Whether looking to shoot a man (or at least a silhouette) or balloons and ducks, the Big Iron Shooting Gallery and the Fun Shot Shootin' Gallery each offer a good time.

"It's really the only thing in town that you can participate in. You can watch the shows, and ride on the stagecoach but not drive it. It's really one of the only things in town that you physically get to participate in what you're doing," said Randy Davis, Big Iron's owner.

As a former Los Angeles police officer, his experience with firearms contributed to his opening a gallery. Davis opened his gallery three and a half years ago. His search for the perfect ghost town ended when he discovered Tombstone.

Though Davis says shooting at a big white silhouette of a man is "more time period correct," his twist on ammunition is more contemporary. Big Iron uses Ruger guns with a form of paintball ammunition, made for indoor shooting.

Davis took three years to develop the ammunition and has patented it.
"There's no powder, no kick and half the noise as a real bullet," said Tom duShane, a Big Iron employee.

Davis said he enjoys giving people a history lesson on guns and teaching them how to shoot.

Having fun is something "Lefty" or Jim Newbauer, owner of Fun Shot Shootin' Gallery, values in business.

"I enjoy watching people have fun, especially some of the tourists who have never been around guns or never shot a gun. It's so neat when, even if they don't hit, just the thrill of them shooting."

Fun Shot opened last October and has four different sets with ducks, bottles or balloons to shoot.

"I tried to make it like an old time shooting gallery, like what you'd go to in old days at amusement parks and things like that," Newbauer said.

Newbauer uses authentic copies of Colt single action revolvers.

He uses wax plugs for ammunition, which are known for their use in Fast Draw competitions.

He said wax will bounce, so the gallery supplies hearing and eye
protection to keep his gallery injury free.

Newbauer estimated that the amount of people coming in to shoot each day ranges from 20 to 60 or more; Davis estimated an average of 30 people per day in Big Iron, which is open seven days a week.

"I hate to blow my own horn. At $3 a pop, our business is pretty consistent. People will turn down a $10 ride or going to look at a museum for $5. The family can come in, and everyone can shoot for $3 a head," Davis said.

While Davis and Newbauer both said there is no competition, each has special features to set them apart.

Newbauer has a Hall of Fame poster that shooters can sign if they hit five targets.

Davis holds a shooting contest during Helldorado Days in October. The winner recieves a nine-inch trophy with a different western figure each year.

Newbauer hopes to expand his gallery with a few interactive sets.

Davis said he plans to move his gallery toward Allen Street within two months and add three guns and more ammunition.

The Fun Shot Shootin' Gallery is located at 21 S. Fourth St., and the Big Iron Shooting Gallery is located at 116 S. Fourth St.