I'm asking seriously.

Take your average indoor range: off-white paint on walls, panel ceiling, fluorescent lights, cement floor. Not too appealing.

Is there anything that can be done to such a range to make it look more inviting?

We've been gradually neatening up the UT Austin campus range. Been making sure the kids throw out their old targets and ammo boxes, clearing up the clutter, making sure that the gun rags on display are current, etc. Will be having big Field Day after finals to buff and reseal floor, sweep 'n' swab decks, etc.

Is there much that can be done to make such an environment more inviting, hipper, etc?

Thanks for any ideas,

-MV
 
Shooting ranges are all business; do you think it's a good idea to mess with that formula, considering what we go there to do?

Ranges need good light, every target runner working, and a ventilation system adjusted to not blow my cardboard around.
And a couple more stools would be nice.
 
Why do ranges never have carpet, seems like some cheap ****ty looking carpet would provide additional sounds absorbtion and a better look.
 
I do think that it's a good idea to mess with the formula. But that's because I think it's a good idea to attract as many new people as possible to the shooting sports.

I want families--especially women--on the range, and I love it when kids are involved too. In fact it's one of the best ways I know to help kids learn to be respectful of firearms and see them used wisely.

Good attractive environments benefit everyone. So do as many new shooters as possible. We do everyone a serious disservice when we make shooting exclusive. It's certainly not a smart thing for shooters to do, because as our numbers dwindle we become society's exceptions: odd people with odd interests, unfriendly and forbidding, and frightening to other people. That's suicidal. We also abidicate our responsibility to help those other people learn much that will be useful to them and their families. We need to do our duty by helping to restore a climate in which firearms are seen as useful, manageable instruments and firearms owners are normal people who are welcoming and friendly instead of as gun nuts. Otherwise we all lose.

As for MatthewVanitas' specific question, I think that the approaches to making a specific range a more attractive environment must depend on the specifics of that range. But keeping it clean is important. So is good lighting. In a campus environment there probably are lighting experts who could offer suggestions about how best to light the range, and some of those suggestions might not cost much to implement. For example it might be possible to change the flourescent tubes to a warmer color or one that is friendlier than the standard stark white. New lighting fixtures aren't awfully expensive either. An expert might also suggest better color schemes for the walls and ceilings, and if they are suspended ceilings it should be possible to keep a few boxes of spare panels to use in changing out those that are damaged on a regular schedule--perhaps even monthly.

I like your thinking and hope you'll pursue it. Please share any ideas you have or develop.
 
Well I'm all for re-painting the walls, improving the illumination and keeping the range from looking like the backroom to my dad's garage, but you don't want somebody throwing a soda fountain or bean bags in there.

The shooting floor of an indoor range is a place for instruction, at best, not conversation or anything else that would cause a distracted person to break one of the four rules, remove eye or hearing protection, or in any other way forget for a moment that there are guns here. It's a place for responsibilty above all else.

If one wants to have a more relaxing time with guns, and casually converse with a fellow shooter, I'd be heading to an outdoor range with sunlight, fresh air, benches and hopefully no time limits. The downtime while folks finish up and change targets, and the ability to freely leave or approach the shooting area render the arrangement superior socially.
At least, that's been my experience in both venues.
 
Well I'm all for re-painting the walls, improving the illumination and keeping the range from looking like the backroom to my dad's garage, but you don't want somebody throwing a soda fountain or bean bags in there.

The shooting floor of an indoor range is a place for instruction, at best, not conversation or anything else that would cause a distracted person to break one of the four rules, remove eye or hearing protection, or in any other way forget for a moment that there are guns here. It's a place for responsibilty above all else.

If one wants to have a more relaxing time with guns, and casually converse with a fellow shooter, I'd be heading to an outdoor range with sunlight, fresh air, benches and hopefully no time limits. The downtime while folks finish up and change targets, and the ability to freely leave or approach the shooting area render the arrangement superior socially.
At least, that's been my experience in both venues.
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I did forget to say that MatthewVanitas should most certainly not put a soda fountain or beanbags on the range, nor should the area between the shooters and their targets be used as a dance floor, or at least not too often and only between shots by couples wearing suitable eye and ear protection.

Shooters could be required to sign affidavits that they will be responsible and not talk to each other unless absolutely necessary, when permitted by the Range Officer. Uniforms might be another good idea, and perhaps the shooters could march to their stations using a step synchronized to appropriately martial music. Paint the range black and brown to emphasize that only serious people should think of using it.

Or maybe there's some middle ground between the two extremes, ground that could make a range more attractive to more people without compromising anyone's safety or offending the sensibility of someone who has rather fixed ideas.
:)
 
For a great indoor range, see Calibers in Albuquerque, NM. Clean storefront, and the range was WELL insulated for sound absorbtion- I only needed the foam earplugs while shooting in there. Walls and floor were a blue color I believe and the lights on the ceiling were recessed and protected from gunfire. Carpet on the floor by the firing stations. Also, some other things that are nice:proper heating/air-conditioning per season and good ventilation.
 
and perhaps the shooters could march to their stations using a step synchronized to appropriately martial music
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I will admit, it is pretty funny to watch a college student goose-step to the firing line w/ rifle on the shoulder. We're always reminding them to carry rifles upright and actions open (which they do). I don't mind them having fun with it so long as they're following the safty rules *grin*.


or bean bags in there
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Whoa... that'd be cool! Get some vinyl daffodils in psychedelic colors for the wall, and we'd be set.


Seriously though, we're open to ideas. Just cleaning the dang place is doing wonders; makes it look less like Uncle Bob's garage. We have a good number of plaques and awards on display, set of longhorns, etc. If I can get them to take down the 1970s era Olympic Shooting posters and put up new ones, that'd help too.

-MV
 
Rob, shooters are required to sign affidavids around here, or, at least I signed something at the three local indoors I've been too and so did everyone I took along. Liabilty release forms I reckon.

The indoor ranges that I have been too, perhaps had the misfortune of relying on, have been rather cramped and with one exception universally dim and cluttered. I've seen whole families pressing into one lane, trying to hear dad's instruction while some guy (me) is going crazy with .45's.

I wish my available indoor ranges were better, and not as dank, because they are much, much easier to go to then the local outdoor ranges. I have indeed stopped taking friends to the indoor ranges, because I've found the environment to be conducive of nothing more than me saying "Your turn" and my guest not hearing me.

I honestly do not see the potential for my local indoor ranges to be anything more than they are, which is convenient practice.
Not unless they were completely rebuilt.
 
For a great indoor range, see Calibers in Albuquerque, NM. Clean storefront, and the range was WELL insulated for sound absorbtion- I only needed the foam earplugs while shooting in there. Walls and floor were a blue color I believe and the lights on the ceiling were recessed and protected from gunfire. Carpet on the floor by the firing stations. Also, some other things that are niceroper heating/air-conditioning per season and good ventilation.
Click to expand...

That description makes me envious, especially the recessed lights and the heating/ventilating/air conditioning. The flourescents in ranges I've used make sighting difficult, and the climate is best described as "too"--too hot in summer, too cold in winter.
 
Look up the NRA HQ Range. If you're close enough to Fairfax, Virginia, do come to take a look. That's probably the model you're looking for.
 
I would just clean the place up. Set up a sitting area outside the range that is nice. The actual shooting area should have good light and air flow, thats all I want. Target hangers that work is a bonus.
 
You could get a cork board and post targets with perfect scores -name, date, distance, and gun used written on the target. Incentive and competition generally make things more interesting.
 
Handgun Midas said:
I think carpet would make it more difficult to sweep up the empties.
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Actually, a low nap/tight weave carpet, makes it easier to sweep up brass as they don't bounce and roll around as much and stay in a smaller area.
 
If the concrete floor is in good shape, you can use an epoxy paint to give it a nice shine and make it easy to clean with soap and water. There a variety of coatings available and different colors to choose from These coating can be installed in a day and usually take 12-24 hours to dry enough for foot traffic.

How about decorating? See if you can get some posters to hang on the walls and maybe a bulletin board to post upcoming events, shows and results from matches.

A bright white gloss or semi-gloss ceiling can be a big help if lighting is an issue. It will do a good job of reflecting light.
 
I'd be very careful with carpets. I think lead dust would settle in the carpet and be prone to getting kicked up when the carpet was brushed or swept, much like how its not suggest you use bristle brooms on a range.

Anyway I think its a great idea. My local indoor range is kinda dumpy. I think being clean and well lit is half the battle. There's a nasty layer of crud on everything, some lights are out, etc. Give the booths a fresh coat of paint, maybe consider ballistic glass partitions, maybe some of those nifty target hangers that can programmed with training routines, etc. Keep the restrooms clean, maybe put a stripe down the side wall, keep the brass swept and everything in working order.

I think its great you're looking to spruce things up and especially important at a college range. First impressions mean alot and its alot harder to wow people when the range looks like a disgusting dive than a well maintained area.
 
MatthewVanitas, I welcome your efforts!

My friends know that I shoot. I try not to evangelize, instead making a point of being a good ambassador. As a result, I have been approached several times by youngish professional women who want to learn to shoot, but don't want all the OO-RAH! nonsense that TV and WalMart have taught them to expect.

This is something I very much enjoy. However the ranges around here do not make it easy for me. There are some nice outdoor ranges in the area (private clubs mostly), but given the demographic we're pretty much limited to after business hours, which means after sunset, which means INDOORS.

The indoor ranges I've been to are crowded, loud, cluttered, and shoddily put together. Temperature control is usually poor. *I* can put that aside while I'm shooting -- but youngish professional women tend to feel distincly out of place. Going shooting for the first time can be an intimidating experience as it is; all this other stuff just makes my job harder. Bullet holes in the ceiling tiles and stained cardboard over the windows do not help.


What would I like to see?
- Good lighting. Recessed and lightly armored? Bonus.
- A good, bright paint job, which is kept up. Someone should scrub the powder residue off the walls once a month and touch up the paint as necessary.
- Enough room behind the firing line to move around -- I shouldn't have to say "excuse me" and squeeze past ONE PERSON to get to my lane.
- Benches or shelves for range bags and unloaded firearms. Open gun cases scattered about the floor are a bad idea.
- Soft carpet, foam, etc., on the walls of each shooting position to slow down flying brass.
- Ceiling material that is easily repaired or replaced.
- Proper ventilation and climate control.
- Decorations. This seems obvious, and not too much to ask. These could even be well-done "Four Rules" posters from Oleg.
- Target runners that not only work but don't make horrible screeching sounds would be nice. Given the environment, this probably *is* too much to ask.


All that said, the nicest indoor range I've been to was The Shootist, in Englewood Co. The range itself was unspectacular, though it was well-lit. HOWEVER the staff -- especially the nice old lady in the swivel chair -- made all the difference. They talked to my friend (shy 25-ish first timer) and got her relaxed and laughing while I filled out paperwork. So at least in that case a really good staff made up for a lot of other deficiencies.

You should probably try to discourage your RSOs wearing gold chains with white t-shirts, or sporting molester moustaches.
 
Fresh paint with maybe a little design to it, not much. A strip down the wall for contrast, just something to break up all the white.

Framed prints of outdoor scenes/hunting/weapons takedowns maybe.

As mentioned already, clean.

I've been on some that had grates in the floor for the brass to fall through (bad of reloaders, but good for people who didn't want it or want to mess with it).

Then finally, good air. I've been on several indoor ranges that I can't believe that the state allows them to stay open, it's worse than the worst cigar bar/dive I've ever been in due to all the smoke.

Good luck, I think you're on the right track to even think about such things!
 
1) Restrooms: oh yeah. We switched the women's rest room from the dark back corner to the well-lit area by the office, and keep it stocked and clean. Guys don't much care if they have to weave past HazMat barrels and step over buckets to get to the restroom in the dark back corner, but girls apparently do. Honestly, it was far easier to just reassign restrooms than to clean the back one ($8 worth of signs at Home Depot).

2) Wall stripe: thought about it, but does it look too "racing stripe"? I'd like to spruce the side walls, but don't want to distract the eye.

3) Backstop: our head coach has taken to stapling up "target cloth" or whatever they call it, to make our torn-up cardboard backstop covers less shoddy-looking.

4) Decorations: currently we just have tons of trophies and plaques. Trying to find a diplomatic way to suggest that we find poster published _after_ I was born. A lot of the USA-Shooting/Olympic shooting sports posters are really square/dowdy, even the modern ones. I wish they got someone a little more hip to do their youth advertising. Or maybe they have in the past couple years and I haven't seen them yet.

We need to get our competitive teams up and running again: most of our shooting trophies on display date back to when I was watching He-Man and eating Cheerios in my footie pajamas.


5) Floor coating: this one I have been thinking on. We're going to buff and recoat the floor sometime in the next month or two. Maybe we could look into using a colored sealant this time, or contrasting colors on the different sides of the firing line. Not sure if there's any rules from the Olympic Commitee as to the coloration of ranges, might have to check on that.

6) Opening up space: getting rid of tons of junk has helped a lot, and filing the numerous binders and folders onto one shelf, etc. Now that we've cleaned, we might actually have too many tables in the range, can maybe get rid of a couple. We actually have a pretty good amount of walking space compared to most ranges.

7) Fonts: totally random notion here: I was thinking that we should re-paint the lane numbers, which currently only exist in the heads of the staff. Rather than use the usual stencils and getting the usual GI JOE look, maybe we could get some of the artsy kids to cut us some 1-9 number stencils in a more interesting font. Maybe even a different font for the airgun lanes and the smallbore lanes.

8) Exterior: range looks good overall outside, but our main entry door was peeling and rusting. We gave KenRocks free CCW lessons to strip and paint it, and MacPelto is going to paint a big "crossed rifles" emblem onto the doors. It's still not very visible from the campus sidewalks, since we're at the back end of a parking lot, but maybe some slight subtlety will help us maintain control of our crowds.

If we end up making some good changes, I'll post some pics later on. If you have any further suggestions, keep 'em coming.

-MV
 
Lighting is definitely important. A good air circulation system makes all the difference in the world, but it's expensive.

A range here in town installed lockers for the shooters, so they can put their coats and other gear in them, rather than having to throw them on the floor.

The range is also going to put spotting scopes at each station. Neat idea.

Have to second the nixing of the carpet idea. It would hold the contaminants and be very difficult to get clean.
 
For what's it worth - if the indoor ranges I frequented were a bit longer, had better air ventilation, better lighting, more effective lane dileniation, a designated gun cleaning area and maybe vending machines that worked :D
 
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