Range at Austin Reopens 25-Yard Shooting Bays
The South Austin facility reopens its shooting bays six days after an explosion prompted an evacuation.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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The Range at Austin reopened its 25-yard shooting bays after an October 25, 2026 explosion prompted an evacuation and closure of all shooting bays. The 100-yard range is expected to reopen November 2, 2026.
Why it matters
The closure affected shooting access for customers in the Austin area, while the retail store and gunsmith department remained open throughout. The Travis County Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause of the explosion.
The 25-yard shooting bays reopened six days after the October 25, 2026 explosion, with the 100-yard range scheduled to follow on November 2, 2026. The cause of the blast and the specific repairs completed have not been publicly disclosed.
The players
Travis County Fire Marshal's Office
The county agency responsible for fire safety and fire investigations, which is investigating the cause of the October 25 explosion at The Range at Austin.
The Range at Austin
A South Austin shooting range and retail gun store whose shooting bays were closed following the explosion and reopened on October 31, 2026.
The details
Witnesses reported a loud explosion and brief fireball inside one of the shooting bays at the facility on 8301 S. Interstate 35 frontage road in South Austin, and employees evacuated customers. No injuries were reported, and the business initially said the bays would stay closed indefinitely for maintenance.
Timeline
October 25, 2026, 10:37 a.m.: Explosion reported at the shooting range facility.
October 31, 2026: 25-yard shooting bays scheduled to reopen.
November 2, 2026: 100-yard range expected to reopen.
Market Landscape
Reopening a shooting range six days after an explosion positions The Range at Austin to resume service while the county fire investigation remains open. Its continued retail and gunsmith operations during the closure kept revenue streams active in the South Austin market.
Customers who planned to shoot at the 25-yard bays can use them again as of October 31, 2026, while anyone needing the 100-yard range should wait until November 2. Retail and gunsmith services remained available during the closure.
The takeaway
Shooters planning visits to The Range at Austin should confirm which ranges are open before traveling, since the 100-yard range returns later than the 25-yard bays. Checking the fire marshal's investigation updates may also help in understanding the facility's safety status.
What happens next
The 100-yard range is scheduled to reopen Monday, November 2, 2026, and the Travis County Fire Marshal's Office investigation into the explosion remains ongoing.
Further reading
Track other shifts in the local market through our Openings & Closings coverage across Austin.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Austin American-Statesman.
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