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Places to shoot in the San Francisco California Bay Area

Chabot and San Leandro shooting ranges

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Field Sports Park - Metcalf Coyote Valley Sporting Clays Los Altos Rod and Gun Range Reed's Indoor Range Sunnyvale Rod and Gun Club Targetmasters Indoor Pistol Coyote Point Recreation Center Jackson Arms Indoor Pistol Livermore Rod and Gun Club San Leandro Optimists Club Chabot Gun Club United Sportsmen Indoor range Richmond Rod and Gun Club Bullseye Precision Shooting Northbay Firearms Blackpoint Game Bird Club Birds Landing Sporting Clays Sacramento Valley Shooting Center 6-B Sporting Clays
 

Chabot Gun Club, 9999 Redwood Road, Castro Valley, (510) 569-0213


A large, active club with a lovely regional-park setting and a no-nonsense safety attitude, Chabot has many organized competitions (they do almost all the acronyms, including DCM, PPC, IPSC, IDPA...), plus classes and less formal activities (plinking) in rifle, pistol. Trap range for shotgunners. No gun sales, and no rentals in the usual sense (DCM rifle matches and some classes offer loaner M-1 Garands and .22 rifles). Steel core and surplus ammunition ok except the usual prohibition on tracer and incendiary bullets. .50 BMG is OK on Mondays only. Beltfed is fine too but your links must be no more than 10 rounds each. If you own an Off List Lower (OLL) rifle these are generally accepted. Bring your receipt from a gun purchased within the last year and you shoot for free!

There is no rapid fire allowed. One second between shots. No human sillouette targets are allowed. Animal pictures and bullseyes are OK.

Rifle ranges go from 20, 50, 75, and 100 yards. There is a 200 yard range open Friday to public, members can shoot weekends with prior arrangement.

Pistol range is from 7, 15, and 25 yards.

Trap shooting is Sa-Su: 10am-4pm. 7 1/2, 8 or 9 trap (low base) loads only.
$9 per trap round (members $7). 18.5" and longer barrels allowed.

For further information, see Chabot Gun Club's Web site. See the Google Earth image of this range.

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Livermore-Pleasanton Rod and Gun Club, 4000 Dagnino Road, Livermore, 925-449-8780

LPRG owns and occupies 54 acres and includes rifle, pistol, and trap ranges, and an outdoor barbecue and recreation area. No .50 BMG allowed. Trap shooting (and lots of it). Mostly a daylight club, but Tuesday nights during Daylight Savings Time you can do trap shooting under the lights. Closed Mondays.

Trap shooting: Wed: 11am-4pm, Sa-Su: 10am-4pm, Tue (DST only): 5pm-10pm
$7 per round, voice activated trap throwers. 18.5" barrels allowed. For more information, go to their Web site.

Note: This range is now again open to the public. See Google Earth image of this range.

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Los Altos Rod and Gun Club, 14750 Skyline Blvd, (408) 867-3106

A nice, friendly range for rifle, pistol, and shotgun, offering plinking at cans and plastic jugs at any time with any caliber on special 50 and 100 yard firing lines (this is unusual in the area). They'll pull trap for your squad, or you can bring or purchase biodegradable birds (just regulation trap birds, not sporting-clays type) and use their hand traps. Try out the red one that slings 'em at exceptional speed over a canyon so you have plenty of time to fantasize that the unbroken thing is laughing at you as it sails out of range. No skeet or sporting clays. $13 per day. Th-Su: 9am-4pm
- 8 Manual Trap
- 1 Electric Trap (xtra $$$)

"Guns requiring a special license to own" and .50 BMG are not allowed. See their Web site for more info.

Note: in the colder months is can get pretty foggy and damp up there. Call ahead for conditions.

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San Leandro Optimists Club, 3001 Davis St, San Leandro (510) 638-9605

An indoor pistol range and outdoor pistol and rifle range. A few outdoor firing points at 25/50 yards (smallbore rifle, any pistol) and 100 yards (highpower rifle). Only bench shooting allowed, no standing or prone (they have wooden barriers to prevent this). 14 indoor bays (magnum pistols not allowed indoors). No shotguns allowed. Hours of operation are 9 AM - 9 PM Monday through Friday, 9 AM - 10 PM Saturday (Indoor and steel shoot only from 5 PM - 10 PM), 9 AM - 5 PM Sunday. More info on their web site.

The facility is right next to the city dump so on hot days be prepared for some smell. Because they are so close to the Oakland Airport they have a concern about ricochets on the outdoor range. For this reason they do not allow Full Metal Jacket ammunition for the outdoor range area. Be preparred to show the range master your ammunition when you sign in. Picture ID required to shoot there.

Junior club web site.

Here is a Map.

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Target Masters West indoor pistol range, 122 Minnis Circle, Milpitas (408) 263-7468

An indoor range to 25 yards and a gun store. Extensive night hours. Note: An unaccompanied shooter who is not known to the staff and who does not bring a gun of his or her own cannot rent one at this range. So bring a friend— it's more fun anyway. No rapid fire (3 seconds between shots) and no head shots on sillouette targets. More info at their Web site .

Ask about competition leagues. Shoots are on Monday nights— show up at 7PM with an appropriate gun and 60 rounds of ammo and $10—alternates Police Pistol Combat (PPC) and any-caliber lower than .44. Bullseye seasons more or less quarterly. You can start either one at any time and there's no obligation to shoot the whole season, so consider getting into this beginner-friendly league with your favorite pistol. In each season they have a safe good time for about a dozen matches (7 qualifies you for the season's awards), plus fun and transition shoots between seasons that are not for the record, and gather at season's end for awards and dinner.

Hours
Mon-Sat: 10 to midnight
Sunday 10AM - 10PM

Directions
Exit 880 on Dixon Landing Road and go east. At the second light, turn right onto North Milpitas Boulevard/Warm Springs Boulevard. (That street also crosses 237, for those of you coming from the San Jose area.) In less than a mile, you will see a police station and a new office building on the west side. Between those is a little street called Minnis Circle. Turn there and you'll find Target Masters to the left.
Sales and Rentals
A fair assortment of handguns are available to rent ($5 -$15/hr), and numerous new and used handguns and long guns are available for sale. $10.00 lane rental fee. They may charge per hour if place gets busy. Ammunition and many supplies are sold.
Eats
Onsite, it's snack vending machines, plus free coffee. Offsite, there are fast-food and sit-down places and also a large grocery store at the corner of Dixon Landing Road.


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Northbay Firearms (was Montana Hawk) , Closed.

Just received this email:

"Northbay Firearms (was Montana Hawk) has gone out of business. The Cotati City Council is refusing to let a new owner re-open the place, they don't want any gun shops in their town, so it is closed for good."

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Jackson Arms, 152 Utah Avenue, South San Francisco (650) 588 4209

Indoor pistol and rifle range with sales and rentals. You'll also still see references to its previous name, Aimark, and even its original name, Top Gun. See their website.
I believe this is the public pistol range closest to San Francisco (see also the entry for Bullseye Precision in San Rafael).

They allow handguns (.22 short through .44 magnum), rifles (calibers up to 3200 FPS) and shotguns (lead buckshot only). They prohibit the following calibers: .30 carbine, .454 casull and .50 AE/Desert Eagle. Black Powder firearms allowed Monday - Friday 11am-12pm only. Rapid fire OK, head shots OK.

Because of some bad experiences, their rental policy is strict: If you are there alone you cannot rent a gun unless you bring your own gun. In other words, if you already own a gun and just want to try out some different types of guns, no problem as long as you bring along your own gun. This does not apply to groups of 2 or more. Handguns: $8-$20/hr/gun. Long Guns $10-$15/hr/firearm.

Hours
Monday-Friday 11am-9pm
Saturday 10am-9pm
Sunday 10am-7pm

Rates
Members: Free (1 hour use only)
Non-members: Pistol lane: $14/hr Rifle lane: $16/hr
All additional shooters sharing a lane are half price.


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6-B Sporting Clays, 3100 West Gaffery Road, south of Tracy, (209) 832-5672

Note: Call ahead before driving out there; I have not seen their sign by the side of I-5 in a couple of years.
Field-style sporting clays in dry upland terrain, plus five-stand sporting clays. Birdhunting excursions are also offered.
From southbound 580 or southbound 5, either one, go east on 132, then south on Koster Road, then west on Gaffrey Road, crossing under I-5, for a total of several miles on tertiary, or quaternary, or, judging from the pavement condition, possibly Quaternary roads. No rifle or pistol ranges are apparent, and I do not believe they have trap.
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Field Sports Park ("Metcalf"), south of San Jose (408) 463-0652

It is a county-run park with pistol and rifle ranges and both trap and skeet fields (bismuth shot only, no lead). There are a variety of distances available, out to 50 yards for pistol and 100 for rifle. There is also a 200 yard rifle range used by two different DCM clubs for highpower rifle matches, which makes for a club match almost every weekend. This range is open for public practice the fourth Sunday of the month if a volunteer rangemaster is available, so call first (for this or to ask them how to get involved in DCM matches). Operating hours are complex.

Trap shooters: M-Th: 5pm-9pm, Sa-Su: 10am-4pm
$6 per round, $10 per doubles trap round
6 trap fields, 5 skeet fields, a park worker is your puller.
They'll loan you basic gear (eyes/ears/shell pouch) for free.
I find this place really friendly. 18.5" and longer OK. See their web site for more info.

Instruction
Call and ask. Basic pistol, at least, is occasionally offered, though I do not know of regularly scheduled instruction.
Eats
Looks like vending machines.
Sales and Rentals
No gun sales or rentals. A small selection of ammo and basic supplies is available.

I'm sure the locals are quite used to giving further directions.

The San Jose Zouaves, a Civilian Marksmanship Program and National Rifle Association affiliated club that has various activities, most prominently highpower-rifle matches, use this range.

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Coyote Valley Sporting Clays, 1000 San Bruno Ave, Morgan Hill (408) 778-3600

Two sporting-clays courses (Main and Mountain) plus 5-Stand. The place is a classy operation in a beautiful, mostly-upland, though not waterless setting. "Reservations are appreciated" —required, in fact, for the Mountain Course. A "training station" for Clays is available. Both American and Olympic skeet are available with 2 fields for shooting.

** 22" Minimum barrel length **
$6 per trap round, $10 per 5-stand round.
$10 per 25 targets for main course
$44 for 100 targets on Mountain Course
RENTS shotguns, $5/50 shots (+ammo)

Instuction Package ($54/person):
50 targets, 50 shells, Gun rental, eyes, ears, Instructor. 3 person minimum.

Wed-Thu: 12pm-5pm, Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun: 8am-5pm

Open to the public year-round, though closed Mondays and Tuesdays except for special private events. Open national holidays except Christmas. Daylight hours. More info at their web site.

Instruction
Hunter education is offered approximately once a month. "Certified professional instructors are available for private lessons," and special classes are offered from time to time.
Eats
Looks like vending machines. A nonshooting function they have is renting out picnic facilities, with do-it-yourself barbecueing and the possibility of arranging catering.
Sales and Rentals
Shotgun rentals are available. Ammunition and supplies are sold. It looks as though electric golf carts can be rented, though they might just be for club errands.
Directions:
The address is 1000 San Bruno Avenue, Morgan Hill, which is the next town south of San Jose on US 101. San Bruno Avenue crosses Hale Avenue (which is the southern extension of Santa Teresa Boulevard and runs N-S west of and roughly parallel to Monterey Highway and 101). The appropriate 101 exits are Cochrane Road, which is about 4 miles to the south, and (I think) Metcalf, about 8 miles to the north. Neither one goes through to Hale, so take Monterey Highway in the appropriate direction and turn west onto San Bruno. Silicon Valleyites can take 85 or 87 and go south on Santa Teresa. Any way you get there, once you are on San Bruno it is pretty obvious what to do.

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Reed's Indoor Range, 1100 Duane Avenue, Santa Clara, CA 408-970-9870

25 yard pistol range with 20 well-lighted lanes, with firearms for rent. If you are one of those people who don't want to keep your gun at home, they offer monthly storage lockers for you. See their web site for more info. Also check here for their other shop in San Jose.

They feature a Monday Night Shooting League 6:00 - 9:00 PM. Last relay at 8:15 PM. Shoot P.P.C., Tyro, and Super Tyro.

Range fees
1 shooter: $10.00 per hour
2 shooters, one lane: $15.00 per hour
Early bird and Senior discounts.


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Bullseye Precision Shooting, 1281 Andersen Dr, San Rafael, (415) 453-7465

They have 10 lanes and a wide verity of handguns available to rent. Hearing and eye protection is provided. They also provide a full range of classes from beginner handgun safety to California Concealed Weapon Permit courses. Check their Web site for more info.

Fees
$12.00 per lane, Gun Rentals are $12.00

Hours
Weekdays: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sundays: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m..

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Richmond Rod and Gun Club, 3155 Goodrick Ave, Richmond (510) 620-9492

Rifle, pistol and skeet in the East Bay, out there on Point Richmond. Claybird shooting is steel shot only (they'd probably accept bismuth) because of the shotfall area. Wed,Sat,Sun: 10am-3pm. 18.5" and longer (shotgun) barrels allowed. There is a public 100-yard rifle range (and a 200-yard range for highpower matches and members' practice). A public pistol range is also available. This is a major range for IPSC (matches the first and third Sunday of the month, practice every Saturday), and SASS shoots here with the Richmond Roughriders. See the Google Earth image of this range. They now have their own web site. Richmond Rod and Gun.com

Directions
These are modified from the Richmond Hotshots IPSC page. From the Bay Bridge: Follow I-80 east. Take the 580 west turnoff, which is marked 'Richmond San Rafael Bridge,' near the Golden Gate Fields horse track. Proceed approximately 5.25 miles to the Castro Street exit. Stay to the right and make a right turn at the stop light at the bottom of the exit ramp. This will put you on Castro Street, which becomes the Richmond Parkway after winding about for awhile. Follow the parkway for around 4 miles to the 7th stop light (Goodrick Avenue). Turn left on Goodrick and proceed 0.3 miles where you will find the club on your left.
You can follow the same route from the Richmond San Rafael Bridge by exiting at Castro Street and going under the freeway to the left, where you will be at the first stop light mentioned above.
Eats
A snack bar offers sausages, pizza, etc. (possibly afternoon/evening only).


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United Sportsmen Inc, 4700 Evora Rd, Concord (925) 676-1963

An inexpensive place to shoot for a few hours ($8/day for nonmembers) with a bunch of different arms. They have rifle and/or pistol benches at 15, 25, 50, and 100 yards, with 25 and 100 predominant. Some are covered against the weather to some extent. Human-silhouette targets may not be allowed. Surplus FMJ ammunition may not be allowed. Use a magnet to check if it's steel core before you bring your rifle ammo. Both trap and skeet are available Wed-Thu: 2pm-9pm, Sat-Sun: 10am-6pm.

Many improvements have been made in recent years. Clubs within the organization run various competitions such as Action Pistol and metallic silhouette. Call them about hours, and about any qualification requirements for the pistol sports. There is a 200 yard range open to members only. See the Google Earth satellite image of this range.

They now have a web site at unitedsportsmen.com

Sales and Rentals
No gun sales or rentals. Some ammunition and basic supplies may be purchased.
Eats
Soda machines; on weekends maybe a hotdog vendor in the rifle/pistol area. No eating in the shooting area.
Directions
In Concord, take the Willow Pass Road exit off Highway 4. At the end of the exit, turn north. At the end of the road (about 50 yards), turn east. Go left at the second road, in about a quarter mile or so.


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Coyote Point Shooting range, 1601 Coyote Point Blvd, San Mateo, (650)348-2853

The range is under the direction of the San Mateo County Sheriff's Department. The range only allows .22 rimfire pistols (25 yard range only)and any caliber rifles (100 yard range only). .50BMG is OK to shoot. It is open to the general public between the hours of 7:00 P.M. and 10:00 P.M. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Saturdays and Sundays are normally for the exclusive use of the Coyote Point Rifle and Pistol Club. It is closed on all the major holidays. See their web site for more info.

The range is quite strict about its rules, and also a perennial target for shutdown by anti-gun forces; but is exceptionally clean and sparsely populated. Parents will often bring their children to shoot there and padded mats are provided for prone shooting. Several matches are conducted there including .22 pistol, Int'l Air Pistol and Rifle, NRA and USAS matches.

Though the range can be seen from the 101 freeway, getting there is a little complicated. For best results click here.


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Birds Landing Sporting Clays, Birds Landing (707) 374-5092.

It is near the hamlet of Birds Landing, which is north of Concord, on the north side of the river. Bird hunting is available. Apparently you take California 12 (the road connecting Fairfield to Isleton) to Birds Landing Road, which intersects 12 at about the same place as 113, turn south, and follow the signs. See their web site for more info.

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Black Point Game Bird Club, Petaluma/Novato (707) 763-0076.

They now offer sporting clays— call ahead for reservations. The physical setting is lowlands. Members can shoot pheasant, which appears to be the main purpose of the club, over their own dogs or dogs rented from the club. (Both membership and a dog seem to be required for hunting.)
Operations less resemble a storefront business than at any other range, and you may not find it obvious where to go and what to do— a strategy of wandering around and beaming a look of amiable disorientation toward people may not be enough. But the folks who run it are very friendly once located (hint: they're probably in the house-like building with weather instruments on the roof, which is the office).

Directions.The address is 7711 Lakeville Highway, Petaluma, but it is closer to Novato. To get there, take California 37 to Lakeville Highway— that's the first light to the west of the Sears Point (California 121) intersection— and turn south. You will go a couple of miles down a gravel road (speed limit 15), bearing left when there is an option (signs are posted at most decision points). This is actually quite easy unless you mistakenly take the Black Point Road/Atherton Boulevard (Renaissance Faire) exit, which is further still to the west.

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Sacramento Valley Shooting Center, Sloughhouse (916) 354-9668

Finally, a place to shoot rifles at 600 yards! Huge range with 100 yard (26 positions covered 26 positions uncovered)and 300 yard (11 positions shaded) for rifles, 600 yard shooting for Highpower matches. Shoot pistols to 50 yards (16 covered positions), Rim Fire (22cal) reactive target range (8 positions uncovered ).
Shotgun,Trap, Skeet,Stand, and Sporting Clays. Visit their website for more info.

Warning: Gets hot in the Summer!

Hours
Friday-Tuesday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed Wednesday & Thursday
Shotgun range open Saturday & Sunday only.


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Sunnyvale Rod & Gun Club, (408) 873-8255
11998 Stevens Canyon Road, Cupertino, CA 95014

Rifle, pistol, and trap shooting as described on their Web site. Not a large place and no .50 BMG guns allowed. The public is welcome but the range is operated by its volunteer members. Joining used to be by invitation only, like a country club, but was recently loosened up to encourage more participants.

Trap: ** 26" Minimum barrel length **
$5 per trap round. They provide everything. 4 trap fields available.

Hours
Tuesday: 9am - 9pm (shotgun 5pm - 9pm)
Friday (rifle and pistol only) and Saturday: 9-5
First and third Sundays: 10-3

Fees
$12/day for the rifle/pistol range, $5/25 targets for trap.


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Markley's Indoor Range and Gun Shop, 14 Blanca Ln, Watsonville; 722-6945

The indoor range offers twenty one 75 foot lanes with automatic target retrieval. If you're short on equipment, they rent ear plugs and goggles, and guns of course. Open to the public seven days a week, fees are $7/ hour. Courses are offered in basic firearms safety, defensive sprays, hunter safety and intermediate or advanced shooting. In Watsonville (behind Ferrell's Donuts), which is off the above map but to the south of the Bay Area on US 101. They also have a store-only location in Scotts Valley.

No web site.

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Martinez Gun Club, 900 Waterbird Wy, Martinez (925) 372-9599

A small, friendly club with a variety of shotgun activities, they were established is 1883 which makes them one of the oldest clubs operating in America. They offer several fields of American trap and can throw International (aka Olympic or bunker) trap. They also have skeet and sporting clays. From the August 2000 edition of their newsletter, the prices for trap and skeet are $4 members, $6 non-members for the usual 25 birds; sporting clays is $28 members/$36 nonmembers for 100 birds.

They ask 48 hours' notice to throw sporting clays or bunker trap, and further require a squad of at least 4 shooters for bunker. For the other games, no advance notice is needed and individuals are welcome. As with any trap club, check their bulletin or call first to see if one of the leagues that rotate around the Bay Area clubs is shooting there that weekend.

Sales and Rentals
No gun sales or rentals. Some ammunition and basic supplies may be purchased.
Instruction
Hunter education is offered, according to the August 2000 newsletter. Beginning and advanced shotgun (through private instructors), and reloading classes were mentioned in a 1997 brochure. It seems to be the sort of place where mentioning a desire for either formal lessons or some informal pointers is likely to yield an introduction or at least a name.
Hours
Wednesday to Friday 12 PM to 7 PM
Saturday & Sunday: 10 AM to 7 PM (night hours all year? Best to call first if it isn't summer or the weather is questionable).
Eats
Some snacks and refreshments in the clubhouse; "a modest dinner" for "$1 members, $2 nonmembers" around 6 p.m. Wednesday nights.
Directions
Take the Marina Boulevard exit off of I-680, but instead of going west down Marina into downtown Martinez, go east. In about half a mile you will see a road heading south, with a sign pointing toward the club and a larger sign pointing the same way for the recycling/waste transfer facility. The club is about half a mile down that road (Waterbird Road); keep going straight at the place where the recycling traffic forks off to the left.


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Yolo Sportsmen, Woodland/Vacaville (916)662-2349

Yolo Sportsman's Association (YSA) has a Rifle and Shotgun range at the Yolo Municipal Airport. Hwy 80, Woodland (up Vacaville way), then N Hwy 505 to Rt 29, E for 3-4 miles. 2 shotgun ranges including 5-Stand sporting clays, covered 25 yd pistol, 50 yd. rifle, 100 yd rifle. Numerous events held there; has a stocked pond for recreational fishing.


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Willow Pass Range and Tactical Training Facility, 4650 Evora Rd, Concord (925) 246-7822

Please note: This facility may have closed. Call ahead first.

HALO Group Tactical Training Facility, 4650 Evora Rd, Concord, CA. Circa 1998, The HALO Group is just down the road from United Sportsmen, Inc.Constructed as a Tactical Style Range. The HALO Group Facility has a sign outside allowing Military and Law Enforcement ONLY. "No walk on allowed” - All others by “appointment only", so call ahead.

The good thing about this one, is that shooting from the holster, rapid fire, i.e. double taps and Mozambique's, shooting while moving, shooting from vehicles, and multiple targets are all allowed. Three ranges: one of which is out to approx. to 80 yards including a steel range. Where else can you do this in California?

A very nice feature available from HALO Group is their free women's shooting class designed for women who have little or no experience with firearms. All weapons and ammunition are provided to the students for this course.

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Pacific Rod and Gun Club, 520 John Muir Dr, San Francisco (415) 586-8349

One of San Francisco's beautiful city parks — Lake Merced— offers trap and skeet shooting at a range near the city zoo. They are open to the public, with discounts and special privileges for members of the club. There is also a .22 LR rifle/air rifle-only range open to members on Thursday nights. They have a Juniors Club as well, using Model 52 Winchester match rifles from the DCM. Call for hours and days of operation. The club has been there since 1928 though it's still unknown to many shooters. As is the case these days, membership is dwindling and money is tight for this jewel of a club. Shotgunners are encouraged to come down and enjoy shooting in a park-like setting right on the lake.

** 20" Minimum barrel length **
** Steel/Bismuth shot only **
$8 per trap round
Wed,Sat,Sun: 11am-5pm. See their web site for details.


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Circle S Ranch, 1740 Tomales Rd, Petaluma (707) 762-4965

The greatest place to shoot your rifle, pistol, and shotgun in Sonoma County is out in Petaluma off 101 at Two Rock Coast Guard Station.. Nice people, free good advice. 1 mile past the Coast Guard station on the right. Steady crosswind that kicks up by afternoon. There is no food nearby to speak of so bring food if you plan on staying all day. See this web site for more details.

Fees
$10/day

Ranges
Pistol: 7, 15, and 25 yards.
Rifle: 100, 200, and 300 yards.

Hours
Open to the public Thursdays thru Mondays 8 AM - 5 PM
Closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays.


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Laguna Seca Rifle and Pistol Range, Salinas (831) 758-3604

The outdoor range is open year-round Friday through Monday, but closed for some special events at Laguna Seca Raceway (these closures are scheduled far in advance, and you can find out about them by calling ahead). Fee: First hour - $7.00/person. Each additional 15 minutes or portion thereof - $1.50/person

Exact hours depend on season. See their web site for details. Scroll to the bottom of the page.

For first time visitors will be given instruction and the rules. Eye and ear protection must be worn (they are sold there along with targets) and kids 18 or under must be accompanied by a guardian. There are separate rifle and pistol ranges both of which are covered with benches. Target ranges go from 25, 50, 100, 200 and 300 yards (uphill gong). Restrictions: No full autos, no holsters, and no rapid fire.


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San Jose Municipal Firing Range, 1580 South 10th St, San Jose 408/275-1738

The San Jose Municipal Firing Range (also known as the 10th Street Range) has Airgun shooting, an Indoor Handgun Range, an Outdoor Handgun Range, an Indoor Rifle Range, and an Outdoor Rifle Range. Instruction is available. $5 per hour.

The Range has five INDOOR 50 ft firing points only with hand target reels (bring cardboard as the very strong ventilation fans can blow your paper target around). Some report that it gets a smokey in there despite the fans. All handguns permitted, no Magnum or Hardball (FMJ)loads allowed. .22 cal smallbore rifles only, no High Power. The Range is open for the public every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM. And Saturday from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.It is located near the SJSU Spartan Stadium and the SJSU Ice Rink.


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Some Good Gun Pages Elsewhere

New to the Bay Area and/or the Gun World?

All of the ranges listed here either offer or can tell you where to find a National Rifle Association-style basic safety class that meets California's requirements for purchasing a handgun, or the Hunter Education class needed before you get your first hunting license. Give them a call and you'll generally find friendly, helpful people who have welcomed many a beginner into the community of safe gun owners.

California law, the house rules of most ranges, and good sense combine to require that you enter and leave the premises with your gun unloaded, cased, and (if it is a handgun) locked up. Transport must additionally be outside easy reach of the passenger compartment. For further information, consult one or more of these resources:

Own a Gun and Stay Out of Jail, California Edition by John Machtinger
A book, available at many gun stores or through a bookstore (ISBN 0-9642864-5-9), in which an attorney discusses our numerous and baroque gun laws (plus Federal ones) in layman's terms.
 
California Firearms Laws by the Department of Justice
A free pamphlet containing the state's firearms laws from the Department of Justice Firearms Program .

Peace Officers' Guide to California's Dangerous Weapons Laws by Rick Bruce.
Published by Barbary Coast Publishing, you can also find it at amazon.com. This is a quiz-type workbook intended for police officer training programs. I have not read this book yet but it was recommended by a correspondent.

About These Ranges

All of the ranges described on this page as "indoor pistol," to my knowledge, rent handguns for use on the premises unless otherwise indicated, and most also have handguns, ammo, and accoutrements for sale. Some also deal in rifles and shotguns, though they usually will let you fire only birdshot or .22 indoors if they let you fire long guns at all. Most of the outdoor ranges neither sell nor rent guns, though most sell ammo and basic supplies.

I would imagine that most of the indoor and outdoor pistol ranges will let you practice with airguns, and some have airgun matches once in a while.

The "shotgun" ranges offer some combination of sporting clays, trap, skeet, and birdhunting, but not rifle or pistol shooting.

Black powder is usually restricted to outdoor ranges, and not all of them at all times; ask also about their special rules for handling the stuff.

Beyond the basic rules of gun safety, every range has its own rules and procedures. For instance, some (mostly outdoor ranges) forbid human silhouette targets, some prohibit rapid fire except in competition, and most around here forbid guns that require a special license to own (for example, National Firearms Act weapons like machine guns and sawed-off shotguns), at least in civilian hands and/or on the public line. See the posted rules and, if in doubt, ask a range officer.

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Administrative Information

This page was originated by Joe Chew, then upgraded by and handed over to dragunov.net. It consists of the personal opinions and observations of the authors and their correspondents, not any organization's official positions.

We did this as a public service to law-abiding citizens who want to enjoy gun-related sports or learn how to defend themselves (and stand up for our right to do both). If you appreciate this, pass it along the next time you get a chance to support these matters or guide a newcomer.

Before pinning your hopes on conducting an activity at an unfamiliar range, especially if a long drive is required, phone ahead and ask. The information on this page is conscientiously maintained, but mistakes happen, and sometimes changes occur faster than third-party web pages can keep up...

This page's mission is to list proper supervised gun ranges. We respectfully decline to discuss unmanaged places out in the country (however safe and well tolerated) where the locals just go out and shoot and gun stores (however worthy) that do not offer a range.

Many thanks to everyone who has helped develop this page. If you've contributed and would like your name here, write and say so. By default, names are left off, since some people do not wish it to be known to the public that they're into guns. But we appreciate all your efforts - and hope that you will drop us a line if you find new information or an error so that the page can be kept up to date.

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