Rifle and Pistol Range

Explore Ben Avery Shooting Facility Rifle and Pistol Range

The Ben Avery Shooting Facility Rifle and Pistol Range is a City of Phoenix Point of Pride and the first government facility to receive a five-star rating from the National Association of Shooting Ranges, the highest designation for quality recreational shooting experiences. Four public-use outdoor ranges accommodate shooters of all skill levels and disciplines, offering covered shooting pads, multiple distance options and both paper and steel target opportunities.

Between sessions, enjoy shaded picnic areas and an on-site facility store stocked with official gear, merchandise, eye and ear protection and targets. While you’re there, ask about the Ben Avery Value Pass. Pay for 10 visits, get the 11th free, and never worry about it expiring. It’s the perfect gift for any shooter and available at the facility store and operations center.

ON-SITE CAMPING

The range also offers on-site camping available exclusively for competition and recreational shooters. Reservations are required and amenities vary by site, but every space is designed for a comfortable, pet-friendly stay close to the action. Interested in being part of the camping experience in a bigger way? Consider becoming a Camp Host. Apply here.

Ben Avery Shooting Facility Rifle and Pistol Ranges

Ben Avery Shooting Facility Rifle and Pistol offers four public-use outdoor ranges to accommodate your shooting needs. Each range is designed to provide a safe, accessible, and enjoyable experience for shooters of all skill levels. Please note that specialty ranges are for user groups only.

MAIN PISTOL RANGE | 5-100 YARDS

These ranges are open to the general public for recreational shooting and feature 67 positions with distances ranging from 5 to 200 yards. This is a paper target range; paper targets are not included but can be purchased or brought by shooters. Shooters may use pistol, rifle, and shotgun, though .416 Barrett, .50 BMG (Browning machine gun), tracer, and armor-piercing rounds are prohibited. Each table accommodates up to four shooters, including children, and target holders are available at 5, 10, 15, 25, 50 and 100 yards, with select tables offering an additional 200-yard target.

MAIN RIFLE RANGE | 5-200 YARDS

These ranges are open to the general public for recreational shooting and feature 67 positions with distances ranging from 5 to 200 yards. This is a paper target range; paper targets are not included but can be purchased or brought by shooters. Shooters may use pistol, rifle, and shotgun, though .416 Barrett, .50 BMG (Browning machine gun), tracer, and armor-piercing rounds are prohibited. Each table accommodates up to four shooters, including children, and target holders are available at 5, 10, 15, 25, 50 and 100 yards, with select tables offering an additional 200-yard target.

RIFLE RANGE | 100-300 YARDS

A hard canopy covers a cement shooting pad with 15 lanes, allowing shooting from a variety of positions, including prone, standing and bench. This range is limited to rifle use only; pistols and shotguns are prohibited. This is a paper target range; paper targets are not included but can be purchased or brought by shooters. Each table accommodates up to four shooters, including children, and target holders are located at 100, 200 and 300 yards. Although typically reserved for DPS use Monday through Friday, the 300-yard range is open to the public from Jan. 1 to Aug. 31 on Saturdays and Sundays, and from Sept. 1 to Nov. 30 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

FRANK DESOMMA MEMORIAL RIFLE RANGE | 200-500 METERS

A rifle range with a covered cement shooting pad features steel targets at 200, 300, 400 and 500 meters, with target sizes varying by distance. The range currently includes 4- to 20-inch steel targets on the 200- and 300-meter lines, and 6- to 24-inch targets on the 400- and 500-meter lines. This range is limited to rifle use only; pistols and shotguns are prohibited. Each table accommodates up to four shooters, including children. For safety reasons, armor-piercing, steel-core or steel-jacket, solid copper and other hardened bullets are strictly prohibited, as are tracer, incendiary and explosive rounds. Ammunition may be inspected to ensure all safety guidelines are followed.

SPECIALTY RANGES

Specialty ranges at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility Rifle and Pistol Range are designed for organized group use and unique training needs; a user group agreement is required.

BEN AVERY SHOOTING FACILITY RULES

ALWAYS POINT THE FIREARM IN A SAFE DIRECTION

• Firearms must be pointed down range at all times and must be transported muzzle up.

• All muzzles must be over the red firing line when being discharged. There is no shooting from behind the shooting table.

• All firearms must be in a case or worn holstered on the strong side hip to enter and exit the range. Gun socks and scabbards will no longer be allowed as substitutes.

• Firearms must be cased and uncased at the concrete shooting tables only with the muzzles pointed down range.

ALWAYS TREAT THE FIREARM AS IF IT WERE LOADED

• Always keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot at your target.

• You may draw and fire from the holster only from the strongside hip position.

OBEY ALL RANGE COMMANDS

• When entering a cease fire period, all firearms must be completely unloaded and all magazines removed in order for the firearms to be considered range safe.

• Everyone on the range must wear hearing protection and some form of eye protection.

• Shooters are responsible for the policing of all brass in their shooting area and returning their frames to the target bunker before leaving.

• Shooters may collect their own brass; however, they may not take any brass that is left by other shooters.

• Any medical issues must be reported to a Range master immediately.

• Children under the age of sixteen must be supervised by an adult at all times. They may not be left unattended at the shooting table.

• No children under the age of five are permitted on the range.

• Anyone under the influence of alcohol or impaired in any way will not be permitted to shoot.

• Shooters must abide by all commands issued by range personnel. Failure to abide by these range rules may result in the customer being asked to leave.

NEVER AIM AT ANYTHING YOU DON’T INTEND TO SHOOT

• All rounds must impact the berm. Shooters are responsible for every round they fire. If a round hits the mountain, the shooter must stop shooting immediately.

• All firearms must be aimed. You may not shoot from the hip or any other shooting position in which the shooter cannot properly utilize the sights.

• Do not shoot the frames. We assess a replacement fee for any broken frames.

• Shooting of wildlife is not tolerated.

TARGET AND FIREARM RESTRICTIONS

• Fully automatic firearms are permitted, but they must be shot from a prone or benchrest position. This also applies to bump-fire firearms.

• Humanoid zombie targets and targets with human features are not permitted. Training silhouettes are allowed. Targets are subject to Range Master approval and must be removed if deemed incompatible with the family oriented facility we operate.

• Tracers, incendiary, explosive, specialty shot shells, and other similar rounds are strictly prohibited.

• Any firearms chambered in .50 BMG, or any round derived from .50 BMG, or producing kinetic force on par with .50 BMG is strictly prohibited.

• Shotguns may be used on the Main Range. All shotgun loads discharged on this Range must be lead and must be buckshot or slugs. All steel projectiles are strictly prohibited.

• Black powder firearms are permitted on the range. They must be loaded at the back bench and be primed or have the frizzen loaded at the shooting table. When the line is being cleared, all powder must be removed from the firearms.

More Ways to Get Involved

Whether you’re looking to give back, connect with fellow enthusiasts or deepen your involvement in the shooting sports community, there are plenty of ways to get involved at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility. From volunteering and certified instruction to local clubs and organized user groups, the opportunities below are designed to help you make the most of your experience.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteers are an essential part of the Ben Avery Shooting Facility, playing a key role in activities ranging from serving as range safety officers and camp hosts to assisting with maintenance, coaching, leading educational programs and helping with events. Make an impact and join the team by becoming a volunteer today.

CERTIFIED FIREARM INSTRUCTORS

Connect with certified instructors for classes and training opportunities. Access the Firearm Instructor List for details.

LOCAL SHOOTING CLUBS

Find and contact local shooting clubs in your area. Use the Club Contact List to connect with local organizations.

USER GROUPS

A User Group is any organization, club, business, or individual registered with the Ben Avery Shooting Facility Rifle and Pistol Range that provides the mandated insurance and Hold Harmless Agreement, and is authorized to use the reserve specialty ranges and facilities for the purposes of competitive and recreational shooting, firearms training, qualifications, and/or education.