How much do US firing ranges charge?

[horge]

Curious about the cost, restrictions at a HANDGUN rental range.
and besides...

I might be visiting with folks in Illinois, and elsewhere later this year, with a decent stretch of time in Oak Lawn (south of Chi-town), IL. Anyone know if there's a range nearby that I can go to and rent from? Hey, a guy can hope, can't he?

If you know of any near Houston (Sugarland), TX, I'd be happy to hear tell of it.


Thanks!

 

[eyz]

In central texas I buy a range card 90$ for 12 times. If I go on thurs or fri afternoon I'll probably be the only one there. Most places charge 10$ flat for the day. Call ahead because a few charge hourly or by the number of guns.

 

[thatguy]

You must understand that laws vary greatly throughout the United States as each of the 50 states, and many individual cities, impose different laws regarding possession and use of firearms. The Chicago area is known for having very oppressive laws restricting the ownership of handguns. Some states and many big cities make it nearly impossible to exercise the right to keep and bear arms. It is sad but true.

Texas is another matter. My home state is also friendly to gun owners.

A few upscale ranges will have rental guns. Most do not. Prices for simply using range facilities can vary from an hourly charge in urban areas to a yearly membership. I pay $45 per year for unlimted use of the ranges at the club where I am a member. I prefer not to post personal information in a public forum like this, but E-mail me if you want to try to swing by my place (may be a state or two out of your way) and I will take you out to the range as my guest and you can shoot any of my guns.

 

[Werewolf]

In Oklahoma City where I live there are two indoor ranges. 1 charges $9 and no time limit. If you rent one of their guns you gotta buy their ammo and still pay the $9 range fee.

The other range is run by pirates and charges $10/hr. Go over 1 minute and you get charged another $10 bucks.

There is one public outdoor range that I use. $7 all day dawn to dusk.

There are the OKC gun club ranges but getting into the OKC gun club is very difficult.

There are the Tri-City gun club ranges which aren't bad and the annual fee is very reasonable but they insist one be a member of the NRA to join.

I think there's a range out Shawnee way but I haven't been able to find it (any Okies know what's in Shawnee?).

Public shooting ranges in and around OKC are not very abundant. Luckily for me I can go shoot out at my eldest daughter's place in the boonies.

 

[sturmruger]

The range I normally visit charges $20 to shoot. If you would like to share that lane with another person it is an additional $10. They offer a large assortment of rental guns that cost $15 if I remember correctly.

 

[pauli]

indoor pistol range near me is $15/hr.

 

[Erich]

The Albuquerque City range is $6.00 a day, no rentals available. The local indoor private range is, IIRC, $17 a visit. Can't tell you what they charge for rentals.

 

[benEzra]

The range I used to be a member of in northwest Florida was $50/yr for unlimited use by your whole family, and had several separate small ranges separated by longitudinal berms; if you got a range to yourself, you could practice drawing from the holster, shooting from cover, shooting prone, or whatever.

The only range I am aware of in my region of eastern NC charges $6.50 per hour, and you can't do much but shoot offhand or from the bench.

 

[Curley]

I usually go to the indoor range at Bass Pro Shops. It costs $8 per hour, but I've never gone over an hour, and I don't think the staff really watches the clock either. An hour is about enough when you're shooting large-caliber handguns.

Another nearby outdoor range charges $10 per day. The disadvantage is that the targets on the handgun range are set at one distance that's well beyond the usual self-defense range.

 

[inventory0297]

One indoor range in town (NorCal) , $7 per lane. Rental guns additional 7$ per.

Numerous free outdoor ranges as well.

I normally shoot on my own property for no cost

 

[Monkeyleg]

There's two indoor ranges in Milwaukee. One charges $8 for as long as you want to shoot, while the other charges $10 an hour. The more expensive range has better lighting and ventilation, which means they've spent more money recently and have to recoup the cost.

The club I belong to charges non-members $5 on weekends, and they can shoot as long as they want. Annual membership fees are either $45 with five hours of work, or $70 with no work hours put in.

 

[GoRon]

Rinks in Lemont is about a half hour, forty-five minutes away from Oaklawn. I think it's 8 dollars, no time limit. Showing its age but the lighting has been kept up with lately.

Midwest is about the same distance away, around the same price for range time but requires "clean fire" ammo. No targets closer than 20 feet either.

http://www.midwestguns.com/

Farther away but a real nice facility is Megasports. I think it's 16 dollars with a discount if you buy ammo. Good lighting and electric carriers for the targets. Just a bit too pricey for me.



http://www.megasportsfirearms.com/home.asp


I know there used to be a range closer to where you are visiting but I never checked it out and I am not sure it is still open.

The places above rent handguns for around 8 to 15 dollars.

I think you would have to go with somebody who has an FOID card. Illinios registers gun owners but not the guns.

 

[rick_reno]

Our range, which is city owned and run by volunteers just raised it's rates to $20 per year, unlimited shooting or $5 per visit. We were at $10 per year and $3 per visit for about the past 5 years. This includes 2 free targets, covered benches, target stands and both rifle and pistol lanes with tagets places at 7, 25, 50, 100 and 200 yards. The city tells us we're costing them too much money, so we're hopeful that the increased range fees will keep us afloat. I'm not optimistic and believe most of our shooters will look at the increased fees and drive up the road to the National Forest.

Here is a link

If anyone has any creative ideas for raising money to keep this range open, we're open to suggestions.

 

[Tango Sierra]

Mega Sports in Plainfield, Illinois will not rent guns to you. They will let you shoot on their range if a person from Illinois with a F.O.I.D. card (Firearms Owners Identification) accompanies you. The person accompanying you would have to let you shoot their personal guns. I believe this will be the rule at any shooting range in Illinois and I know for sure this is the rule at Mega Sports.

 

[horge]

Thanks a lot guys.
Really, your posts have been immensely helpful.


If I have to be a FOID-holder's guest, then I'm close to poop-outta-luck in Illinois. I'll see what I can manage if there's any free time to be scrounged up while in TX. I'll probably be using up all of it (the time) wearing out the I-10 between Houston and San "Antone".



horge

 

[ChickenHawk]

Hi Horge!

If you pass anywhere near Austin, Texas then I would be privileged to meet you during your stay! You mentioned San Antonio which as about 2 hours away. I'm not sure what your travel plans are though, of course.

If your schedule permits I'll take you to the range where I shoot for as long as you can stand.

To your question: I shoot at an indoor range. They charge $12.00/hr (I don't think they really watch the clock though). I have an annual membership which gives me unlimited range time for (are you sitting?) $300.00.

They have rental guns and charge $25.00 to rent (again it's for an hour but I don't think they're picky about that). They'll let you bring your rental gun back to the desk and swap for others for the single fee, BUT they require you buy ammo from them when shooting their guns.

It's a fairly nice place. They have 10 25-yard pistol lanes and 8 (I think) 100-yard rifle lanes. I've shot my scoped .357 magnum Dan Wesson on the long range a few times, but they generally don't let pistol shooters over there (it helps if you're a regular).

Regards,
ChickenHawk (Ken K.)

 

[horge]

The schedule's hilariously tight on the San Antonio trips, but
thanks for the offer, Ken

 

[Dr.Who]

Believe it or not, even with restricive "Chicago Ban" Gun laws, there are some places to shoot. http://www.webcom.com/gun_guy/rangesil.htm

The biggest is in Dundee IL, G.A.T. (Guns, Archery, and Tackle). It is a 2 story building with 4 ranges and an inventory that would make most drool. 1 Archery range, 3 pistol. (offer rentals) http://www.gatguns.com/

Next would be Gun World in Bensenville, IL. On the south west side of the O'Hare airport. (makes your feel safe) Inventory downstairs and 3 ranges upstairs. (have some rentals) 421 E Irving Park Road, Bensenville, IL Indoor Pistol and Rifle Hours M-F 10AM-8:45PM, Sat-Sun: 9AM-5:45PM

Next is Maxon Shooters Supplies & Indoor Range Corporation
1226 Rand Road Des Plaines, IL 60016. They do rent. 2 Nice ranges

HP Shooting Center, 2908 West Rt 120, McHenry, IL 60051
(815) 578-9194, They rental as well. In a basement of a bike shop. 50Ft Range. www.idpamchenry.com

Bass Pro Shop Outdoor World, Gurnee IL. They do not rent and are very restrictive on the use of guns. No rapid fire... Rifle tube.

Newest, have not been to yet is J R Shooting Sports, 519 North Oakhurst Drive, Aurora, IL 60504 They have a shoot all day rate. http://www.jrshootingsports.com/

This is just a few on the north and west side of Chicago. Hope the information helps. Be sure that you go to the range with a F.O.I.D. card holder. Being without one, you will not be able to rent. However a buddy can and if the range will let you shoot under his supervission, you'll be golden. Prices go between $10-$15 per hour. Most ranges are not that strict in regards to watching the clock. Unless really busy, you could shoot till you out of ammo or money.

 

[sensei]

Come on over to Friendswood. Not far from Sugarland. I will be glad to take you to the Range. We have everything. Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Archery, & Air Guns.

No Charge.

Be glad to meet you.

sensei

P.S. I spent some time in the Phillipines during 1967-68. USAF

 

[SapperLeader]

The nra range in fairfax va charges 12, and I dont recall how much a extra person is. My local range in woodbridge is a horrible gunshop, but a nice range. The standard rate is 10 for first person, and 7 for the second. Im military, so its 9 for me, and either 5 for the second person, or someimes they dont charge me at all for a second individual.

 

[Sport45]

I lived in Sugar Land and had membership at American Shooting Center. I think they charge about $7.00 per shooter (one gun, all day) and $3 something for additional guns. You're limited to paper targets (I think the trash got out of hand from folks shooting cans, milk jugs, etc. and leaving them to lay around). There are target stands at 7, 10, 15, 25, and 50 yards for pistol / rifle and 100, 200, and 300 yards for rifle. Here's their website:

American Shooting Center

 

[Jim K]

The Lingnore range in Frederick, MD is city owned, club operated, and open to the public. Fairly restrictive rules (no holsters, no fast draw, no rapid fire, etc.) but very reasonable at $2 per shooter and $1 per target, pay as you leave.

Jim

 

[Smoke]

Local, "Pubic" range here requires you to purchase a membership.

$50.00 one time fee and $35 annual dues. No guns to rent. Nobody on duty. Police yourself and others. Rarely see anyone there, but I don't go that often either.

Smoke

 

[Heraclitus]

Annual memberships where I live (Deep South Texas) are $150 indoor and $35 outdoor. Daytime hours only. The indoor range offers a limited selection of guns for rent (@ $5 per gun per visit), whereas the outdoor range is strictly BYOG.

 

[horge]

Thank you very much for your offers of information and help!