Anyone 'upgraded' a range from rimfire to pistol calibre?

[Kungfugerbil]

Hello all.

Quick question - I've been asked by a couple of members at our club whether our 20yd indoor range could be upgraded for pistol calibre. We are currently only a rimfire club and only NSRA associated.

Technically I know it could be done - the backstop structure is well designed and would probably only need some upgrading. I suppose I'm less sure about the governance and compliance bit.

If anyone has done so, is there anything to consider? Any pitfalls? I'm assuming the following needs to be considered:

Insurance
Affiliation with national bodies
Amendments to club constitution and membership process
Training for RCOs, instructors
Noise and environmentals

Anything else? All input welcomed!

Ta

[dromia]

This has been discussed on here before so a search will yield information.

[dromia]

The use of the term pistol calibres is a singulary unhelpful way of approaching this.

What you want to do is increase the range certificates muzzle velocity, muzzle energy and perhaps calibre limits.

The pistol calibre reference come from those certificates issued by the NSRA who are not fit for purpose when it comes to range certification as they know as much about centre fire as my arse knows about snipe shooting. Whatever you do do not engage the NSRA in anything to do with ranges as they are a failed organisation in this regards.

[FredB]

I was a part of a team that did just this in 1979. We were successful, but we did have a couple of un-planned problems: the first one was that the extraction system used for .22 was totally inadequate for C/F pistol. Our second problem was with the back-stop. We used 16mm steel plates angled at 45 degrees and when struck with a large calibre bullet they rang like a bell. We covered the back of them with old blankets and then a layer of old paving slabs. The range is still in use today.
Fred

[Kungfugerbil]

Thanks both. Extraction is a good point as is backstop design.

Dromia - I must admit I did search beforehand using all of the combinations of 'upgrade' 'recertify' 'change use' that I could think of, but to no avail.

Point noted about terminology (and the NSRA) - I had assumed we would need to engage the NRA. 'Pistol calibre' was used as an example of discipline rather than anything else; with a 20yd range we are somewhat limited to Long barrelled revolvers and 'pistol calibre' gallery rifles I would imagine?

Thanks for your help, appreciated.

[Brookers]

Ok, as I'm coming to the end of building a range from scratch I have am little knowledge in this area.
No one certifies ranges these days. Not the army (they used to to) not the NRA. I don't know the situation with NSRA.
What I did was use the range design consultant suggested to me by the NRA, he does a discount if your club is NRA affiliated. I have then built the range to his specification and he will issue me with a certificate of compliance that the NRA insurance company needs. You can self certify but if anything goes wrong then you may be liable.
What you really need to think about is backstops. Extraction, cladding any surface that can cause splash back and your range operating procedures.
Have a look at JSP 403, it's available online. I belive that it is now superceded by a new document but it's contents are still relevant.

HTH

Brookers

[dromia]

Dromia - I must admit I did search beforehand using all of the combinations of 'upgrade' 'recertify' 'change use' that I could think of, but to no avail.

Like all computers the quality of the output is dictated by the quality of the input.

Have you tried a search for safety certificate?