What’s It Like to Fire Real Navy SEAL Weapons at Machine Guns Vegas?

Firing real Navy SEAL weapons at Machine Guns Vegas gives first-time shooters hands-on access to combat-proven firearms like the Colt Commando, M249 SAW, and Glock 17—the same platforms used by U.S. Special Operations forces. Located at 3501 Aldebaran Ave, 6 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip, the facility’s 10,000 sq ft indoor compound houses 10 shooting lanes where about 70% of daily guests fire a gun for the first time. Every session includes one-on-one Range Safety Officer instruction, complimentary hotel pickup, and a professional video of your experience.

What’s Included in the SEAL Team 6 Experience

The Seal Team 6 package delivers five firearms tied to U.S. Naval Special Warfare operations: the Colt Commando (5.56mm carbine), Glock 17 (9mm sidearm), MP5 (submachine gun), M249 SAW (belt-fed light machine gun), and Desert Eagle (.50 caliber handgun). You fire 75 rounds total across the five platforms. Each gun receives dedicated instruction—stance adjustment, sight picture, trigger press—before live fire. The package runs approximately 45 minutes lane-to-lane and includes round-trip shuttle service from any Las Vegas Strip hotel, plus a digital video file you can share the same day.

Beyond hardware, the experience isolates the manual-of-arms drills SEAL operators master during Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. Your RSO demonstrates reload sequences, malfunction clearances, and transition drills between primary and secondary weapons. First-time shooters often express surprise at the M249’s recoil management—its gas-operated system and 17-pound weight dampen muzzle rise even during sustained bursts.

How the Indoor Range Works for First-Time Shooters

Machine Guns Vegas operates a climate-controlled 10,000 sq ft facility with 10 standard lanes and a VIP Gun Lounge featuring 2 private lanes. Check-in begins at the front desk where you complete a digital liability waiver and receive noise-canceling electronic ear protection and impact-rated safety glasses. Your assigned RSO escorts you to your lane, introduces each firearm by name and caliber, and runs a cold (unloaded) rehearsal before handing you live ammunition. The facility enforces a strict one-guest-per-RSO ratio during instruction—no unsupervised shooting occurs.

About 70% of daily guests have never touched a firearm. The RSO sequence follows a four-step protocol: grip demonstration, stance correction, sight alignment confirmation, and controlled trigger press. You fire 5 to 10 rounds, the RSO reviews your target grouping, adjusts your technique, then loads the next magazine. Between firearms, you step back from the firing line while the RSO secures the previous weapon and retrieves the next platform from the armory cage behind the lanes.

Which Navy SEAL Weapons You’ll Fire and Why They Matter

The Colt Commando serves as the carbine variant of the M16 rifle—shortened barrel, collapsible stock—optimized for close-quarters battle and vehicle operations. You fire 15 rounds of 5.56mm NATO ammunition. The Glock 17, adopted by SEAL Team units in the 1980s, remains the standard-issue sidearm for reliability in saltwater and sand environments; you shoot 10 rounds of 9mm. The Heckler & Koch MP5, chambered in 9mm, dominated counter-terrorism missions from the 1980s through early 2000s—you fire 10 rounds in semi-automatic mode.

The M249 SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon) delivers suppressive fire at 750 rounds per minute; your package includes a 20-round belt-fed burst. The Desert Eagle .50 AE, while not standard military issue, appears in SEAL training as a high-caliber familiarity drill—you fire 5 rounds to experience magnum-level recoil. Each weapon’s manual of arms differs: the Colt uses a charging handle and forward assist, the Glock features a safe-action trigger with no external safety, and the MP5 requires a cocking tube manipulation.

What First-Time Shooters Should Expect During the 45-Minute Session

Plan 45 minutes from lane assignment to final target retrieval. The session breaks into five weapon rotations of roughly 8 minutes each—3 minutes for RSO instruction and dry fire, 4 minutes for live fire and target assessment, 1 minute for weapon swap. Between platforms, your RSO collects spent brass casings and resets your target downrange using the electronic pulley system. Most guests pause after the third firearm (MP5) to review their shooting video on a lobby monitor—the facility’s videographer captures wide-angle footage and over-the-shoulder perspectives from lane 3 through lane 10.

Recoil intensity varies by platform. The Glock 17 produces mild 9mm snap; the Colt Commando delivers moderate 5.56mm push; the Desert Eagle generates sharp .50 AE punch that novices describe as “jarring but controllable.” Your RSO adjusts grip pressure and body position after each magazine to reduce muzzle flip. Hearing protection remains mandatory—even with electronic muffs, you feel concussive pressure from neighboring lanes when high-caliber rifles fire.

How to Add This to Your Vegas Itinerary

Machine Guns Vegas operates 10am to 6pm daily at 3501 Aldebaran Ave, 6 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip. The complimentary shuttle departs Strip hotels every 30 minutes starting at 9:30am—pickup scheduling happens during online checkout. Sessions book hourly from 10am to 5pm; the final daily slot begins at 5pm to accommodate the facility’s 6pm close. Same-day reservations fill quickly during convention weeks and three-day weekends—advance booking through the FareHarbor calendar guarantees your preferred time slot.

If you want to extend the experience, pair the Seal Team 6 package with the Barrett .50 Cal add-on for $29 or upgrade to The Compound package, which includes all SEAL weapons plus the M60 machine gun and AK-47. Groups of 4 or more qualify for private lane reservations and coordinated shuttle transport—details available on the groups page.

What Real Customers Are Saying

With 4.9 stars across 5,013+ TripAdvisor reviews and ranked #23 of 549 Fun & Games in Las Vegas, Machine Guns Vegas has earned the Travelers’ Choice Award.

“The experience is something that I’ll never forget. It was immense.”
— Jermaine J., Milton Keynes, UK, TripAdvisor, September 2025

“Loved the experience. It’s a very safe environment.”
— Jonny T., TripAdvisor, June 2022

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need prior shooting experience to book the SEAL Team 6 package?

No prior experience required—70% of daily guests are first-time shooters who receive full instruction from a dedicated Range Safety Officer.

How long does the SEAL Team 6 Experience take from hotel pickup to return?

Total trip time runs 2.5 to 3 hours: 20-minute shuttle each way, 45-minute range session, and 15 minutes for check-in and video review.

Can I bring my own ammunition or firearms?

No—the facility supplies all ammunition and firearms; outside weapons and ammo are prohibited per Nevada state range insurance requirements.

What’s the minimum age to participate in the SEAL Team 6 package?

Participants must be 12 years or older; guests aged 12 to 17 require a parent or legal guardian present on the range during live fire.

How do I receive my shooting video after the session?

Your professional video uploads to a private link within 2 hours of your session—download and share from any device at no additional cost.

Ready to fire the same weapons used by U.S. Navy SEALs? Book your Seal Team 6 experience online and secure your preferred time slot at 3501 Aldebaran Ave, 6 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip. Complimentary hotel pickup, professional video, and beginner-friendly instruction included with every package.