Shooting Ranges in Las Vegas

It's no secret that when it comes to leisure activities and entertainment, Las Vegas has a lot to offer travellers. One of the favourite activities for locals and foreigners alike are the shooting range experiences.

What you may not know is that, in this playful city, alternatives abound and today I will explain in detail the most interesting and curious activities of this type that you can do on your next holiday.

But before we get into that, if you're looking for more activity ideas you might consider a kayaking tour, a trip to the National Parks or a visit to the city's most notable museums such as the Mob Museum or the Natural History Museum.

Indoor shooting ranges are extremely popular in major American cities and therefore also in Las Vegas. It's a simple, convenient and safe way to experience shooting in a controlled environment.

You will find many local companies that offer this type of experience to travellers; some include hotel pick-up and others require you to travel directly to the meeting point.

Details such as the length of the experience and the number of guns to shoot depend on the company you choose, the packages available and your budget. It is ideal if you are only in town for a few days, 2 days in Las Vegas or less, and want to experience shooting ranges without having to travel long distances

. In most cases you don't need to have previous experience to participate, as you will be guided by the staff on site who will show you the basics.

Useful information

• Price: This type of experience is available from €130 per person.
• Duration of the excursion: Depending on the company you hire, it can take from 30 minutes to an hour to complete the experience.
• Recommended if... you are looking for a low-budget, short experience as this adventure is very easy to combine with other activities in the city.

If you've exhausted the typical Las Vegas adventure itinerary, which includes seeing the best casinos or taking in the best shows at Planet Hollywood, this experience may be just what you need to take your holiday to the next level.

While some aspects may vary depending on the company you hire, most companies that offer these adventures have various schedules with various groups that you can join. They usually have two groups in the morning and one group in the afternoon.

Transportation to and from your hotel in Las Vegas to the outdoor shooting range in the desert is usually included.

On the other hand, certain aspects such as the inclusion or not of lunch or the addition of more firearms and more shooting time will increase the initial budget. The most basic experience usually includes a minimum of 2 or 3 different types of guns.

Useful information

• Price: I recommend budgeting from €190 for this type of experience.
• Duration of excursion: Although it varies depending on the company you hire, you should book 3 to 4 hours.
• Recommended if... you are looking for a safe environment with trained staff to learn to shoot outdoors. Las Vegas shooting ranges are set up to offer visitors both of these features.

This is an experience aimed at novice women who want to have a safe first approach to the world of guns.

In these scenarios the accompaniment of a specialist guide is usually better than a friend or family member, as the person will know how to properly communicate instructions, detect errors and avoid bad practices in the handling of weapons.

Depending on the company you hire, transport to the shooting range may or may not be included in the experience. Once there, you will have to follow the safety protocols and proceed with the experience under the guidance of an expert guide who will correct and guide your movements (and those of your group mates).

Although many companies in the city offer this type of service, my recommendation is to book in advance if you are making a short trip, 3 days in Las Vegas or less. This way you secure your place in advance and have time to organise a varied itinerary.

Some useful information

• Price: From 120€ per participant.
• Duration of tour: 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on the company you hire for the experience.
• Recommended if... you are a woman or are travelling with a woman whose experience with guns is zero to very little. This product will provide you with the guidance of an instructor trained in training women. It is ideal if you are on holiday with girlfriends in the city.

If you are a big fan ofwar games, such as Call of Duty, Counter-Strike or Medal of Honor, you can't miss out on a video game themed shooting range experience in Las Vegas.

Most companies that organise this type of experience offer travellers facilities such as: transfer to and from your hotel in Las Vegas to the shooting range.

In addition, you will be accompanied at all times by a professional instructor and have all the necessary safety equipment to carry out the adventure without any mishap or accident. Just follow the instructions and keep your equipment on unless your instructor indicates otherwise.

Keep in mind that specific aspects such as the duration of the experience, the number of weapons to use and the type of weapons can vary greatly depending on the company you hire.

Useful information

• Price: You will have to pay around €190 per person.
• Duration of the excursion: Depending on the company you hire, you will have to reserve 1 to 2 hours for the experience.
• Recommended if... you are a fan of war games in general, this is an experience you will enjoy immensely. The same applies if you are travelling to the city with other friends or family members who enjoy this type of entertainment as much as you do.

In the city of Las Vegas you will find many companies that offer combination tour options, one of the most interesting for travellers being those that combine the outdoor shooting range adventure with an off-road tour in Las Vegas to make the most of your excursion.

The adventure begins with the traveller being transported from their location in the city to the desert for the two proposed activities. At every step of the adventure you have an expert guide who can provide you with the information you need.

Although it is an aspect that can vary a lot depending on the company you finally hire, generally the experiences of shooting ranges in the desert usually include the use of several firearms of different types.

I recommend reading the description in detail before making the payment. Experiences that include a larger number of guns and more shooting time are usually a bit more expensive.

Useful information

• Price: The price to pay for the experience is 200€ and upwards.
• Duration of tour: Approximately 5 hours, I recommend booking at least half a day for this adventure.
• Recommended if... you are staying in the city for several days, approximately 4 days in Las Vegas, you will have time to dedicate to this experience and make the most of two of the most fun activities to do during your holiday in this destination.

Combination experiences in Las Vegas are a great way to make the most of your time in Las Vegas and see more of the city in less time and on a smaller budget. You'll find many local tour operators offering, for example, combination tours to the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon.

Another example of a combination tour is such an excursion: an outdoor desert range practice with a boat tour to the Hoover Dam.

Please note that specific details of the experience may vary depending on the company you hire. Generally, these types of adventures start with hikers being picked up directly from their hotel in Las Vegas.

These tours are organised in small, semi-private groups. In addition to round-trip transportation, most companies include lunch and snacks, complimentary drinks, free time to swim in the dam and a knowledgeable guide at all times.

Useful information

• Price: You will have to pay approximately €450.
• Duration of tour: This is a full day tour, which usually takes about 6-7 hours to complete.
• Recommended if... you have a Hoover Dam tour planned, this alternative allows you to combine both experiences, simplify your trip planning and save time during your visit to Las Vegas.

My wish is that your Las Vegas shooting range experience will be the most exciting and fun. Please take the following tips into consideration to avoid unpleasant moments.

Always wear protective equipment.

Protective equipment must be worn correctly at all times, unless otherwise instructed by your accompanying instructor. Protective equipment includes eye goggles and ear protection.

It is a common mistake for experienced gun users to remove the goggles when, for example, cleaning the gun, unaware that the goggles protect your eyes from possible chemical residue or dust.

Be aware of dress etiquette.

Many people often overlook the dress code at shooting ranges. Some of the rules include wearing closed-toe shoes that protect your feet from falling objects and allow you to walk comfortably.

Another recommendation that many overlook is that V-neck sh irts are often a bad choice. Handling certain weapons can cause hot residue to fall off, which can sting or cause irritation to sensitive skin.

Ask all the questions you want and don't be embarrassed.

If you don't have much experience with guns, attending a range experience is an excellent way to learn the correct use of these tools from an expert.

Consider the instructor as a good friend and feel free to ask any questions you may have, especially those related to safety.

Learn the basic protocols for handling weapons.

In the correct handling of weapons, there are certain basic safety protocols that you should follow for safety reasons. These protocols include:

• Treat the weapon as if it is always loaded, even if you think you have verified that it is not. You may have heard of accidents or tragedies that happen when a bullet is left in the chamber and goes unnoticed.
• Always keep your finger off the trigger unless it is time to fire.
• Always point the gun in a safe direction: the firing line if you are indoors or the range if you are outdoors. Never point it in the direction of people.