I see this question come up often enough that I thought I’d write a quick article with some pros/cons to each range.
Edmonton has 2 indoor ranges inside the city and 2 large outdoor ranges outside of the city. I belong to both CHAS and SPFGA and generally prefer outdoor ranges for the long range, active clubs, and fresh air experience. If you mostly shoot handguns, one of the indoor ranges might be a better choice because you’ll quickly save money on gas.
CHAS
CHAS, or Canadian Historical Arms Society, is Southwest of Edmonton about 45 minutes. It’s a large facility with archery, shotgun bays, long range, 25M, 50M, 100M, and action shooting bays. There are also a few picnic tables if you want to have lunch. As of 2024, membership is $225/yr.
CHAS Pros: Long range out to 800 with many steel targets on the way is easily the furthest in the area. Steel targets available on all the distances where it makes sense. Active clubs including 3 gun, cowboy action, service rifle, F-class, rimfire precision, as well as shooting courses from RFMA, Learn2Shoot, Mapleseed and others. Large shotgun area. Quick to get to from Stony Plain or Spruce Grove.
CHAS Cons: It’s a bit of a drive. No running water washrooms, no clubhouse. You’ll need to bring your own clay thrower or launcher. No family memberships if that matters to you. No drop ins: guests must be accompanied by range member
SPFGA
SPFGA, or Sherwood Park Fish and Game Association Ketchamoot property, is 35 minutes Southeast of Edmonton. It’s a large facility with archery, shotgun, pistol, rimfire, and long range bays. They have 7km of hiking trails, a clubhouse, and a campground as well. As of 2024, a membership with access to the firing range is $210/yr while a family membership is $280.
SPFGA Pros: Nicely groomed, clubhouse with running water bathrooms (something that the ladies really like), fish pond, several permanent shotgun throwers on the shotgun range, camping and shooting a match is nice. Active multigun, ORPS, Cowboy action, Thursday night fun shoots during Spring/Summer, Silhouette, Bullseye pistol, biathlon, and more. They have a variety of ladies programs, outdoors, PAL/RPAL courses by myself, and other training at their location. Quick to get to from Sherwood Park or Tofield.
SPFGA Cons: Long range only goes to 300M, no drop ins: guests must be accompanied by range member, shotgun area is a bit small. Still a bit of a drive.
Wild West Shooting Centre
Wild West is an indoor range right inside West Edmonton Mall located in . . .West Edmonton. They have 14 short range shooting bays. As of 2024, membership for most varies from $400-600 depending whether you want to use your own ammo.
Wild West Pros: They’ve got rentals and group packages so you could do a bachelor’s party thing there. Can drop in. Attached store has some decent competition gear. Quick to get to from West, South, or North Edmonton.
Wild West Cons: Expensive, can’t use outside ammo unless you opt for the more expensive membership, short distance only. Due to West Edmonton Mall being a tourist trap, other range guests may not be familiar with range safety and might do some dumb shit. Not too many shooting leagues (if any?)
Phoenix Gun Range
Phoenix Gun Range is an indoor range in SE Central Edmonton. As of 2024, their gold membership is $650/yr and you can add on family members. They have a pistol range and a rifle range.
Phoenix Gun Range Pros: Can advance book time slots, attached shop has a lot of firearm accessories, can store guns/equipment there with the right membership level, a few shooting leagues. Very quick to get to from South or East Edmonton, or Sherwood Park.
Phoenix Gun Range Cons: Expensive, no steel ammo, no shot in shotguns (but slugs are ok), only 40 yards max.
Smaller Clubs
Onoway & District Fish & Game is 40 mins NW of Edmonton. Membership is $255/yr but membership is capped at 400 members.
Wabamun Gun Range is 45 minutes west of Edmonton. They have a 10M pistol range and a 200M rifle range. Memberships are $210/yr for access to gun range.
Shotgun Only
The following are shotgun-only ranges around Edmonton:
Edmonton Gun Club. Just south of the city. $250/yr.
Beaver Hills Sporting Clays. 40 minutes from the East of the city. $800/yr membership that includes 1000 targets.
Blackmore Shooting Sports. 1hr 10 minutes south east of the city. $125/yr
Further Ranges
If you don’t mind spending more money and time driving, here are some ranges that are more than 1hr drive:
Camrose Shooting Sports. 1hr drive from South Edmonton. Good choice if you want to do IPSC as they have dedicated action shooting bays. $150/yr
Wildwood & District Rod & Gun Club. 1hr 10 minutes drive from West Edmonton. $140/yr
Evergreen Shooting Club (Drayton Valley). 1.5 hr drive from West Edmonton. $135/yr. This is getting far enough, not sure who’d make the trek out regularly.
