Calgary Shooting Center

I’m a history buff and I love to shoot the guns used by our ancestors, in peacetime for hunting and in times of war. To stand at the indoor range and shoot a Second World War rifle or pistol feels like touching history, more of an experience than you could ever get going to a museum or just reading about it.
The staff who I’ve talked to were more oriented towards sport shooting and the technology and mechanics behind each piece rather than their historical value, so if you’re looking to shoot to admire historical guns you’ll need to bring your own knowledge. They do have important firearms from our past and the staff I talked to didn’t even know it. They had a Browning 1911 pistol for rental to fill the .22 calibur niche but told me «I wouldn’t even feel it» and recommended a bigger, heavier sport handgun to me. The 1911 was the pistol used by the U.S. Army from 1911 all the way up until 1985; used in both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, and every other conflict between those times. It had to be that one.
But I shot my 1911, I had a great time, I must’ve looked like a little man to those guys trying to get me to shoot the big iron modern handguns and not the tiny peashooter 1911 but I got what I came for and I had a lot of fun doing it.
It’s a good facility with a big selection of firearms, ammunition, and whatever else you may need but I wish they had more in the way of rental guns. I’ve always wanted to shoot a Lee Enfield, either Mark I or IV, but have never seen one for rental yet.

This place is pretty great, they have a wide selection of guns and rifles for purchase and a great selection of rental guns to shoot if you don’t have your own.
The fee for renting a gun is only around 10 bucks and then you pay for ammo and for the targets. The range itself is well set up and easy to operate with an attendant present at all times during your shooting, they will help you load the guns, give you instructional reminders to prevent injury, and really make sure you are enjoying your experience.
After we shot the staff were still very friendly, talked shop with us and even showed us some of the more interesting things in the stores collection (double barreled elephant gun).

If I’m not mistaken, the price for a standard membership is now $ 600 a year. This is more in line with other ranges. This appears to be a bargain for the calibre of the facility. I’m going to try the range next week, but am pretty sure I will change my yearly membership over to this place. I also was shopping for a Berretta PX4 and found a new one here for $ 60 cheaper than the range I currently have a membership at.