You don’t need 100 acres, bulldozers, or a bunker to set up a safe and functional shooting range. Whether you’re hosting a training event, running youth shooters through basic drills, or just want a private place to run your own reps, you can build a reliable range almost anywhere with the right gear and a little planning.
by Jacob Paulson for Concealed Carry
I recently built a pop-up range in a National Forest for a church youth group activity. Everything had to fit in the back of my 5ft Tacoma bed, and it needed to be fast to set up and tear down. This article covers the gear and tools that made it work, and what I recommend if you’re looking to do something similar.
Check the Law First
Before you pound in your first stake, check your local and state laws, zoning ordinances, and firearm discharge regulations. While recreational shooting is generally legal on BLM land or in National Forests, it’s always smart to confirm with local BLM offices or Forest Rangers to avoid surprises. Better safe than shut down.
And always build with a safe backstop in mind — berm, hillside, or natural barrier.
You should consider if there will be traffic on a road, or on a trail beyond your backstop. Sometimes errant shots can go over the berm, and understanding your backdrop is important to safety.
As a rule of thumb, I’m looking for a backstop / berm that is at least 20 feet high, free of large rocks, and won’t see human traffic beyond or nearby for several hundred feet. Of course, you might change your parameters based on the specific firearm(s) being used.
Start With Safety
No matter where you shoot, safety is non-negotiable. Here’s what I recommend every temporary range have on hand:
- Proper signage indicating that live fire is taking place.
- A clearly marked firing line
- Range boundaries that define where eye and ear protection becomes mandatory and where people cannot walk or go to avoid being downrange of the firing line. This rope is really helpful.
- A dedicated trauma kit designed specifically for range injuries.
👉 Get the Wind River Trauma Kit - A completed Medical Response Plan — Mountain Man Medical provides a free downloadable template inside their Range Medicine Course.
👉 Enroll in the Range Medicine Course
Essential Range-Building Gear
Throom Targets: Top Pick for Pop-Up Ranges
When weight, safety, and portability matter, Throom Targets are our top recommendation. I used their Knockdown Targets at our event — they made scoring simple (target falls = hit) and the animal shapes were a hit with youth shooters.
- No ricochet risk
- Lightweight and easier to transport than steel
- Durable — they last a long time
- Fun & reactive — great for both training and entertainment
Pro Tip: Some setups (like their plate rack) require a drill or driver to assemble, and if you’re building a custom lumber base, you’ll need a saw unless you cut it in advance..
HatPoint Target Stands: Lightweight, Flexible, Packable
We love the HatPoint Target Stands because they solve multiple problems at once:
- Lightweight & easy to carry
- Adjustable width — works with paper, cardboard, USPSA targets, etc.
- Stakable for wind (stakes sold separately)
- Stackable and portable — ideal for truck beds
Pair them with 1×2 sticks (available at any hardware store) and you’re ready to go.
DIY Tactical Port Wall with HatPoint Stands
Want to simulate a VTAC wall but don’t have room to haul one? Here’s what I did:
- Used 2 HatPoint stands with cardboard backers mounted sideways
- Cut shooting ports with a box cutter at various heights
Worked great for awkward-angle and barricade drills. Want the real deal? Here’s the DIY VTAC Wall PDF Guide.
Cardboard Target Backers
- Best value: Call American Target Company for bulk pricing.
- Fast option: Buy on Amazon
Also bring a good stapler and extra staples.
Paper Targets
Use whatever paper target fits your mission. For advanced pistol work, check out the CCI PIQ Target — great for diagnostic training and timing drills.
Range Setup Extras
- Rope — to mark off the firing line and PPE boundary
- Popup tent — for shade and rain cover
- Tables — staging gear, makeshift shooting bench, etc.
- Mallet or hammer — drive in stakes
- Drill or driver — for Throom targets or wall builds
- Saw — if cutting lumber yourself
What This Article Doesn’t Cover
This guide is focused on building the range — not what you bring to shoot on it. You’ll still need:
- Eye and ear protection
- Ammo, mags, firearms
- Shot timer
- Lube, cleaning tools, mag loaders, gloves, etc.
👉 Want help building your personal range bag? Read our full guide here.
Final Checklist: Build-Your-Own Range Essentials
- Confirm legality with local authorities
- Safe backstop
- Signage and safety briefing
- Marked firing line and PPE boundary
- Wind River Trauma Kit
- Medical Response Plan (free template)
- Throom Targets
- HatPoint Stands + 1×2 sticks
- Cardboard target backers + stapler
- Popup tent
- Tables
- Rope
- Garment bags (rain protection)
- Drill or driver
- Saw (optional)
- Mallet or hammer
What Did I Miss?
This isn’t a complete list for every type of range, but it’s the gear that made our temporary National Forest range a success. If you’ve built a range of your own — or have tips I didn’t mention — I’d love to hear them.
Find the original article in its entirety at Concealed Carry.
