Buffalo Range & Gun Co. — Local services in Ottawa

Great experience! This has become my favorite range to go to. To begin with, it’s outside! The staff is always friendly and helpful when me and my buddies would need them for help or instruction. Staff is also very friendly and encouraging to my friends knowing it’s their first time shooting. Jack, overlooking the Pit that day was very kind to my friend not knowing squat about guns besides what he’s seen on TV and in games. He was sure to give good pointers and by the end my friend loved shooting, he ended up applying for his own firearms license when I dropped him off! Ammo is always in here for my B.A.R, my 5.56 rifles to my 12 gauge and the only limit I have is my wallet for that one! The target variety has improved since the last time I went with the oozing target that show where your shot landed. And my favorite is the pit, where my buddies and I can go to town mag dumping for a cool video or just for the sake of shooting trash down range to see it fly or explode. The only things I would hope for would be maybe a timer on the cease fires. It’s hard to gauge when a cease fire is coming up unless a range officer tells us, the bell goes off, or we are keeping time ourselves on a watch. It throws me off when we’re in the zone and the bell goes off. Maybe a digital timer in each range so shooters can see how much time is left? When it comes to rentals, they have a great variety of weapons! I had a bad experience with one 1911 because of how dirty it was causing it to jam. But I did not let that get in my way of my fun. One of the range officers, Tim was helping me clear the jams and Erin, the woman at the counter was willing to replace it with another one for me but we were in a time crunch then so we packed up. Even though it’s over an hour away for me, it is definitely worth a drive and always a great time! Would highly recommend from novice shooters, to marksmen trying to hit the 100yds. Weekends can be packed but the concession stand lemonade and music always makes it more enjoyable even on those hot and packed days! Just play by the rules and remember that it’s a public range, it’s going to be shared with many people and these aren’t NERF guns. Safety should be first and the staff is there to help. If they say something, it’s probably for good reason, not just to be a pain in the butt. If you want to go somewhere to shoot this is it! It’s criminal living or visiting IL and not...

Date: 7.27.24

Today, my father and I visited this range for the first time, and I have to say, it was an outstanding experience. I've been to quite a few ranges, but this one in Illinois surpasses them all. I can confidently say I'll be coming back as often as I can, and I'm definitely getting a Season Pass for all the future visits I plan to make!

The service here is truly unmatched. From the moment we walked in, we were warmly greeted by a wonderful front desk staff member in a pink shirt. She helped us quickly set up our accounts and complete the necessary waivers. Although I didn't catch her name, her friendliness made a great first impression. We were then assisted by a tall gentleman at the front desk who guided us through purchasing a weapon, answering all our questions with patience and expertise. Another fantastic staff member in a gray shirt helped me with clearing and returning my weapons efficiently. Their exceptional service made me feel valued and eager to return.

One person, in particular, made our visit unforgettable: Range Service Officer Tim. Tim went above and beyond to ensure we had a safe and enjoyable time. He clearly explained the range rules, offered helpful tips, and always provided advice in a friendly manner. His assistance in tracking my shots, zeroing my scope, and refining my shooting technique was invaluable. Tim's dedication and expertise truly elevated our experience, making me excited to come back again.

The range itself is impressive – spacious, well-organized, and offering a wide variety of shooting options. I'm also looking forward to October Fest; it promises to be an amazing event!

Overall, the exceptional service and fantastic facilities have made this range my new favorite spot. I can't wait for...

Warning: Long (but detailed) Review. This was my first visit to the range. I live about an hour away so I called to get some information and the lady on the phone (I didn't catch her name) was so friendly I could hear they were busy yet she took time to answer all my questions (can I bring a cooler of water, do you supply targets, can my 8 year old shoot there, what restrictions are there etc etc). She was very pleasant and helpful. The next AM I walked in and she remembered me as soon as we walked in. She sat and talked to my son (it was his first time shooting) because she could tell he was nervous even though the desk was buzzing with people. She gave him a little buffalo toy to calm him down and assured him he would have a great day. Then she radioed down to the range to let the range officer know we were coming. Gave us directions and we were on our way. The whole day everyone was so friendly and helpful and it made my son enjoy his day that much more

But to the range. This place is GREAT. It has separate areas for different shooters. Rifle range, pistol range, a place just for .22 shooters, and even a pit where you can shoot however and whatever you want. There is a cease fire every 30 minutes or so and the whole range stops so you can switch out targets. You can even drive your car from area to area which is nice so you don't have to lug your stuff all over the place. Plenty of overhead coverage so you aren't dying in the heat. There is even a snack shop too. And the best part? $30 for the WHOLE DAY and you can use any of the designated areas for as long as you want.

I have been to so many ranges through the years and this is without a doubt one of my favorites. I (and my son) will...