Places to shoot

[cookie4u1]

I have recently bought a family membership to a indoor range here in Ft. Wayne, In.It's a very nice place to shoot,but I can't shoot my rifles there without expensive ammo.I would like a membership at a outdoor range around here but you need a "sponsor" to get a membership.I would think that ranges would love to have more users.After reading a FREDS column in Shot Gun News you would think that every range would do all they could to promote the sport. So Whats Up with the rifle and revolver club here?

 

[cookie4u1]

Not that I really expected a whole lot of replies I thought I might get a few.I was really hoping that a few people would say how their club works to promote new members ...etc. I dont know if its because everybody here is like minded that they feel they dont need to spread the message or that nobody else has a problem finding a place to shoot. I really do not have a problem with paying to use a range, but I do have a problem with the "you have to be friends with" to use a range.Maybe this is just a problem in my area and I'm making too much out of it, but it still leaves me po'd. Sorry for ranting Cookie

 

[Car Knocker]

In my experience, a range (club) that requires a sponsor for membership tends to have a more responsible group of members than a range that signs up any warm body with the cash. The sponsoring member realizes that if he sponsors a jerk, then it will reflect poorly on him. It is, in effect, a pre-screening of potential members.

Please note that I am speaking of generalities here, there may well be exceptions, and sponsorship may be used to exclude groups of people for reasons other than safety.

 

[dawgtraxx]

i guess i am lucky, i just step out on the porch, or my little makeshift range in the back yard

 

[YodaVader]

What indoor range do you shoot at up there? I know the gunshop - H&H? has an indoor range , is that the one?

Down to the south of you ,outside of Monroe(just south of Decatur) , there was an outdoor range I was going to join some years ago. I think you had to turn in your application to the Sheriffs dept? Like I said it was some years ago , can't recall the name of the place? Looked kind of primitive but the fees were really cheap , at least back then - was probably 10 years ago when I checked it out.

I shoot outside of Muncie at the Monroe Township Conservation Club range - you don't have to know anyone but it sure would be a long way to drive for you! It is like a $40 membership and they give you a key! Again it is nothing fancy but the range is covered and they have added some close range shooting stands for pistol at what looks to be 7 yards and 50 ft.

I also shoot at the Muncie indoor range. They give you an an electronic key for 24 hour access.

 

[Str8Shooter]

I would think that ranges would love to have more users.After reading a FREDS column in Shot Gun News you would think that every range would do all they could to promote the sport.

Here in the Denver area, several of the gun clubs have seen their memberships grow to the point that the ranges became overcrowded, resulting in a cap on memberships so that you have to sign up on a waiting list even to join. The club I belong to (Ben Lomond) has not yet reached that point and is still actively seeking members.

 

[hoghunting]

Kar Knocker is right in that most clubs do want sponsorship to try to eliminate some of the jerks. You would be surprised how many people pay for a range membeship then think they have the right to shoot up or destroy range property. Then membership fees have to increase to repair or replace the damage. By eliminating the jerks and preventing them from being members, all the other range members will benefit.

Find out if that range has any matches or shoots and go and visit. You have to meet someone to be sponsored.

 

[cookie4u1]

H&H is the range we use now.I was shooting at my parents property, but now houses are sprouting up around them and its just not safe.I just don't know where I'll be shooting,but when I have a little time hopefully I'll find someplace close.I have always hated how a few bad people can spoil it for everyone.If only the jerks could be punished hard and the rest of us left to do our thing...wishful thinking..

 

[albanian]

I have not been there yet but I hear the range in Huntington is really good. I have a membership to a very small range up north but I am not really happy with it since only one person can shoot at a time because of the way the range is set up. It seems that every time I go there, I have to wait a hour or so to shoot.