Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
New business in Cody offers visitors a chance to shoot historic weapons
Cody Firearms Experience General Manager Paul Brock with the gift shop's working original cash register, salvaged from a hardware store in Thermopolis. The new business in Cody offers visitors the chance to fire replica historic weapons under the guidance of trained range safety staff.
CODY – They were the guns that Won the West. The Kentucky rifle. The Winchester. The Colt. The Remington. Today, thanks to an innovative, new firing range in Cody, history enthusiasts and tourists have the unique opportunity to learn about, examine, and actually fire iconic guns like the Henry rifle, Colt Peacemaker and Gatlin gun.
The Cody Firearms Experience just opened its doors on April 25, in the newly-remodeled former home of the long-time Cody attraction, Tecumseh's Village, at 142 W. Yellowstone Ave. Dressed in a western vest and sheriff's badge, with a revolver hanging from his hip, general manager Paul Brock greets guests and explains the history of each weapon on display.
"It's really more than 'Hey, let's shoot guns!', and more of an emphasis on the history of the area and how these guns helped in the development of Wyoming, and the West," explains Brock.
Along the back of the lobby, Wyoming historian Candy Moulton helped create a timeline of historic weapons, starting with the early flintlocks used by mountain men and natives, to the weapons most identified with the American cowboy. "Guests can purchase a package to shoot a variety of these weapons, and after a brief education and safety session, will be taken to the range and allowed to shoot under the supervision of our certified instructors," said Brock.
The business has a staff of NRA Range Certified Safety Officers (RSO) and the emphasis on safety is strictly enforced. "If a guest is showing signs of ignoring safety measures, then our RSO will take them off range immediately and determine if they can be allowed back in," noted Brock.
Once enclosed in the shooting range, made of double-walled concrete and featuring HEPA filtering and noise reduction, guests are encouraged to blaze away at a distance of 25 yards at a variety of targets. Family and friends can observe from the main room, safely behind ballistic glass. The sound of gunfire is almost inaudible in the business portion of the building.
For those too reluctant or too young to shoot (the age limit is 18 with identification) the Experience also offers a full gift shop, animated laser rifle and pistol arcade, and a wildlife exhibit featuring Wyoming wildlife.
The idea for the Experience originated at the Cody Museum of the American West, where Brock was the director of facilities for 25 years. The museum, however, never developed the plan due to concerns with live firearms and insurance liabilities. Brock, upon retirement, purchased the rights to the idea, along with a group of investors.
For Brock, the experience has been rewarding, and he looks forward to offering historical programs and black powder competitions during the winter months. "It's been real interesting," observed Brock, "Americans seem to know enough about firearms that they gravitate toward the older, more complex weapons, while the foreign tourists head directly for the Cowboy guns. Always the cowboy guns."
The Cody Firearms Experience is open daily from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. until September, with special hours in the winter. Packages for shooting historic weapons start at $49 for an hour, or $15 if you bring your own weapon. "We're set up to take anything up to a .50 caliber sniper rifle, so bring whatever you've got," invited Brock.
