I don’t think I need to say too much about this one. This one is probably on every guy’s bucket list. As a kid, I’ve always dreamed of firing a bazooka and blowing things up. Maybe from watching too many movies. But unless you’re in the warzone or in the military, I doubt you’d ever get to fire one. So, when I heard about the opportunity to fire a bazooka somewhere in the middle of the Cambodian jungle, I jumped at this chance. If you’re like me, read on.
Verdict: A bucket list item for every guy. Very bad ass but very very costly. And if only the army guy didn’t have to stand beside you.
[yasr_multiset setid=0]
After going around Angkor Wat for a couple of days, I just needed to cut loose. I decided to check out the Cambodia firing range just outside Siam Reap. The firing range is run by some military people and offers various shooting packages. These include your typical handguns to your AK47s to “the bazooka”.
First things first, this is not cheap. Firing one round of the RPG bazooka, which literally takes no more than a minute, will cost you around USD400.
Given the costs, like every sensible person, I had to think long and hard on whether to take the plunge. While you can probably shoot handguns and AK47s in different firing ranges around the world (e.g. Vietnam and US), you don’t really hear people firing bazookas. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do and screw the budget once in a while.
Once I had committed to this, one of the military officers drove me from the firing range to a remote and obscure area in the Cambodian jungles. Upon arrival, another military officer joined us and took out the bazooka. The bazooka I got was a portable, shoulder-launched anti tank grenade launcher. It’s a long steel tube, which was fitted with a rocket-grenade.
From the Internet, I read about shooting cows as targets. I’m no animal rights activist, but was extremely curious whether this was true. Fortunately for all animal lovers, there wasn’t a cow in sight and you simply fire the bazooka into a cleared area of the jungle.
I was then accompanied by one of the military officers, who helped steady the weapon as I launched the bazooka. I actually tried to shrug him off and shoot the bazooka myself. But after a bit of discussion, he said its best for my safety that he stood next to me. Probably a wise choice given my accident-prone history. Steadying myself, I aimed at the jungle and pulled the trigger. After a deafening roar (don’t worry, they do provide you with ear protectors), a giant mushroom cloud of smoke will appear a few hundred meters away, leaving you with a childish grin.
For all the downsides (e.g. the price, the bazooka not looking as cool as you would imagine, that you can’t fire unaccompanied), firing the bazooka felt good. Real good.
Additional information
| When to do it? | Anytime during the day |
| How to book? | Go on to the Cambodia Shooting Range website and making a booking. |
| How much does it cost? | One rocket costs USD410. You can negotiate a discount for your second rocket. |
| How to get there?
|
Cambodia Shooting Range will arrange for a pick up at your hotel in Siam Reap. |
| How long does it take? | Given that you will need to go to the jungle, expect this to be around a 5 hour activity. |
| Is it safe? | Yes, you won’t be blown to bits. The army officer will be there to guide you. |
| What to wear? | Whatever makes you look good in your photos/videos. |
| Language | English is spoken. |