Bracken Rifle and Pistol Recreational Range is a family-operated public outdoor range at 19140 Marbach Lane in northeast San Antonio, about 2 miles north of Rolling Oaks Mall off Nacogdoches Road. The range opened for business in 1986 on land that was part of the Marbach family homestead, purchased in 1960 by W. Paul Vordenbaum, the founder. The shooting area sits in a sunken pit left by sand, gravel and clay excavation in the 1970s, which has been used for sighting in rifles and practicing hunting skills.
The range has separate areas: a rifle range, a covered pistol range, a concealed handgun practice range, a shotgun range, and a concealed handgun instructor's range. Fees include an individual shooting station with bench rests, a spotting scope or binoculars where appropriate, and sand bags. Bore sighting and scope mounting are also available.
Bracken Range does not run its own classes, but its Links page lists independent instructors who use the range. They cover Texas License to Carry training, Level III security and law enforcement advanced handgun training, basic to advanced marksmanship, school safety officer certification, ladies classes, shotgun training and citizen non-lethal weapons training. Prices and schedules are set by each instructor. The site also links to Hunter Education resources, including Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Pricing is per gun and per target frame, with no charge for additional shooters. The range accepts cash only, with no bills larger than $20. The facility is fully handicapped accessible. No reservations are required. Tracer, armor piercing, steel core and high explosive ammunition are not allowed on any part of the range.
At a glance
Range type: Outdoor, Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun
Access: Open to the public
Good to know: Family friendly
Credentials
Established: 1986
Services, training & programs
Rifle range: $5.00 per rifle plus $6.00 per target frame (4 bullseyes)
Covered pistol range: $5.00 per pistol plus $6.00 per target frame (4 bullseyes)
Concealed handgun practice range: $12.00 per pistol, $3.00 per silhouette target
Shotgun range: $10.00 per shotgun
Concealed handgun instructor's range: $10.00 per shooter, $3.00 per silhouette target
Bore sighting: $20.00 per rifle
Scope mounting: $40.00
Individual shooting stations with bench rests, sand bags and spotting scope/binoculars (where appropriate)
Ear plugs sold: 2 pair for $1.00
Venue used by independent instructors for Texas License to Carry training
Venue for advanced handgun tactical and Level III security/law enforcement training by independent instructors
Venue for basic to advanced marksmanship instruction by independent instructors
Venue for school safety officer certification by independent instructors
Ladies classes offered by independent instructors
Shotgun training offered by independent instructors
Citizen non-lethal weapons training offered by independent instructors
Hunter Education class and resource links
Wheelchair-accessible facility
Amenities
Targets
Wheelchair Accessible
Eye Protection
Hearing Protection
Pricing at Bracken Rifle and Pistol Recreational Range
Range fees & day rates
Rifle Range: $5.00 per rifle — Plus $6.00 per target frame (includes 4 bullseyes). No charge for additional shooters.
Covered Pistol Range: $5.00 per pistol — Plus $6.00 per target frame (includes 4 bullseyes).
Concealed Handgun Practice Range: $12.00 per pistol — $3.00 per silhouette target.
Shotgun Range: $10.00 per shotgun
Concealed Handgun Instructor's Range: $10.00 per shooter — $3.00 per silhouette target.
Bore Sighting: $20.00 per rifle
Scope Mount: $40.00
Ear Plugs: $1.00 — 2 pair for $1.00
Training & classes
Instructor-led classes (independent instructors): Contact instructor — Classes are taught by independent instructors; contact each instructor for classes and prices.
Cash only; no bills larger than $20 (no $50 or $100 bills). Checks and credit cards not accepted. Fees updated 2/9/2023. Closed New Year's Day, Easter, July 4, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day; 2026 schedule also lists Thanksgiving Friday and Dec 26 closed, and spring maintenance March 2-6, 2026 closed.
Prices are published by the range and can change — confirm before you visit.
Plan your visit
What to bring: Cash only, in bills of $20 or smaller.
Ammo policy: No tracer, armor piercing, steel core (green tips, Brown Bear, Silver Bear, Wolf, Tula, etc.) or high explosive rounds on any portion of the range.
First-timer tips: No reservations required. Fees are per gun and per target frame; additional shooters are free. Range safety rules and firearm handling rules are strictly enforced. Directions: take Loop 1604 North to Nacogdoches Road, turn north (outside the loop) and go exactly 2 miles to the community of Bracken, cross Cibolo Creek and the railroad tracks, turn left on the second road past the tracks (Marbach Lane); the range is 1/2 mile down on the right.
Hours
Monday: 9am - 5pm
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 12pm - 5pm
Friday: 12pm - 5pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 9am - 5pm
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Bracken Range located?
19140 Marbach Lane, San Antonio, TX 78266, about 2 miles north of Rolling Oaks Mall off Nacogdoches Road in northeast San Antonio.
What are the hours?
Monday 9am-5pm, Tuesday and Wednesday closed, Thursday and Friday 12pm-5pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am-5pm. The range closes on New Year's Day, Easter, July 4, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, with additional holiday and maintenance closures listed on its Hours page.
How much does it cost to shoot?
Rifle or covered pistol range: $5.00 per gun plus $6.00 per target frame (4 bullseyes). Concealed handgun practice range: $12.00 per pistol plus $3.00 per silhouette target. Shotgun range: $10.00 per shotgun. Instructor's range: $10.00 per shooter plus $3.00 per silhouette target.
Do additional shooters pay extra?
No. The range charges by the gun and by the target, with no charge for additional shooters.
What payment is accepted?
Cash only, with no bills larger than $20. Checks and credit cards are not accepted.
Do I need a reservation?
No reservations are required.
What is included in the fee?
An individual shooting station with bench rests, a spotting scope or binoculars (if appropriate), sand bags and similar equipment.
What ammunition is not allowed?
Tracer, armor piercing, steel core (green tips, Brown Bear, Silver Bear, Wolf, Tula, etc.) and high explosive rounds are prohibited on all portions of the range.
Can I buy ear protection?
Ear plugs are sold at 2 pair for $1.00.
Can I get my rifle bore sighted or a scope mounted?
Yes. Bore sighting is $20.00 per rifle and scope mounting is $40.00.
Are classes offered?
The range lists independent instructors who use it for License to Carry, tactical handgun, marksmanship, school safety officer, ladies, shotgun and non-lethal weapons training. Contact the instructors directly for schedules and prices. The site also links to Hunter Education resources.
Is the range accessible?
Yes, the facility is described as fully handicapped accessible.
Is it family friendly?
The range is family oriented and family operated, and it is open to the public.