How buying a gun in Midland works
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. At the counter you fill out Form 4473 and the dealer runs the background check; for a pistol they also complete Michigan's Pistol Sales Record. Ammunition, optics and parts ship straight to your door.
Dealers in these communities all work for Midland-area buyers:
- Sanford
- Coleman
- Hope
- Freeland
- Larkin Township
- Homer Township
- Mills Township
Concealed pistol license in Midland County
A Michigan CPL is issued through your county clerk, so Midland-area residents apply in person with the Midland County Clerk. You need an 8-hour pistol safety course from a certified instructor (at least 5 hours of classroom and 3 hours on a range), the RI-012 application, photo ID and the $100 fee, plus $15 where the county takes fingerprints. You must be 21. See our Michigan CPL guide for the whole process.
Deer hunting near Midland in 2026
The Zone 2/3 boundary runs through Midland County, so Midland-area hunters can be in either zone depending on the property. Since the limited firearms zone was eliminated for 2026, any legal firearm, bottleneck rifles included, can be used on both sides; license quotas and antlerless rules can still differ by deer management unit, so check the DNR's Mi-Hunt map for your spot. Regular firearm season is November 15–30, with a December firearm season Dec. 4–6, 2026.
North of town the state forest land begins. Midland buyers want a deer rifle that works on both sides of the line, and since 2026 that is any legal centerfire.
Public shooting ranges near Midland
Source: Michigan DNR shooting range list, September 2026. Hours, fees and membership rules vary; call before you drive out.