[Valbrandr]

You're right brother; in fact that's exactly what the lawyer told us to do (go find another existing business, buy them because they have their permits, etc., and then upgrade).

The problem is that there ain't an indoor range here that we can find... here's the full list that I found online (2)

<table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 472pt; border-collapse: collapse;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="629"><tbody><tr style="height: 12pt;"><td style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0.65pt 0.65pt 0in; background: rgb(204, 255, 204) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; height: 12pt;" u2:str="Cincinnati " nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom">Cincinnati <u1></u1>
</td> <td style="border-style: solid none none; border-color: windowtext -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt medium medium; padding: 0.65pt 0.65pt 0in; background: rgb(204, 255, 204) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; height: 12pt;" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom">

<u1> </u1>​

</td> <td style="border-style: solid solid none none; border-color: windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt medium medium; padding: 0.65pt 0.65pt 0in; height: 12pt;" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <u1> </u1>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12pt;"> <td style="border-style: none none none solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext; border-width: medium medium medium 1pt; padding: 0.65pt 0.65pt 0in; height: 12pt;" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> Cincinnati Revolver Club<u1> </u1>
</td> <td style="padding: 0.65pt 0.65pt 0in; background: rgb(204, 255, 204) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; height: 12pt;" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom">

513-681-2829<u1> </u1>​

</td> <td style="border-style: none solid none none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt medium medium; padding: 0.65pt 0.65pt 0in; height: 12pt;" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> Indoor Pistol (50 ft), Airgun<u1> </u1>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12pt;"> <td style="border-style: none none none solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext; border-width: medium medium medium 1pt; padding: 0.65pt 0.65pt 0in; height: 12pt;" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> 4951 Winton Ridge Ln., Cincinnati, OH 45232<u1> </u1><o></o>
</td> <td style="padding: 0.65pt 0.65pt 0in; background: rgb(204, 255, 204) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; height: 12pt;" u2:str="Private " nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom">

Private <u1></u1>​

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</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12pt;"> <td style="border-style: none none none solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext; border-width: medium medium medium 1pt; padding: 0.65pt 0.65pt 0in; height: 12pt;" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <u1> </u1>
</td> <td style="padding: 0.65pt 0.65pt 0in; background: rgb(204, 255, 204) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; height: 12pt;" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom">

<u1> </u1>​

</td> <td style="border-style: none solid none none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt medium medium; padding: 0.65pt 0.65pt 0in; height: 12pt;" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> <u1> </u1>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12pt;"> <td style="border-style: none none none solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext; border-width: medium medium medium 1pt; padding: 0.65pt 0.65pt 0in; height: 12pt;" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> Target World<u1> </u1>
</td> <td style="padding: 0.65pt 0.65pt 0in; background: rgb(204, 255, 204) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; height: 12pt;" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom">

513-772-3343<u1> </u1>​

</td> <td style="border-style: none solid none none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt medium medium; padding: 0.65pt 0.65pt 0in; height: 12pt;" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> Indoor Pistol (25 yds), Indoor Rifle (25 yds),<u1> </u1>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12pt;"> <td style="border-style: none none none solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext; border-width: medium medium medium 1pt; padding: 0.65pt 0.65pt 0in; height: 12pt;" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> 2300 East Kemper Road, Cincinnati, OH 45241<u1> </u1>
</td> <td style="padding: 0.65pt 0.65pt 0in; background: rgb(204, 255, 204) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; height: 12pt;" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom">

Public<u1> </u1>​

</td> <td style="border-style: none solid none none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt medium medium; padding: 0.65pt 0.65pt 0in; height: 12pt;" nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom"> Pistol Silhouette, Muzzleloading, Airgun
</td></tr></tbody></table>
I see all these folks buying ARs and AKs, and I don't know of anywhere one can fire them indoors. So I'd look to build out 50 yds.

I'll keep you all posted, some great ideas in PMs as well, and I appreciate all the help.

 

[partsman]

i woulnt worry about the ar an ak a backstop rated for that kinda speed is going to cost you big, our back stop can handle 1850 fps so you shoot .22 threw .44 and that gives them plenty of buisness.
i think the nra helped them find the backstop setup.

 

[bfg1971]

The issue of lead disposal is definitely a huge one.

Friends in Germany recommended that we only allow lead-free ammo in the range (indoor), but I'm not sure that would work here even if I sold it at cost... not fair to reloaders, or those who want to practice with carry loads.

$200k per lane, wow! Must have been nice... I'm thinking $400k per entire indoor range lol.

http://www.nrahq.org/shootingrange/sourcebook.asp - thanks to the tipster who pointed me here.

It was real nice electronic target controls just type in the distance on a key pad for whatever distance you wanted. Bulletproof glass between each station. The vent unit keep the range area at a lower pressure than the rest of the store. Too much capital outlay to be profitable I guess or they got offered a bunch of money for the location.

 

[rat5545]

$200,000 a lane, that's 15,000 to 20,000 shooters per lane for payback. If your lucky 10 shooters a day as an average per lane. 1,500 to 2,000 days for return on investment. 5 to 7 years plus utilities, payroll, insurance and taxes, someone put a decimal in the wrong place. Last time I inquired I was quoted by a range supplier and builder less then $10,000 per lane.

 

[pesticidal]

$200,000 a lane, that's 15,000 to 20,000 shooters per lane for payback. If your lucky 10 shooters a day as an average per lane. 1,500 to 2,000 days for return on investment. 5 to 7 years plus utilities, payroll, insurance and taxes, someone put a decimal in the wrong place. Last time I inquired I was quoted by a range supplier and builder less then $10,000 per lane.

Yes, but the 60's are long gone....

I have a bid for a 60' wide trap from 2005 for $228,000.00 That's about 15k per lane. Just the trap. No building, no HVAC, no target turners.

 

[Buki192327]

How do you make a small fortune out of a large fortune. Open and indoor shooting range.

A lot of costs that are not taken into consideration when people first start thnking about opening any type of business. Sad to say, but many new business ventures fail in the first 3 years.

 

[soulless]

I wanna buy like 5 acres of land and make me a simple outdoor range one day with stands/tables (no buildings..maybe a few port-a-johns) and have like a few lanes where you can actually use bottles/cans

members= $75/yr and pays $5/all day long to shoot...
non-members = $15/all day long

 

[gun-totin-democrat]

ActionTarget quote for 10 lanes @ 25 yards includes:
Basic Stalls
Basic Target retrieval system (out - back)
Total Containment System (TCT) with Screw Drive lead removal
Baffle ceiling
Installed
One year warranty
~$330K
Ball Park quote for HVAC system, additional $400K

My advisors, which include guys helping me find investors / loans and land and development have my head spinning.

I have been considering opening an indoor range and most advise is "buy land and build a building." A piece of C2 property that is graded, sewer, water, storm drain ready, etc. is a minimum of $250K per acre. Which is the most that a 10 lane range will need.

So I am at over half a mil, not using that HVAC system.

SIDE NOTE:
Rubber berm trap is 2/5 the cost of a Total Containment trap. Rubber berms need to be cleaned after 80K rounds; min, once a year. Estimated cost is $30K PLUS your range is down and you are losing revenue for 3 - 4 days. So you have just lost range time and ammo sales and probably gun sales, assuming you are also a firearms dealer. Adding an estimated $5K you are at $35K a year.
Using a cost of the TCT of $200K, your ROI is 3.4 years. (of course, the more you have to replace the sooner you get your money back)
PLUS, with a TCT (using just buckets to catch the lead) you get a monthly return from your lead reclaimation.
HOWEVER, if you cheat and don't clean properly/timely, you get hot spot, high wear areas which will affect your steel plates

Permits, permits, permits and more permits and the architects. For these you're looking at over $150K and you haven't even broken dirt.

I could go on, but as you see, this is only the tip of the iceberg.

Oh, and the biggest hurdle of all, getting your wife's 'buy in'!!!!

 

[faawrenchbndr]

Insurance can be gotten through the NRA program.

Air handling and backstops are really expensive.

+6
Looked into opening a range in middle Georgia.
Air handler and back stop killed it for me.

 

[williamcthomas]

The successful indoor ranges I've known all ran 24/7. They had long term contracts with law enforcement/security companies to use the range for training and qualifications- usually from midnight until 6am.

Also, they had managers who were Mr Fix-it type guys. They did all their own maintenance and renovations when needed. Believe me indoor ranges get shot up quickly.

If I was starting from scratch I would try to find wealthy, gun-oriented investors who were not out to make a big return on investment. Rather than have a "hobby farm", they could have a "hobby range".

Good luck.

 

[gun-totin-democrat]

If I was starting from scratch I would try to find wealthy, gun-oriented investors who were not out to make a big return on investment. Rather than have a "hobby farm", they could have a "hobby range".

Good luck.

+1. That's exactly what what an advisor said to me yesterday!!

 

[sigpro357]

We looked at the Savage system. Really nice, but expensive. We're going with shredded rubber for a backstop.

The Shreded Rubber would be really nice because of the lack of splatter and ability to shoot a wide range of calibers. Be forwarned though. Shooters Paradise near us burned to the ground because someone shot a tracer into the shredded rubber. It burnt to the ground.

 

[CincyBrad]

I'm from Cincinnati, Target World is a dump of a range. The best one I have found in this area is Shooters Supply over in Independence Kentucky. Very clean, everything works, plenty of lighting and they do allow AK and AR rifles. The only restriction they have is no .50 or tracer/incendary. Nice people to, you should check it out.

 

[pesticidal]

The Shreded Rubber would be really nice because of the lack of splatter and ability to shoot a wide range of calibers. Be forwarned though. Shooters Paradise near us burned to the ground because someone shot a tracer into the shredded rubber. It burnt to the ground.

We're only allowing pistol ammo.

 

[dan8402]

I'm from Cincinnati, Target World is a dump of a range. The best one I have found in this area is Shooters Supply over in Independence Kentucky. Very clean, everything works, plenty of lighting and they do allow AK and AR rifles. The only restriction they have is no .50 or tracer/incendary. Nice people to, you should check it out.

I would also like to see a new range in Cincinnati. I haven't gone down to Shooter's in KY, but I may soon. I agree that Target World is terrible.

To the OP, where are you looking at putting a range in the Cincinnati area?

 

[J825]

I'm from Cincinnati, Target World is a dump of a range. The best one I have found in this area is Shooters Supply over in Independence Kentucky. Very clean, everything works, plenty of lighting and they do allow AK and AR rifles. The only restriction they have is no .50 or tracer/incendary. Nice people to, you should check it out.

I go to Shooter's Supply all the time. They're always pretty nice guys, and they really do have a nice range downstairs. Best indoor place I've been so far.

 

[Valbrandr]

Thanks everyone. The plan has been shelved; although I could get funding from Queen City and a couple of other sources, the math just did not add up compared to other startup opportunities.

Thanks for the heads-up on Shooters Supply in KY, I will definitely make it down there this weekend and check it out.

 

[Miamigunrange]

Hey for what it's worth, I just opened a range
in Miami. We did most of the work ourselves
including designing and building the target
retreival systems. We installed a steel bullet trap
that was installed to our specs for about $4k.

Our air handling issues are not as tough as it would
be up north were the temps can really dip low.

If I can be of any help please feel free to pm me.

This had been one of the coolest things I've ever done
as a plus we shot/tested the trap daily.

 

[ronin.45]

I'm with a group that has been planning one for 4 years, will be breaking ground this spring. Do you have lots of cash? You're going to need it.

+1 the range equiptment is just the beginning.

 

[Bruce M]

Hey for what it's worth, I just opened a range
in Miami.

Do you mean an-open-to-the-public for profit range? If so can you give us a location? I know of two houses in Dade that have (or had) ranges built into them. That would be a nice touch of country livin' in the city.