Are you trying to find the best shooting ranges in Abu Dhabi but have no idea where to go? Or perhaps a place to relieve your stress and anger? Or maybe discover a new hobby? Then this review is for you.
Shooting is a significant activity in Abu Dhabi, where it has to be monitored by the police to ensure the highest security and safety measures. Therefore, all shooting ranges are allocated in their own building, where they offer both indoor and outdoor shooting activities with various weapon options. Hence, in order to direct you to the best shooting ranges in Abu Dhabi to visit and try, where it can be enjoyed both as a solo or with friends and family, we examined the best shooting ranges in Abu Dhabi.
Al Forsan Shooting Range Abu Dhabi
Do you want to try several different types of shooting and discover the one that satisfies you? Well, Al Forsan shooting Range offers all levels of shooting, whether you are a beginner or an expert. Generally, Al Forsan is one of the most well-known attractions in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi. The place offers multiple activities, one of which is shooting, where we had the opportunity to try all their weapons and targeting technologies while also granting us the highest level of safety as well as a fantastic experience. When we arrived, we had to go through a security check where we were scanned by both a gate metal body detector and a hand-held scanner; this procedure is also done when exiting the area.
Afterward, we were welcomed by the friendliest staff, who explained the different shooting options they offer: Semi-Automatic Pistol, Revolver, .22 Rifle, 9mm Pistol, Sniper Rifles, Shotguns, Archery, and Laser Simulator. In addition, since the place was somewhat empty, it gave us the advantage of having a tour around all the indoor and outdoor fields, which grasped our understanding of knowing which ones to try. Accordingly, below are the different shooting range types we tried and our opinion based on our experience.
.22 Rifle Shooting Range
We really enjoyed the experience of holding real guns for the first time. The first gun we tried was the .22 Rifle with 25 shots, which took place at Al Forsan’s indoor range. As the staff showed us the way to the field, they first made sure to lay out the safety rules and regulations while pinpointing the difference between the Rifle and the Pistol, where a shooting rifle can go up to 50 meters and has no recoil.
After agreeing to all terms and conditions, we put down our signatures, were given a headset and a pair of shooting glasses for safety then got admitted into the field, where the instructors showed us the proper way of holding the Rifle and how to reload it as well. For the Rifle, we had to sit in a chair, positioning our eyes into the scope to aim the firing range target, which is made of hard paper.
Moreover, The instructors allowed us to shoot at two different distances; first, we tried shooting from 40 meters away, then, to step up the challenge, they made it 50 meters away with a new shooting target to aim at. In the end, they gave each of us our shooting targets to take home as souvenirs. Overall it was such an experience; not to mention, we would recommend it for those who are beginners or do not know what type to begin with the .22 Rifle, a beginner-friendly gun placed in the indoor shooting range.
Things to know about .22 Rifle shooting range:
- Age Requirement: 16+ Years (Children under 18 should be accompanied by a guardian)
- Number of bullets: 25 bullets; extra shots have additional fees.
- Distance: 25 – 50 meters
- Price: 160 AED
- Emirates ID or Passport should be present.
9mm SIG P210 Pistol Shooting Range
Similarly to the .22 rifle, the 9mm SIG P210 pistol is a beginner-friendly weapon but has a bit of a recoil. With 25 shots, it is perfect for practicing. The procedures were similar; the staff gave us a quick briefing, made us sign the paper, and then we were allowed into the indoor shooting range, where they gave us a pair of headsets and target shooting glasses. An instructor was assigned to help us learn the basics of holding the pistol gun, reloading, and shooting. Unlike the rifle, we had to stand to shoot. The first shot was a shock because we did not expect the recoil. The target was at a 5 meters distance, and we were given the hard paper target to take home with us. One tip we could give you is to remember to pull the trigger slowly.
Things to know about Pistol shooting range:
- Age Requirement: 16+ Years (Children under 18 should be accompanied by a guardian)
- Number of bullets: 25 bullets; extra shots have additional fees.
- Distance: 5 meters
- Price: 199 AED
- Emirates ID or Passport should be present.
308 Sniper Rifle Shooting Range
The sniper rifle is a great way to get that adrenaline rush going; although, we would not recommend it to someone with a weak heart as it can be very loud and has a high recoil. A member of the staff took us with a golf cart to the indoor Sniper Rifle area. In our opinion, the sniper is the best indoor shooting range in Abu Dhabi. We were given headsets to protect our eardrums. We had the choice to choose between 100, 200, and 300 meters shooting targets, which we all tried.
As a beginner, we would recommend the 100 meters. The first shot almost gave us a heart attack from how loud the shot was and how high the recoil was, but we got more excited with every shot. There are two options to use the sniper, either by sitting down on the chair or lying down on the platform they have. We only tried shooting by sitting on the chair, but we will definitely visit again to try the sniper while lying down.
Things to know about 308 Sniper Rifle shooting range:
- Age Requirement: 16+ Years (Children under 18 should be accompanied by a guardian)
- Number of bullets: 10 bullets; extra shots have additional fees.
- Distance: 100 meters, 200 meters and 300 meters.
- Price: 265 AED
- Emirates ID or Passport should be present.
Clay Shooting – ISSF Shotgun
Stress less and enjoy the best! If you like animal hunting and shooting outdoors, seek out shotgun clay shooting, which is highly recommended for groups. After registering and agreeing to all safety terms and conditions, they drove us in a golf cart to the outdoor shooting area, which was placed in a villa with a built-in balcony. It was perfect timing, as we arrived during the golden hour when also the weather got cooler. After an employee had handed us the shooting glasses and headset, they led us outside to the balcony where it had built stands for every individual to stand by as it faced the field. The instructors were friendly as they were dedicated and patient while explaining the safety procedure and guided us on how to change the bullets after every 2 shots.
You can carry the gun that suits you best, depending on your strength and the gun’s weight. While shooting, the instructor shared an interesting tip where we imagine high clays that go vertically as birds while low horizontal clays go as rabbits. Targeting flying clay requires focus and patience to bust the clay. Before our first visit, we also watched this Shotgun Shooting Instruction for tips on how to target the clay perfectly. We felt we were on a hunting trip, which made us more excited to focus and strike the clay. If we miss one clay, we will have fewer dinner options. It was an amazing outdoor shoot with the feeling of hunting. Definitely going again and again.
Things to know about ISSF Shotgun shooting range:
- Age Requirement: 12+ years (Children under 18 should be accompanied by a guardian)
- Number of bullets: 25 bullets; extra shots have additional fees.
- Price: 230 AED
- Emirates ID or passport should be present.
Archery Range
If you want a great family or friends competition, then archery is a great activity to try since it’s suitable for all ages. Al Forsan offers both indoor and outdoor archery fields; however, as it was summer, we didn’t have the chance to try out their outdoor range, which is only accessible during winter. Although Al Forsan’s indoor field was not that captivating; yet, it was extremely fun competing against one another to see who could score the highest on the archery target.
When entering the archery range, a staff member handed us an arm guard, also known as a bracer. This is worn on the left wrist if you’re right-handed, which acts as a protection from the bowstring. It is also worn to hold loose clothing from interfering with the bowstring, which in our case was our abaya. Also, ladies, you don’t have to worry about your nails since a leather piece is provided to protect them.
After getting everything sorted, the staff outlined the instructions and steps for shooting a bullseye. It took us a couple of tries to get the hang of it since it requires you to pull the string till your fist reaches your face, as well as placing your body at an angle and extreme focus. However, after those few trials, we were then able to compete against each other. Therefore, if you want to have an enjoyable time with your family or friend, we recommend you try archery, especially in Al Forsan, since it grants you thirty minutes of unlimited arrows.
Things to know about the Archery range:
- Age Requirement: 8+ years (Children under 10 should be accompanied by a guardian)
- Number of arrows: Unlimited for 30 minutes
- Price: 130 AED
- Emirates ID or Passport should be present.
More Information About Al Forsan Shooting Range Abu Dhabi
- Location: Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, Street No.12, Near Abu Dhabi Golf Club
- Timings: Daily from 2PM to 11PM
- Phone: 02 656 5656
- Appointments: Directly through Al Forsan’s website or by visiting them directly.
- Note: If you own a gun, you are able to bring your personal weapon and only pay for the bullets at Al Forsan to use at their shooting range. Take a look at Gulf Today’s guidelines about buying a weapon in the UAE.
Caracal Shooting Club
Do you want to learn how to shoot? Well, Caracal Shooting Club will teach you everything from safety and precautions to the techniques on how to hit a bullseye. Shooters of all skill levels can take part in a world-class shooting session. Caracal Shooting Club is the first-ever commercial shooting range in Abu Dhabi monitored by Al Forsan, located in Al Maqtaa. The place has two indoor shooting ranges where they offer archery and shooting with two different calibers: 9mm and .22. When we arrived, we were greeted by a dedicated staff that gave us a safety briefing to ensure the unequaled fusion of absolute safety and fun. Afterward, we headed to the shooting range, where we saw all the variety of the different types of guns they offer. In light of our experience, the following are our opinions on the various shooting range types we tried.
CC 10 Short Barrel Rifle Shooting Range
Even though it was our second time visiting a shooting range, we were still startled by the super loud firing sounds. As expected, firstly, we were asked for our IDs which are mandatory for safety reasons. After two instructors led us into a conference room where they dedicatedly took the time and explained to us all the techniques of holding and putting down a gun safely, they also taught us how to pull the trigger slowly in a way that could help to score a bullseye. Entering the indoor shooting range, they gave us a headset to protect our hearing from the firing sounds; however, shooting glasses were not provided.
As they handed us the CC 10 Short Barrel Rifle, we were in shock at how heavy it was; not to mention, we had to hold the guns while standing, which was a struggle, especially for us as beginners; therefore, we could not aim well due to our shaky grasp and the heavy recoil. Moreover, in between the given 25 shots, we took some breaks from holding the gun as it was causing some of us sore arms due to the gun’s weight. Although it was a struggle, we certainly enjoyed the experience of holding a somewhat heavy type of gun while standing; the instructors were impressed with how well we did as beginners.
Things to know about Short Barrel Rifle shooting range:
- Age Requirement: 16+ Years (Children under 18 should be accompanied by a guardian)
- Number of bullets: 25 bullets; extra shots have additional fees.
- Distance: 25 meters
- Price: 199 AED
- Emirates ID or Passport should be present.
CC 10 Long Barrel Rifle Shooting Range
At the same indoor shooting range, we tried out another heavy type of gun, the CC 10 Long Barrel Rifle. Similar CC 10 Short Barrel Rifle, except this gun was much heavier, as they provided us with an adjustable metal stand for stabilizing the gun so we could avoid shaky grasp and be easier for us to aim, which actually resulted in most of us scoring 50/50 bullseyes. Not to mention, the firing sound was even louder than the CC 10 Short Barrel Rifle, for we were startled each time the gun got fired.
Moreover, the instructors were kind and patient as they kept giving us tips and techniques to aim for a bullseye. Furthermore, we enjoyed the company of the instructors as they kept sharing interesting facts about the weapon, one of them being that both CC 10 Short Barrel and CC 10 Long Barrel Rifle are used for military purposes. They also shared with us stories of people coming here to practice so that in the future, they could be qualified for shooting contests or even earn a gun license if interested.
Things to know about Long Barrel Rifle shooting range:
- Age Requirement: 16+ Years (Children under 18 should be accompanied by a guardian)
- Number of bullets: 25 bullets; extra shots have additional fees.
- Distance: 25 meters
- Price: 199 AED
- Emirates ID or Passport should be present.
Glock 17 Pistol Shooting Range
We decided to try the pistol since it is one of the more lightweight guns. As per the rules, the staff first needed to give us a quick safety briefing, and then we were allowed to enter the shooting range. The instructor first gave us 5 shots on the Caracal pistol, which is one of the easiest and beginner-friendly pistols they have, to test our abilities and shooting skills.
After the caracal pistol, the instructor thought we needed to level up to the Glock 17 pistol; which in our opinion, was pretty similar to the caracal, except for the trigger. As per the instructor, the usual distance for the police is 7 meters; but we were trained at a distance of 10 meters to get a better chance at practicing and aiming. If you have ever wondered how many bullets are there in a pistol? The Glock 17 pistol holds up to 5 bullets; after 5 shots, you need to reload the pistol.
Things to know about Glock 17 Pistol shooting range:
- Age Requirement: 16+ Years (Children under 18 should be accompanied by a guardian)
- Number of bullets: 25 bullets; extra shots have additional fees.
- Distance: 10 meters
- Price: 199 AED
- Emirates ID or Passport should be present.
Archery Range
Do you want to learn the basics of how to shoot archery? Caracal Shooting Club is the place for you where you will be taught the rules and safety measures of archery and improve your focus, physical strength, and precision. Their archery range is limited, where it only accommodates two shooters at a time; hence, we were unable to compete with all of us together. However, we learned the fundamentals of archery, which expanded our understanding of that activity.
As we entered the archery range, the committed staff member handed us the arm guard and explained that we had to wear it to protect our arm from the bowstring, as well as a leather piece to protect our nails. After that, he gave us detailed instructions on everything, including where to place our fingers and how to position our arms and elbow. Even with all those directions, striking a bullseye was still somewhat challenging since the bow kept coming off the hook. However, due to the 30 minutes of unlimited bows, we kind of got the hang of it by the end of the session.
Things to know about the Archery range:
- Age Requirement: 8+ years (Children under 10 should be accompanied by a guardian)
- Number of arrows: Unlimited for 30 minutes
- Price: 130 AED
- Emirates ID or Passport should be present.
More Information About Caracal Shooting Club
- Location: Al Maqtaa, Abu Dhabi
- Timings: Daily from 2PM to 10PM
- Phone: 02 441 6404
- Appointments: Directly through Caracal Shooting Club webpage or by visiting them directly.
Our overall recommended shooting range in Abu Dhabi
Both Al Forsan and Caracal Shooting Club are one of the best shooting ranges in Abu Dhabi. We were welcomed by dedicated, helpful, and kind employees who allowed us to experiment with various shooting techniques and weapons, which resulted in the most incredible experience. Accordingly, if you want to practice and perfect your shooting abilities, we recommend you to visit Caracal Shooting Club. However, if you are seeking an enjoyable experience with friends and family, Al Forsan, in our opinion, has a lot of possibilities for different age groups and offers a variety of outdoor and indoor shooting ranges.
Take a brief glance at Abu Dhabi’s indoor activities to learn more about what you can do if you want more places to take a break and enjoy a fun time with friends or family. To keep up with the latest reviews, subscribe to ReviewAE here.