Often involves the construction of additional facilities and premises. These could be “utility rooms”, a swimming pool, a mini-court, a volleyball court, and even a stable.
But there is such a thing that many only dream about. We'll talk about the shooting range.
Having started renovations at their dacha and once taken out all the construction waste, the owners may find out that the basement in their house is empty. Or just one room is empty. But these very premises can be turned into a place where all family members will happily gather: adults and children, boys and girls in order to “shoot” at plastic bunnies, paper targets or moving objects, developing their dexterity, vision and willpower, both from children's pistols and from air rifles.
A place for a shooting range can be allocated on the site itself, but for this you will have to build something resembling a garage with your own hands.
The advantage of such a home shooting range is obvious: it is safety, because shooting at a tin can mounted on a tree stump is not the best option. “Games” with air guns without additional protection, and even in the circle of laughing relatives who have drained a glass of wine “for the meeting,” do not lead to anything good.
In order to organize a shooting range, you will need at least 20 meters of free space. Then it all depends on what the owner means by the phrase “shooting comfort.”
If the shooting range is located in the basement or other part of the cottage, you must immediately make sure that no one in the house is in danger, and the shots will be directed from the house.
Targets should be located on the side opposite the front door. The walls of the shooting range are lined with any material that will absorb ricochet.
The first task that the owner needs to solve is one that concerns the maximum safety of people, animals, and the house, and only after that should he think about where and how to place a large structure called a “shooting gallery” on the garden plot.
Next, you should think about the bullet receiving wall, which should be at least 1.5 meters above the target line. It is very good if the owner installs an anti-ricochet visor. The same wall should not have glare. One of the options for a “wall” is an earthen rampart, a wooden shield or a concrete barrier. If we are talking about an earthen embankment, then it should not contain a single stone.
A country shooting range must certainly have walls that prevent anyone from unexpectedly appearing at the firing line, and they also prevent the bullet from being deflected by the wind.
The place for the shooter is equipped with a stand that serves as a support. The main requirement for this design is stability and strength.
If the shooting range is indoor, then the next task of the owners is to solve the lighting issue. There are no windows in the indoor shooting range, and the light should only fall on the targets, and not on the shooter.
The shooting range can be built either stationary or collapsible.
And the last thing is the choice of targets. Here, shooting gallery owners rely only on their desires and financial capabilities.
As you can see, with a little effort, you can have a great time at the dacha with friends or family.
Hello Habr.
I love small arms and shooting. However, at home this is a bad hobby. No, well, of course you can buy a traumatizer and riddled the apartment, but I think your family won’t appreciate it. Not wanting to put up with this, I decided to implement my own, moderately safe home shooting range. If you are interested, welcome to cat.
Ideas on how to implement this have been in my head for a long time. Here are a few that were rejected:
- gun with phototransistor + monitor screen. Highlighting half/quarter/eighth/etc. screen, check the response from the phototransistor and iteratively refine the part of the screen at which the gun is pointed. The idea was rejected due to the low refresh rate of the monitors and their inertia.
- gun with phototransistor + screen made of LED matrices. Better yet, you can update the image on the diode matrix with sufficient frequency. I even started soldering diode matrices, but thought better of it in time.
- a pistol with a camera, several laser LEDs that form marks on the wall, by which the camera determines its position. In principle, the idea was not bad. However, after wondering how a gun would look with a webcam attached to it, he also abandoned it.
Well, the final idea is a static camera looking at the wall and a pistol with a laser. There is an idea, it's a matter of implementation.
I bought the first children's pistol I came across (Desert Eagle 50 caliber). I threw out the insides, processed it with a file and installed a laser diode, a trigger button and an Arduino nano. No, you can, of course, put a capacitor there in place of the arduino, so that it switches with a button from the power source to the diode and back, but this is not a flexible enough approach. The laser diode was cold welded. While it was freezing, I carefully adjusted the switched on diode, aligning it with the aiming bar.
Hidden text
Hidden text
I wrote a simple sketch:
Hidden text
void setup() ( pinMode(3, OUTPUT);//LED pinMode(2, INPUT);//Button to ground digitalWrite(2, true); ) int t = 10000; bool PreButton = false; void loop() ( bool Button = !digitalRead(2); if (PreButton == false && Button == true && t > 500) t = 0; if (t<5) digitalWrite(3, true); else digitalWrite(3, false); if (t<10000) t++; PreButton = Button; delay(1); }
The pistol “shoots” in short 4ms pulses (picked up during the setup process) with a maximum rate of fire of 2 shots per second.
Then it's up to the receiving party. I bought a simple webcam. The raspberries were already in the bins. I connected the camera and pointed it at the wall.
Hidden text
Next you need to put the necessary packages on the raspberry
sudo apt-get install libv4l-0 libopencv-dev python-opencv
All that remains is to write a Python script. This was my first Python script, so I had to spend almost a day on it.
Hidden text
#!/usr/bin/python import sys import cv2 import math import subprocess if __name__ == "__main__": #target in camera CenterX = 426.5 CenterY = 190.5 Radius = 40.0 width = 800 height = 640 capture = cv2.VideoCapture(0 ) capture.set(3, width); capture.set(4, height); image = cv2.imread("target.jpg", cv2.CV_LOAD_IMAGE_COLOR) target_x = float(image.shape)*0.5 target_y = float(image.shape)*0.5 target_Radius = min(target_x,target_y) target = image.copy( ) cv2.namedWindow("Result", 1) cv2.imshow("Result", target) ShotCount = int(); Scoore = 0; while 1: if cv2.waitKey(1) >= 0: break ret,frame = capture.read() gray_image = cv2.cvtColor(frame, cv2.COLOR_BGR2GRAY) ret,grey_image = cv2.threshold(grey_image, 245, 255, cv2.THRESH_BINARY) # grey_image = cv2.erode(grey_image, None, iterations = 1) # grey_image = cv2.dilate(grey_image, None, iterations = 1) (contour, _) = cv2.findContours(grey_image, cv2.RETR_EXTERNAL, cv2.CHAIN_APPROX_SIMPLE) if contour: subprocess.Popen("aplay Shot.wav", shell = True) cntr = sorted(contour, key = cv2.contourArea, reverse = True) (x,y), radius = cv2.minEnclosingCircle( cntr) center = (x, y) shot_x = (float(x) - CenterX)/Radius shot_y = (float(y) - CenterY)/Radius dist = math.sqrt(shot_x*shot_x+shot_y*shot_y) shot_x = target_x + shot_x*target_Radius shot_y = target_y + shot_y*target_Radius Shot = (int(shot_x), int(shot_y)) cv2.circle(target, Shot, 5, (60,60,255),10) cv2.circle(target, Shot, 10, (120,120,120),1) cv2.imshow("Result", target) #calibrate #print (center, dist) print ("Shots", ShotCount+1) if dist< 1.0: Scoore += 1 - dist ShotCount += 1 if ShotCount >6: ShotCount = 0; Scoore = Scoore/7.0*100.0 print("You Scoore: ", Scoore) Scoore = 0 target = image.copy() cv2.waitKey(300) subprocess.Popen("aplay 924.wav", shell = True) cv2. waitKey(1000) cv2.waitKey(50) cv2.destroyAllWindows()
A few clarifications. The script takes pictures from the camera and converts them to black and white. Next, it cuts off everything that is darker than 245. As practice has shown, the laser diode spot is detected very confidently even with a pulse length of only a couple of milliseconds. Next, we find the contour of the spot and the minimum circle that describes it. We draw hits on the target and play the sound. After seven “shots” we count the points (of which you can score a maximum of 100).
Before shooting, you need to calibrate the position of the target in the camera.
By the way, “target”:
Hidden text
My camera is three meters from the target. Let's uncomment the line #print (center, dist), shoot until we hit the exact center. We look at the position of the hit in the log and write it at the beginning of the script (CenterX, CenterY). We also adjust the Radius there to suit your target size.
The resolution of the camera from three meters is about two millimeters. If this doesn’t seem enough, you can simply move the camera.
That's it, we're falling back into childhood and starting fire training classes.
The process looks like this (sorry for the shabby wallpaper - I live in a rented apartment):
Don't forget about safety - you can only look at the laser twice at the sun, just like through a telescope...
In the future, I would like to install a servo in the pistol that will pull the weight to simulate recoil. Well, print out a normal target.
How can you entertain guests at your dacha? Outdoor games are not always suitable for older people, and a magnificent feast will not surprise anyone. Sports shooting is a great solution for those who are bored! Interesting, useful for children and adults... What else do you need? In our material we talk about how to make shooting as comfortable and safe as possible.
Recreational shooting, or otherwise known as plinking, is becoming increasingly popular among Russians. For people of the older generation, it serves as a kind of echo of the youth training program in DOSAAF. Hunting enthusiasts keep their professional skills in good shape through shooting. Well, for gambling people and children, plinking is an ideal competition.
According to the classification established by the Federal Law “On Weapons”, sporting weapons include pneumatic models with a caliber of up to 4.5 millimeters and a muzzle energy of no more than 7.5 joules. Such weapons can only be used in populated areas in specially equipped places - shooting ranges.
Setting up a shooting range in your backyard is easy. To do this, you will need an empty plot of land about four meters wide. The length will be equal to the desired shooting distance.
The shooting range houses targets and equipment that prevents bullets from flying away due to ricochet or incorrect aiming. On the “street” it is better to build temporary frame structures. They are easy to disassemble for the winter.
Targets and table
The target field is a canvas (“backdrop”) on which targets for shooting are placed. The backdrop is mounted on a fixed frame frame in the form of a trapezoid. Its wide base faces the shooter. For the back material, they usually take a sheet of plywood, OSB or chipboard, upholstered on the front side with a protective bulletproof coating. For safety, cover the top and sides with a bullet trap.
It looks something like this:
The shooter's table should have a spacious tabletop. It holds weapons, ammunition and a telescope on a tripod. The base of the table is three legs made of steel pipe. It will be more convenient to shoot if you make a rectangular or round cutout in the tabletop.
The lines from which shooting is carried out can be organized at arbitrary distances. But the most common distances are 10, 25 and 40 meters. You can also make an additional line from which fire will be fired from “MANUM” class rifles equipped with an optical sight.
It is better to prepare the boundaries in advance - clear them of grass and compact them. A “spot” measuring 2x1.5 meters is enough for shooting.
To prevent ricochet, special materials are used. There are two options for such coatings:
Galvanized steel, under which there is a damper pad made of foamed polyethylene with a thickness of at least 3 mm.
Kevlar fabric and its analogues.
The fabric should hang freely on the bullet catcher; secure the bottom edge with an elastic band: the fabric will not swell too much during gusts of wind. When covering the back with Kevlar fabric, it is better to place a thin foam pad under it.
Shooting range equipment
The target field must have a sterile white backlight, and the light source itself must be hidden from the shooter's eyes. Border lighting is not required.
The biathlon target model is the most complex. A metal channel with five round cells, behind each of which there is a metal disk on a hinge.
Contour targets that have the shape of wild animals and fall after being hit are also used. The third type of target is falling targets, which are set in motion after hitting a round plate attached to the end of a lever.
Biathlon and tilting targets can be returned to their original position remotely by including a stepper motor and a lighting control unit in the design.
It is best to purchase targets in specialized stores.
Airguns
Spring-piston pneumatics are best suited for a home shooting range. These can be either pistols or rifles. To fire a shot from them, you need to cock the piston spring with a lever or by breaking the barrel. There is no need for a beginner to purchase expensive rifles, especially since most of them belong to the class of hunting weapons.
Plinking is all about accuracy, not lethality, so rifles in the $200 to $350 price range are a great choice. The domestic IZH MP-61 rifle, which is used for training shooting by novice biathletes, is well suited for a home shooting range. The rifle has a five-round magazine, cocking is carried out using a side lever. The stock, travel and trigger force are adjustable, the weapon has a simple design and is highly reliable, allowing targeted fire from a distance of up to 50 meters.
Even if your rifle is new, it can be slightly modified. First of all, replace the steel spring of the weapon with a gas one. It is less demanding on operating conditions and has lower returns. Also, most rifles may require a lighter piston and a more wear-resistant collar. Buy a spare set of seals for the breech and rammer in advance.
Pneumatic care
Most pneumatic models are easy to maintain. But maintaining a weapon will still require a certain set of additional funds. First of all, a gun lubricant such as Balistol or FP-10. It is also necessary to have a cleaning rod, always one-piece, with a set of attachments for cleaning the barrel: a visher, brass and synthetic brushes. The rifle should be stored separately from ammunition and out of the reach of children. If you have sighted optics, it is better to hold the rifle on a special stand, or in a horizontal position, placing a soft cushion under the sight. Pneumatics should not be stored in a charged state: a metal spring compressed for more than one minute quickly loses its elasticity. The rifle should be cleaned after every 100-150 shots. After firing, coat the bore, compression chamber and trigger mechanism with a small amount of lubricant. Before use, remove the grease with a dry cloth.
Shooting Basics
There are three main shooting positions: standing, kneeling or resting on a table. When shooting while standing, turn your right foot perpendicular to the aiming line, move your left foot slightly to the side and back. An angle of 40-45 degrees should be maintained between the feet. The left hand should be relaxed and simply support the weapon under the fore-end.
In a sitting position, bend your right leg under you and put your left leg forward, bending your knee. The hand will rest against it.
Hold the rifle loosely and casually, but confidently, trying to compensate for barrel vibrations. The trigger is squeezed smoothly to the very end, and the shot almost always occurs a little unexpectedly for the shooter. It is important not to lose patience and not try to squeeze out the rest of the trigger stroke quickly. You need to shoot while holding your breath after almost completely exhaling: the shooter has a few seconds at his disposal to accurately take aim at the target and evenly squeeze the trigger.
Many entrepreneurs are wondering how to make a shooting range. And this is not surprising, because this type of business can bring good income in the future. To open a point, you will need a minimum of documentation and a small investment. The main advantage of owning your own business in this area is considered to be the low level of competition. Even in large cities and metropolitan areas, demand exceeds supply. The popularity of shooting ranges has been growing recently, and budding entrepreneurs are obliged to take advantage of the situation.
Classification
Before drawing up a business plan, you need to determine the vector of development of the organization. There are several types of shooting ranges. The main classification involves division into professional and entertainment. The first option is considered more popular, points are opened in specialized educational institutions, centers, clubs, training places for military, police, etc. The entertainment option is less popular, but still there will always be clients who like to shoot.
Depending on the weapon used, the shooting range is divided into pneumatic and firearms. In the first case, no difficulties should arise. The main thing is to collect all the necessary documents. You don’t need a lot of investments, two or three thousand dollars (120-200 thousand rubles) is quite enough. There are people who prefer shooting from military weapons. Shooting ranges of this type in Moscow and St. Petersburg are a success. There is only one “but”: to open such an establishment, you will need about ten thousand dollars (about 600 thousand rubles) and all the permits that are not easy to obtain. Every businessman chooses a more suitable option.
How to register a shooting range?
There are no restrictions or preferences here. You can use any form of legal entity to start your business. If a businessman has settled on a pneumatic establishment, you will not need a license to create a shooting range if you are providing target shooting services.
If an entrepreneur is ambitious, he will think several years ahead. In the future, if the shooting range is doing well, you can open a weapons store. Then the individual entrepreneur form will not be suitable, because it is necessary to submit licenses that are issued only to legal entities.
Room
How to open a shooting gallery from scratch? First, you should start looking for premises for a pneumatic shooting range. Entrepreneurs often prefer to rent premises in entertainment centers and recreation complexes. Requirements: at least forty square meters and a distance from the line to the targets of about seven meters. A shooting range is much more difficult to open. In this case, the distance to the target must be at least fifty meters. The walls of the room must be lined with a bullet trap to prevent ricochet. It is recommended to do this in basement areas.
A shooting range as a business is a pretty good option. When opening an establishment, you can save on the interior, since that’s not what visitors come here for. Ideally, the overall impression of the room should resemble the spirit of a basement setting. Unlined walls, the use of wood, khaki material, protective mesh, etc. are perfect for this.
Equipment
How to make a shooting gallery? Once you have found a suitable premises, you should think about purchasing equipment. It is worth immediately indicating that this will be the most significant item in expenses. The first step is to purchase shotguns and rifles, on average about ten pieces. This is quite enough to create a standard shooting gallery. Most rifles are single-shot, but sometimes there are five-shot ones.
Weapon maintenance and repair are also worth considering. In total, equipment costs will be about a thousand dollars. If you want to save money, you can purchase domestic analogues of rifles and pistols. As a result, you will have less costs, but the quality will suffer greatly. After this, you need to find targets for shooting from military weapons. Shooting ranges in Moscow and other large cities are equipped with different types of targets. This significantly increases interest in your establishment. The best option would be to combine static and moving targets. You will have to fork out for the latter; their cost is approximately five thousand rubles.
Recruitment
To work with clients in an establishment, experience is required. Therefore, it is recommended to hire qualified specialists. The staff depends entirely on the area of the premises and the scope of your business. In addition to skills and knowledge, the instructor must be able to communicate with clients, not cause negativity, and convey safety rules to them.
The airsoft shooting range is mostly visited by women and children. Representatives of the stronger sex prefer to shoot with firearms. Continuing to talk about the staff, it is worth noting that there are no restrictions regarding age and gender. However (according to statistics), former shooting athletes or military personnel are often hired for such work.
Income and expenses
How to make a shooting gallery that will bring good profits? It must be said that the main income comes from sales of ammunition. The average client fires fifteen shots at a cartridge costing ten rubles. The price range for shooting ranges is from five to thirty rubles. Sometimes the establishment is visited by gambling people who spend about five hundred rubles on cartridges per visit. A prize motivates people for fulfilling certain conditions. Even if the reward is symbolic, it will still stir up interest.
The main expense items include renting premises, purchasing weapons and targets, wages to employees and costs for prizes.
On average, opening a shooting range will cost a businessman about two to three thousand dollars. With proper planning, you can earn an income of four thousand dollars (approximately 250 thousand rubles) per month.
Improvement
You can create an establishment specializing in shooting not only in the classic version. If possible, if there is demand, you can add a mobile pneumatic shooting range, an interactive complex and a shooting range.
Particular attention should be paid to the interactive shooting gallery; it has recently been gaining popularity. The idea is that the client shoots from a service weapon at real-size targets. Shooting is carried out in conditions that are as close as possible to real ones. An interactive shooting gallery is characterized by playing a plot that changes depending on hitting the targets.
You can open a gun store in the future if business goes well. You create a store where you can sell ammunition and weapons.
In this material we looked at how to make a shooting gallery, what investments are needed and how much you can earn. This information will be useful for beginning entrepreneurs.
