TexasCHLforum.com

Hi Everyone! My name is Mac Sanford. I was referred to this forum a few weeks ago by a fella on here named Dennis McKinney. I forgot his handle, but a heckuva nice guy from the Tomball area. I've been hooked and lurking ever since!

My Father and Brother, Steve and Jeff Sanford, and I are opening an Indoor Shooting Range in NW Houston, right by Willowbrook Mall, called Shiloh Indoor Shooting Range. The physical address is 12703 Shiloh Church Rd Houston, TX 77066 (713)303-2476. We are off of FM 1960 W between Cutten and Champions.

From what I've seen and read on here, pretty much everyone seems to be the kind of guy with which I'd like to stand around and talk about Guns, God, and Glory over a few cold Dr. Peppers.

I want to extend an invitation to anyone from this forum to stop by any time and take a look at what we are doing, and offer us suggestions and advice on what you would look for in a range. This range is going to be a family business, run by a Dad and his two sons, that love to shoot and love the great state of Texas. We don't have any experience in the Firearm Industry, so we are really learning as we go.

I'm a Private Investigator and own a Repo Company here in Houston, so I've already moved my office into the building. I'm usually there personally from around 5am to Noon doing paperwork. There's no A/C while we are doing the build-out, other than the little portable one that I have blasting full time in the back office, so just a little warning if you want to stop by, wear shorts and a t-shirt! It's hotter than the engine temperature of Al Gore's private jet as he goes from city to city preaching about combustion engines causing Global Warming!

If it is okay with Mr. Cotton and the powers that be, I'd really like to post some pics up to show what we've got so far, and to kind of chronicle the progress it as it is being built. That way, anyone else that is interested in opening a range around the state can use it as a guide of what to do and more importantly, what NOT to do!

We are pretty much doing all the work ourselves... actually, if my old man and brother heard me say "we" and "ourselves", I'd get a heaping dose of boos and hisses since I pretty much sit on my rear all morning on the computer doing paperwork before I head out to snag cars and bust cheating spouses. My "sweat equity" in the business is the marketing and acquisition of odds and ends, mostly from Garage Sales and Craigslist. Its not that I'm not willing to pick up a hammer, its just that when I do, chaos and destruction usually follow, so my Dad and brother GLADLY let me off the hook in the building process and let me concentrate on my "real job" for now!

Anyway, I've always got a fridge full of ice cold Diet Dr.Pepper and bottled water, and a large jar of iced tea that I am more than willing to share with any of you if want to stop by anytime!

We are going to have some really neat concepts. We have built an entire upstairs with a bullet proof floor and walls, in which there will be a few private lanes for Instructors to use for CHL Classes, security guard qualifying, tactical classes, etc. Next to that upstairs, we plan on having a 1 dimensional shoot-house, complete with pop-out bad guys in the windows and doorways. We are trying to work out the logistics on that right now to make it happen, but everytime one of us says "Hey! I've got an idea!", everyone else cringes and secretly tallies what's left of the remaining budget!

So far, we have reinforced the walls (metal building) with concrete filled cinderblocks and steel plates. We have not yet built the traps or the air filtration system, so those are two MAJOR things that can make us or break us. We have one section of lanes, 5 lanes wide, that is 60 yards long. The partitions between lanes are concrete filled cinder blocks as well. We've seen too many ranges with bullet holes in the plastic partitions from accidental discharges! We are trying desperately to have two of those 5 lanes be high-power round rated so that our friends and patrons can bring out the heavy artillery or to get ready for hunting season.

The other side of the building is an IDPA, IPSC section. It has six lanes, and is only 30 yards long, but has plenty of room and space for competition and for "props", ie ATM Machine, bathroom stall, or any other thing we can use to make a real life scenario.

The gunshop itself is going to be interesting. I'm in charge of Used Firearms, so if anyone wants to sell a pistol, let me know, we need inventory! As far as new guns, we are going to carry STI and Glock so far, and concentrate mainly on high end competition pistols and sub-compact/compact pistols for concealed carry. I want to try to pick up a few lines of Springfield (XD's), Ed Brown, CZ's, Kel-Tec, Kimber, and Smith and Wesson, but we are facing budget constraints, so a few of those lines may have to wait until we are up and producing revenue before we can carry them! We are planning on carrying a full line of Comp-Tac and Hoffner accessories and a few others as well, including Blade-Tech knives.

Our entire logic and reasoning behind wanting to do this is that my father and I have been long-time participants in match shoots around the city. We have found that more and more often, especially as of late, a lot of the ranges are really starting to neglect their bread and butter, which are the CHL Instructors. We want to take excellent care of and coddle our instructors, offering them whatever we can to make them want to keep bringing students back and to talk us up to their peers. We also want to create a place where, by the second time you walk in our doors, we can greet you by first name and with a handshake. We want cars in the parking lot, and encourage the customer to just sit around and "hang out". Of course it would be great if you spent some money while doing it!

Anyway, I've been accused of a lot of things in my life, but being short with words has NEVER been one of them, so I'll step off of my podium now, and just simply reitterate that this forum seems to be full of guys JUST LIKE ME. God-fearing Texans that love this state, this country, and this way of life. That's why I'd be honored to have any one of you grace the halls of our new establishment, anytime.

sounds like a great place/idea, and good luck to you!
I'm up north, so won't be making the grand opening, but I hope ya'll do well.

I don't live in Houston now but I did live close to your new Digs a few years back! You are making me wish I was back down there Again my friend!

Welcome to the Forum and absolute best of luck to you and family I may have to come and have me a Dr.Pepper with you real soon!

Welcome aboard gentlemen. I include your dad & brother.
All I can say is what an intro & 1st post.
Wish you all success in the building of your business.
I dont drink the hard stuff like Dr. Pepper so I will take you up on the tea.

Whooo-Hoooo!

A new indoor range? Halfway between me and my shooting pal? I can't wait.
Hear that JLaw, Dws? While Champions area is a challenge from the Woodlands area I will be happy to come shoot and visit over there.

Mac Truck,
Welcome! This new range y'all are building sounds great.

MacTruck,
Congrats to you & family on opening a range.
Welcome to the forum.

V

Thanks for the kind words, guys! They are especially encouraging on days like today. I walked in this morning, only to notice a puddle of water outside the office floor. Strange since it hasn't rained in a few days. Upon a little digging and inspection, I find that it is a leak in the plumbing. Every time I turn on a fawcet or flush, we get a little liquid present deposited right outside my door. Great!

UPDATE:
Problem quickly solved, by the grace of the Good Lord it was just a pipe that we had forgotten to close off when clearing out the back of the building.

Sounds like y'all have some momentum going.


You might take a look at some other ranges and borrow ideas from them. http://www.rangemaster.com/
http://www.dfwgun.com/

or preferably The Bullet Trap and Tactical Edge.
some great ideas there, too!

Welcome to the forum. And best of luck on the new business.

Too bad we're not closer. Will have to stop in on a trip down to see the kids.

Yay! A new range! Even better, mapquest says that it is less than 5 miles from my house! Budget allowing, I think I will be coming there often. In fact, I may swing by there tommorrow Will your range allow .357 mag?

Ya' had me at "...NW Houston..." I'm not exactly next door, but close enough.

I can guarantee I won't be dropping by at 5:00 a.m., but will swing the next time I'm heading to Willowbrook.

Welcome; good luck; and I'll be a customer!

One of these days I'll have to drop in and say hello