5 Ways to Modernize Your Range and Boost Shooter Engagement Without Breaking the Bank
By Alex Hague, Founder & CEO, Evolve Range Solutions
Ask most range owners what modernization means, and they’ll tell you it’s expensive. But that’s not true anymore. You don’t need a massive remodel or high-end renovation to give your shooters something fresh. You just need the right upgrades — and a strategy that works.
Modernizing your range doesn’t have to mean gutting your lanes or dropping six figures on new gear. I’ve been around this industry long enough to know that most range owners want practical upgrades — things that improve the shooter experience, save money long-term, and keep the doors open for years to come.
That’s exactly how I approached our own evolution at Evolve Range Solutions. We didn’t start out trying to reinvent the industry. We started by solving the small, frustrating problems that hold range owners back every day — things like maintenance costs, downtime, and lack of engagement.
If you’re trying to figure out how to modernize your range without overspending, here are five steps I’ve seen make the biggest impact:
1. Start with Your Lanes, Not Your Layout
At Evolve Range Solutions, we often hear many range owners think modernization means expansion. The truth is, you can do more with the space you already have.
I’ve seen ranges cut their footprint by nearly half while increasing revenue. How? Simply by upgrading systems that make each lane work smarter. If your current setup still uses old mechanical carriers, you’re probably spending more on maintenance than you realize.
That’s one of the reasons we designed EV-R to retrofit existing facilities. It’s a modern range upgrade that lets you enhance what’s already there, not rebuild from scratch.
2. Focus on Shooter Experience, Not Just Operations
The shooting experience is where most modernization efforts pay off. If your range feels the same every time a customer visits, engagement drops — and so does revenue.
Shooters like the digital side because it’s interactive. The instructors like it because they can coach with data.
Adding interactive drills, scoring modes, or visual challenges keeps shooters coming back. That repeat engagement is what drives everything from ammo sales to memberships.
3. Reduce Maintenance Before You Add Features
Every range owner knows that downtime costs money. I’ve seen ranges lose thousands each year because a single part failed or a lane needed constant recalibration.
If you’re upgrading, start with the systems that reduce maintenance first. EV-R customers, for example, report up to a 67% reduction in annual maintenance costs (Evolve Range Solutions) thanks to fewer moving parts and easier upkeep.
That kind of reliability gives you more room to invest in training programs, customer engagement, or facility improvements instead of constant repairs.
4. Turn Data Into Decisions
Data isn’t just for high-tech ranges anymore. Whether you’re running a small-town range or a large metro facility, knowing what your customers use, how often they visit, and what they respond to is key.
When you can see how shooters perform, how often they come back, and what they enjoy most, you can design programs that actually match demand. That’s how EV-R helps ranges increase ammunition sales by 40% and returning shooters by 20% — it gives you the insight to grow with purpose (Evolve Range Solutions).
5. Build on Tradition
Modernization does not mean abandoning what got you here. There’s more than one right way to train. Paper targets, steel, digital — they all have their place. The future of the industry is about blending traditional elements with technology to make training safer, smarter, and more engaging. When you combine reliable systems with interactive feedback, you are creating an experience people want to be part of.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to modernize overnight. The most successful range owners take small, intentional steps to build upgrades that create value, not just expenses over time.
If you start by improving engagement, simplifying maintenance, and tracking what matters, you’ll see the kind of results that will sustain your business long after the novelty of new equipment wears off.
About Alex Hague
Alex Hague is the Founder and CEO of Evolve Range Solutions, a company dedicated to helping range owners bridge the gap between tradition and innovation. With decades of hands-on experience operating one of the most successful indoor ranges in Ohio, Alex created the EV-R Digital Target System to help facilities increase engagement, safety, and profitability through smarter technology. He’s passionate about helping range owners modernize without losing the values that built the industry — safety, skill, and community.
About Evolve Range Solutions
Evolve Range Solutions, based in Vandalia, Ohio, develops digital target systems that modernize firearm training and entertainment for ranges across the country. From custom installs to scalable retrofits, our EV-R technology combines data, engagement, and reliability to help ranges operate smarter. Learn more at evolverangesolutions.com
