Order online, pick up at a licensed dealer in Cascade County. Great Falls grew up along the Missouri River, beside the falls that Lewis and Clark had to portage around in 1805. It is home to Malmstrom Air Force Base and the 341st Missile Wing, one of three Air Force wings that operate, maintain and secure the Minuteman III ICBM.
Pick an FFL dealer near you that accepts shipped transfers and name it at checkout. We confirm their license and ship the firearm to them. Ammunition, optics and parts ship straight to your door where Montana law allows.
Montana does not require a state permit to purchase a rifle or handgun. When you buy from a licensed dealer, the dealer runs the federal NICS background check through the FBI, and you show a valid government photo ID on Form 4473. Federal law sets the dealer age at 18 for rifles and 21 for handguns. Rifles from this store ship to the licensed dealer you choose for Form 4473 and the background check. Federal rules let an ATF Type 03 Curio and Relic licensee receive C&R-eligible rifles directly at the licensed premises; check that state or local law does not restrict it.
Dealers in these communities all work for Great Falls-area buyers:
Montana allows anyone who may lawfully possess a firearm under state and federal law to carry concealed without a permit, a change signed into law in 2021. Some places stay off limits, including courtrooms, public schools unless the school board allows it, and federal buildings, and a permit is still needed in certain restricted state and local government offices. The optional concealed weapon permit is issued by the county sheriff under MCA 45-8-321, which helps with carrying in other states. Ask the Cascade County Sheriff for the current fee and term.
FWP lists the 2026 deer and elk seasons as archery Sept. 5 to Oct. 18, the general season Oct. 24 to Nov. 29, and muzzleloader Dec. 12 to 20, with a youth deer hunt Oct. 15 to 16. Shoulder seasons and district rules vary, so check the current regulations for your hunting district. FWP's regulations state there is no rifle or handgun caliber limitation for game animals, so a .30-06, 8mm Mauser, 7.62x54R or .303 British rifle can be used. Bring proper expanding hunting bullets rather than surplus full metal jacket ammunition, and read the current booklet for any ammunition rules.
Great Falls sits in FWP Region 4, where nearby hunting districts such as HD 405 and HD 413 are largely private ground, so landowner permission matters. The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, run partly from a Great Falls supervisor's office, holds most of the public land within a drive of town.
Wheat ground, river breaks and the Rocky Mountain Front give the area mule deer, whitetails and elk within a short drive. Hunting and long-range rifle shooting are part of everyday life here, and hunter sight-in days are a fixture before the October opener.
The public ranges listed on the city pages are run or listed by the state wildlife agency, a state forest or a national forest, chosen by distance from each city. Licenses, passes and range hours are set by the agency.
Source: State wildlife agency and public-land range listings, October 2026. Distances are approximate; call or check the agency site before you drive out.
Yes. Order here, name a licensed FFL dealer in Black Eagle, Belt, Cascade, Great Falls or anywhere in Cascade County, and we ship the firearm to them. You fill out ATF Form 4473 at their counter and they run the background check.
No state purchase permit is required. A licensed dealer runs the federal background check when you fill out Form 4473.
Yes, if you can lawfully possess a firearm under state and federal law, though some places such as courtrooms, schools and federal buildings remain restricted. The Cascade County Sheriff issues the optional permit.
FWP lists the 2026 general season as Oct. 24 to Nov. 29. Check your hunting district's regulations for quotas and special rules.
No. Waterfowl are hunted with a plugged shotgun and nontoxic shot under federal rules. A service rifle is for the range, deer season where legal, or the collection.
Each dealer sets its own fee, commonly $20 to $75. Call before you order to confirm the price and that they accept firearms shipped from an online store.
General information, not legal advice. Rules current as of October 2026. See our buying guide and check with County sheriff (Cascade County Sheriff's Office for Great Falls residents) or a local attorney about your own situation.