Tomball / Magnolia area range

[BradA]

My Dad and I are looking into opening an indoor range in the Tomball / Magnolia area, and would like some feedback from anyone, espically from those in the area. We have been thinking about this for a few years and have decided to finally pull the trigger. And advise or suggestions would be a great help.

[USA1]

hi Brad , welcome to the forum .
my only advice would be to give USA1 a 50% discount and unlimited targets , oh , and my own reserved lane .

just kidding . good luck with your endeavor .
if you get it open , i will be your first customer .

[dicion]

if you get it open , i will be your first customer .

We'll be fighting at the door for that spot

One thing you can do would be either allowing at the entire range, or maybe a separate range. Drawing & shooting.

There is currently hardly ANY Indoor ranges that allow this, and it's a Real problem for those of us who would like to practice drawing and shooting from our concealed holsters.

Heck, require that people show that they are a CHL to allow it, put them in a separate room, or segregate the range so that 'general shooters' are on the other side of concrete, but Allow it, under some circumstance.

Also. Indoor shotgun training using 00 Buck, slugs, etc. Apparently there's no place anymore that allows indoor shooting of 00 Buck. I'd like to know the spreads I'd be dealing with from my particular gun, with my particular ammo.

If you allowed both of the above, you'd fill a HUGE Gap out there, and be poised to become the best indoor Self-Defense practice range in Houston.

[BradA]

Will definatly have a two range setup. One for general use and another for LE / Competitions / and special use. I see no reason that we wouldnt be able to accomadate shotguns. I plan on it being able to handle 223/5.56 rounds so buck shot and slugs should be no problem.

[frazzled]

Define special use?

The ability to double tap or controlled rapid fire would be nice. What hours were you contemplating?

[dicion]

Define special use?

The ability to double tap or controlled rapid fire would be nice. What hours were you contemplating?

These 'one shot per second' ranges also make me angry. Practice doesn't make Perfect, Practice makes Permanent.
If you practice with 1-per-second shots, then when something hits the funnelcake, you're going to revert to your practiced 1 shot per second. No Bueno.

[BradA]

I dont consider "double tap" anything special. Specail use. Group renting one side, CHL & instructional / traning classes. Im probally not going to go as far as allowing full auto. But it would be considered if there would be enought busisness. As far as hours goes. Im still thinking about that. Probally stay open maybe to 7:30 or 8. That is the one thing that will be tough. Im a single dad of a 3 years old and he comes first. But more than likley It will be somethign like 9 or 10 am to around 8 pm.

[frazzled]

I dont consider "double tap" anything special.

Just to be clear, is that something you would permit or not permit?

As far as hours goes. Im still thinking about that. Probally stay open maybe to 7:30 or 8. That is the one thing that will be tough. Im a single dad of a 3 years old and he comes first. But more than likley It will be somethign like 9 or 10 am to around 8 pm.

Munchkins always #1. Congrats.

[BradA]

I would have no problem with double tap or rapid fire. Unless you practice it 1 you will never be any good at it and 2 will not be able to do it if you need it.

[frazzled]

That would be both cool and different than many of the Houston area ranges.

The Austin gun club had or still has a rule that you can shoot as fat as you want if it can still hit the target. I always thought that was a good way of politely saying "don't be a jerk."

[BradA]

I have shot at several places that want you to shoot so slow that I would have been faster with a muzzle loader. It was sad. Sportsmans was great but it is almost a hour drive. Shilo has a nice setup but if you dont shoot a glock the guys behind the counter talked trash the two times I went. Shooters Station is also another great place but still 30 to 45 minute drive. I grew up and live in the area and want somewhere nice for people to go shoot at a reasonable price. Carters has gotten out of sight and I have almost been shot twice by idiots on the pistol range by with a short barrel shotgun. And nothing against the Marines (God bless them) but the last range officer that I say at carters was a cook in the Marines.

[DMG]

Your comment about having a range dedicated to LE/Competition, etc., is especially nice to hear. One way to build up a client base is to have recurring competitions (IDPA/IPSC/ICORE/etc.). Those people shoot a lot and if the pricing structure is good would practice there. Perhaps a yearly membership fee or discounted monthly shooting would hep. Where in the Tomball are are you looking? DMG.

[karl]

I would also be very interested. If you charged membership fees it would be the first I'd consider joining.

Training classes too?

[BradA]

As far as area goes, I am looking for something just north of Tomball 249 or 2978. Price and zoneing are going to be major factors But probally something close to Hardin Store Road or that general area. I have been talking to several friends that shoot a lot about prices and will probally offer discounted monthly and yearly memberships. I want this to be a good deal for everyone but at the same time I dont have a trust fund to live off so I do have to make a little profit.

[karl]

I want this to be a good deal for everyone but at the same time I dont have a trust fund to live off so I do have to make a little profit.

Don't let yourself get caught up losing money to be a good guy, you've got to make ends meet. A reasonable price and an excellent environment will be all you need to get loyal customers.