Dianna Wyson, Author at Machine Gun Experience

Colt Single Action Army

January 17, 2017 March 14, 2018
Dianna Wyson
Historic Firearms
cold single action army revolver, colt peacekeeper, historic firearms

When people talk about the days of the Old West, they think of cowboys, adventure, and the days of the new frontier. No gun represents the wild, unpredictable nature of the days of the Wild West than the Colt Single Action Army. The Colt single action army revolver, known today as “The Gun that Won the West,” is the epitome of an Old West six shooter.

The Gun That Won the West

Even with the single action army’s reputation as being an icon of Wild West cowboys, it wasn’t even the most popular pistol of its era. Still, even faced with deep competition from the now lesser-known pistol by Harrington & Richardson, the single action army possessed a powerful advantage that would carry the pistol onwards to icon status. Traveling shows, plays, and short novels all featured heroic tales of cowboys defeating bank robbers and getting into fights at the saloon and all the while, they did so carrying the Colt Single Action Army.

The United States adopted the Colt single action for military service in 1873, and it would continue seeing use as a service pistol until 1892. Over the course of the next couple of decades, the popularity of the single action army would fade along with the rise of double action revolvers and semi-automatic pistols.

At the close of the Second World War, a renewed interest in Western films lead to the rediscovery and revitalization in popularity of the Colt single action army, more commonly referred to at this point as the Colt Peacekeeper. Once carried by outlaws and lawmen of the Old West, the Colt single action army is now mostly found with gun collectors and Old West re-enactors.
Make a little history for yourself and fire off some rounds with a few of the most amazing machine guns from around the world. Book a gun range package at the Vegas Machine Gun Experience today.

The Importance of Shooting Glasses at Las Vegas Gun Ranges

When visiting a shooting range in Las Vegas, you’ll likely be asked to wear a few pieces of protective equipment. Shooting glasses are among the most common forms of shooting protection and also one of the most important.

Still, some experienced shooters scoff at the idea of wearing any sort of eye protection when they go out to practice their craft. If you’re still on the fence about the importance of wearing shooting glasses, read on and find out more about what they truly have to offer.

Why Wear Shooting Glasses?

Protection from unforeseen accidents

No matter how prepared or experienced a shooter you are, the fact of the matter is that accidents can still happen. It could be something as simple as too much powder or an errant cartridge being ejected from the firearm, but simply putting on a pair of shooting glasses will protect your eyesight.

Better shooting

If you’ve ever wondered, “Why are shooting glasses yellow” it’s because it can help you see your targets better. A lot of shooters swear by a pair of yellow tinted competition shooting glasses, claiming the color contrast allows for better sight and therefore, improved accuracy. Whether or not you agree with this is up to personal preference, but it’s something worth trying it on your next trip to a Las Vegas gun range.

A Vegas Gun Range with Everything You Need

If you don’t already have a pair of quality shooting glasses, don’t worry because we’ve got you covered at the Vegas Machine Gun Experience. We’ve got shooting glasses, hearing protection, and everything you need to have a great time.

Book a gun range package today and enjoy all the amazing firearms we’ve got at the Vegas Machine Gun Experience.

Las Vegas Gun Range Firearms Spotlight: Glock 17

Here at the Vegas Machine Gun Experience, we’ve got a great selection of fully-automatic firearms like the M249 SAW and the AK47 that tend to attract a large chunk of the attention, but there’s so much more to our Vegas gun range. While these fully automatic firearms are extremely fun to shoot, there’s something to be said about the elegance of a quality handgun. If you’re looking to put your marksman skills to the test, there’s no better way to do it than with a Glock 17.

Firearms Spotlight: Glock 17 Pistol

The Glock 17 is the pistol that put the Glock company on the map as a big time player in the world of handguns. Originally created for use by the Austrian military, the Glock 17 handgun has earned its highly regarded reputation based on its durability, ammo capacity, and its exceptional trigger control. Today, it can still be found used as a service pistol around the world.

A Hollywood favorite

The Glock 17 pistol’s iconic status has led to its continued use on the big screen. Everyone from Tom Cruise to Will Smith has turned to the Glock 17 to take down the bad guys, and there are no signs of it slowing down anytime soon. These are just a few films that have featured the Austrian pistol.

Rush Hour (1998)
Bad Boys II (2003)
Mission: Impossible III (2006)
21 Jump Street (2012)
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Video game legend

It’s not just Hollywood that has grown to love the Glock 17, over the years it’s become a fan favorite amongst gamers everywhere. From its erroneous appearance in the first Counter-Strike game, with its 20 round capacity and burst-fire mode to the streets of Grand Theft Auto, this handgun is a proven commodity in the video game world. Check out a few of its most famous appearances.

Counter-Strike (2000)
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (2005)
Medal of Honor (2010)
Battlefield 3 (2011)
Batman: Arkham Knight (2014)

Sure the fully automatic guns brought you into the Vegas Machine Gun Experience, but there’s nothing like seeing who’s the best shot with a good old Glock 17 9mm. Book a gun range package today and find out which one of your buddies truly is the best.

The Truth About Shotgun Accuracy

When people think about shotguns, accuracy isn’t the first concept that comes to mind. Shotguns are considered effective due to their ability to spread fire and hit targets easily at close range without the need for accurate aim. In fact, many gun owners purchase shotguns specifically because of their lack of focus on accuracy and precision. Still, the question of shotgun accuracy continues to perplex shooters to this day with many wondering if aiming is necessary at all.

Understanding Shotgun Accuracy

First and foremost, the myth that shotguns don’t require any aim and more so, cannot be accurately aimed is exactly that, a myth. Depending on the range you’re shooting at and more importantly, the specific ammunition you’re shooting, shotguns can be aimed towards specific targets.

Effective range for a 12 gauge slug

For those who have chosen a shotgun as their home defense firearm, the effective range required is far shorter than you may think. If you imagine a standard sized room in your home, you should come to the realization that as long as you can hit your mark within five to 10 yards, you’ll be fine.

Luckily enough, a 12 gauge buckshot, arguably the most common shotgun ammunition out there, is surprisingly effective at these ranges. According to the shotgun slug ballistics chart found on Beretta’s official website, shots fired to 10 yards and less still appear to hit as a single, tightly packed shot.

If you want to discover just how accurate a shotgun is for yourself, come down to the Vegas Machine Gun Experience. Book a gun range package and experience the power of a 12 gauge shotgun today.

Las Vegas Gun Range Firearms Spotlight: UZI

The UZI submachine gun is a reliable firearm that has made a name for itself on the battlefield as well as in Hollywood. After its development in the late 1940s, the UZI found its way into the hands of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) before being placed into general issue. Today, the UZI can be found in over 90 countries worldwide, making it one of the most popular submachine guns in the world.

Firearms Spotlight: UZI Submachine Gun

Captain Uziel Gal of the IDF developed the UZI submachine gun to create a personal defense weapon that combined mobility and firepower into a single, compact firearm. The resulting UZI, named after the Captain himself, was perfect for nearly any situation on the battlefield and was selected as the firearms of choice following the Arab-Israeli War in 1948. With its unique design and simple, economic manufacturing, it’s no surprise that the UZI has found the levels of success it’s now famous for.

A true movie star

The UZI is a gun that has made a name for itself in action movies over the last few decades for many of the same reasons that made it great for the IDF. It’s portable, packs a lot of firepower, and on top of all that, it looks unique and is easily identifiable to when it pops up on screen. Here’s a look at some of

The Terminator (1984)
Commando (1985)
The Usual Suspects (1995)
The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

A gamer’s best friend

Like many guns that have become popular in action movies, the UZI submachine gun has found its way into the world of video games. From stealth spy games to zombie apocalypse games and of course, the fan favorite first-person shooters, the UZI is always a gun gamers can count on. Here’s a look at a few of the games where you can dominate the competition with an UZI.

Splinter Cell (2002)
Left 4 Dead (2008)
Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008)
Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)
Mafia III (2016)

If you’re coming down to our Las Vegas gun range for a bachelor party or just another day at the shooting range, come down to the Vegas Machine Gun Experience. Book one of our gun range packages and experience the UZI submachine gun for yourself.

Historic American Firearms: M3 Submachine Gun

The M3 submachine gun (SMG) is a popular World War II era firearm that is most commonly known as the Grease Gun. Originally developed in the waning years of the Second World War, the Grease Gun would eventually end up seeing most of its notable service during the wars in Korea and Vietnam. The idea behind the M3 SMG was simple; create a cheap, easily manufacturable firearm that could get the job done, and the Greaser did just that.

Time for Change

Towards the end of World War II, the United States was scrounging for ways to save on costs and decided it was time they replace the tried and true Thompson SMG. While the Thompson was effective and reliable, it was also costly and expensive to manufacture. The resulting M3 SMG proved to accomplish many of the goals, but it was far from perfect.

Making of the “Grease Gun”

Stemming from its purpose of being cheap to produce, the M3 Grease Gun earned its name from the way it resembled a cheap, mechanic’s tool. While the M3 succeeded in being cheaper to manufacture than its big brother, the Thompson SMG, it was hardly as precise. Both firearms were chambered for .45 ACP ammunition, but the extra care that went into the Tommy Gun’s creation clearly showed in practice. Still, the M3 was hardly a pushover, and being second-best to one of the best guns in American history is hardly a bad thing.

If you’re a true gun historian looking to experience these firearms first-hand, you’ll definitely want to book a D-Day gun range package at the Vegas Machine Gun Experience and see what the Grease Gun has to offer.

Enhancing Your Trip to Our Las Vegas Shooting Range

A trip to a Las Vegas shooting range offers up a different experience to different types of shooters. While first-time shooters will focus on learning the basics such as how to hold the gun and hit their target, more experienced shooters will look to improve on these skills they’ve already acquired. By following these simple tips, even an experienced shooter can enhance their trip to a Las Vegas shooting range.

Have a Better Day at the Shooting Range

Dry fire

Dry firing is a valuable method of improving your shooting and one that you should integrate into your shooting range visits. Not only does it save the amount of ammunition you run through, but it is also a proven method of improving your shooting accuracy.

Slow things down

The best way to improve your visit to a shooting range in Las Vegas is to remember that you’re here to have a good time. Take a breath and slow things down a bit when you come down to our shooting range. You didn’t come here to find out who could run through ammo faster; you came here to shoot. Take a second and really look at where your shots hit and make the appropriate changes to improve for your next shot.

If you’re looking for the best shooting range in Las Vegas, be sure to check out the Vegas Machine Gun Experience. Tons of guns and fantastic instructors means that novice and experienced shooters alike will have a memorable experience at our Las Vegas shooting range.

Book a gun range package with the Vegas Machine Gun Experience and see how much more fun your shooting range visits can be.

Why Make a Stop at a Vegas Gun Range?

The rise of the Vegas gun range over the course of the last decade has given way to an exhilarating new type of tourist attraction. Everyone knows about the casinos and world-class entertainment, but Vegas gun ranges have officially become a significant part of Las Vegas tourism. With so much to do in this destination city, why would someone decide to make a stop at an indoor shooting range?

Coming to a Vegas Gun Range

Only in Vegas

Tourists flock to Sin City from around the world to live out experiences that they can’t necessarily have in their home towns. Whether this means gambling or shooting military-grade firearms, Vegas has long stood for one-of-a-kind experiences. A stop at a Vegas gun range allows gun lovers and first-time shooters alike the opportunity to shoot some of the finest firearms from around the world.

Variety is the Spice of Life

You’ll find a lot more than a handful of pistols at a Vegas gun range. Handguns, shotguns, assault rifles, and even belt-fed machine guns call these shooting ranges home and are waiting for you to come and squeeze the trigger. This level of variety isn’t something you’ll find at every shooting range around the country.

Not Your Grandfather’s Shooting Range

The shooting ranges in Las Vegas offer a wider variety of options than most other ranges found around the country. No matter what you’re looking for in your gun range, you’re likely to find it in Las Vegas. Massive indoor ranges, the best gun selections, and even unique, technologically advanced shooting ranges can all be found in the entertainment capital of the world.

Whether it’s your first time shooting or your hundredth, you surely won’t regret your decision to make the Vegas Machine Gun Experience a stop on your busy Vegas vacation. Book a gun range package today and experience the best shooting range in Vegas for yourself.

Answer the Call of Duty at the Vegas Machine Gun Experience

The holiday season means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. Whether you’re frantically decorating or running around trying to find the right gifts for people, one thing is for sure about this time of year—it’s Call of Duty season. While this famous first-person shooter franchise is well-known for its yearly release, this year’s version included something special, a remastered version of the original Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. Let’s take a look back at some of the most popular guns from the original Modern Warfare that you can shoot at our Las Vegas gun range.

Modern Warfare Firearms

Desert Eagle

Anyone who played through Modern Warfare’s single player campaign will immediately recognize this iconic hand cannon. The Desert Eagle was by far and away the most powerful pistol in the original Modern Warfare. If you loved this awesome pistol in the game, you’ll love shooting it inside our Clark County shooting complex.

MP5 Submachine Gun

The Desert Eagle was good and fun, but when you need to get down to business in Modern Warfare, you couldn’t go wrong with the MP5 submachine gun (SMG). This fully automatic SMG was one of the most popular guns in the game’s online multiplayer mode as well as the professional Call of Duty scene.

M16 Assault Rifle

When most people think of this legendary shooter, the first gun that comes to mind is the M16 assault rifle. This burst fire rifle was every gamer’s best friend due to its combination of damage, range, and accuracy making for an extremely quick time-to-kill.

If you’re looking for the best shooting range in Vegas to shoot these awesome guns for real, be sure to book a gun range package at the Vegas Machine Gun Experience.

Fun Las Vegas Attractions You Didn’t Know About

Fabulous Las Vegas is a popular destination location for millions of tourists every year. Whether you’ve visited hundreds of times or you’re frantically planning your first trip, you probably know some of the basics about Sin City. You’ve heard about the gambling, the buffets, the shows, and the nightlife, but there are far more exciting Las Vegas attractions waiting for you. Discover some fun Las Vegas attractions that you might not have known about.

Fun Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do in Vegas

Swim with Sharks

Las Vegas may sit in the middle of a desert, but that doesn’t mean you can’t see exotic fish and sea creatures from around the world. In fact, the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay allows certified divers to jump in and swim around with the sharks. If you’re still looking for things to do in Las Vegas during the day, you can venture down the strip to the Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage and become a dolphin trainer for a day.

Drive Exotic Cars

Ever wanted to get behind the wheel of a Ferrari 458 Italia or a Lamborghini Huracan? Well, you can do just that on your next trip to Sin City by making a stop at SPEEDVEGAS. One of Las Vegas’ newest attractions, the SPEEDVEGAS race track opened up in 2016 and sits just a few minutes south of the Strip itself. With some of the fastest cars ever created and a world-class race track, it’s a truly exhilarating experience that any car enthusiast needs to add to their Vegas checklist.

Shoot Amazing Guns

If your adrenaline isn’t already pumping, head down to the Vegas Machine Gun Experience and fire off some rounds with some of the world’s most popular firearms. Handguns, shotguns, assault rifles, and of course machine guns are all available for you to try out at our indoor shooting range.

Get your hands on some of the most exciting machine guns in the world at the Vegas Machine Gun Experience. Book a gun range package with us today and make us a priority on your next Vegas vacation.

Author: Dianna Wyson