Riga Desert Eagle Shooting Range: .357 Magnum, Beretta & Walther GSP – Packages, Prices & Booking Guide
Tour Overview
The Desert Eagle is one of the most recognisable pistols ever made — enormous, heavy, and chambered in a cartridge that was designed for revolvers, not semi-automatic handguns. This is one of the few Riga shooting packages where the Desert Eagle is a standard inclusion, not an optional add-on. At most ranges in Eastern Europe, you pay extra for the privilege of firing it.
Alongside the Desert Eagle, this package pairs two contrasting handguns that showcase the range of the pistol category: the Beretta 92 FS — the Italian-designed pistol that served the US Military for over 30 years — and the Walther GSP, a purpose-built competition target pistol chambered in .22 LR. Three very different guns, three very different shooting experiences.
The session runs approximately 40 minutes at the range and is led by English-speaking instructors at the Šautuve facility at Meža iela 1A — the same range behind all Riga Viator shooting packages, with 40+ weapons available for on-the-day upgrades. Maximum group size is 15 participants.
What’s Included
At €116 per person, this package delivers three high-status handguns with all safety equipment and instruction included:
- Desert Eagle .357 Magnum — 2 shots
- Beretta 92 FS (9×19 mm) — 5 shots
- Walther GSP (.22 LR) — 5 shots
- 12 shots total across all 3 firearms
- English-speaking instructor
- Range hire included
- Ear defenders & safety goggles
- Paper target (yours to keep)
- Photo session with firearms after
Firearms
Three handguns that represent very different ends of the pistol spectrum — from a .22 LR precision target gun to one of the most powerful semi-automatic pistols ever produced:
| Firearm | Type | Calibre | Shots Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desert Eagle | Semi-Auto Pistol | .357 Magnum | 2 shots |
| Beretta 92 FS | Semi-Auto Pistol | 9×19 mm | 5 shots |
| Walther GSP | Competition Target Pistol | .22 LR | 5 shots |
About Each Firearm
Desert Eagle .357 Magnum: The headline attraction. Designed by Magnum Research and manufactured by IMI (Israel Military Industries), the Desert Eagle is one of the largest and most powerful semi-automatic pistols in production. Its gas-operated action (unusual in pistols) handles cartridges that would be impractical in a standard blowback design. At the range, it is visually imposing, physically heavy, and delivers recoil that first-time shooters almost universally describe as surprising. Two shots are included — but many visitors immediately ask for more.
Beretta 92 FS: The pistol carried by the US Military from 1985 to 2017. Designed by Italian arms manufacturer Beretta and instantly recognisable from Lethal Weapon, Die Hard, and countless other films. Its double-stack 9mm magazine gives it a full-size grip, and its open-top slide makes it one of the most visually distinctive service pistols ever fielded. Five shots are included — a much more manageable recoil profile than the Desert Eagle.
Walther GSP .22 LR: A purpose-built competition target pistol, designed for precision rather than power. The .22 LR cartridge produces minimal recoil and a sharp, clean report — the perfect contrast to the Desert Eagle experience. This is the weapon that teaches you how accurate you can actually be when the recoil isn’t fighting you. Five shots are included.
Upgrade Options at the Range
The range’s full arsenal includes 40+ weapons for on-the-day purchase. A selection of what’s available:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Pistols | Glock 17, Makarov PM, Sig Sauer P226, Walther P99, Luger M80, H&K USP, CZ 75B |
| Revolvers | Taurus 82 (.38 Special), Colt King Cobra (.357 Magnum) |
| Rifles | Kalashnikov AK (5.56mm & 7.62mm), AR-15, B&T APC223 |
| Shotguns | Winchester pump-action, SPAS-15 |
| Extra Desert Eagle rounds | Available to purchase on the day — many visitors add these |
What to Expect
Getting to the Range
Make your own way to Meža iela 1A, Riga. The range is downstairs — look for the blue “Šautuve” sign directly opposite the pink Russian Orthodox Church. A taxi from Riga Old Town costs approximately €5. Available time slots are 09:00, 09:30, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, and 17:00.
Safety Briefing
On arrival, your English-speaking instructor will cover safe weapon handling for each firearm in your session. The Desert Eagle requires specific instruction around grip and stance — its recoil is significantly more pronounced than standard pistols, and the briefing will set you up to handle it safely and enjoyably. No prior experience is needed.
The Shooting Session (~40 minutes)
Your session progresses through the three firearms in a sequence chosen by your instructor. Most sessions start with the Walther GSP to build confidence, then move to the Beretta, and conclude with the Desert Eagle — saving the most dramatic for last. You’ll receive your paper target after each weapon and can see your progression across the session.
After Your Session
Your paper targets are yours to take home. You can also take photos with the firearms after shooting — particularly popular with the Desert Eagle. If you want to add more weapons or purchase extra Desert Eagle rounds, speak to the instructor on arrival or at any point during the session.
Location & Getting There
The range is not in a tourist-facing part of the city — it’s a working commercial shooting facility. That’s part of what makes it authentic. The taxi fare is minimal; use Bolt or Uber for a predictable price rather than flagging a cab. Remember the range is downstairs, not at street level — follow the sign.
Practical Information
Visitor Tips
- The Desert Eagle’s recoil is considerably more dramatic than most people expect. Don’t let the 2-shot allocation put you off — your instructor will demonstrate proper grip and stance before you fire. After 2 shots, most people want more immediately; budget for an extra couple of rounds on the day.
- The session typically flows best when you start with the Walther GSP (.22 LR) to calibrate your aim and build confidence, work through the Beretta 92 FS, and finish with the Desert Eagle as the centrepiece. Let your instructor know if you’d prefer a different order.
- The Walther GSP is a competition precision pistol — its .22 LR round produces almost no recoil. Your grouping on that target is the most accurate representation of your natural aim. It’s genuinely interesting to compare your Walther target to your Desert Eagle target side by side.
- This package favours handgun enthusiasts over those who want the full firearm spectrum (rifles, shotguns). If you want a mix of weapon types, the Winchester, Glock 17 & Kalashnikov package covers pistol, rifle, and shotgun in a single session.
- The maximum group size is 15 — smaller than the range’s other packages. Book early if you’re visiting in summer or around weekends, as this package sells out faster than the larger-capacity options.
- Use Bolt or Uber to get to the range — the fixed-price app avoids any ambiguity about the fare. The range is at Meža iela 1A, and the downstairs entrance can catch first-time visitors off guard; arrive a couple of minutes early.
- The earliest available slot is 9:00 or 9:30 — if you’re combining this with other Riga activities, a morning shooting session pairs well with an afternoon walking tour of the Old Town or a visit to the Central Market.
What Visitors Say
This experience holds a 5.0 out of 5 rating across 19 Viator reviews. As the newest of the three Riga packages, it has the fewest reviews — but they’re uniformly positive, with particular emphasis on the Desert Eagle experience and the professionalism of English-speaking instruction.
The consistent themes across reviews are the dramatic Desert Eagle experience, the professionalism of English instruction, and the flexibility to upgrade on the day. Most reviewers mention wishing they had booked more Desert Eagle rounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Other Riga Shooting Experiences
See all options in our complete Riga shooting range guide.