Lead free indoor handgun range?

A

Alex1911

Member
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hi,

This is my first post on this forum, looking forward to getting to know the community!

I'm working on setting up a range in Ontario for handguns within the next year with my business partner. We were researching some american studies on lead contamination on indoor ranges and found some disconcerting results. Mind you these ranges were repeat offenders who had no regard for safe and clean operations so the results are probably worse then average. (link to study if interested - http://projects.seattletimes.com/2014/loaded-with-lead/1/ )

Edit Feb 14th - we are leaning towards using FMJ or TMJ

My question is would you attend a lead free range to use your handguns? I know looking at the states where they have a few lead free ranges, but customers seem upset over the increased cost of copper projectiles / lead free primers. If the cost were similar to lead would that be more enticing to go lead free indoors?

Speaking with my insurance company they are concerned with lead contamination of employees and the site/hazardous waste on site. Im also concerned about the health and safety of customers and employees with lead in an enclosed/confined space regardless of top of the line HVAC equipment.

For me personally and the friends I have spoken to have no issue going lead free if the price was right and on indoor ranges.

Any input is appreciated, Thanks
Alex
 
Last edited:
Due all respect, how do you see that happening?

People either want to shoot on a cheap and they cast their lead bullets. Or they buy ammo off the shelf. Few will reload with quality components, well because reloading handgun ammo is not that much fun so if it costs more than cheap or mid price factory why even bother.

Now, a quick check on a few online stores we have for CGN sponsors shows practically ZERO non lead handgun ammo available.

Unless you are planning to provide significant stock of lead free ammo for cheap, I don't see it happening at all. Even if you do provide unlimited supply of ammo I bet that price will kill your enterprise way faster than any lead contamination. Once you run out for .38 or .357 or 9mm or .45 acp or ... By the way, what are you planing to do about .22 rim fire? Or they make "organic lead, bpa, lactose free .22 ammo now? Sorry, sorry, just a joke.

Anyway, you only chance might be a location in GTA which is starved for indoor ranges to begin with, but also has more a less sizable pool of wealthier people. But again, Target Sports has $600-ish membership fee. A lot of people find that excessive. With a lead free ammo it sounds like peanuts. Especially if you consider that everyone who is really upset about lead can already go to an open range and have a fresh air experience for a fraction of a cost.
 
Welcome aboard! I wouldn't go out of my way to attend a lead free range. It would have to be just as convenient a location, and the ammo would have to be priced at or below current prices. Handwashing and normal care should make lead poisoning a very small threat.
 
I would suggest you talk to Action or Savage about range designs and ventilation. ..lead is one contaminant..but there are many others but lead gets the attention.

As for insurance...again dont call Joe the local All-State rep..call a company that other ranges deal with,youd be surprised how cheap the insurance actually might be.
 
Having worked at a range in the GTA area with notorious lead problems, the owner has since invested a couple hundred thousand dollars into new HVAC units which didn't solve the lead problem 100%. The staff still wear masks and gloves when taking out groups on supervised shoots. Lead contamination in an indoor range is almost 100% airborne and easily dealt with a competent ventilation contractor who can properly seal your indoor facility. Proper hand-washing protocols still must be followed either way.

Unless you've got a deep pocketbook to install a gargantuan HVAC unit and the associated ventilation (In front of shooting line and at backstop), then I don't think lead-free would work considering the limited range of ammunition people can use.

Drop me a PM if you want to know more details. I'll be glad to aid in your venture.
 
Last edited:
Designing a new range with proper air handling filtration and maintenance will all but eliminate most worries of lead / contamination, it can be done but retrofits are next to impossible..
 
Good luck Alex on this venture we need more ranges in Ontario. Is your business partner a tall Swiss guy ?.....if so, he has lots of experience at this !
 
I'll spare you any unsolicited business advice, but to answer your question:

No. Neither I, nor anyone in my "inner circle" would consider joining a range that had a lead free policy. "Cost" being the primary factor. If membership was only $50/year, I'd consider going lead free, but I'm not holding my breath.


Edit: Just looked up prices for lead free. Never mind. I'm out... At any membership price.
 
Last edited:
A buddy of mine is looking a building a range in the Lower Mainland. It's all in the ventilation he mention that it would cost $300-400k just for the HVAC system.

I would not go to a range that would limit my options and cost more for me to put "lead" down range.
 
Not a chance would you catch me at your range. forget the scare tactics . I have been shooting since I was 12 years of age and I'm 55 . I'm in the construction industry and am exposed to concrete powder dust on jobsites and the fumes from cars while sitting in traffic. lead free is very expensive.
 
cement head said:
Not a chance would you catch me at your range. forget the scare tactics . I have been shooting since I was 12 years of age and I'm 55 . I'm in the construction industry and am exposed to concrete powder dust on jobsites and the fumes from cars while sitting in traffic. lead free is very expensive.
Click to expand...

No scare tactics here, just weighing our options. If we were to go lead free should do it from day 1. Lead free can be expensive but I've been trying to look for cheaper sources for bulk projectiles that can be sold for use in reloads. Copper is not exactly an expensive metal. I know there are some expensive brands out there who have rounds that perform on par with lead in th 9 - 45acp range and are used in the states for self defense loads. Problem comes down to cost at .30 - .80c per projectile. I was thinking with bulk orders those can be brought significantly down and can serve people who want to reload.

Looking at some ranges in the states some use Dillon 1050 multi stage presses to make house brand reloads which can also bring down cost significantly. Going this route increases insurance though since now the ammo being manufactured will also need to be regulated and insured just like any other producer.
 
Yes we are looking at the GTA market at the Toronto boarder since we can't be inside Toronto due to by law.

For non lead options won't find much in Canada but in he US market there is more. All the standard handgun rounds are available with he exception of rim fire (as far as I know).

We are not set on going lead free just seeing what people think. I've visited quite a few very nice American ranges that don't even compare to what can be experienced here and want to bring some of that home to Ontario. Seen lead free, no exposed load, and anything goes ranges.

Digital ranges are also a very interesting proposition to be able bring in live fire with projected targets, games, and lane vs lane competitions. Some very nice ranges down there.
 
I think going lead free is a bad idea. No one will pay 1$ per shot just to be exposed to 1 less toxin. You will still need a good hvac system anyways so I don't see where you'll be saving any money.
 
Galt said:
I would suggest you talk to Action or Savage about range designs and ventilation. ..lead is one contaminant..but there are many others but lead gets the attention.

As for insurance...again dont call Joe the local All-State rep..call a company that other ranges deal with,youd be surprised how cheap the insurance actually might be.
Click to expand...

Yes I will forsure be looking for better rates or a specialized provider. So far I spoke with my current broker for my other business that provides coverage for operations and vehicles ect.

As for HVAC this is our primary concern last thing I would want is to poison a person, an employee would be spending many hrs on site and need to ensure their saftey.
 
Conscript said:
Having worked at a range in the GTA area with notorious lead problems, the owner has since invested a couple hundred thousand dollars into new HVAC units which didn't solve the lead problem 100%. The staff still wear masks and gloves when taking out groups on supervised shoots. Lead contamination in an indoor range is almost 100% airborne and easily dealt with a competent ventilation contractor who can properly seal your indoor facility. Proper hand-washing protocols still must be followed either way.

Unless you've got a deep pocketbook to install a gargantuan HVAC unit and the associated ventilation (In front of shooting line and at backstop), then I don't think lead-free would work considering the limited range of ammunition people can use.

Drop me a PM if you want to know more details. I'll be glad to aid in your venture.
Click to expand...

Awsome, I think I know the place your talking about lol. I'll contact you forsure were still in planning phase and talking with the local city/CFO, I should have some questions. Thanks
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom