Shooting ranges for tourists

[u/tussengas-98]

Hi everyone!

Hope i'm allowed to ask this here.

I'm from the Netherlands and, together with a few friends, I'm planning to travel to Canada in October. We'll be staying in the Toronto/Mississauga area.

We've got plenty of activities planned, but one thing that's on our bucket list is to try shooting real firearms at a shooting range. That's something that's generally not possible in the Netherlands.

I've heard that it's relatively easy to do this in the United States, but I'm curious about the laws and regulations in Canada.

Is it possible for tourists to visit a shooting range and shoot firearms in Canada?

If so, I'd really appreciate any recommendations or good experiences with shooting ranges in or around the Toronto/Mississauga area.

Thanks in advance!

[u/Hot_Cheesecake_905]

Target Sports in York Region is a public range that caters to walk-ins.

There are a few others, but most clubs are members only.

[u/jmz-jmz → u/Hot_Cheesecake_905]

This is probably the closest, and they 100% take non PAL holders. I don’t think I’ve ever been there when there wasn’t a group doing exactly this

[u/Agent_1812 → u/Hot_Cheesecake_905]

is a public range

commercial range

[u/Ok-Programmer-2199 → u/Hot_Cheesecake_905]

Even membership ranges often have a certain day that allow walk ins. Mine is members only, except for 8 hours on Saturday, then they have walk ins. If op sees this, google ranges near you and check out their websites. They usually tell you right on the website when/if you can go.

[u/GinnAdvent]

East Hill Shooting Sports

Urban Tactical in Branford

Silverdale gun club.

But yeah, you definitely need a vehicle to get around since all of them are outside of Toronto.

[u/alpacamaster8675309 → u/GinnAdvent]

Heyheyyy brantford shout out! Urban tactical is a great range, and the staff there are some of the best people you'll ever talk with

[u/Old-Rent-617]

Gagnon Sports in Oshawa also does rental packages.

[u/pyates1 → u/Old-Rent-617]

Good recommendation, it is on the east side of the Toronto area. Sadly not close to Mississauga.

[u/Memorywipe]

If you have access to a car I highly recommend Silverdale Gun Club. The indoor ranges just don't do it justice.

[u/TopLemon3678]

The Range @ Urban Tactical

[u/TheBulletBuddy]

The majority of our modern sporting rifles are gone. Its mostly manual action rifles, and semi auto .22s and shotguns.

Dont expect anything similar to an American range.

[u/SakanaToDoubutsu]

Honestly at this point the Netherlands is going to be more permissive than Canada currently is. If it were me I wouldn't bother with trying to shoot in Canada and instead plan a dedicated trip to the UK, Switzerland, Czechia, or Poland...

[u/NightFuryToni]

Toronto/Mississauga area.

There's actually one in Mississauga: https://www.downrangesports.ca

Was told they do non-licensed packages, but the website says otherwise, says it's coming soon. May want to check with them directly.

[u/coiine → u/NightFuryToni]

The website isn’t up to date. Down Range definitely does unlicensed shooting experiences. It’s the obvious choice for people staying in Toronto/Mississauga.

[u/ISmokeBubbleHash]

Can't comment about toronto. But if you decide to come to montreal on your trip (which you should its super awesome), there's CTVSP where you can rent a lane with instructor for a decent price. And i will personally take you to my range, montreal skeet club, as a guest and you can try skeet and long range high caliber shooting. Have a good trip!

[u/yoyopomo]

Yeah as others have said, just go to Switzerland

[u/groggygirl]

Outdoor: https://silverdalegunclub.com/gallery/shooting-packages/

Indoor: https://targetsportsyyz.com/un-licensed-visitors/

Both will require a car - there are no ranges in the city that you can access. Book in advance (most ranges don't allow walk-ins for safety reasons), and absolutely do not show up drunk or stoned. Note that the person accompanying you on your shoot will be standing right next to you and possibly touching your shoulder while you shoot - this is the law, don't whine about it.

[u/julienjj]

Call first because many range cannot offer rentals if you are not a permanent resident or with a work visa for insurance reasons.

[u/TheSkrillanator]

People lament the laws here, and they do suck with respect to arbitrary bans, but shooting what ya can here is still plenty fun. I would take what theyre saying with a grain of salt given we are all basically dealing with abuse victim symptoms.

You can still pop some slugs through a 12 gauge, snipe a target at 100 yards away with a bolt action 50 cal, and pepper some paper with a pretty cool variety of .223-or-similar, and feel pretty damn rad about it.

While I dont know much about ranges around the area you're going to visit, I just wanted to provide the voice of reason and keep yall excited for doing something we all love ourselves here.

[u/Accurate_Info7777]

Most gun ranges offer public use just call them.

Generally you will have to sign a waiver and pay a lot for the ammo. A range officer will be with you the entire time showing you what to do, so dont worry about being left on your own.

Please note there are no automatic firearms for you to try in Canada (legally). Everything is semi automatic (one trigger press, one bang) and magazines are limited to 5 rounds for rifles/10 rounds for pistols.

When in Toronto definitely check out the CN Tower and Ripleys aquarium (they're right next door to one another) and if you can manage, take a drive to Niagara Falls. Worth seeing.

Have fun and enjoy your stay.

[u/Hot_Cheesecake_905 → u/Accurate_Info7777]

You can shoot automatics at Calgary Shooting Center, they have an exemption.

There are semi rifles with 10 rounds using pistol mags 😅

[u/Accurate_Info7777 → u/Hot_Cheesecake_905]

Did not know. Next time Im in Calgary I will check them out. Thanks.

[u/Unable_Event5501]

Hey, ik ben een Brabander 3 uur oost van Toronto, als je nog voor een plek zoekt laat maar weten! Er is hier een range in de buurt en heb zelf wel wat. Stuur maar een PM

[u/Khmerog1]

Go to the Somalian neighborhoods. They will even let you shoot from a moving car. You will be leared.

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