lizziedog1
Member
To paraphrase Groucho Marx, I wouldn't join any club that would have me as a member. That goes for gun clubs too.
What do you look for in a Gun Club?
- Thread starter GIJOEL
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This shouldn't even be an issue, but I went to a club once with a friend who was a member and some people there were drinking beer. They were trying to be sneaky about it. There were 4 or 5 of them and some would shoot awhile, then sit in their car and knock back a beer or two while the others were shooting, then they'd switch places. Didn't stay long and never went there again.
Whiskey11
Member
Sadly, I only have Four options for ranges in my area:
1.) Farm Land - Don't know any farmers, not sure I'd want too shoot there anyway.
2.) Bullet Hole Store - 7-35 yards, not enough range for rifle shooting (although they do allow it with soft points), indoors, 10$/hour range fee.
3.) SW Iowa Sportsman Club - Trap, Skeet, Action Shotgun, 0-50 yard "Pistol range" and 100 and 200 yard lines, 40$ annual membership fee, 3$ range fee for the day, "Supervised" range, shooting positions that are NOT covered (yet), and politics to boot.
4.) Eastern Nebraska Gun Club - 120$ annual fee, 120$ first time registration fee, non-supervised range, 0-600 yard rifle in 100 yard increments, 0-50 yard pistol, "Cowboy" range, Trap/Skeet range, pay and get the code to the gate. Not sure about the politics, but I hear it's nice.
3&4 are the same distance from my house (about 45 minute drive). 3 is where I currently shoot. As much as I would LOVE to shoot at ENGC, I can't swing the 240$ for the first time registration, and right now I have zero use for 600 yard shooting (I'm barely comfortable with my 100 yard shooting!!!) I just wish SWISC had less politics. It's owned and chaired by trap and skeet shooters who have zero desire to have a rifle or pistol range despite having held NRA matches before. They desire a small "good ole boy" club and absolutely frown upon everything "tactical." Almost every rifle/pistol RSO I've met has made a point that until the owners see a need for the Rifle/Pistol ranges, it will remain relatively bleak. Last I checked, Trap/Skeet was a shooting sport, as was rifle and pistol, and that is the REAL tragedy of SWISC. There is also this issue about, you can shoot 3 times, then you are forced to become a member, then after 3 more times shooting as a member you have to join a team to help run the ranges. Not a huge deal as 20 hours annually (4 weekends) is NOTHING, but it's really annoying when the only thing you do there is Rifle/Pistol and they have zero desire to support that side of their range. They have the opportunity to make one HECK of a nice range for a 100-200 yard Rifle Range.
They have some interesting rules, but for the most part, it's pain free. I can swing 3$ + gas for 5 hours of shooting on Sunday, but 240$ is painful to save for and painful to spend if I have no use for the facilities offered. I would be ENTHUSIASTIC about spending that kind of money after a new barrel is put on the 700 and I get comfortable at 200 yards.
1.) Farm Land - Don't know any farmers, not sure I'd want too shoot there anyway.
2.) Bullet Hole Store - 7-35 yards, not enough range for rifle shooting (although they do allow it with soft points), indoors, 10$/hour range fee.
3.) SW Iowa Sportsman Club - Trap, Skeet, Action Shotgun, 0-50 yard "Pistol range" and 100 and 200 yard lines, 40$ annual membership fee, 3$ range fee for the day, "Supervised" range, shooting positions that are NOT covered (yet), and politics to boot.
4.) Eastern Nebraska Gun Club - 120$ annual fee, 120$ first time registration fee, non-supervised range, 0-600 yard rifle in 100 yard increments, 0-50 yard pistol, "Cowboy" range, Trap/Skeet range, pay and get the code to the gate. Not sure about the politics, but I hear it's nice.
3&4 are the same distance from my house (about 45 minute drive). 3 is where I currently shoot. As much as I would LOVE to shoot at ENGC, I can't swing the 240$ for the first time registration, and right now I have zero use for 600 yard shooting (I'm barely comfortable with my 100 yard shooting!!!) I just wish SWISC had less politics. It's owned and chaired by trap and skeet shooters who have zero desire to have a rifle or pistol range despite having held NRA matches before. They desire a small "good ole boy" club and absolutely frown upon everything "tactical." Almost every rifle/pistol RSO I've met has made a point that until the owners see a need for the Rifle/Pistol ranges, it will remain relatively bleak. Last I checked, Trap/Skeet was a shooting sport, as was rifle and pistol, and that is the REAL tragedy of SWISC. There is also this issue about, you can shoot 3 times, then you are forced to become a member, then after 3 more times shooting as a member you have to join a team to help run the ranges. Not a huge deal as 20 hours annually (4 weekends) is NOTHING, but it's really annoying when the only thing you do there is Rifle/Pistol and they have zero desire to support that side of their range. They have the opportunity to make one HECK of a nice range for a 100-200 yard Rifle Range.
They have some interesting rules, but for the most part, it's pain free. I can swing 3$ + gas for 5 hours of shooting on Sunday, but 240$ is painful to save for and painful to spend if I have no use for the facilities offered. I would be ENTHUSIASTIC about spending that kind of money after a new barrel is put on the 700 and I get comfortable at 200 yards.
cheygriz
member
SAM1911,
The FFL isn't that big of a hassle.
You need one person, preferably retired, who opens the clubhouse 2 or 3 times per week in the evening for 2-3 hours.
First, incorporate under state law as a non-profit corporation. (About $100 for an attorney to do it if you prefer.)
He/she can then order merchandise directly from wholesalers. If you prefer not to deal with "Brady" don't order guns, just ammo, components, and accessories.
Ex. I buy primers and powder in bulk through the club at about 60 percent if local gun shop prices. I buy FMJ bullets (Remington and Winchester) for practice in "bulk packs" of 2,000 Again, about 60 opercent of local prices.
Unless you have very tight local restrictions, it's not all that difficult. It just takes a person or two that is willing to put in a little time to help grow the shooting sports.
The FFL isn't that big of a hassle.
You need one person, preferably retired, who opens the clubhouse 2 or 3 times per week in the evening for 2-3 hours.
First, incorporate under state law as a non-profit corporation. (About $100 for an attorney to do it if you prefer.)
He/she can then order merchandise directly from wholesalers. If you prefer not to deal with "Brady" don't order guns, just ammo, components, and accessories.
Ex. I buy primers and powder in bulk through the club at about 60 percent if local gun shop prices. I buy FMJ bullets (Remington and Winchester) for practice in "bulk packs" of 2,000 Again, about 60 opercent of local prices.
Unless you have very tight local restrictions, it's not all that difficult. It just takes a person or two that is willing to put in a little time to help grow the shooting sports.
cheygriz
member
Shameless BTT! 
This thread is just too good, and informative, to just let it die. (At least IMHO)
This thread is just too good, and informative, to just let it die. (At least IMHO)
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