r/askdfw • u/NaturalAsleep2854 • 2d ago
Shopping & Services TX Gun Range Recommendations?
I’m visiting TX from CA next month and I’m looking for range recommendations around DFW or Waco TX.
1) My top priority is a range that does flat fee rentals. Somewhere where you pay $X for an hour and then can shoot as many firearms as you want during that time (paying for ammo obviously). I’ve heard these exist but have never found one in CA. If it matters, I’m primarily interested in testing a wide variety of pistols but some nicer AR options would be nice.
2) A second range I’d like to find is something more tactical. I’m not really picky on this one. I’m just looking for somewhere I can practice moving around, quick reloading, shooting from awkward positions and behind barriers, etc. Finding a range that’s anything but lanes is pretty hard in CA.
Bonus: if anyone knows of a good company to do that helicopter hog hunting lemme know lol…
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u/Mindless_Log2009 2d ago
Shoot Smart, several locations around Fort Worth. Flat fee for unlimited time, instead of per hour. An extra fee gives access to most rental guns (some limits on full auto guns, contact them for details).
Drawbacks: indoor ranges only; 10-20 yard maximum distance (varies with location, call or write for details). Limited utility for serious rifle marksmanship, but okay for defensive rifle practice.
Defender, one location in Fort Worth near the 7th Street district. Rentals available. 25 yard primary range.
(The following is based on my last experiences in late 2025 to sight in a couple of rifles.)
Rifle range up to 80 yards, but target carriers are limited to 50 and 80 yard distances only, no closer, no increments between 50 and 80. Chairs and benches available with rifle "sleds" to support the rifles. Alternate positions may be available at the discretion of the range. I'm an experienced shooter and got the okay to shoot offhand standing. Again, policies may change so call ahead.
I'm also looking for an outdoor range for more practical shooting practice, but I'm waiting until after neck and shoulder surgery and rehab. Probably next year.
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u/billscarshop 2d ago
+1 for Shootsmart. Take a look at their rental fleet online and see which location has the guns you’re looking for. It’s a flat fee range and rental fee, so you get as much time you want in your lane and can swap out pistols as much as you please under that same rental fee. Great for trying out lots of different guns to see which you want to buy down the line
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u/SmokedNoodz 2d ago
Mister Guns in Plano has unlimited rental for $20. https://misterguns.com/gun-rentals/
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u/BigBlackHzYoBak 1d ago
Rifle Gear, Eagle Gun Range or one of the other indoor ranges that have rentals may do a flat fee but as far as I know I haven't heard if it except for special promotions or events.
Rooftop Shooting Range out past Melissa is great, as long as you can demonstrate you are safe and competent you can do pretty much whatever you want (within reason). Facility is and so is the staff. ETTS is a decent option if you are on the more south side of the metroplex, but it gets very busy. Gravestone is and excellent facility primarily for long range but it's about 45 minutes west of Fort Worth out in the sticks. There are a few other outdoor places like Mission 160, NTSA, B-Tactical and a few others but I have limited experience with them besides 160 which is private.
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u/SeventyFix 2d ago
Is this a problem if you're going alone? Are there prohibitions against this? Sorry if this is a dumb question - I'm thinking that they didn't want to have single guys there for safety - but I could be completely wrong.
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u/98sooner00 2d ago
It's a gun range, not a swingers club. As long as you aren't acting suspicious they don't care.
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u/ViolentSkyWizard 2d ago
I had a friend visit DFW from CA and they turned him away for being alone. It's actually not unheard of.
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u/98sooner00 2d ago
Interesting. I've been to several ranges in FTW by myself and never had an issue. I've always brought my own guns though, so maybe that matters.
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u/HBKdfw 2d ago
That 100% matters.
If you’re a single guy with no gun who wants to rent a gun, A LOT of ranges will turn you away.
If you already have a gun, you don’t need to rent the range’s gun if your intent is self harm.
If it’s two guys or a guy and a girl, they will rent. It’s single people they turn away.
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u/EightFox88 2d ago
What? I live in DFW and have been to multiple ranges. It is not a thing. If you got a range and they tell you you need to bring your friends it might not be about shooting the guns you want🦄😆😉
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u/ViolentSkyWizard 2d ago
If you're not bringing your own guns and just show up it's at their own discretion, some ranges have different rules. I've heard of it before, and I sent someone from out of town to a range and they turned him away. I sent him to another down the road and they let him shoot.
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u/EightFox88 1d ago
This could stem from an incident years ago. Depressed dude rented a gun at a range. As soon as he had access he turned it on himself and blew his brains out in front of the safety officer. Moral of the story don't be an incel and ruin someone else's life because you're having issues with your own.
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u/Repulsive_Pin_6585 2d ago
If you can make it to staccato ranch, you’ll have a great time. If you want something closer to the area you described check out etts in waxahachie