Who would go to a shooting complex that is more like a country club? Long range, pop ups, Childcare, food, gunsmith, firearms to try.

SSG Chad Wright — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 14:11:46 -0500

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Dec 17 at 2015 2:18 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 14:18:35 -0500

Depends on what the membership fees were....

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2015 2:24 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 14:24:42 -0500

I do like the idea of guns available to try. We have one in Abilene that will rent you the guns, from handguns up to fully automatic weapons. The daycare and food court is an interesting idea, though.

Response by SGT William Howell made Dec 17 at 2015 2:27 PM

SGT William Howell — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 14:27:12 -0500

http://bgslinc.com

The only thing they don't have is childcare. They will board your hunting dogs. They have skeet and trap as well. Most people do not mix disciplines. They will have trap going and combat shooting at the same time. It is probably 20,000 acres.

Blue Grass Sportsmen's League

Call 859-858-4060 for information on memberships, events and general inquiries.

Response by SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres made Dec 17 at 2015 2:28 PM

SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 14:28:50 -0500

I don't feel that a child care unit is needed, I see problems with that in accordance with the law and more chance of something nefarious happening in my opinion. We need pop up targets etc though at gun ranges. I want it setup similar to a military range. I want foxhole covers, I want cover and supporting features....

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2015 2:44 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 14:44:17 -0500

I would but as has already been stated, it would depend on how much such a nice environment would hurt the pocket

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2015 2:44 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 14:44:33 -0500

Now that sounds like a hoot of a place.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Dec 17 at 2015 3:10 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 15:10:19 -0500

Sounds great!

SSG Chad Wright 20% of profits is hefty. I admire the sentiment, but it might help grow the business more to plow the profits into reducing fees. A full service place like what you're talking about is going to be might pricey.

Big costs I would be aware of will be 1. Real estate 2. Labor (skilled both for the range and for the childcare) and 3. Regulatory (safety, zoning, training, licensing).

Response by Sgt Mike Williams made Dec 17 at 2015 3:14 PM

Sgt Mike Williams — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 15:14:52 -0500

Are you kidding? Who wouldn't? That sounds awesome!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2015 3:21 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 15:21:10 -0500

Is it Christmas morning already? Sounds like a dream come true.
What would the price be?
Will there be flat screens there for football games?
What about Carry conceal classes or even youth classes? Could help offset prices.
Biggest question. ARE THEY HIRING? Sounds like it would be a awesome job for a Retiree.

Response by SSG Todd Halverson made Dec 17 at 2015 3:36 PM

SSG Todd Halverson — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 15:36:11 -0500

This would all depend on the overall cost for a family membership along with the hours of operation. Besides try, it would be great if it had its own gun shop. I like the idea of having various ranges and food available. One could make a day of it.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Dec 17 at 2015 4:17 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 16:17:43 -0500

Interested yes.

Caveats as a former gun dealer:

Cost Centers. One side of the business is going to support another side of the business. Guns don't really have "profit," they have "draw" and you make your profit elsewhere like Holsters, Accessories etc.

Without knowing everything you will have, I can't even guess what your cost centers will be... but... Restaurants lose money, alcohol gains money. ("Eat me poor, Drink me rich"). Just be aware of what amenities you are offering, and what you are willing to lose money (draw) on to gain money elsewhere.

A "Service" we offered that "helped" was Transfers (ATF 4473) for a nominal fee $20.00 (flat), which justified storage, bound book, etc, and we got to see the gun. As you'll have the range.. they get to shoot their gun immediately after XFER, and you can sell them some ammo. Do the same thing on outbounds, with a flat ship rate with insurance, and you can have a nice little "pure profit."

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2015 4:50 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 16:50:53 -0500

If the price was right. I've frequented full service shops before (sales, service, snack bar, range, classes). As mentioned in other responses, there are a number of things that can increase your profit centers to offset loss leaders (tournaments, shoot/no shoot virtual lanes, etc.). The 2-3 million range is conservative so pick your investors wisely and get strong legal counsel.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2015 6:17 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 18:17:38 -0500

Fees are a make it or break it for me.

Response by SSgt Matthew Benack made Dec 17 at 2015 6:56 PM

SSgt Matthew Benack — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 18:56:18 -0500

10k lifetime member, I've tried here in NC to find investors for something like this in order to build it, but doesn't seem to be much interest in this part of the state! I know in Arizona they have a club like this that was started but it doesn't include daycare just the VIP lounge for waiting for a lane it is indoor and out I don't remember the name of the complex. That's my two cents!

Response by 1SG Todd Sullivan made Dec 17 at 2015 7:22 PM

1SG Todd Sullivan — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 19:22:00 -0500

Would depend on cost, but sounds great!!

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Dec 17 at 2015 7:59 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 19:59:41 -0500

As long as the price wasn't too high, it sounds like a good idea.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2015 9:48 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 21:48:10 -0500

That'd be heaven, as a father of a 2 yr old, Saturday mornings here I come!!!!!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2015 11:43 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 23:43:47 -0500

I could see liability insurance pricing you out of being able to make a profit. And liberals, they always get in the way of good ideas.

Response by CPL J Sannizzaro made Dec 18 at 2015 1:04 AM

CPL J Sannizzaro — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 01:04:43 -0500

It already exists. Look at Front Sight on the Internet.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Dec 18 at 2015 2:00 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 02:00:53 -0500

I have been to such ranges, and enjoyed them tremendously.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Dec 18 at 2015 6:34 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 06:34:12 -0500

I do go to one regularly. It is called Shooters World located in Tampa, FL. They have an indoor 100 yard range plus 30+ pistol ranges with very solid technology on the lanes. It is set up for both the serious shooter and the new shooter. They do all of the classes for conceal carry plus new shooter classes, classes for just women to learn to shoot as well. It is a massive store (I think it was a grocery store originally).

This place seems to draw a really good crowd and a wide spectrum of people. The key will be location. Guns are not inexpensive, neither are ammo, accessories and the like. I would be very careful about where you put it. You need to be pretty close to more affluent areas to ensure there is enough disposable income to support the endeavor. As they say, location, location, location.

Response by SSG Malcolm "Chris" Canada made Dec 18 at 2015 8:14 AM

SSG Malcolm "Chris" Canada — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 08:14:32 -0500

Without a doubt I would be there. On the subject of childcare, liberals are going want you shut down just for being a gun range. Your childcare program may be where they choose to attack your business. I would say you're you're going to need one hella safety policy in affect. Not to mention, some serious insurance to protect yourself.

Response by SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury made Dec 19 at 2015 10:53 AM

SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury — Sat, 19 Dec 2015 10:53:25 -0500

As long as I get my shooting action and my son is well taken care of - I'd have a "blast." Pun fully intended...

Response by LTJG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2015 1:56 AM

LTJG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 01:56:06 -0500

Why would you need child care? I grew up on gun ranges, learning proper firearm safety, marksmanship, and discipline. When I'm a mother, my kids will probably do the same. The family that shoots together survives the zombie apocalypse together!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2015 4:14 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 16:14:32 -0500

I guess it really depends on the atmosphere of the place. I like ranges where it's relaxed and just a bunch of people shooting, sharing tips and getting better. I've been to country clubs that made we want to drink. But I'd like a range where I can have my kids in care there sometimes finding a sitter is a chore in itself.

Response by CDR Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2015 1:10 PM

CDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 13:10:18 -0500

Cost would be an issue. Not overly concerned about selection of firearms to try, I have too many of my own I don't shoot.

Response by PFC Vincent Gwin made Jan 18 at 2016 1:52 AM

PFC Vincent Gwin — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 01:52:56 -0500

Sounds like my kind of place!

Response by LTC Thomas Tennant made Feb 25 at 2016 3:42 PM

LTC Thomas Tennant — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 15:42:57 -0500

I belong to 3 located near to Fort Knox. Two of them sponsor IDPA etc.. completive matches as well as hold classes which help us "sharpen" our shooting skill sets. If run properly these ranges give you a great bang for the buck and unlike the ranges on post....no gun registration.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Mar 31 at 2016 3:20 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 03:20:26 -0400

In a heartbeat.