Austin Range Reopens 25-Yard Bays After Blast
Shooting range operators in Austin can see how a six-day closure and phased reopening played out after an explosion at South Austin's Range at Austin.
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 closed all bays at its South Austin facility. The 100-yard range is expected to reopen November 2, 2026.
Why it matters
The reopening restores shooting capacity at a major Austin-area facility six days after an explosion, which forced evacuation and closure of all bays. The business has not said what repairs were completed, and the Travis County Fire Marshal's Office has not publicly determined the cause, so operators in the area should expect the investigation to shape how the facility runs going forward.
The 25-yard bays reopen six days after the October 25, 2026 explosion, and the 100-yard range is scheduled to follow on November 2, 2026. The facility's retail store and gunsmith department stayed open throughout the closure, which affected the shooting bays only.
The players
Travis County Fire Marshal's Office
The county agency responsible for fire safety enforcement and investigation of fire and explosion incidents in Travis County.
The Range at Austin
A shooting range and retail operation at 8301 S. Interstate 35 frontage road in South Austin that combines firing bays with a gunsmith department and retail store.
The details
Witnesses reported a loud explosion and a brief fireball inside one of the shooting bays on October 25, 2026, and employees evacuated customers from the building. The explosion prompted closure of all shooting bays, and the business initially said they would remain closed indefinitely for maintenance before setting reopening dates. The retail store and gunsmith department continued operating during the closure.
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
Phased reopening of individual bays, with shorter ranges restored before longer ones, is a common response among local shooting ranges after a safety incident, as seen in prior Austin-area closures. The approach lets a facility keep retail and gunsmith revenue flowing while the fire marshal's investigation and repairs proceed.
Operators of shooting ranges and similar firearm-related retail should review their own maintenance and emergency evacuation procedures in light of this incident. Customers and staff at comparable facilities may expect closer scrutiny from insurers and local fire officials while the cause remains undetermined.
The takeaway
Track the Travis County Fire Marshal's Office for the investigation's findings, since the cause will determine what repairs and safety changes other ranges may need to consider. Confirm the November 2 reopening date with the facility before planning around the 100-yard range.
What happens next
The 100-yard range is scheduled to reopen November 2, 2026, and the Travis County Fire Marshal's Office has not yet announced when its investigation into the October 25 explosion will conclude.
Further reading
For more on how local businesses handle reopenings and closures, see Openings & Closings coverage for Austin.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Austin American-Statesman.
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