fbpx
  • Home /
  • Blog/
  • Webinar: How Do I Build A Home Indoor Shooting Range

The first webinar we put together in the month of October was aimed towards our civilian sector of customers. Many people know that having a home indoor shooting range is a possibility but aren’t sure what goes into it, or where they can get started. We will try to answer all of these questions here.

Where Will You Put Your New Home Indoor Shooting Range?

The first step in the process to building your home indoor range is identifying the space. Where will you be putting the range? Along with this, it is important to know if your putting your range into a new space or building within existing. Some common spots we have seen past costumers put ranges include pole barns/storage buildings, under garages, basements, or even underground bunkers that double as a safe room.

Building A New Home Indoor Shooting Range

If you plan on incorporating an indoor range to a building that you plan to build or a new building, it’s important to consider a few things while planning the build in order to have a usable spot for a range. Your first step should be to connect your architect with your shooting range provider as soon as possible. This is key to specify requirements like ceiling height, ceiling type, and wall structure. By considering these requirements from the start, you will be able to make the process go a lot smoother.

Build A Home Range Into Existing

When building into existing, two points you should be thinking about from the start are the access points and the “Box-within-a-Box” concept. Access points are key to know so you have a good way to get into the range, but also because you need to know where you plan to bring all of the building materials in. Some components within a range can be big and heavy so it’s important to know you’ll have the right access to get those items into the range. The “Box-within-a-Box” concept is the best way to create a range. By confining the range to a concrete box within a bigger box (the room or space your range is in) you’ll be able to know no rounds can escape. Pouring concrete or using cinder blocks to create this box will both work and are the best options.

Permitting

Permitting is important in the process of building a range. A key thing to know is that each city/ municipality/ county is going to be unique when it comes to permitting. Some areas may not have a process in place for the construction but most places will have a noise ordinance to abide by. Due diligence is required for anywhere you plan to build. For more advice on how to go about permitting the best idea is to talk to your range provider.

Determining Needs and Budget

Now that you know where you want to build and have an idea on the permitting process, you should think about the intended use for your range and the amount you have to spend. There is a wide range of possibilities based on location and space. There’s a big difference between a pole barn range and a luxury home basement range. At Range Systems, we can do everything from a simple bullet trap range to a 3-lane premium range with pop up targets, 270 degrees of fire, and custom finishing. Determining your needs is key to finding what extras you might want.

Ventilation and Range maintenance

Ventilation and range maintenance are important for every indoor range. With ventilation, it’s key to draw air down range, rather than blow it down range. It’s also important that the range ventilation doesn’t connect to the rest of the house. This is key in keeping lead dust and other unwanted particles away from your living area. Lead cleaning wipes, soap, and laundry detergent are also necessary to containing unwanted particles and materials. Having a clean range makes it much more enjoyable and safe to use. This is what you should strive for.

Important Considerations and Cost With A Home Indoor Shooting Range

  1. The important considerations of every indoor range include the following:
    Sealed in space:
    The box-within-a-box design is the best way to approach a home range. The two best ways to create this box inside a box is by using either 6 inch poured concrete or 8-inch center fill cinder blocks. Using these guarantees that no rounds will escape.
  2. Overhead protection:
    Having a concrete ceiling is also a key to a safe range. If a concrete ceiling isn’t possible there are other options, however they aren’t as safe. Along with the concrete ceiling, it’s important to have ceiling baffles from your shooting range provider. There are a few diffident options in this area, so talk to your provider.
  3. Sound:
    Being that your indoor range will be in a sealed space, it’s important to think about sound not only inside the range but out as well. There are many ways to take care of reverberation (inside the space) as well as transference (outside the home/surrounding properties). One great option Range System can provide is acoustic dura panels. For the same price as normal dura panels, this component can take care of a lot of sound inside and out of the range.
  4. Pricing:

Pricing is always a big question we get when talking about home indoor ranges. It’s important to note that there are so many different options that reflect the cost of an indoor home range. The price can vary from $10,000 for a simple bullet trap set up, to a couple hundred thousand dollars for a premium home range with all the bells and whistles. Typically, we set a price point around $60,000 for most home indoor ranges but again this largely depends on the extras you want to add.

Key Takeaways

  • Engage with shooting range provider sooner rather than later. This will help in the process of planning and permitting and will give you the ability to get exactly what you want, in the easiest way possible.
  • Determine new vs existing and what your needs are. The planning of a range changes whether you plan to build into an existing space or a new building. Along with this, determining your needs will help your home range provider get you accurate plans for what you want. By determining these things from the start, the process will go a lot smoother.
  • Practice due diligence with permitting. The last thing you want is to get halfway through a build and realize you missed a permit for your range. Consult your home range provider for the best advice on permitting.
  • Ventilation and range maintenance are two things to familiarize yourself with when you start the process of building a range. Keeping a clean range is key to a smooth operation.

Additional Information

You can find additional information on home indoor ranges, and anything related to ranges at www.nssf.org/ranges. Along with this, check out our blog or webinars section on the site to find other topics we’re discussing. To receive information for our upcoming webinars, subscribe through the webinars section on our site.

If you want to talk with one of our range specialists find the “Contact Us” section of our site to fill out a contact form, or contact a specialist directly through email.

Thanks for reading and we’ll see you on the range!

126 Comments on “Webinar: How Do I Build A Home Indoor Shooting Range”

  2. Jonathan Monroe

    I’m looking to build and indoor range inside an old bowling alley that had a full sized diner that I’m wanting to reopen? How would I be able to better contain the lead in the range as well as budgeting as you said what price range would I be looking at?

    Reply ↓
    1. kelseyn

      Jon, I’ve sent you our indoor range design guide, please reach out to the contacts that I provided in the email, they will be able to provide recommendations based on the space that you have and the ideas you have!

      Reply ↓
      1. Jason A. Moore

        Would you please send me a copy of the indoor range planning guide? I am curious since I am planning an addition and want to know if I can work it in.

        Reply ↓
          1. SEAN WILDER

            MY NAME IS SEAN AND I HAVE JUST ABOUT 10 ACERS OF LAND AND A HOME THATS JUST 20FT. SHY OF BEING 8,000 SQFT. O WANT TO PUT AN INGROUND RANGE WITH ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLES. CAN U POINT ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION ON WHO I CAN CONSULT WITH ABOUT THIS, AND IF POSSIBLE THE BASIC PLANS IN BOOK PLANNING GUIDE

          2. Ashley McStott

            Hi Sean,

            Our Commercial and Residential Range representative, Brad Knopf, will be contacting you to discuss your inquiry further. Thank you!

          3. Larry Langenderfer

            Please send me a copy of your planning guide. I am looking at building a new structure and including an indoor range within it. Thank you!

          4. Ashley McStott

            Hi Larry,

            The information guide has been emailed to you. Please let us know if you have any questions or if we can assist with your project.

          6. Ashley McStott

            Hello,

            The information guide has been sent. Please let us know if you have any questions.

        1. Ashley McStott

          Hello Linda, Thank you for reaching out and I will be sending you your requested info shortly to your email.

          Reply ↓
    2. Jack Rathert

      Hey Jonathan,
      Did you get your business of the ground ? Curious as I am thinking about doing the same 👍

      Thank You, Jack

      Reply ↓
  3. Abank

    I would like to build a two storey commercial indoor shooting range for handgun and rifle. Do you have any suggestion?

    Reply ↓
  4. Seth Bender

    Hello, i live in a residential neighborhood, but have a massive backyard. would it be possible to turn my basketball court into a shooting range, and is it legal to have one so close to homes?? i have neighbor’s all around but want an awesome “Man Cave ” if you will

    Reply ↓
          4. Ashley McStott

            Hello David,
            I will be sending you a copy of the information you requested to your email shortly.

  6. Jeff Broughton

    Looking to buy a new house with property and possibly build new or add on to an exiting pole barn.
    Great article.

    Reply ↓
    1. Karin

      Thank you for your interest. I have sent over some information. If you have further questions or would like further information please feel free to email me. Thank you!

      Reply ↓
  8. Alan Boushard

    If you are building your home, how much more is it to add a gun range, ideally it would be underground.

    Reply ↓
  10. Gordon

    I have a 2 acres outside town with neighbors all around I would like to build a indoor target room on a budget do you h e some ideals

    Reply ↓
  11. jason whittaker

    I would like to work up a price on a ready range do u have anything that gives a list of options and prices so I can customise it to my budget

    Reply ↓
  12. Thunderdawg

    My wife and I are interested in having an indoor range on our 3 acre lot in a residential area. We live in an unincorporated part of our county. We are interested in your Indoor Range Design Guide. Thank you.

    Reply ↓
  13. Michael Norman

    Hey can you get me a layout about whats all needed to start a gun range on equipment and prices from less expensive to most expensive etc. thank you

    Reply ↓
  14. Margarita Almaraz

    A business partner and I are wanting to build a shooting range and store front in a new building we are planning on building, could you send me some designs and prices from least expensive to the most expensive. Thank you!

    Reply ↓
  16. Richard Spivey

    Could you send me the range design guide? I am a Mechanical Engineer with an Architectural degree and was looking for the main requirements for an indoor range
    Thank You

    Reply ↓
  18. Jamie

    Can I please get a information guide? I am gathering information for our club to put one in on our clubhouse property and looking to have someone come build it for us.

    Reply ↓
      1. Rick

        please send me contact info on a residential indoor two lane shooting range. i am building a new home and want to incorporate the concrete spec’s into the build. plan to shoot 7.62, 300blk, 5.56, 5×7, and all pistol calipers

        v/r
        Rick

        Reply ↓
  20. Uzi

    Could you send me the indoor range design guide, schematics and a template business plan? I need all the assistance i can get on setting up an indoor range. Thank you

    Reply ↓
  22. TOM OESCHGER

    I have a RV car barn 36×48 with 6×6 posts at 12 feet on center. I would be interested in building a home range 12 feet wide by 24 feet long (1/2 of long direction. Will that space work or too short???

    Also a guide would be great.

    Reply ↓
    1. Ashley McStott

      Hi Tom,

      The information guide has been sent. Please let us know if you have any additional questions. Thank you!

      Reply ↓
  23. Smith

    Looking to build an indie range either behind or under my detached garage. I sent an email but it was during shot show, anyway I can get some info for my architect/builder on sizing requirements etc?

    Reply ↓
    1. Ashley McStott

      Hello,

      Our commercial and residential sales representative, Brad Knopf, will contact you with more information and to discuss further details. Thank you!

      Reply ↓
  24. Jeremy Grant

    My name is Jeremy, I set on the board of a local rifle and pistol club where i live. I am very interested in the guide as well. We are in the process of refurbishing the indoor range. it was built in the 1940s and has been neglected for some years. Im hoping i can get some ideas on how to improve the range and make it a place that people want to come and shoot at again. thank you in advance.

    Reply ↓
  25. Brian McKnight

    I have a 55’ x 115’ metal building. I would like to build a 2-3 lane range in it. I thinking it will be 20’ x 55’. Any info on design would be great.

    Thanks
    Brian

    Reply ↓
    1. Ashley McStott

      Hi Brian,

      The information guide has been sent. Please let us know if you have any additional questions. Thank you!

      Reply ↓
  26. mike

    I am interested in building a range and would love any insight or guides you have. Especially concerning bullet traps, equipment to hook up targets and ventilation. Thanks in advance.

    Reply ↓
    1. Ashley McStott

      Hi Mike,

      The information guide has been sent. Please let us know if you have any questions and we would be happy to help. Thank you!

      Reply ↓
      1. John

        Hi I’m considering building a single lane range in my pole barn and would like any info you might pass on. Thank you

        Reply ↓
  27. Tony H

    I would like information on building a 2-lane range underground (basement) of a new home build. Ideally I would want to be able to shoot all calibers. It would be next to living and under living space, so safety & sound would be imperative. Thank you.

    Reply ↓
    1. Ashley McStott

      Hi Tony,

      Thank you for your inquiry. Please email our Commercial and Residential Sales Representative, Brad Knopf, with more details regarding your home range, along with any questions that you have and information that you are seeking.

      Brad Knopf: bradk@range-systems.com

      Thank you!

      Reply ↓
    1. Ashley McStott

      Hi Geoffrey,

      The information guide has been sent. Please let us know if you have any questions! Thank you.

      Reply ↓
  29. Mike Kannenberg

    I am interested in either indoor in Pole shed or outdoor personal shooting range. Please send info.

    Reply ↓
  30. Eric Balatincz

    I’m looking to open a gun range in our area . The closest range is an hour or more in any direction. This information was helpful but would like to have more detail on who sells this equipment and how to get in touch with them for pricing. We have approximately 7,000 square feet to work with for both range and gun shop. Any information you could add would be greatly appreciated we need to move fast on this property.

    Reply ↓
    1. Ashley McStott

      Hello, Eric, I will be having someone reach out to you to help you with your question.

      Thank you.

      Reply ↓
    1. Ashley McStott

      Hey Erv,

      We will send you a copy of the information you requested to your email shortly thanks.

      Reply ↓
  32. Jack Woolwine

    Hello, My basement is unfinished at the moment, just looking for something

    small but safe for me and the wife. Thanks for any info. Jack

    Reply ↓
  33. Farouk

    Good afternoon, I have a 4000 square-foot building in the heart of the city. I am looking to convert my building into an indoor shooting Range. Can you give me some plans , I would like to understand how much to build out would cost to see if this is something financially viable please.

    Reply ↓
    1. Ashley McStott

      Hello Farouk,

      I will be sending you a copy of the information you have requested to your email shortly.

      Reply ↓
  34. Andy Naas

    Im getting ready to build my dream home which of course includes a range in the basement. My architect has planned a space 6′ x 50′ long. Is that enough? Id like to get some data from you about planning for the range.

    Thanks,

    Andy Naas

    Reply ↓
    1. Ashley McStott

      Hi Thomas,

      The information guide has been sent as requested. Please let us know if you have any questions. Thank you!

      Reply ↓
    1. Ashley McStott

      Hello,

      The information guide has been sent. Please let us know if you have any questions or if you are ready to have an in-depth discussion. Thank you!

      Reply ↓
  43. RICHARD FELICELDA

    Hi,

    I am building our new house now and we have a provision for a shooting range under the basement. it is approximately 40ft(L) x 12ft(W) x and 9ft (H). my builder and architect is still researching for things that needs to be done. Can you please send me some more information for things that wee need to make my range safe.

    Reply ↓
    1. Ashley McStott

      Hello,

      The information guide has been sent. Please let us know if you have any questions or if you are ready to have an in-depth discussion. Thank you!

      Reply ↓
    1. Ashley McStott

      Hello,

      The information guide has been sent. Please let us know if you have any questions or if you are ready to have an in-depth discussion. Thank you!

      Reply ↓
  52. Kurt

    Hello I would also like to build an indoor range. Could you please send me a copy of your plans and any details I could use to start my project?

    Thank you so much for all your help. This site has been great.

    Kurt

    Reply ↓

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.