Interesting Firearm Photos #101

 

I don't know what is on the agenda here, but it looks like fun

Gun Tourism in the USA - Part I

Gun Tourism in the USA - Part I: Why Las Vegas Leads the Pack

By Randy Chamberlain

Gun tourism has become a distinctive part of the American travel industry. Both domestic and international visitors, who may have little or no access to firearms in their home countries, can visit supervised shooting ranges, receive basic instruction, and experience firearms ranging from historic pistols, fully automatic machine guns, submachine guns, and tactical rifles.

The industry is especially active in Las Vegas, where shooting attractions combine firearms with military vehicles, desert excursions, and other high-adrenaline experiences. For travelers, however, participating at a range is different from purchasing or independently possessing a firearm.

How US Gun Laws Affect Gun Tourism

Gun laws in the United States are shaped by federal, state, and local regulations. The rules affecting an international visitor can depend on how that person entered the country, their immigration status, the state they are visiting, and the type of firearm involved.

Federal law generally restricts firearm possession by people admitted under a nonimmigrant visa, although specific statutory exceptions may apply. The treatment of travelers admitted without a visa, including some visitors using the Visa Waiver Program, can differ. State laws and individual range policies may impose additional requirements. 

Visitors should therefore contact a range before booking and accurately disclose their citizenship and immigration status. A reputable operator should explain its identification, age, eligibility, sobriety, and supervision requirements. Travelers should not assume that eligibility to shoot under controlled conditions means they may buy, carry, transport, or possess a firearm elsewhere.

Most tourism-focused ranges provide the firearm and ammunition for use only on their premises. Guests typically receive a safety briefing and remain under the direct supervision of trained staff. Common safety rules include:

• Follow the instructor immediately, even if the direction interrupts the activity.
• Keep the firearm pointed downrange and keep the trigger finger outside the trigger guard until you are instructed to fire.
• Do not attend while impaired by alcohol, cannabis, recreational drugs, or medication that affects judgment.
• Bring acceptable identification and confirm eligibility before paying for a package.
• Use hearing and eye protection throughout the shooting session.

Because firearm and immigration law can be complex, travelers with doubts about their eligibility should obtain guidance from the range and, when necessary, a qualified US firearms attorney.

Las Vegas: America's Gun-Tourism Mecca

Las Vegas, approximately an hour and half away from my home, is well suited to gun tourism because it already specializes in memorable, high-energy attractions. Its large tourist population, nearby desert terrain, and concentration of shooting businesses allow visitors to choose between conventional indoor ranges and elaborate military-themed excursions. Some operators offer firearms associated with different historical periods, while others build packages around popular movies and video games.

Las Vegas ranges also make the experience accessible to newcomers. Instead of expecting guests to own equipment or understand range procedures, tourism-focused businesses generally provide instruction, safety gear, firearms, ammunition, and supervised shooting as part of a package.

Major Las Vegas Gun-Tourism Attractions

Battlefield Vegas:  battlefieldvegas.com

• Battlefield Vegas offers one of the largest advertised selections, covering weapons associated with World War I through modern conflicts.
• Its options include handguns, rifles, submachine guns, belt-fed firearms, .50-caliber firearms, and a minigun experience.
• Visitors can select prearranged packages or build an experience from the available collection.

The company advertises both indoor and outdoor shooting activities, along with complimentary Humvee pickup from parts of the Las Vegas Strip.

Gunship Helicopters:  gunshiphelicopters.com

• Gunship Helicopters takes the concept beyond a conventional shoot by combining a helicopter flight with an aerial shooting experience.
• 
  
• The attraction is aimed at travelers seeking a highly specialized, military-inspired desert excursion rather than a standard range visit.
• 
  
• Eligibility, weather, transportation, firearm configuration, and operating rules should be confirmed directly before booking.
• 
  
• Because this is a more complex activity, guests should pay particular attention to safety briefings and medical or mobility restrictions.

Strip Gun Club: stripgunclub.com

• Strip Gun Club emphasizes a convenient indoor shooting experience near the Las Vegas Strip.
• 
  
• Its central appeal is accessibility for tourists who want to fit a supervised range visit into a broader casino, dining, or entertainment itinerary.
• 
  
• Packages may accommodate beginners as well as experienced shooters, depending on current availability.
• 
  
• Visitors should verify transportation, minimum-age rules, identification requirements, and available firearms before arrival.

Bullets and Burgers:   www.bulletsandburgers.com

• Bullets and Burgers is known for combining outdoor desert shooting with a broader excursion-style experience.
• 
  
• Packages have been marketed around firearms, transportation, sightseeing, and an American-style meal.
• 
  
• Its desert setting distinguishes it from indoor ranges and gives visitors a different view of the landscape surrounding Las Vegas.
• 
  
• Package contents can change, so guests should confirm exactly what is included, including ammunition, transfers, food, and any additional activities.

The Gun Store Las Vegas:  thegunstorelasvegas.com

• The Gun Store is one of Las Vegas's established indoor shooting attractions and is widely associated with the growth of the city's tourist-range industry.
• 
  
• It offers supervised shooting packages designed for visitors, including those with limited or no prior firearms experience.
• Its indoor format makes it less dependent on desert weather than outdoor excursions.
• 
  
• Travelers should review current package prices, firearm availability, age restrictions, and identification requirements directly with the operator.

From my own experience, I have visited The Gun Store on three separate occasions. I decided to choose my own weapons and an Allied vs Axis theme.

·         M3 Grease Gun vs MP40: The M3 had a slow cyclic rate, which made it easier to control, while the MP40 rapid fire ran away with itself.

·         M4 vs AK74: The M4 was more accurate on paper than the AK74, but both weapons were great experiences to fire.

·         FN249 SAW: This visit, the SAW was on its own. This was my first experience with belt fed squad automatic and it did not disappoint.

All three experiences were very satisfying, and the staff members were very friendly and helpful.

Planning a Responsible Visit

A shooting-range experience should be treated as a structured activity rather than an impulsive stop between casinos or bars.

Reservations are advisable, particularly for groups and specialized attractions.

Before booking, visitors should check:

Requirement	What to confirm
Legal eligibility	Whether immigration status and other legal factors permit participation
Identification	Whether a passport, driver's license, or additional documentation is required
Age limits	Minimum age and rules for minors accompanied by adults
Package details	Firearms, ammunition, targets, instruction, and protective equipment included
Transportation	Hotel pickup area, departure time, and return arrangements
Safety policies	Clothing, footwear, sobriety, medical, and conduct requirements
Cancellation terms	Refund rules for weather, eligibility problems, or missed pickups

 

The Appeal and Responsibility of Gun Tourism

Gun tourism offers international and domestic visitors a controlled introduction to an aspect of American culture that is often seen through films, television, and video games. 

Las Vegas has turned that curiosity into a mature tourism category, with options ranging from straightforward indoor sessions to elaborate desert and aviation experiences.

The attraction also carries serious responsibilities. Firearms are not props, and even a highly theatrical package depends on disciplined handling, honest eligibility screening, qualified supervision, and strict compliance with the law.

The best experience is one that is memorable because it is professionally managed, legally compliant, and safe.

Coming soon - Part II of Gun Tourism in the USA will feature the Big Sandy Shoot, a great desert experience.

About the Author:

Randy has been a decades long member of the NRA, the Civilian

Marksmanship Program and Washington Arms Collectors; he began

collecting weapons in the 1970's and has owned more than 500

weapons including the subject gun above. 

He will continue to contribute his vast knowledge of surplus and collector weapons.

Resources:

·         walkertaylorlaw.com

·          battlefieldvegas.com

·         gunshiphelicopters.com

·         gunshiphelicopters.com

·         www.bulletsandburgers.com

·         thegunstorelasvegas.com

The Best Deals in the World of Guns

Happy Constitution Day!

I was thinking about how some guns are just very affordable and worth the money, yet some people still don't buy them. Maybe it is ignorance, prejudice, or something else like the Glock hating phenomena?

So, I decided to start a list of guns that are affordable and worth the expense. By the way, this isn't just opinion here, I own an example of each of these guns, guns that I purchased for very reasonable prices.

Here they are in no particular order: 

#1 The Ruger Security-Service-Speed Six Revolvers

This one might not even belong on the list, but there are still people out there that own these or are trying to sell these and are not aware of their value.

At one time these were the BEST deal in secondhand revolvers, selling for 1/2 of a classic S&W and 1/3 or less of a vintage Colt. They are simpler, stronger and just as comfortable to carry and shoot.

They were normally chambered in .357 or .38, available in stainless and blued in 2.5"-, 4"-and 6"-barrel lengths, square and round butt, adjustable and fixed sights (depending on the model chosen). 

Nearly identical in size to the S&W K-frame guns, they garnered much less attention from collectors, that is until recently. Read more about these fine revolvers here.

#2. The Hi-Standard Sentinel Revolver.

For those not aware, the Sentinel is a 9-shot .22LR revolver, made by the Hi-Standard company of Hamden, CT and designed by the same man who engineered the Ruger revolver discussed above.

Made from aluminum and carbon steel, these guns regularly sell for $200-$300 for a nice example to $50 for a rough one. Their design is nearly flawless; I have owned several and handled several more and have yet to find one out of time or in need of serious mechanical repair.

Read more about this great gun here.

#3. The Marlin Model 60

A semi-auto rifle that is more precise/accurate than a factory Ruger 10/22 and sells for way less. 

While not in production anymore, Marlin made more than 11 million of these in the 50 plus year production run. That means used parts are plentiful and while the aftermarket support is not that of the 10/22, there are upgrades and parts available.

The design only saw minimal changes and the guns work great if maintained properly. The best part is you can find them for $50-$200. I saw one at the Phoenix Gun Show in December for $40, I had to resist the urge to buy it (I have 5 or 6 of them now).

Read more about this gun here.

#4. The Stevens-Savage 325/340/840 Rifles

 

This series of rifles started with the model 325A in 1947. Savage eager to use up their surplus .30 caliber machine gun barrels left over from WWII created a simple, box mag fed .30-30 rifle. Short, light, handy and plenty accurate for woods hunting. They can usually be bought for very reasonable prices. I have two, one I paid $10 for, the other one $50.

Read more about these guns here.

#5 The H&R/NEF Single Shot Shotguns

These guns have never sold for very much; I have owned several and never paid more than $100 for any of them. What we have here is a rugged, made in America, single shot 12-gauge shotgun (they came in other calibers as well) that will not let you down.

Great for hunting or home defense, they eject shells like a southern man swatting flies: fast and deliberate.

I have yet to author an article on these guns, something I will have to remedy soon.

#6 The Ruger P-Series Pistols

Another great bargain that many overlook. What started as an attempt to create a pistol for the US Military and ended with a polymer frame striker fired pistol.

They sell for much cheaper than any used Glock, Sig, Beretta or S&W. Some find them clunky, but never unreliable.

They are like the International Scouts of pistols, not the prettiest, not the most ergonomical, but reliable as the rising sun and as affordable as guns half the quality.

Read more about these pistols here.

#7 The Remington 11-48 Shotgun

This gun is a cross breed between the Remington Model 11 (Browning Auto-5) and the current production Remington 1100. It uses the receiver of the 1100 (and 870) and the recoil action of the model 11. They are attractive, workable and dead on reliable. I hit 6 out of 6 clays on my 1st outing with my 11-48.

These often sell for cheap because people don't know much about them.

Read more here.

#8 Brand labeled guns

Many are not aware that the big gun makers brand labeled guns for retailers and even other gun makers, I have complied a small list below.

Dan Wesson made their models 14 & 15 .357 Mag revolver for Hi-Standard, known as the Sentinel Mark II & III respectively. These pistols often sell for 1/2 of a Dan Wesson. I saw a Mark II (fixed sights) revolver at the Phoenix gun show listed for less than $400....I am still kicking myself for not buying it.

Winchester made their model 94 rifle and 1200 shotgun for Sears, Montgomery Ward, JC Penny, Western Auto and others, these store brand labeled guns often sell for 1/2 of what a Winchester branded rifle sells for.

Marlin also brand labeled their model 60 for dozens of retailers, while it is hard to beat the prices for a Marlin branded guns, don't be afraid to buy one marked "Westpoint", "OTASCO" or "Revelation", they are functionally identical to the Marlin branded rifle.

Theme Guns 47

Have a great Patriot's Day Everyone!