[ Commercial & Recreational Shooting Ranges ]

Understanding Gun Range Design

When it comes to having a great understanding of an outdoor gun range design, it is always a good idea to first learn the process involved with building your own outdoor gun range design. So on that note, Spire Ranges has taken the liberty to share some amazing information below to help you better appreciate all of the intricacies associated with building an outdoor gun range design.

What is an Outdoor Gun Range Design?

A custom outdoor or outdoor gun range design, firing range, or gun range for your commercial or private property use is a technical facility designed for firearms qualifications and/or training. Some outdoor gun range designs are operated by armed forces or law enforcement agencies, though the majority of ranges are privately owned and cater to recreational shooters. Supervisory personnel are responsible for ensuring that all weapon safety policies along with government regulations are followed closely at all times.

Specializations in Outdoor Gun Range Design

A outdoor gun range design can be confined to certain kinds of firearms; for example: handguns or rifles. They can also specialize in certain shooting sports like skeet shooting or Air Pistol/Rifle. Most indoor ranges confine the use of certain strong calibers, rifles, or completely automatic weapons.

Location Matters

In urban places, many outdoor gun range designs will undoubtedly be indoors. Indoor ranges offer protection from inclement weather conditions and can be operated around the clock under controlled environmental conditions. Outdoor shooting ranges are typically found far away from populated regions due to concerns of overall safety, noise pollution, and dirt contamination.

Components of Indoor Firing Ranges

Indoor firing ranges are usually constructed as standalone structures, even though they may be housed in larger buildings in the basement or such. The basic components of the majority of indoor firing ranges consist of firing lanes, targets, and a bullet trap/backstop. Design considerations can fluctuate depending on the planned use, but they all must address the requirements for general operation as well as to provide ballistic protection, safety controls, proper ventilation, acoustic isolation along with appropriate lighting.

Materials and Construction

Shooting range walls are usually constructed of poured concrete, precast concrete, or masonry cube. The walls have to be impenetrable and provide adequate ballistic protection from stray bullets and back splatter. Floors are constructed from compact reinforced concrete with a smooth surface finish. Floors are usually slanted slightly from up-range supporting the bullet trap downrange to allow for improved maintenance and cleaning.

Ventilation and Air Systems

A critical component in the design and appropriate operation of the indoor firing range is the ventilation system. Appropriate ventilation decreases a shooter’s vulnerability to airborne lead particles as well as other combustion-able byproducts. Ventilation systems consist of supply and exhaust air systems and associated ductwork.

Additional Facilities

Most indoor home firing ranges provide additional spaces including a restroom, cleaning room for weapons, a classroom and/or office space, a lounge, storage area and a maintenance room (if space is available and the homeowner wants to run a business out of their basement). Passageways are traditionally used to physically isolate the firing from the adjoining places.

Shooting Booths and Target Systems

Shooting booths are made of partitions or panels which can be acoustically treated to lower the effect of weapons discharge on other shooters. Target systems consist of a target plus a target control system. Targets for indoor home firing ranges are usually a paper sheet or piece of corrugated cardboard with a printed target image on the sheet.

Safety and Health Considerations

Regardless of whether outdoor gun range designs or outdoor gun ranges; you should always wear eye protection along with hearing protection (ear muffs or ear plugs) at all times when within the defined boundaries of the firing range. Anyone nearby is vulnerable to gunpowder discharge or cartridge primers, that can be inhaled or can burn or damage skin or clothing.

Conclusion and Contact

If you are ready to build your own custom outdoor gun range design, give Spire Ranges a call today. We are the premier experts when it comes to customized personal and commercial outdoor gun range designs!