joining a gun club/range

[sam05]

what are some things that i should consider about a gun range/club when looking at possibly joining. i'm looking to join one so that i can shoot a little more regularly and was just curious as to what is important to you guys in a club or range. thanks in advance.
sam

 

[mcdonl]

I would look at how many events they support. I have found that in my area having a range at a Rod and Gun club means you have a place to sight your rifle in for deer season. I have joined two, and did not realize that they held no shooting events and when archery season came about (The have 3D shoots....) they indicated that the rifle range needed to be clear for archers if they arrived.

So, that is what I would look for. That and obvious safety considerations such as berms, shelters for inclimate weather, etc....

Good luck! Have Fun! BE SAFE!!

 

[Sam1911]

Of course you need to see the ranges and understand what kind of shooting you can do there. Are they all numbered, fixed-range shooting stations with a bench and roof, or are there "pits" for setting up more practical drills?

Plus you need to know any odd rules about restricted shooting times/dates, prohibited weapons (.50 cals, full-auto?), or other items which would limit the range's usefulness to you.

A good example is the use of holsters. There are some ranges which prohibit realistic practice with your sidearm by forbidding drawing from a holster or "rapid fire" shooting. If you're new to shooting or only shoot to sight-in for hunting season that might be acceptable. If you do almost anything else with your guns, probably not.

Otherwise, Mcdonl nailed it, I think WRT seeing what kind of events the club hosts. If they have a calendar full of a variety of shooting disciplines (IDPA/USPSA, DCM High-Power, Bullseye, smallbore position rifle, benchrest matches, trap/skeet, Cowboy/SASS, Metallic silhouette, etc.) you'll probably find a well appointed range with fairly open policies and several different communities of shooters, one or more of which will be welcoming to your areas of interest.

 

[Lakeshore]

I shoot every week so the annual membership fee, including $100 senior discount, saves me a ton 'o money. Range is a 10 minute drive from home. Members get priority ahead of visitors (esp. important on weekends). Free loaner guns. Member discounts on gun purchases and FFL transfer fees. Last, but not least, a bunch of good guys run the place.

 

[XD9GUY]

Here's a pretty good go-by for a Gun club. This is what the one I belong to in TN has to offer. It has 5 Pistol ranges with targets @ 0-30yds. 2 Rifle ranges with targets @ 25yds 50yds 100yds and 200 yds and a Skeet Range the rifle ranges have about 10 tables each to set up and shoot from. You must belong to the NRA to join. It's very active, in that we have IDPA, Cowboy and 3-gun competitions regularly. Very well organized with meetings 2 times per month and a work day once a quarter. Open every day and even when they have competitions, there is at least one or two ranges open for anyone else.
And you can bring guests anytime.
Hope this helps.

 

[MinnMooney]

1.) Look at what they offer and if that fits what you do.
a.) Trap & Skeet range (auto throwers or do you have to bring a friend?)
b.) Archery - Set yardage bales/elevated stations/3-D?
c.) Bench Rest for accruacy
d.) Silouette targets - Gongs at various distances
e.) "Sonic-sensor targets" with remote computer screens (great for sub-zero days).
f.) Special small bore range (mine has an enclosed range for sub-sonic small bore - no noise! "Pop!")
g.) Yardage (my main criteria) Many are only 100 or 200 yd ranges.
h.) How many required "work days"?
i.) How many members vs. # of shooting stations.
j.) How many "Special Events" where the range is rented out (closed to members) to a group?
k.) Cost per year (any long-term membership discount?).
l.) Initiation fee/member gate-card fee/fee if you don't do a "work day".
m.) Events - If they sponser fun events for archery, practical handgunning, self defense or Bench rest compitition.

2.) Public or private? "Open to the public" ranges can get crowded and more dangerous due to lack of 'member pride'.

I looked at many before deciding on the range that I joined 6 years ago. The elected officers seemed (and have proven to be) respectful, responsible and fair. They ran a "tight ship" and there were penalties for breaking the extremely fair rules. Safety was of highest priority.
I paid $100 yearly membership + a 1-time $100 initiation + a 1-time magnetic gate card. Membership went to $125 last year and it's worth all of that. "Work days" are not mandatory and they still get lots of folks out twice a year to do maintainence and improvements.

 

[sam05]

thanks guys

man i love this site or should i say the people that make up this site, full of good fast information, i'm gonna go check out a couple of ranges fairly close to where i live this afternoon when i get off of work, with a list of things to check out. thank you guys for speedy and informative replies.

thanks
sam