Frustrated with Gun Club Experience

Prospector said:
I hate to show my ignorance but if I don't ask I'll never know. What the heck is a "one round at a time" rule?
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At Mission, on the rifle range, the general rule is that all shooting is done single shot. Magazines are loaded with one round at a time, UNLESS there is an RO present and he allows multiple rounds to be loaded and shot. ie: silhouette match where magazines are loaded for the appropriate coarse of fire.

This rule does NOT apply to the pistol or shotgun ranges.
 
wapitiwhacker said:
At Mission, on the rifle range, the general rule is that all shooting is done single shot. Magazines are loaded with one round at a time, UNLESS there is an RO present and he allows multiple rounds to be loaded and shot. ie: silhouette match where magazines are loaded for the appropriate coarse of fire.

This rule does NOT apply to the pistol or shotgun ranges.
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Man, that would take all the fun out of filling the mag and letting loose on the targets.
 
One time at Poco range # 7; This total D-bag next to me moved the bench over the line into my space. I didn't mind at all, I can shoot in any position and angle (not to brag; comfort doesn't bother me for some reason). When I got up my shoulder brushed the grate thing that seperates the shooting spaces. I was wearing leather and didn't even notice. It turns out the butt of his rifle was resting on the seat where you sit (A** part) and the muzzle was resting up against the arm rest. Which is 100% A NO F***ING GO. if ya know what I mean. His rifle ended up slipping by the slight movement and fell. Thansk to my ninja reflex's I ended up catching it. He didn't say anything but his friend had the audacity to try and blame me for it. I just let the old guy talk and continued about my day. Best not to let D-bags bother you.
 
Local Range Options

I recently got back in the shooting world again and found a range where everyone is friendly and accommodating. Abbotsford Fish and Game CLub.
Check out there web page.






srv2miker said:
Hi All, I apologize for the long read.

Recently I've decided to take up shooting with a friend of mine. I've been interested in firearms for years and finally decided to take the plunge, and I received my PAL and RPAL in the mail a couple of weeks ago. Before I buy a handgun, I decided I would scout out some of the ranges in my area, and I've run into some pretty disturbing scenarios.

First, a little background on me. I'm in my late 20's with a young family. I have a good white collar job and live in the Langley area. I've set my sights on purchasing a .22 handgun in order to learn the ropes, and then I'd like to move up to larger calibers if I enjoy the sport. My main goals are to have some fun, meet some great, like-minded people, and develop my shooting skills. The club should have a good pistol range, decent hours, and preferably have an indoor shooting area for winter.

So far, I've had exactly zero luck finding a good club to join, so much so that it's actually made me question whether I want to be a part of the sport.

My first candidate for membership was my local club, the Langley Rod & Gun club. When I went in to check the place out, it was made pretty clear by the caretaker that I was a waste of his time, and he didn't care whether I became a member or not. His demeanor was downright rude, and definitely didn't give me the feeling that I would be welcomed as a new member. Between his one word answers and constant stink-eye, he made me uncomfortable enough to finally leave without asking any further questions.

Next, I decided to head on out to Ridgedale, a club that has got good reviews by members on the board here. I read on their website that they would be accepting new applications for membership tonight at their monthly meeting, so myself and my friend made the 50min trip to the club and settled in. Everyone in the crowd seemed friendly, and they were talking amongst one another. No one gave us the stink-eye, so the club already had a leg up on Langley.

But, we don't get there but 10 minutes before someone (I'm assuming the club chair, but I'm not sure) announces they're not taking any more members, and anyone who wasn't from Mission or Abbotsford would have to be on a waiting list. The only way to get off the waiting list was for "someone ahead of you to get turfed out of the club".

Let me get this straight - here we have a dying sport that is lacking new blood, and two beginners are basically told "we don't want you"? What kind of club doesn't want new, paying, worthwhile members? I'm not joining just for my ATT for petesakes, I'm there to become a member of the community, and make the club a better, more fun place to be. My background in marketing and history of volunteer work don't make me valuable to the club, and the sport as a whole? This doesn't even address the fact that I have two children who I would eventually introduce the sport to, thus increasing membership.

After two clubs and no luck I've started to question whether gun clubs even want new members. Is this a hobby where I'll be welcomed and feel like a member, or is it simply an old-boys club and new faces aren't wanted?

I guess my main question is, is this what all clubs are like? Are you made to feel like a 2nd class citizen until you put in enough time in waiting that someone finally acknowledges you're a worthwhile part of the club? If that's the case, forget it, I'll just join another hockey team where the locker room atmosphere is a lot more friendly and fun. What are other people's experiences?
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Don't get frustrated. I see you failed to mention the Abbotsford Fish and Gun Club. Don't know if you checked that out or not. I joined the Club, last Fall and have had no regrets in doing so. Friendly atmosphere. Not difficult a place to locate and get to.
The Members, i have meet there, all have one thing in common. To have fun and meet others with the same interests. Rather than go on, you should check out their web page to see the joining dates and time and contact persons. You won't regret joining there

take care

Brian
 
I see this old post of mine was dug up from the grave, so I thought I would update everyone. Based on the advice I received here, I became a member at the abbotsford rod & gun club, and I have nothing but great things to say about it. Every board member and volunteer has been great to deal with, and they seem very supportive of the sport and its many facets. They've now capped membership at 1000, and I feel very lucky to have received my membership when I did.
 
rboomsma said:
Your comment is uncalled for, your just the type of person we don't need at gun clubs:mad:.

First impressions are important. Gun clubs should be open and welcoming to new shooters and potential members. With the anti gun movement in our country the last thing we need is bone head remarks like yours.
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Lol i was going down that thread reading posts and saw the post that you quoted.
Funny how in a normal thread where peoples are just exchanging ideas and opinions there's always one of those out of no where like a stain on a white sheet that makes you go WTF!
I always wondered what made those peoples so...what they are, what happened to them to blurt out such negativity, why do they feel they have to step and twist on someone's ideas or comments, what do they get out of it? Attention maybe?
 
There are rectal orifi everywhere. Don't let 'em discourage you, especially a 'caretaker'. He doesn't decide anything or really represent the members. In any case, join the club that has the facilities and activites you want and don't worry about the rest.
 
I live in south central Ab. And have heard the same sort of things about many of the clubs around here so figuring that I had no interest in dealing with attitudes as well as the Gestapo (Ab CFO office) whenever I wanted to enjoy the sport, I have focused on purchasing nothing but NR Firearms and finding (many) places in the back country to enjoy my new pastime without all the hassle. I am very glad I did. Something to think about.
 
I belong to a club in Alberta which I fully enjoy and the only place I can shoot my handgun. Great people no issues. However I would love to shoot some of my n/r in the back country such as you. If you care to share your secret spots I am all ears...
 
silver69 said:
I live in south central Ab. And have heard the same sort of things about many of the clubs around here so figuring that I had no interest in dealing with attitudes as well as the Gestapo (Ab CFO office) whenever I wanted to enjoy the sport, I have focused on purchasing nothing but NR Firearms and finding (many) places in the back country to enjoy my new pastime without all the hassle. I am very glad I did. Something to think about.
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Same here. I’ve given up on chasing gun clubs around the block to try and get a membership, instead I just take my hunting licence along with my pal and my non-restricted rifles and/or shotguns and head out into the woods. You can even make a weekend camping trip out of it.
 
Trying to get Gun Club experience too!

Yes, "trying to get Gun Club experience!

I got my PAL this Feb., and bought a Glock17 Gen4, and a Berreta 96fs .40 calibre soon after. I first went shooting with a colleague at Target Sports Cda. with no restrictions—9mm to .50 calibre FMJ to .223 tactical rifles. Only downside is the distance and a $700 membership fee. The Club I'm trying to belong to is 2.7km and 7min. from my house (the only inner-city gun club in Toronto. However, you have to qualify on a 22 first, along with a probation of 10 sessions at the range. I don't have a 22, and don't want one! You can only use Standard Velocity, and only lead-nose ammo. Because I'm an "Older-Boy" my fee for the year is half price—$80, plus the obligatory $45 to the CSSA.

The crotchety Ole-Boy Range Officer reluctantly accepted my low-ass .22 ammo (CCI Quiet Noise @ 710 fps), cause there's a hoarding shortage of Standard Velocity .22s @ 1050fps (really no money in making them). So, the Club is made up of sundry others, and two guys with canes, one guy on crutches, one guy with a walker, one guy at least 90 (who doesn't talk), and the prez, who I call "General Rommel"—the others I've named "Citizen Cane" and his twin "TuCane," "Crutches," "Walker," and "In A Silent Way."

This Toronto Revolver Club has other clubs affiliated with it different nights of the week. I did kinda poorly on the in-house written test; I only got 83%, but passed with an explanation and a figurative slap on the wrist. Went blank on a couple of the questions which would have put me at 90%, their pass mark. Even the PAL was easier than their BS (one stupid-ass trick question and questions that are not even covered on your FAC (Firearm Course). I even told the ole-boy that the wording on the questions wasn't right. But like my question about what kind of ammo I could use, I might as well been talking to a paper Zombie. Then you have to qualify with a score of 60 on a 6" target, a block away with .22 Cowboy six-shooter or a WW2 pistol. It wasn't about an ATT either, but I would esp. now like it for invites to other ranges too.
 
To me I think you should find another range,don't like it know wont like it later. You might not be the members they are looking for.
 
Wendell said:
Let me get this straight, club #1's caretaker gives you some attitude so you decide to pass on the club? (You're going to judge an entire club on the actions of one person in one conversation on one day? You've never had a bad day and treated a stranger rudely, huh?) And club #2, filled to capacity but with an out-dated website, passes on your membership in much the same way that you've passed on membership in club #1, so you feel unwelcome in the sport? Is that it? The reception wasn't as warm as the one you got at your country club interview, I guess.

It sounds to me as though you're accustomed to being treated as a Prince. The thing is, we're not used to being around royalty, see? So perhaps our manners are a bit common. Sorry.

How about giving club #1 another chance.
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I tend to react the same way as the op, when confronted with IGNORANCE i walk away... i would give Mission a try not perfect but overall it's a good place (especially if you go during weekdays in the a.m). GOOD LUCK
 
if a gun club is nearby and convenient to visit, i tend to find that I spend more cash on burning the ammo cans... so close to your home is not #1 priority. affordable driving distance is ok. I am in ontario, good club is not easy to find/join neither. good luck to shooters that are still looking for a club to join. in the mean time, just pay attention to the club notices/website, ask a few friends who are already in the club for some inside news, or just get a hunting license so you can go for a hunting trip while practicing shooting skills in the wild. of course, you need to do all these when you have done plenty safety drills.

all in all, shooting sport is a dying sport, not as fancy as hockey/football/basketball... but don't give up on it just because you can not find a club, most people I know playing soccer without a club at all. still tons of fun.
 
ybruce said:
all in all, shooting sport is a dying sport ...
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Rubbish. My own club has multiplied its membership several times over in recent years, and now offers more variety of shooting disciplines and activities than ever before. And I would say the latter is true of the shooting sports generally.
 
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