Indoor Gun Ranges vs. Outdoor Gun Ranges

When starting your journey as a gunsmith, having time to practice and learn how to shoot a gun is so important to your knowledge base. The best way to do this when you are starting out or even as an experienced shooter is at a gun range. It is a safe and predictable space that allows you to get to know your gun, become comfortable with it, and practice your shot. But what gun range will suit your needs the best? Within this article, we go through the pros and cons of indoor gun ranges versus outdoor gun ranges so that you can make the best decision when choosing where to hone your craft.  

Outdoor Gun Ranges  

Outdoor gun ranges offer a completely different experience from indoor shooting ranges. When visiting an outdoor gun range you are at one with nature. You can enjoy the fresh air and your natural, wild surroundings while learning a new hobby. They tend to be larger than the indoor ones as they cater for long-range shooting as well as standard shooting distances. This is an advantage for people who enjoy variety when practicing their shots.

As there is less infrastructure and maintenance required for an outdoor shooting range, its singular usage and memberships are more affordable. Due to the excess space, it is also less crowded and can be used for a more relaxed shooting experience or teaching classes. Overall, outdoor shooting ranges are for more experienced shooters who enjoy hunting on a regular basis.  

There are some disadvantages to outdoor gun ranges, the main one being that they are at the mercy of the weather. If you are from a place with changeable weather such as wind and extreme temperatures, it can be a nightmare waiting for the perfect conditions to visit the outdoor gun range. As they are in more rural areas, they are only convenient to a small percentage of people.  

When it comes to the types of guns that you can bring to the gun range it is quite versatile. Pistols and long guns can be used due to the vast space. Some places also offer skeet and trap shooting which can be a fun way to get in some practice. Also, there is a wider choice of targets including moving ones which can improve an experienced shooter’s accuracy for real hunting days.  

Indoor Gun Ranges  

When it comes to indoor gun ranges, the main advantage that they have over outdoor versions is that you will be able to practice and refine your shooting technique regardless of the weather. As most indoor gun ranges are climate-controlled you will not have rain or wind affecting your experience. Also, indoor gun ranges are more convenient for people who live in built-up, urban areas, as hunting outdoors or at outdoor gun ranges could be a couple of hours’ drive for them.  

As indoor gun ranges are enclosed, they are generally safer than outdoor gun ranges. They have bullet traps, guards and other safety features to ensure ammunition does not escape the range or injure anyone. This is why it is an excellent option for people starting on their gunsmithing journey, especially as some facilities will offer classes or experiences, which is a great way to gain a lot of knowledge.  

While there are a lot of advantages, there are some downsides. If you are looking for some quiet time to yourself, the indoor gun ranges are probably not for you as they can be quite noisy due to how enclosed the space is. Also, from a budget point of view, they are more expensive than the outdoor versions.   

As it is an indoor facility, there is a limit when it comes to the caliber and types of bullets that can be fired. Most of the time this is due to safety reasons as larger bullets or guns need a wider space to avoid any ricochets or other hazards. Most modern indoor shooting ranges can allow up to .45 caliber and rifles up to 30-06, but every shooting range is different so you would need to check their individual rules and regulations.  

There are many pros and cons to both indoor and outdoor gun ranges. Deciding between them depends on the gun you are using, the experience that you have and what you are learning or hoping to achieve from your hobby. By understanding these things, you can make the best decision for yourself. If you are interested in learning more about gunsmithing and firearms, head on over to MGS Trade School where they have an extensive library and courses on everything about guns.  

Written by: Ryan Clancy, Engineering HQ