Frequently-Asked Questions
Can I ask a quick question?
Yes. This is probably the question we hear the most. It's OK. You can always ask another one.
Can I reserve a shooting station?
No. All shooting stations are first come, first served. Fortunately, the Range has so many shooting stations that there is seldom a need to wait, and then waiting times are usually pretty short.
Can I rent a gun?
Not here. Our Range does not rent guns.
However, two nearby ranges offer gun rental:
- Reed's Indoor Range in Santa Clara rents handguns
- Coyote Valley Sporting Clays rents shotguns
Please see our list of nearby ranges on our community page.
Can I shoot at the Range if I've never shot before?
Yes, but you may shoot only while being coached by an adult who has the knowledge and ability to handle and shoot guns safely.
You may be coached by a knowledgeable friend or a qualified instructor.
Qualified NRA-certified instructors train students at the Range.
If you are interested in offering paid instruction at our Range, please contact the Range office.
Please see our rules about coaching shooters.
Can I bring kids?
Yes. The Range is suitable for families and youth groups. However, children who aren't accompanied by at least one of their parents will require a permission form completed by their parent.
Please see our rules about minimum ages and coaching shooters.
Can I bring someone to the Range who can't hear well or understand spoken English?
Yes, but shooters who can't hear well or understand spoken English may shoot only with a responsible adult who can relay information and commands spoken in English, including those given over the Range's public address speaker system.
Please see our rules about coaching shooters.
How can I offer paid instruction at the Range?
Instruction for compensation may be done only with prior approval of the Range Master, NRA instructor certification, and proof of current insurance on file.
Please see our rules about coaching shooters.
If you are interested in offering paid instruction at our Range, please contact the Range office.
Can I bring animals?
Maybe. Although pets are not allowed on the shooting ranges, qualified service animals are. Ear and eye protection for service animals are highly recommended.
Please see our rules for what is prohibited at the range.
Why do I need to drive so slowly?
Although the Range offers the convenience of parking near shooting stations, space can be tight, especially with people backing out, two-way vehicle traffic, and pedestrians with limited ability to see or hear (wearing eye and ear protection) who might also be distracted.
Please see our speed limit rule.
How do I operate my gun?
Read your gun's manual.
To shoot at the Range, you are required to know how to operate all parts of your gun. You must be familiar enough to unload it and make it safe quickly any time "cease fire" is called.
The primary responsibility of Range personnel is to assure everyone's safety. Depending on time and workload, they may be able to help, or you may be instructed to put the gun away until after you have gone home to read your gun's instruction manual. Until you are familiar with all of your gun's controls and operation, you should keep your gun's instruction manual with your gun. If you don't have an instruction manual for your gun, contact the gun's manufacturer and/or seek training from a qualified instructor.
How do I operate the manual trap launchers?
To learn how to operate the clay bird target launchers on the manual trap shotgun range, see our page on using manual trap launchers or ask a Range Safety Officer to show you how to use them.
Where can I use a restroom or toilet?
At the Range, you will find:
- From the west side of the office, follow the painted yellow footsteps to separate multi-user permanent restrooms for women and men.
- Behind the 40-yard "Tin Can" Range is a single-user small portable toilet.
- Single-user wheelchair-accessible portable toilets are located between the 100-yard and shotgun ranges, and at the manual trap shotgun range.
Please see the Range map on the pictures page.
Where at the Range can I wash my hands?
In addition to sinks in the restrooms near the office, there are hand washing stations located beside the soda vending machine between the 40-yard and 50-yard ranges, at the end of the pistol range nearest the 40-yard range, and at the shotgun manual trap range.
Please see the Range map on the pictures page.
Can I get water to put in my "tin can" range targets?
Yes. Faucets with short hoses for filling targets are located on the speaker poles on either side of the 40-yard tin-can range and to the right of the 100-yard tin can range. Please empty and rinse clean your targets before bringing them to the Range, and to not put anything other than water or food coloring inside your targets.
Please see the Range map on the pictures page.
Do I need to check out or sign out when I leave?
There is no need to sign out, but please continue to drive slowly and safely as you exit Range property.
Can you help me find something I think I left at the range?
Yes, we can try. We keep lost-and-found items for 60 days, except for firearms, which we will hold for five business days before turning over to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office.
What is your longest range?
Our longest range is 100 yards.
If you would to shoot at longer ranges, please consider the 200-yard range at Field Sports Park in San Jose or the 300-yard public Range 3 at Sacramento Valley Shooting Center, which also offers longer-distance ranges for its members only.
Please see our list of nearby ranges on our community page.
Can I shoot at reactive steel targets?
We do not have or allow shooting of reactive steel targets.
Please see our list of nearby ranges on our community page.
How can I become a member?
Membership in the Club is limited and requires a significant investment.
For more information, please contact the Range office.
Where can I find an action shooting range?
Action shooting is available at the Sunnyvale Rod and Gun Club range.
Cowboy action shooting is available through the Coyote Valley Cowboys club at the Coyote Valley Sporting Clays range.
Action shooting bays are available at the Richmond Rod and Gun Club range.
Please see our list of nearby ranges on our community page.
What personal information do you collect?
We take your privacy very seriously, and collect as little personal information as possible.
For further information, please see our privacy policy.
