Black Rifle friendly ranges in CT?

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Minion82

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I recently moved to Danbury, Connecticut from CA (two steps forward and 1 step back on the gun laws...). Since I'm finally getting settled in, I've done a little bit of looking around to find local ranges and shops. It seems that most of the ranges out here are private, which is fine; but if I'm gonna shell out the money to maintain a range membership, I'd like to be able to use all my toys there (yes, they're CT-legal). That said, are there any ranges in the area that are friendly towards the black rifle crowd? The closer the better, but if I have to drive a bit, so be it.

How about EBR-friendly gunshops? There's plenty of shops listed in the phonebook, but no real information.
 
No rapid fire and no full-autos, but EBR friendly up to .50 BMG:

Blue Trail Range
Wallingford, CT

I think the state shooting range in Danbury (off Route 7) is EBR friendly, but I don't know if they impose any rules on rapid fire. It's a short outdoor range (75 yards IIRC).

Indoor ranges are limited to handgun/subgun rounds or frangible .223, where full-auto is okay:

New England Outfitters
Wallingford, CT

Bridgeport Shooting Range
Bridgeport, CT

Forest & Field ($400 /yr range membership required for full-auto).
Norwalk CT
 
Newington gun exchange is friendly EBR for gun shop purposes... As far as where you live, you are too far away for me to reccomend a good range.

Welcome to CT! Go get that pistol permit!!
 
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Welcome to our hell hole! You'll find that overall, were slightly better than California!

Newington Gun Exchange is a great gunshop overall- a lot of Military Style Semi-Automatic rifles, as well as a loads of used guns- oftentimes at great prices. They are also willing to do transfers for $30 and they don't give you some of the bolsh that some other shops will give you.

If you want to buy any long guns, before you get a carry permit, you definetely want to get a hunting license. That way, you can avoid the 14 day waiting period, and bring your new purchase home wih you that day. You won't be able to buy any pistols or take any that you may curently have out of your home until you get CT pistol carry permit.

Where did you move to up here? That will help us advise you about some good ranges in the area.

30 Cal Slob- Unless they went back into business, New England Outfitters and Range Center is gone. They close a few years ago.
 
Im in your area....Ansonia Rod and Gun has a 150(?) yd rifle range and Hartford gun club has a 200yd rifle range. Not much in our backyard here in Danbury, unfortunatly.

anyhow - both also have pitol ranges and Skeet and trap.

For decent prices on stuff try Housatonic Valley Firearms on Rt 7 in New Milford. He also does Class III...:D

CT is far from Cali in gun laws...in fact, just get your Pistol Permit and you can do just about what you want. I never understood why people think CT is all that bad with guns...

:confused:
 
Ar least CT for the most part is shall issue... Better than being subjected to the whim of some sheriff... OTOH, I would like to see CT handgun laws strengthen in our favor as far as open carry so that way if we blow concealment, we can't lose our permits...
 
Welcome to CT!! we need more gun nuts!

One of the thing i don't like about our state is that we can't have retractable stock in our ar15. I think its very silly limitation...

we have more private gun clubs here than anything... look into your local towns and see what they offer.
 
Since you're in Danbury Wooster Mtn. would be close to you right down Rt 7, IIRC. I used to live in West Redding and that's where I shot. Some nice guys there in '92-3 I wonder if they're still there.
 
Not sure what the exact travel time would be but High Rock in the valley is a pretty good range and for the most part is very friendly. Occasionally you might get a range officer (volunteers) that doesnt like rapid fire but I have always liked going there before I joined a private range.

High rock has a web site. Just google Highrock shooting association.

Newington exchange is good so is Hoffmans for gun store.
 
Welcome to CT!

Blue trail is a good range if you dont mind the rapid fire rule and as was said Newington Gun Exchange and Hoffmans are great gunshops. (Hoffmans may be closed for a bit due to the recent burglary tho...)

Get your pistol permit!
 
Welcome to Connecticut! Glad to have you here!

I'm in the southeastern part of the state, so I can't really tell you about ranges and stores in your area - but definately check out Newington Gun Exchange and Hoffman's in Newington (BTW, Hoffman's will be moving in a little while to a new place down the road and will be opening up an indoor range!).

Welcome to our hell hole! You'll find that overall, were slightly better than California!
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I think what mp510 is saying is that it was better before 1994 when CT passed its version of the AWB - but believe me, it is light years ahead of places like California and New Jersey...

Get your pistol permit!
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Agreed!
 
Minion82 said:
I've done a little bit of looking around to find local ranges and shops.
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Oh, gun shops too! Missed that first time!
In Danbury, check and see if Tom Mason's "Guns & Ammo" is still open. I did business with him and he always did right by me. Maybe retired by now ... but check it out!
 
recently moved to Danbury, Connecticut from CA (two steps forward and 1 step back on the gun laws...).
Click to expand...

Great line. You know, admitting you have a problem is the first step towards a cure..............!!
 
Sad state of affairs in this country that you even have to ask. Every range should be black rifle friendly. We fear the outsiders so much we discriminate and disdain our own.

Imagine the uproar if I re-arranged the original question to "Black friendly rifle ranges in CT?" Why is the question as asked any less revolting?
 
Look for a local club

Minion, Try to find a local club. I belong to one in Berlin, Ct the Mattabassett Rifle and Pistol club that is just a small range. Some are very sweet with all sorts of facilities such as trap, skeet,pin shoots, clubhouses and control of hunting lands. I think the national shooting sports foundation has a web guide that can help you find a local range.

There isn't open public land to shoot on like out west. A buddy of mine came from CA and he thinks it is harder to shoot here than it is there because you can't just go to the desert. It is worthwhile to get a pistol permit even if you just want to shoot rifles because you can avoid the 2 wek wait.

I also think you are right about looking for a range that acccepts your interests. The gun world is too split up and too many people think that if you don't do exactly what they do you are a heretic. I think their are plenty of gun owners who would throw some other group under the bus if they could.
pete
 
Tom Mason is closed in Danbury. He was very pricy...but friendly from my dealings. The other Danbury shop is VERY odd...

If anyone shoots at the Hartford Gun Club or Ansonia Rod and Gun Im up for a get together!

:D
 
I think what mp510 is saying is that it was better before 1994 when CT passed its version of the AWB - but believe me, it is light years ahead of places like California and New Jersey...
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Yeah, I was referring to the 94 ban, as well as the interpretation a few years ago on the AK-47 ban. Also, the "propper and suitable" clause in the permit law as well as the behavior of DPS SLFU regarding denials to renew and questionable revocations lately is pretty bad as well.

Yes, we are generally better than NJ, Cali, NY, and Mass.
 
http://www.nwcsa.ws/

Great range north of you. Kind of far for you, now that I look at a map but worth the ride. Rifle range to 285 yds and they hold steel silhouette (sp) shoots for rifle out to the 285. Great bunch of folks out there, one of the lesser known gems of the CT ranges. Plus the scenery out that way is fantastic. Great place to shoot.

Link to a page of other ranges in CT...

http://www.traderscreek.com/gun_clubs/connecticut.asp

I've met and shot with a few diferent CT THR-ites, but not a whole bunch of them at once. Let me know where and when for the big get together, I'll be there.

Lesse, I've shot with Hawkmoon, Distra, Juggler and peteinct. Who's next? romma? :D
 
Welcome to CT. People out in the "wild west" aren't in a good spot. Blue Trail is a wonderful range run by great people, and if you can find someone to squat in the pit and score your targets, you can shoot at 200 yards there.

We should cook up some kind of CT THR meet; we're definitely being aloof and unfriendly yankees to a fault...
 
Welcome to CT! As others have mentioned just south of the Danbury Mall on Rt7 is the Wooster Mountain Range. They may be closing down for the winter season but definitely black rifle friendly.

Another local indoor range and gun store is Arms & Munitions on Rt 25 in Monroe CT. OK indoor range, not great, a little pricey on the firearms but I do try and support the local guys since they are a disappearing breed.
 
yea, nothing but mini meets for me. We have had 3 THR members together several times but not as a THR meet. We all just happen to belong to THR and shoot the same match. I just wanted to add that I can vouch for all four of the previously mentioned members as far as character. All outstanding people and worthwhile individuals to know.

The problem with big hookups has always been location. We're kind of spread out and it's tough to get everybody to agree to come to such and such a range. Especially if they have to pay when they can shoot free elsewhere. Meanwhile, I'm always up for it.

If I had to guess, the most centrally located range is Blue Trails in Wally World. It's a pay as you go public range.
 
I'd be up for a THR gathering - especially with the black rifle crowd (my Bushy's been sulking in the safe - claims I don't take it anywhere anymore:()
 
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