Gun ranges across the nation are being revamped to make target practice more effective, challenging, and budget friendly. In particular, law enforcement agencies are redesigning their gun ranges in order to meet specific training requirements. Companies in the target production business are facilitating improved training through newer types of items that will change the face of the shooting practice experience through the use of top caliber technology. These devices bring maximum efficiency to law enforcement agencies and other sharp shooters alike.
Re-design considerations
Space
Rossford Police Department in Rossford, Ohio, are in the midst of remodeling their gun range. One problem they have faced (like most departments) has been reconstructing their range in a way that is cost efficient. Luckily federal grants are available to help meet some of their monetary needs. It helps, too that many companies that install firing range apparatuses have come up with money saving products. “We noticed companies that specialize in firing range installation were very helpful,” says Chief Glen Goss at RPD. “They often had specifications for the size of indoor range we needed upgraded.”
Space limitations is a common challenge that many departments must overcome.
Working with the area they have, the Rossford PD has had to limit their workstations from five to four sections. “We will eliminate the shooting booths altogether to allow for officers to fire weapons in a more realistic setting,” says Rossford’s Chief Goss. By redesigning the gun range the Ohio department has not only made better use of its space, but it can now implement more reality based training techniques. “The new target system will allow for targets to face and turn from the shooter to add the element of surprise,” says Goss. This design includes rubber walls, which allow the shooter to fire into sidewalls and the backstop.
Range Systems has also come out with a solution for close range and cross range target practice like the range Rossford PD is developing. The Pro-Tacts Ballistic Sidewall Systems offers protections for sidewall impact. Shooters can practice firing at multiple targets without fear of ricocheting bullets. Having this type of setup allows for specific situation target practice in a safe way. “This wall system opens up live fire training by allowing officers to train for real-life scenarios such as close range and multiple target engagements,” says Toni Kruse of Range Systems. “It takes them off the firing line and into a dynamic training environment.”
Products like the Hard Malfunction by Range Systems and the MantisX by Mantis give shooters to have high quality training without using any extra space inside the facility. The Hard Malfunction simulates stoppage of firearms, which is a very real scenario. Once placed into the magazine, the firearm will not clear with a simple tap. Using this device trains the shooter to set up a firearm even under extremely stressful situations. For law enforcement this is beneficial, as officers must always be well prepared for unexpected situations. The Hard Malfunction Handgun Training tool fits most 9mm and .40 caliber weapons. However, Range Systems says the tool is made out of soft yet durable material that may suit most guns.
The MantisX is a digital target practice tool that gives immediate results. Deputy sheriff and firearms instructor for Pepin County, Jeff Krisik has recently used the MantisX for training. Krisik, a law enforcement officer for 17 years and a firearms instructor for five, trains officers in his own department as well as personnel from neighboring agencies. “We run anywhere from 50 to 60 people through,” says Krisik. “It was very difficult for an instructor to watch six people shooting and see what they are doing wrong.” He decided to implement the MantisX and immediately saw improvement. The device was able to correctly identify problems that were occurring, and officers were able to practice and qualify successfully. “We were able to make the right corrections and give proper instruction instead of using trial and error.”
The ammo budget
Money factors in, too. Many departments find that budget also affect the type of training or the extent of training offered. “One of the most significant problems I have encountered has been cuts in the ammunition budget,” says Jonas Proctor. Proctor is a firearms instructor and has been a law enforcement professional in Ruidoso, New Mexico for almost 19 years. Budget cuts in ammunition also affect cuts in firearms training. This becomes a problem when personnel are required to qualify for use of firearms annually or more than once per year. “The qualifications can leave ammunition count low, which means we have to be creative with training.” Products such as MantisX by the company Mantis reduce the overall cost of ammunition as it may be used with dry fire. The device is both affordable and portable. “MantisX sees things that the human eye cannot see,” says Mantix President Austin Allgaier. “It provides real-time feedback, diagnostics and coaching to the shooter.” The live-fire training aid relays feedback to the shooter via a Smartphone application. At the moment the MantisX is the only one of its kind on the market.
Pepin County firearms instructor Krisik says this low-profile technology has helped their range during other trainings as well. “When we have participants go through scenarios and different courses of action is it sometimes difficult to see the technique of the shooter.” Devices such as MantisX allow instructors to focus on safety and major shooting deficiencies, and help each shooter with instruction specific to their individual needs.
How realistic can you get?
Another factor that is crucial for all law enforcement firearms training is practicing real world situations. “Training that is scenario based or Reality Based Training is highly effective,” says Proctor. Training is this way benefits offer skill enhancement in shooting, which is important for future scenarios and officer safety. Proctor says that additionally, use of force training is imperative. Many agencies are incorporating virtual training into their firing ranges.
The Albemarle County Police Department, in Charlottesville, Virginia, has recently built The Regional Firearms Training Center. “It houses a multipurpose classroom that converts into a defensive tactics and force on force training room,” says First Sergeant Powers of the ACPD. “Additionally, there is a VirTra Systems firearms simulator to aid officers in decision making and de-escalation skills.”
Specific trainings setups for law enforcement are offered by many gun product manufacturing companies as well. Meggitt Training Systems offers Live Fire and Virtual training designed to enhance firearms training. Among their virtual training options are their FATS, (Firearms, Training, Systems). The FATS L7 is one of few weapons (aside from the MTSI smart BLUEFIRE) that offer wireless training options. It also stays in constant communication with the system using Bluetooth technology. Both weapons allow the instructor to view student marksmanship results promptly. The tethered and wireless weapons also allow instructors to initiate a weapon malfunction. Once the malfunction is initiated, the student must execute the proper clearing procedure, otherwise the weapon will not operate. Implementing this type of training improves existing skillsets.
Something different
The perception of gun ranges is steadily changing. The Albemarle County PD have integrated two, 50-yard, 8-lane firing ranges within one location. “Both ranges are independently operated using Savage Systems and feature a pneumatic turning system,” says Sergeant Powers. These types of targets are being manufactured by many companies and are being integrated by many ranges.
In order to further enhance their range and expand their training potential the Albemarle County equipped their range with areas that allow for vehicles to be part of their training scenarios. Their two ranges are called “Lima” and “Romeo”. While Lima is used strictly for qualification training, Romeo allows firing at a 270-degree arc.
When many firing ranges are utilizing both the indoor and the outdoor environment, products such as the Model #LE5000 Escalator Bullet Trap by Meggitt are a low cost option. This bullet trap can be used indoors as well as outdoors using fixed firing lines. The trap directs bullets into a swirl chamber; an optional containment system is also available. The 5000 series may be purchased for a variety of types of firearms as well such as 9mm, and handguns, and shotguns to name a few.
Another company, AutoTargets, has come up with its own way of advancing technology for firearm practice by coming out with their AutoTargets Lift Unit. “It has a reactive target system that is controlled by a tablet or Smartphone,” says Grace Auld of AutoTargets. The “smart” target will pop up and react upon impact once a certain requirement is met. In addition, a number of units may be linked together to design a variety of reactive shooting scenarios. Auld says “AutoTargets may be used for tactical training, defensive pistol classes, sniper training and more.” The company has also come out with a side-lifting feature that offers nine different lifting positions so the target may pop out from behind walls, windows, and other obstacles.
The future of target practice
In the coming years the face of the shooting range will change as technology continues to evolve. The ultimate goal for each of these companies, as well as others in the industry, is to provide more efficient methods of training through instant results. With more options available for target practice and attention to detail and precision, law enforcement personnel can sharpen the skills they have and further protect themselves on duty.
“The range will improve technique by easily providing a variety of shooting options to the officers that was simply not available before,” says Chief Goss of the Rossford Police Department. “I foresee officers wanting to use the newly renovated range more often, which can only make them more efficient with their weapons.” It seems that with new techniques and new devices available, the firing ranges of the past are long gone. Goss says police these days are "gadget oriented," meaning when something new is available, they want to try it.
Hilary Rodela
Hilary Rodela is currently a Surveillance Officer, a former Private Investigator, a former Crime Scene Investigator, and Evidence Technician. She worked for the Ruidoso (NM) Police Department as well as the Lubbock (TX) Police Department. She has written for several public safety publications and has extensive law enforcement and forensic training and is pursuing forensic expertise in various disciplines. Hilary is a freelance public safety writer and curriculum developer for the National Investigative Training Academy.
