Calgary Shooting Ranges

[sa226]

Does anybody have any experience with "The Shooting Edge" or "The Calgary Shooting Centre"?

I'm looking to take my Dad to do something for his birthday and I thought that shooting manly guns might be a decent idea.

Though as best as I can tell, if you are going to do it right, it can get pretty pricey (100$ for maybe an hour?)

Is my price guess accurate?

Thanks

[chid]

Yes, last time I went last April for a birthday, each person was around $200 for a couple hours for their guns and their ammo. They gave us a selection of handguns to try.

[CaramonLS]

I'm a member at the Calgary shooting centre as I've found the shooter's edge to be a bit pretentious and unwelcoming.

I've also attended a bachelor party at the CSC and it was good. We used the virtual range and it was a lot of fun. It's more expensive to rent out, so it might be a bit costly if it is just you and you dad. If it is just the 2 of you, just having someone with you at the range is good enough. You'll have plenty of fun.

[Vox]

As an addendum to this question, does anybody know the best place to take the firearms course for restricted and unrestricted firearms? When my father passed away a couple of months ago I inherited an old Browning semi-automatic from WWII that my grandfather brought back, and a 22 caliber rifle, and I need those courses to take possession of them. I've heard you can do both courses in a full 8 hour day at some places. Anyone know a good place to go? I'll probably never fire the guns, and want them only as collectors pieces. RCMP said I have a few months to take the course so I'm looking for something March or April ish.

Any and all advice remotely on topic is appreciated.

[Wormius]

I have been to Shooting Edge and it was a good place. You get some instruction beforehand and then you're eased into doing almost everything yourself. I don't know if it was just me, but reloading the clips can make your fingers sore.

Another fun thing, where you're not paying a lot for ammunition, is Jim Bow's Archery in the NE. I had a lot of fun there.

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by Wormius

I don't know if it was just me, but reloading the clips can make your fingers sore.

Magazines

Go to CSC for both the courses and just trying out shooting. The ranges fans at TSE are terrible in comparison. If it's a busy day, you want good range fans blowing all the crap down range. Plus it's brighter/better lit and the pistol bays are much nicer. CSC is supposed to be one of the most modern indoor ranges in North America.

OP: I'd recommend doing it on a weeknight if you can. I think CSC jacks up the rates for range access from $40 to $60 on the weekend. On top of that, you have to pay for ammunition. 50 rounds of 9mm is $20 or so. You'd probably want to buy at minimum 100 rnds, so around $140 for an hour of shooting or so.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by Vox

As an addendum to this question, does anybody know the best place to take the firearms course for restricted and unrestricted firearms? When my father passed away a couple of months ago I inherited an old Browning semi-automatic from WWII that my grandfather brought back, and a 22 caliber rifle, and I need those courses to take possession of them. I've heard you can do both courses in a full 8 hour day at some places. Anyone know a good place to go? I'll probably never fire the guns, and want them only as collectors pieces. RCMP said I have a few months to take the course so I'm looking for something March or April ish.

Any and all advice remotely on topic is appreciated.

Proline shooters II in Inglewood. You can take your restricted / unrestricted in the shortest amount of time.

You might be cutting it a little close though. RCMP background checks can take a while to process (6-12 weeks) and I am not sure being 'in process' is good enough to extend the possession date.

[llwhiteoutll]

@OP, when are you planning on taking your Dad? I have a membership at CSC and would have no issues taking you and your Dad there when I'm in town. Give you a chance to shoot some semi-auto pistols, AR and a semi-auto US military shotgun (can probably wrangle up a pump action too).

@Vox, you should figure out if you need your RPAL or if a PAL will suffice.. Current applications are taking about 40 days from receipt of application to license showing up in the mail. If you do require an RPAL, Calgary Shooting Center offers it in one day for $300.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by llwhiteoutll

@OP, when are you planning on taking your Dad? I have a membership at CSC and would have no issues taking you and your Dad there when I'm in town. Give you a chance to shoot some semi-auto pistols, AR and a semi-auto US military shotgun (can probably wrangle up a pump action too).

@Vox, you should figure out if you need your RPAL or if a PAL will suffice.. Current applications are taking about 40 days from receipt of application to license showing up in the mail. If you do require an RPAL, Calgary Shooting Center offers it in one day for $300.

For that browning he's going to need an RPAL