You have people to train, people who need certification and people who just need to keep their firearm skills razor-sharp. But adding a traditional, stick-built shooting range to your site is both costly and time-consuming.
If only there was another option.
Lucky for you, there is.
Modular shooting ranges.
What is a modular shooting range?
Modular shooting ranges vary in numerous/important ways from traditional, brick-and-mortar shooting ranges.
First of all, modular ranges are just that—modular, which allows them to be easily expanded and reconfigured based on your needs at any given time.
Additionally, these ranges are completely mobile. Need to move it to provide better access or make room for additional facilities? No problem.
And it’s that mobility that brings with it its own set of unique attributes.
First, modular shooting ranges can be manufactured completely off-site and transferred to the worksite once complete—avoiding timely and disruptive processes like:
- Site preparation/grading
- Framing
- Construction
- Installation of interior elements like cabinets, flooring and workspaces
- Finishing electrical, plumbing and HVAC
And with skilled labor only needing to be on site for the installation, the process is much safer than having the entire construction done on site.
Secondly, that mobility means that those in the U.S. military can procure a modular shooting range as “equipment,” allowing them to be financed through operations and maintenance appropriations and sidestep what is often a five to seven-year MILCON (The Department of Defense’s military construction arm) congressional approval process before they can even get started building.
By comparison, modular shooting ranges can be delivered to you in turnkey condition within six to 12 months.
As one of the leading producers of hardened and robust facilities for the defense and security industry, CoverSix has seen firsthand how modular shooting ranges provide flexibility, cost efficiency, and shorter production times–all while delivering the highest quality product that meets all of a client’s exacting specifications.
Types of Modular Shooting Ranges
There are two types of modular shooting ranges on the market, those built utilizing converted shipping containers and those built from scratch.
Containerized Shooting Ranges
Containerized shooting ranges start their lives as a traditional shipping container which is then converted into a shooting range. Going this route eliminates some construction time and may provide some cost savings, however, it offers its own set of limitations.
The primary drawback to this approach is that you are often confined to the size and shape of the shipping container, dramatically reducing its overall customizability. These restrictions may even prevent the facility from abiding by guidelines set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency—primarily in providing a ceiling height of at least 10 feet.
Custom-built Shooting Ranges
Custom-built shooting ranges are built from the ground up and are what we specialize in at CoverSix. While the process of building these facilities may take slightly longer, by starting from scratch you get the highest level of flexibility and customization possible—ensuring that the facility meets both your needs and all federal regulations. With a custom-built shooting range, there are virtually no limits to the functional and safety features your facility can come equipped with.
What to Look for in a Modular Shooting Range
Safety
When it comes to deciding on a modular shooting range, safety—both of those utilizing the facility and those outside—should always be your number one priority. First, make sure that whatever product you choose has a strong ballistic envelope (preferably made of AR500 ballistic-grade steel) to create 100% ballistic containment—making them ballistic from the inside out to ensure that no rounds escape the facility.
Ventilation / HVAC System
Second, the facility must feature a contained, high-end ventilation and HVAC system that complies with all NIOSH, EPA, and OSHA regulations to protect against harmful lead exposure. For comparison, all CoverSix modular shooting ranges are designed as a “once through” system that provides a laminar flow of air at the firing position that draws the air down-range where it passes through banks of primary and secondary filters before passing through HEPA filters that capture 99.95% of all airborne contaminants.
Bullet Traps
And lastly, any range you purchase needs a good set of dependable bullet traps to stop and collect projectiles while preventing over-penetrations and stray shots from injuring those both inside and outside of the facility
These bullet traps can come in two varieties, either steel deceleration or granule.
Deceleration traps direct bullets into a helical or circular chamber where they slide against the wall until they eventually slow down and fall into a collection chamber.
Granule traps utilize a thick layer of granulated rubber to safely trap bullets upon impact.
Other Features in Modular Shooting Ranges:
- The ability to accommodate ammunition ranging from 9 mm all of the way up to .50 caliber
- Expandable firing lane width
- A wide range of targeting systems—overhead retrievable, pop-up targets, and running man targets
- The ability to allow for movement during full-cover drills
- Adjustable lighting to provide both day and night training opportunities
Final Thoughts About Modular Shooting Ranges
Modular shooting ranges are not only a great option from a time- and money-saving perspective, they offer mobility, flexibility and expandability while featuring all of the bells and whistles of a traditional stick-built facility.
Check out more from CoverSix, including the new Arcas Modular Small Arms Range.
