Is joining an outdoor range a good idea?

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over the past few years i've been a member of 5 different outdoor ranges in my state, 4 of which have 1000 yard rifle ranges, and 1 indoor range.
I did have the opportunity to join another and declined because of politics. it was run by idiots and their rules didn't fix the problems (mostly of some members and their guests destroying the range by using the target stands for targets and leaving shot up junk all over the place) and just made the experience unbearable.

if that one range was my only option, i'd have joined and become active to try to make it better by putting up cameras etc and booting any members caught violating the rules.
 
I belong to a local range with both indoor pistol and outdoor ranges. The rules and rough treatment here are to weed out those that are unsafe etc. Once you PROVE you can be trusted with a firearm most of the members are good to go. We were sick of local yahoos dumping a TV or refridge at the 100 YD line and shooting it up after dark while leaving the mess for range members to clean up the next day. YMMV
 
I've seen some ranges/clubs like you described where the way that they are ran by a governing body ruins the experience. I have also seen ranges that are a total clown show/ dumpster fire that I didn't want to be associated with the place and even was concerned for my safety and the safety of others. I am fortunate to belong to a "higher end" club where the members are individually vetted, and I am able to do whatever I want, within the confines of reason and common sense- and I can do it to 900 yards.
 
The local club I belong to is a bit on the cliquish side so I can understand why you might feel the way you do. I was a member for a long time but finally got tired of being treated like a second class member because I wasn’t interested in handgun competition and dropped it until after I retired. I am a member now because I’m able to go during the week when there are few if any others shooters around.
During most of the years I wasn’t a member I lived out in the country and could shoot anytime I wanted to. Now that I’m back in town the local club is the most convenient place to shoot. There is a local range run by the DNR, but the hours are more restricted and it isn’t as relaxed as the club range.
I have never shot at an indoor range.
 
I shoot at an outdoor range that has been around for decades. Personally I like shooting outdoors. It did take some time to "fit" in with some of the older members. Most of them are non-verbal and can't relate to people who were not in the military.

For some time, the range was rather casual. Most members were locals who had used guns for some time.

Now, the range has been increasing its numbers. They want to encourage gun ownership. But what has happened is more nuts showing up misusing the place and acting with marginal safety practices. (Two people have shot the bench in the last 8 months; there were no such accidents over the last five years.) One guy pointed a loaded AR in my direction while he attempted to clear it and then told me I must be "gay" to worry about it!

I am starting to wish my range had more rules, as many of the new people have no training or background and the range does not require that to be a member. I am not sure the old "Just use common gun safety sense" still works with some of these new people, so I see why some ranges have cameras and such.

If you think this new place is too restrictive, by all means get your own land if that is an option.
 
I am somewhat nervous at all ranges. Indoor or outdoor. My indoor range is expensive but worth it, I guess, if you go there on a regular basis. Once a week is enough for me. I like the clubby atmosphere at my outdoor range because I think they've been at it a long time, they know what they're doing and are serious about it all. That doesn't mean I have to be best friends with any of them but I glean as much knowledge from them as I can. Outdoor ranges are a whole lot more fun and healthier, imo.
 
I have had this experience with indoor ranges, but I think it's reasonable. When we finally got an indoor range the first 10 or so times I went in, I was treated as though I was a total newbie, while other patrons were treated like old friends.

But that's because they were old friends. The owners and range officers knew them and knew that they were not fools or someone who would do anything unsafe. They didn't know me. There are also several people who work there so it took several visits for them all to start to recognize me and to pick up on the fact that I wasn't someone they really needed to be concerned about. Now when I come in they know me by name and BS with me.

Cameras are a safety feature, and considering the foolishness that occurs on shooting ranges, I think they are a good thing.

I agree with those that say try it, and if you are unhappy, then don't go back.
 
I've been a member of a large outdoor range since 1885, and one of the directors for 5 years. We require prospective members be sponsored by a current member, or they have to meet with one of the directors to demonstrate they can safely handle both long guns and pistols.

New members are not allowed to shoot past 200Y until they take a written and shooting test. They are then allowed to shoot to 600Y. We also have a 1200Y range that requires an additional written and shooting test.

Then they attend an 8 hour safety presentation that includes a visit to each range and a discussion of the rules applicable to each.

After that they pay their fees, currently $750 for the first year, they get a key card allowing access. Our ranges are open sunup to sundown unless reserved for competition or use by a group such as law enforcement. Many police dept. don't have their own ranges, so we allow use of ours.

We do have security cameras and have kicked folks out for safety violations. We don't have RSOs at each range unless there's a completion, but we have 250 or so members who are NRA certified RSO and they are eyes and ears when in attendance.

We currently have 1500 members.
 
We're fortunate to have a great outdoor range in the area. It's an hour drive for me, but well worth it. They insist on members handling and shooting safely, as they should. It's run by members who volunteer their time, and the range safety officers do a great job of making sure safe practices are observed in a friendly manner. We often have a bay to ourselves, but when we're sharing a bay with other shooters they've always been friendly, often asking us if we want to try their guns if they're something we're interested in. There's an indoor gun club 10 minutes from my house which I had the opportunity to join, but the members are not are not people I want to spend time with for a number of reasons. We have a LGS with a range I used to go to once every month or two, but recently learned that their air filtration system is not up too par. I had my lead levels tested and they're borderline high, so shooting there is not an option.
 
Hi...
I belonged to an indoor range for several years back in the '80s. Was not my favorite place to shoot... couldn't shoot my handloads and couldn't pick up your brass. I only maintained my membership because the two pistol leagues I shot in held some of their matches there...once they stopped league competition I dropped out.

I have belonged to one gun club for over 40 years and will transition to a lifetime membership when I turn 65 this November.
Yearly dues are only $20...my son is also a member, he started as a junior member and transitioned to an adult member when he turned 18(over seven years ago now).
Shotgun range where I can demonstrate my ability to miss clay birds anytime I want, a four position handgun range(25yds) and a seven position rifle range(200yds).

Just before I retired about a year and a half ago, my son and I both joined another local gun club. Initiation was $100 and yearly dues are $50. Very nice 25yd handgun range with steel targets and the ability to shoot anything else you want as long as you clean it up afterwards. 5 large benches with two positions each.
200yd rifle range with steel targets and 5 large two position benches.

Cameras in place to make sure nothing untoward happens without documentation.

I much prefer shooting outdoors...my son use at least one of the ranges almost every week, sometimes both in the same day.

Both are within a 15 minute drive of my home, so they are convenient.

We are trying to find a quality range with at least a 300yd rifle range(preferably 600yds).
Every place we investigate has either a closed membership or a multi year waiting list or an initiation fee of more than $500 or more and exorbitant yearly dues.
 
I've been a member of an outdoor range for a few years now. Much better than the indoor St Pete Police Pistol Club that is now closed to the public thanks to St Pete's anti-gun mayor, city council and police chief.
 
I belong to a private club with substantial outdoor facilities, and a small but decent indoor range. By choice, I am an outdoor shooter, and I shoot outdoors in a wide range of weather.

One thing I have observed about the indoor vs outdoor preference is that some people who work indoors really prefer to get outside to shoot. And some people who work outdoors in the weather really prefer to shoot indoors. I think this is totally reasonable, since shooting is recreation for most of us, and a change of scenery is always good.

Another thing worth considering is that shooting outdoors can have training advantages. If you are accustomed to practicing indoors, then trying to shoot in the weather can be a surprising challenge. Strong wind and varied light can make a big difference. So I feel like anyone who wants to be versatile with firearms needs to be used to shooting in different weather conditions.
 
Personally, I find shooting at an indoor range to be weird and confining.
For me, the same. I think it would be better if I didn't have to look at and listen to some of the people headed inside before me. That, and they better have excellent air flow velocity at the firing line or my throat feels it for days.
 
For me, the same. I think it would be better if I didn't have to look at and listen to some of the people headed inside before me. That, and they better have excellent air flow velocity at the firing line or my throat feels it for days.

For me it's how narrow the lanes are. My local outdoor range lanes contain a two person table! The only advantage an indoor range has, to me at least, is that you don't have to wait for a cease fire period to retrieve targets.

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I doubt you'll find a 200+ yd outdoor range.

When you see the rules and cameras, try to picture a core group of guys trying to keep the place safe and out of the civil suits, who have had to deal with complete idiots doing stupid stuff at the range for years.

If you can't sympathize with that, perhaps you shouldn't join.
 
without range safety officers (RSO) to kick out poor gun handling idiots, outdoor ranges are very dangerous. indoor ranges usually have RSO as well as bullet stoppable partitions betwixt the stalls. if I'm paying money to shoot at a facility, I expect somebody with the authority to remove unsafe gun handlers to be watching the lanes.
 
For me it's how narrow the lanes are. My local outdoor range lanes contain a two person table! The only advantage an indoor range has, to me at least, is that you don't have to wait for a cease fire period to retrieve targets.

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Wow! That is luxe. Nice range you have. You're right about retrieving targets. Indoor shooting is much at your own pace - unless you're paying by the hour. :)
 
Only out door range in my area is not accepting new members until 2023. By that time I will be a pretty comfortable regular at an indoor range instead. It is a shame too, the outdoor club is maybe 2 miles from me. I could walk there if I wanted to.
 
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