Range profile
Redmond Rod & Gun Club
The short version
Redmond Rod & Gun Club is a volunteer-run public outdoor shooting complex in Central Oregon that offers diverse disciplines - including sporting clays, trap, rifle, pistol, and cowboy action - alongside women's and youth education programs, though it requires visitors to bring their own firearms and navigate a private access road.
The hits
- Diverse shooting disciplines including an 18-station sporting clays course, trap, rifle, pistol, and practical shooting options
- Structured women's and youth programs focused on safety, confidence building, and skill development
- Safety-first culture with mandatory protective equipment, daily waivers, and active RSO oversight
- Open to the public with no advance reservations required for standard visits
- Volunteer-run environment frequently described as welcoming, knowledgeable, and family-friendly
The misses
- Limited operating hours, often closing by early afternoon, dictated by volunteer availability
- No firearms available for rent or purchase, requiring visitors to supply their own equipment
- Access via a private, unpaved road with a strict 10 MPH speed limit and shared vehicle-pedestrian traffic
About Redmond Rod & Gun Club
Redmond Rod & Gun Club operates as Central Oregon’s public outdoor shooting complex, located on South Highway 97 in Redmond and run entirely by volunteers. Across its grounds, the facility accommodates a wide spectrum of disciplines: an 18-station sporting clays course, ATA and Wobble trap, a 100-yard rifle range, a 25-yard pistol range, and practical shooting setups for Practical Action, Rimfire Challenge, Steel Challenge, and 3-Gun. Cowboy Action Shooting also maintains a regular presence on the schedule. Unlike commercial ranges, this destination neither rents nor sells firearms, so visitors must bring their own equipment.
Education and community development figure prominently in the organization’s mission. Women’s and Youth programs run throughout the year with an explicit focus on safety, confidence building, and marksmanship fundamentals. Connections with NRA-certified instructors provide additional training across multiple disciplines and firearm safety protocols. This instructional emphasis shapes the overall culture, and visitor feedback indicates that first-time shooters, families, and youth sport teams frequently find the environment approachable and supportive. Volunteer range safety officers and desk staff earn regular recognition for offering patient guidance without intimidation.
Daily operations are straightforward but regimented. Non-members may use the facilities for a daily fee separate from member rates, and most visits require no advance reservation unless a group seeks access during otherwise closed hours. Every shooter and observer must sign a daily waiver at each range visited, and mandatory eye and ear protection is strictly enforced alongside a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol or substance use. Hours vary by discipline and remain subject to weather-driven changes, so checking the online calendar before departing is advisable. Because the property is accessed via a private road shared with vehicle and pedestrian traffic, a 10 MPH speed limit is strictly enforced, and the navigation address differs slightly from the mailing address.
The atmosphere blends structured safety with an informal, community-minded ethos. Guests routinely describe the facility as clean and well-organized, while the volunteer corps draws broad praise for hospitality and knowledge. Still, the all-volunteer model imposes clear constraints. Operating windows are narrower than those of commercial ranges, with some disciplines staffed only until early afternoon, and weather can prompt same-day closures. The lack of firearm rentals and the unpaved private-road approach make the location better suited to prepared enthusiasts than to spontaneous visitors seeking an impromptu trial session.
Recurring feedback
What visitors consistently mention
- Volunteer hospitality and newcomer support: recurring praise for friendly, patient staff who create an approachable atmosphere, especially for first-time shooters, women, and youth participants
- Safety enforcement and range discipline: broad appreciation for strict protocols and attentive RSOs, though occasional remarks note inconsistency in rule application or demeanor among individual officers
- Operating hour constraints: frequent visitor observation that volunteer-dependent schedules, sometimes ending around mid-afternoon, limit accessibility for those with standard work commitments
- Site access and approach: periodic mentions of the long, unpaved private road and the need to navigate carefully to reach the facility, along with confusion between the mailing and navigation addresses
- Breadth of disciplines and course quality: regular positive remarks on the wide selection of shooting activities available, with specific appreciation for the sporting clays course and variety of target presentations