Indoor pistol range

LOWRIDER60 · 06-22-2003, 02:46 PM

I was toying with the idea of creating an indoor range in my crawlspace. I have 4-5 foot clearance,all gravel and dry and 15 to 25 yard distance as well as good ventilation.I would only be shooting non magnum pistols. Any insight on the type of backstop/collector I could build or buy or am I crazy for contemplating such a project?

Edward Tinker · 06-22-2003, 02:52 PM

Well, 30 some odd years ago, and we used to shoot in my Grandfathers basement, a 357 or 45 ACP and although there was a loud noise, it was not that loud upstairs...

Really, we used to do that, now I think, jeez, what about bullets bouncing around, etc. I wouldn't feel safe unless the ceiling was reinforced with 6 or 8 inches of wood, that the backboard was not possible for rounds to hit any neighbors, etc.

They do sell bullet collectors and we used one that would stop the above rounds and it worked fine, but I don't think I would do this kind of thing now-a-days... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

Ed

Roadkill · 06-22-2003, 03:41 PM

Welcome to the forum, Lowrider60. Couple of ideas for a backstop are sandbags filled in multiple layers, have loose fill to the front of impact with increasing density to the rear. Also a large compressed bale of rags is great. Regarding noise, I have a buddy who shoots high powers in his backyard, he took 50 used tires, packed them full of hay, built four stands to raise them up high enough for bench shooting, then ran a steel pole through them to hold them up. Next he wired them together and painted it all green. Biggest silencer in the world.

rk

AGE · 06-22-2003, 11:19 PM

Bullet traps are readily available for handgun calibers. I have one that worked great in my garage in CT when I lived an hour from the range.

unspellable · 06-23-2003, 08:09 AM

There once upon a time was a factory load for the 7.65 Parabellum that had a round ball at about 900 fps or so. Intended for use indoors with the Luger operated as a single shot or repeater rather than a selfloader.

06-22-2003, 02:46 PM	#1
LOWRIDER60 New User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Stevensville,Maryland Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Indoor pistol range I was toying with the idea of creating an indoor range in my crawlspace. I have 4-5 foot clearance,all gravel and dry and 15 to 25 yard distance as well as good ventilation.I would only be shooting non magnum pistols. Any insight on the type of backstop/collector I could build or buy or am I crazy for contemplating such a project?

06-22-2003, 02:52 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,916 Thanks: 1,995 Thanked 4,507 Times in 2,081 Posts	Well, 30 some odd years ago, and we used to shoot in my Grandfathers basement, a 357 or 45 ACP and although there was a loud noise, it was not that loud upstairs... Really, we used to do that, now I think, jeez, what about bullets bouncing around, etc. I wouldn't feel safe unless the ceiling was reinforced with 6 or 8 inches of wood, that the backboard was not possible for rounds to hit any neighbors, etc. They do sell bullet collectors and we used one that would stop the above rounds and it worked fine, but I don't think I would do this kind of thing now-a-days... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

06-22-2003, 11:19 PM	#4
AGE User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 597 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Bullet traps are readily available for handgun calibers. I have one that worked great in my garage in CT when I lived an hour from the range. __________________ Al Eggers (AGE) NRA Life Member

06-22-2003, 03:41 PM	#3
Roadkill User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,632 Thanks: 1 Thanked 28 Times in 17 Posts	Welcome to the forum, Lowrider60. Couple of ideas for a backstop are sandbags filled in multiple layers, have loose fill to the front of impact with increasing density to the rear. Also a large compressed bale of rags is great. Regarding noise, I have a buddy who shoots high powers in his backyard, he took 50 used tires, packed them full of hay, built four stands to raise them up high enough for bench shooting, then ran a steel pole through them to hold them up. Next he wired them together and painted it all green. Biggest silencer in the world. rk

06-23-2003, 08:09 AM	#5
unspellable User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 768 Thanks: 0 Thanked 19 Times in 11 Posts	There once upon a time was a factory load for the 7.65 Parabellum that had a round ball at about 900 fps or so. Intended for use indoors with the Luger operated as a single shot or repeater rather than a selfloader.