Indoor v. outdoor ranges

[BridgeWalker]

What do you prefer, and why?

I've never shot at an indoor range. It seems a little too crowded, too noisy, too many people poking their nose over my shoulder. I also don't like having to go onto someone else's turf quite so much; it seems from various threads I've read here that there are far more conflicts of various kinds at indoor ranges. Also, the most convenient indoor range I know of around here is part of the gunshop I refuse to go to because I've run into rude, sexist morons behind the counter there too many times.

Also, a lot of my shooting is shotgunning, and I know of no place to do that indoors.

My outdoor pistol/rifle range is a little lacking in neat amenities like oh, backboards. (Well, two of the four in the 25 yd area are shot away. Seems they replace them in the spring and they either last or don't.)

It's muddy. It's awfully cold. Shooting ends at sundown, of course, which is a serious limitation this time of year. There aren't really lanes, just an open area, so if there's more than person there, it can get awkward about communicating who is shooting and when and from where. So far it's been cool, and I mostly run into the same two guys over and over again and they are great. There's no range officer (a plus as far as I'm concerned).

I really like it. It's really my speed. Low-stress--I don't like being around lots of new people. Outdoors, quiet. No authority figure messing with me. I think I'm gonna stick with my low-tech outdoor range.

But I'm curious about othrs; indoor or outdoor, especially in the winter, and why? And what is it like?

Mine's part of a local club that has a lot of emphasis on shotgun sports--trap, skeet, five-stand, and also a nice sporting clays course. The pistol/rifle area seems almost an afterthought and it's not well-maintained at all. Members can buy a key to get in, and the keys are replaced annually so there is some security, if not a whole lot. Allegedly there is indoor rimfire shooting in the winter, but I haven't looked into that yet.

 

[Thernlund]

Winter here is fairly busy at the outdoor ranges. Summer... fugetaboutit. 120 degrees will make you run for cover.

I agree with you on bustle of indoor ranges. But sometimes it's that or nothing.


-T.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Honestly, I'm not a big fan of real ranges at all. There's a place about 1.5 hours away from where I live where I can go and just shoot. Shoot at targets, pumpkins, bowling pins, tvs, fire as many rounds as fast as I can pull the trigger, and I can use whatever ammo I want. And it's free. I can't go there as often as I would like, but it beats the hell out of paying $30/hr, having to buy range sold rifle rounds, and only being allowed to stand and shoot 1 round every few seconds.

 

[Thernlund]

...but it beats the hell out of paying $30/hr, having to buy range sold rifle rounds, and only being allowed to stand and shoot 1 round every few seconds.

I'm interested to know what range you're talking about. Can you elaborate on the above?


-T.

 

[cobrian45]

I'd have to agree with Thernlund. Sometimes it's whichever is the less of two evils. Luckily we have two outdoor ranges here that are very nice. I understand the concerns you have about the indoor range. You go there to do some practicing and there's a guy there sighting in his muzzlebraked .338 and everyone has a concussion. Not his fault, but it makes the flinch factor that much more. I'm very much an outdoor shooter, but only because we have the weather and ranges that make it nice. I have a friend that can only do indoor because it's the closest range. I'd use either depending on the situation.

 

[Ed Ames]

Indoor ranges tend to be louder, darker, more packed, shorter and uglier. They need a bunch of baffles and shields that invariably get shot up so it's like looking into a parking garage with ripped up plywood and a few lamps around. Only a few are longer than 25 yards which can be a limitation for some pistol shooters. They also tend to be more restrictive about what you can shoot.

The target carriers are very nice. Press a button and your target wheels its way to you. No periodic ceasefires so everyone can deal with their targets. They also tend to be drier (no rain) and less windy. They need a lot of ventilation so don't expect most of them to be toasty warm but they'll be warmer than being outside.

Usually indoor ranges are places I go for an hour or so and that's as much as I can take.

Outdoor ranges are far more pleasant places to hang out. The light is better, the air is nicer, on and on. But if it's raining you probably won't be shooting.

 

[Eric F]

I prefer the outdoor range rain or shine even in the summer because of air circulation and all it is hotter inside than out doors. when it gets cold here I might change my mind but it hasnt been cold here in some years.

 

[Regolith]

Outdoor range. Preferably an impromptu one. But that's because I like shooting reactive targets, rapid firing, etc, that most gun ranges don't allow for various reasons.

Some of the best "outdoor ranges" are in the middle of nowhere on public land such as BLM or Forest Service.

 

[JWarren]

I'd say I'd prefer an outdoor range, but I have no experience with either. My range is literally my front lawn. Horizontally across my lawn, I have a bench in one corner and my backstop 125 yards away at the other side.

Oh, I don't have neighbors.


-- John

 

[TRP1]

I like both. The indoor Range is fun when I light one off from my 500 and rattle the windows

 

[CountGlockula]

Indoor ranges are a plus.

It depends who's "professionally" monitoring what goes on in the firing line.

Majority of my shooting has been indoor, because it's closest. Only special times is when I get to go the an outdoor range; mainly for training.

The reason why I say about professional range safety officers is that they take care of those that shouldn't be in the range.

More pluses about indoor ranges:
Everyone is close to you, therefore friends are made.
No dust, dirt, mud on your clothes; just excess gun powder and brass on your feet.
Easy to pick up brass.
For handguns, most gunfights happen at 3 yards.
If you're lucky, flat screen HD TV in the lobby to watch Monday Night Football.

As for outdoors, I'd just take a rifle and shot gun for fun shoots.
Clean air...hopefully the deers will stop popping in the firing line!
That's it.

 

[Starter52]

I much prefer an outdoor range, but here in the north I am forced to shoot indoors from November to March because the outdoor range is snowed under. We can get outdoors in mid-April and enjoy a few weeks before the black flies appear.

 

[P5 Guy]

The outdoor range by me is so hemmed in that it may as well be an indoor range. That's what you get when they build up all around. I do prefer an outside shooting range to an indoor range, but the closest one is on the other side of the Tampa Bay and I can only get there a few times a year. So its WAC or the Police Pistol Club for a quick range trip for me or an all day at Manatee.

 

[Zundfolge]

I started shooting at indoor ranges, but have come to appreciate outdoor.

In the cold of the winter Indoor ranges are definitely a plus, but on a warm summer afternoon, I'd rather be outside.

It seems a little too crowded, too noisy, too many people poking their nose over my shoulder.

Actually I've found indoor ranges to be a lot like mens rooms ... people tend to stay in their own stall.

 

[bumm]

I haven't been to an indoor range since I was a kid, but I now live maybe 4 minutes from a nice outdoor range. It's public, but the folks I meet there have always been nice, and it's FREE. I'd suppose I'd get along OK with a range officer, but at this range I don't have to. Only trouble is, here in Iowa it's COLD this time of year, and they close the range anyway from Oct. 28th to Jan. 10th on account of pheasant season. SO~ now I'm stuck in my basement with my air pistol.
Marty

 

[Thernlund]

...a lot like mens rooms ... people tend to stay in their own stall.

Tend to?? ***?!


-T.

 

[Neo-Luddite]

Indoor shooting is like going to the gym to workout; It doesn't feel like fun and you end up feeling rushed as (usually) relaxing and taking breaks isn't encouraged by the amenities offered. I'm fortunate to have access to family-owned land to shoot on, but private outdoor ranges are usually OK as well.
Health and safety are, to me, diminished indoors. And frequently, the 'range master' is most concerned about possible damage to his backstop than if clients enjoy themselves. Not the case universally, but indoor ranges thrive where they are the only game in town--they are often run after that fashion in my experience.

 

[davera]

Outdoor range all the way, indoor when there isn't a choice. Some are better than others but indoor ranges wear me out in about an hour with the noise, light and air. I can spend a long afternoon shooting outdoors. Outdoor shooting is just more relaxed ... relaxed in a safe way of course. Locally, I have one about 30 minutes away and there's another one to look into about 30 minutes in the opposite direction. I wish they were closer ... but it would cost more for ammo.

During my Atlanta visits, there aren't any outdoor ranges within an hour of where I stay so indoor it is there.

 

[JoeHatley]

Indoor only. I've yet to find an outdoor range that is actually wheelchair accessible.

Joe

 

[OAKVILLE SHOOTER]

Outdoor for sure. I have never been to an indoor range. The outdoor range is a three minute Gator ride down to the back field where its just me and the targets.

 

[Lucky Strike]

I've done casual outdoor (never gone to an outdoor range) shooting on my grandparents farm but for actual practice I love the indoor range.

The one i go to is owned by the sheriff's department and is clean, has a nice lobby with a largescreen TV, lots of different handguns to rent, really nice lanes, air quality is good because they have a good HVAC system, good lighting, etc People are really nice and usually someone wants to swap lanes for a magazine so i get to try out new guns that way too.

Besides the public lanes they have special lanes for members where you can get in front of the booths and do holster work and other things you can't normally do.

Sure you have to buy there ammo but it's only like a $1 a box more then at the local sporting goods store.

 

[no_problem]

indoor ranges you get a lot more smoke and lead vapors...unhealthy...Outdoor ranges that stuff has more space to dissipate quickly.

Outdoor ranges have the long range needed for rifle shooting...100, 200 yards...indoor ranges 30 to 50 yds limit

 

[BridgeWalker]

indoor ranges you get a lot more smoke and lead vapors...unhealthy..

This is another major reason I've avoided indoor ranges to this point. I hope to have another baby or three someday, and I'd rather not do a round of chelation therapy before it's safe to get pregnant.

 

[TEDDY]

indoor/outdoor

Mass as amazing as it would seem has what I consider great indoor ranges.they are private clubs but most have open memberships.I belong to one dues are $35 a year.I am a senior member[life].8 positions cal up to 45 lead bullets only.pistol and 22 rifle.never been to crowded.exaust system and well lighted.hand carriers meaning pully.some clubs have rifle ranges.most towns are within 15 miles of at least 3 ranges.I cant go any more as I moved to SC in 2000. but still belong.

 

[gbran]

We have one indoor range. Due to lead control, it's super ventilated, very very cold and the breeze even bounces the targets.

I really prefer finding my own spot in the wilds where I can shoot anything at any time and at any distance without waiting for or being interupted by range breaks.