Type: indoor, outdoor, pistol, rifle, archery, training
Howell's Gun Shop is Maine's premier indoor shooting range, training academy, and full-service gun shop, located at 81 West Gray Road in Gray. The facility features two 25-yard Action Target indoor ranges with 12 total shooting lanes, plus indoor and outdoor archery ranges with a youth JOAD league. Members shoot free. The training program is one of Maine's most comprehensive, with a structured handgun progression from New Shooter First Shots through Handgun Essentials, Beyond Basics (holster draw, moving and shooting, low light), and Defensive Handgun — an intermediate course taught nationally by Tatiana Whitlock. Maine Concealed Carry (3-hour) and Utah Multi-State Carry (35+ states, 4-5 hour) permit courses are offered, as well as AR-15 New Shooter and AR-15 Essentials (8-hour), Stop the Bleed, SABRE Pepper Spray, and NRA RSO, Pistol Instructor, and CRSO certification courses. Ladies-only programs include New Shooter Pistol, Red Dot Essentials, Intro to Holster Skills, and an active A Girl & A Gun chapter. The Gunslinger monthly pistol match and annual State Championship bring the competitive shooting community together. On-site services include in-house gunsmithing, Eminent custom-built AR-15 carbines, Class III/NFA items (Maine's premier dealer), Browning and Liberty Safe dealership, FFL transfers, buy/sell/trade, custom orders, and secured on-site firearms storage. A Range Pass is available for frequent shooters. Corporate memberships and special event packages for birthdays, bachelor/bachelorette parties, and team building are also offered.
Lanes: 12 (25 yards (indoor); outdoor archery range also available)
Howell's has two 25-yard Action Target indoor shooting ranges with 12 total lanes. Indoor and outdoor archery ranges are also available with a youth JOAD league. Members shoot free on all ranges.
Howell's has a structured 4-step handgun progression: New Shooter First Shots → Handgun Essentials → Beyond Basics (holster draw, movement, low light) → Defensive Handgun (intermediate, taught nationally by Tatiana Whitlock). Additional programs include Maine Concealed Carry (3-hr), Utah Multi-State Carry Permit (valid in 35+ states), AR-15 New Shooter (3-hr), AR-15 Essentials (8-hr, PCC welcome), Handgun Marksmanship, Stop the Bleed, SABRE Pepper Spray, NRA RSO/Instructor/CRSO certifications, and multiple ladies-only programs through A Girl & A Gun. Private lessons are also available.
Gunslinger is Howell's monthly pistol competition match, held regularly throughout the year, culminating in the annual Gunslinger State Championship — a full-day pistol match held each October. The 2026 schedule has been updated; see howellsgunshop.com for match dates.
Yes. Howell's is Maine's premier Class III/NFA dealer. The team is well-versed in NFA item options and supporting paperwork for suppressors, SBRs, and other regulated items. On-site secured firearms storage is also available for customers between hunts, while traveling, or who simply need a safe storage solution.
Yes. Howell's builds the Eminent line of custom AR-15 carbines in-house, using matched upper and lower receiver sets with professional custom builds. Contact the shop for build options and pricing.