Drizzt
Member
Lexington Herald Leader (Kentucky)
July 6, 2003 Sunday
SECTION: SPORTS COPY; Pg. C14
LENGTH: 698 words
HEADLINE: shooting start;
New indoor range offers a state-of-the-art facility
BYLINE: By Art Lander Jr.; HERALD-LEADER OUTDOORS WRITER
BODY:
The idea popped into Win Underwood's mind about 25 years ago as he was practicing with his handgun outdoors in inclement weather.
"I always appreciated shooting sports and thought a state-of-the-art indoor range in Lexington would be well-received," said Underwood, a former conservation officer who is a partner in the Bluegrass Indoor Range, a new indoor handgun range off Old Frankfort Pike. "We're open to groups and individuals, anyone who wants to shoot for accuracy and fun."
The indoor range, in the Enterprise Industrial Park, was built from the ground up to be a shooting facility. "I attended an NRA (National Rifle Association) conference on range design and construction," Underwood said. "The facility was 21/2 years in the planning, and construction was finished in Dec. 2002."
There are two shooting ranges open, each with six firing positions. "We have space for a third range," Underwood said, "if we decide to expand in the future."
From the outside it looks like a typical metal and concrete block industrial building, but the interior design and construction make it a safe, environmentally friendly facility for shooters.
"The walls are filled with material that makes them impervious to bullets," said Underwood.
Sound-absorbing insulation and double doors limit noise. Shooters are protected by armor plating between lanes.
"Any time we have a new shooter we give them a safety orientation, and the range officer observes them from behind the glass," Underwood said.
The shooting bays are lighted, and an electric trolley controlled by the shooter, moves targets downrange.
"In handgun shooting the distances are 21 feet, 50 feet and 75 feet," said Stu Sampson, who shoots at the range once or twice a week. "It's the best range in 150 miles."
Sampson's favorite handgun is his Kimber, in .45 caliber. "The law enforcement target is shot at 21 feet. The 50- and 75-foot (bulleye) targets are shot in matches."
Bullets are fired into a self-healing rubber mat, over 30 inches of rubber chunks from recycled tires.
"The rounds stay intact, and eventually settle to the bottom," Underwood said. "Once a year you separate the bullets from the rubber chunks."
The ranges are heated and air-conditioned, and a special "push and pull" filtration system keeps primer gases and burnt powder smoke away from shooters.
"Air is circulated from above and behind the shooter downrange into an air intake and exhaust," Underwood said. "There's no cross contamination with the sales area up front. The heating and cooling systems are separate."
By-products of the range -- spent brass cases and lead -- are recycled.
A classroom is adjacent to the ranges, complete with tables and desks, a chalkboard and a TV with video capability.
"This is where we conduct our conceal and carry classes," Underwood said. "We also let other instructors bring their groups here for educational sessions and range use."
Bluegrass Indoor Range is used extensively by local law enforcement officers from several agencies.
"We wanted the facility to be sensitive to their special needs, so we offer then 24-hour entry (for practice)," Underwood said. "We also sell the entire line of Glock handguns and have an armorer on staff."Want to take a shot?
The Bluegrass Indoor Range is located at 1051 Enterprise Drive.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.
The cost to shoot is $14 an hour per person, or $21 for two shooters in one lane. Monthly, yearly, and family memberships, which offer unlimited range use, are also available.
The range is open to .22s, centerfire semi-automatic handguns, revolvers, single-shot pistols, and rifles that shoot centerfire pistol cartridges only.
Shooters can purchase targets, firearms and ammunition at the range, and rent handguns for range use. Hearing and eye protection is required for all shooters and anyone on the firing line.
Youngsters 17 and under, when accompanied by an adult, can take advantage of a free range session.
For information call range manager Frank Hollingshead at (859) 225-0333, or visit the Web site, www.bluegrassrange.com
July 6, 2003 Sunday
SECTION: SPORTS COPY; Pg. C14
LENGTH: 698 words
HEADLINE: shooting start;
New indoor range offers a state-of-the-art facility
BYLINE: By Art Lander Jr.; HERALD-LEADER OUTDOORS WRITER
BODY:
The idea popped into Win Underwood's mind about 25 years ago as he was practicing with his handgun outdoors in inclement weather.
"I always appreciated shooting sports and thought a state-of-the-art indoor range in Lexington would be well-received," said Underwood, a former conservation officer who is a partner in the Bluegrass Indoor Range, a new indoor handgun range off Old Frankfort Pike. "We're open to groups and individuals, anyone who wants to shoot for accuracy and fun."
The indoor range, in the Enterprise Industrial Park, was built from the ground up to be a shooting facility. "I attended an NRA (National Rifle Association) conference on range design and construction," Underwood said. "The facility was 21/2 years in the planning, and construction was finished in Dec. 2002."
There are two shooting ranges open, each with six firing positions. "We have space for a third range," Underwood said, "if we decide to expand in the future."
From the outside it looks like a typical metal and concrete block industrial building, but the interior design and construction make it a safe, environmentally friendly facility for shooters.
"The walls are filled with material that makes them impervious to bullets," said Underwood.
Sound-absorbing insulation and double doors limit noise. Shooters are protected by armor plating between lanes.
"Any time we have a new shooter we give them a safety orientation, and the range officer observes them from behind the glass," Underwood said.
The shooting bays are lighted, and an electric trolley controlled by the shooter, moves targets downrange.
"In handgun shooting the distances are 21 feet, 50 feet and 75 feet," said Stu Sampson, who shoots at the range once or twice a week. "It's the best range in 150 miles."
Sampson's favorite handgun is his Kimber, in .45 caliber. "The law enforcement target is shot at 21 feet. The 50- and 75-foot (bulleye) targets are shot in matches."
Bullets are fired into a self-healing rubber mat, over 30 inches of rubber chunks from recycled tires.
"The rounds stay intact, and eventually settle to the bottom," Underwood said. "Once a year you separate the bullets from the rubber chunks."
The ranges are heated and air-conditioned, and a special "push and pull" filtration system keeps primer gases and burnt powder smoke away from shooters.
"Air is circulated from above and behind the shooter downrange into an air intake and exhaust," Underwood said. "There's no cross contamination with the sales area up front. The heating and cooling systems are separate."
By-products of the range -- spent brass cases and lead -- are recycled.
A classroom is adjacent to the ranges, complete with tables and desks, a chalkboard and a TV with video capability.
"This is where we conduct our conceal and carry classes," Underwood said. "We also let other instructors bring their groups here for educational sessions and range use."
Bluegrass Indoor Range is used extensively by local law enforcement officers from several agencies.
"We wanted the facility to be sensitive to their special needs, so we offer then 24-hour entry (for practice)," Underwood said. "We also sell the entire line of Glock handguns and have an armorer on staff."Want to take a shot?
The Bluegrass Indoor Range is located at 1051 Enterprise Drive.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.
The cost to shoot is $14 an hour per person, or $21 for two shooters in one lane. Monthly, yearly, and family memberships, which offer unlimited range use, are also available.
The range is open to .22s, centerfire semi-automatic handguns, revolvers, single-shot pistols, and rifles that shoot centerfire pistol cartridges only.
Shooters can purchase targets, firearms and ammunition at the range, and rent handguns for range use. Hearing and eye protection is required for all shooters and anyone on the firing line.
Youngsters 17 and under, when accompanied by an adult, can take advantage of a free range session.
For information call range manager Frank Hollingshead at (859) 225-0333, or visit the Web site, www.bluegrassrange.com
I called Knob Creek this morning and was thinking about going out there today. They told me it was already crowded. When they tell me that, I usually regret going. - So I didn't go.