Frustrated with Gun Club Experience

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?

Sorry to hear about your experience. I'm in Bantario, and my experience was the direct opposite. I belong to Lower Trent Fish and Game Club. When I joined, the prez met me in person to show me around. We shot a round of sporting clays with his o/u's and his shells while we discussed volunteer opportunities. Absolute great experience, and it should be.

My only advice would be to look for a member of your local club, and have them show you around and introduce you. Maybe your intentions will seem more genuine if a member backs you up. I'm sure, in fact I guarantee that there is a member on here from your local club. Hopefully someone sees this and hooks you up.

Good Luck, and don't give up!!

I too am sorry to hear about your bad experiences. I recently joined my local club (Chilliwack Fish and Game Protective Association) and have had nothing but great experiences so far and have met nothing but friendly, helpful people!

I tend to be a pretty outgoing person, but in situations where I know absolutely NO one I get a little nervous...but it didn't take long for me to start chatting up some of the members and learn that they are all really great people. And they're all there for the same thing, to have fun and enjoy the shooting sports.

If Chilliwack isn't too far a drive for you, I'd suggest coming up to our club and checking things out. New members are always welcome and Sept 20th there is a big "service day" for photos and stuff for new members, and I'm sure someone would be happy to show you around and give you some info on the club.

Best of luck in finding a club!

Cheers

Sorry for your experiences with a bunch of snobs. Be sure not to look at anyone the wrong way....or else! (just kidding)

Don't give up, yes, gunowners CAN be a rather closed in bunch (if I didn't like shooting so much I might've joined the antis long ago). Once you "break in" and people get used to seeing you around it'll get MUCH better, beleive me. Yes, there are jerks around(some being pretty high in up the food chain), but that applies everywhere.

If you ever relocate to Edmonton, PM me...I would be happy to show you around the clubs where I'm at!

Try Mission if you are ok with "one round at a time". Excellent facilities.
Try Abby. Try Maple Ridge (TM).
not sure about indoor winters, though.
(If you were not married I would have suggested you to
marry a pure bred Swiss woman,
that way you could get in the Swiss Club -
- arguably the best club, but not open to everybody).

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.

Check out Semiahmoo - very friendly. Some limitations though as essentially one night a week and 20 yard handgun & .22 rifle only. $5 drop in, $3 range fee if member, $70/couple IRC http://sfgc.ca/ may want to arrive 15 minutes early to help with setup and ensure you have a slot (people are good about rotating though if full up).

Check out Mission as well (am not much time these days but can always send a PM and welcome to join in). There is a rumoured single shot rule but not seen it yet. Also very friendly (and generally quiet - weekdays am on my own 1/2 the time and if not max of 5 other people there).

DVC has a special on too, something to consider, indoors, well ventilated, movable target holders...

You're not the first person I heard say disparaging things about the Langley club.

srv2miker said:

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.

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The Langley Rod & Gun club is the CFO designated Ontario training center for Range Nazis.

Stink-eye techniques are a mandatory part of the Range Nazi curriculum for certification.........he was probably just practicing when you came along.

Isn't Langley mostly about trap shooting?

I will be looking for an outdoor range in the near future to shoot rifle, at DVC for the time being. I'm in Vancouver, and PoCo (Burke) and Thompson Mountain seem to be the closest ones. Wanstall's in Maple Ridge is pretty much as far I want to venture out.

Haven't heard much about Thompson, any one a member there? Seems like a sizeable range, some construction happening, so it's alive.

Join Mission, has good range for pistol and there is no one shot rule. That is on the rifle range.

They are always accepting new members.

Dr.Lector said:

Try Mission if you are ok with "one round at a time". Excellent facilities.
Try Abby. Try Maple Ridge (TM).
not sure about indoor winters, though.
(If you were not married I would have suggested you to
marry a pure bred Swiss woman,
that way you could get in the Swiss Club -
- arguably the best club, but not open to everybody).

Click to expand...

This is not an appology on behalf of Ridgedale,
BUT: Ridgedale Rod and Gun Club's membership has grown
in the last 15 years to the point that
it is a little crowded on some weekends.


Also, please take into account:

-the club rents the range to a lot of gov orgs
(when Police or CBSA shoots, the rifle range is still usable,
but when ERT/SWAT rents it, nobody else is allowed on the range),

-the first Sunday of each month there is Trap shooting, during which
the rifle range - that is a separate facility!!!!! - cannot be used,
(I never understood why, though),

-the archery guys have their monthly weekend too,
and all the ranges are closed because
they go on a 3-D range in the surrounding wooden area
(to play "tarzan" and other things, to feel good about themselves, etc),

-the rifle shed is small (4 tables) with 2 new tables outside.





Because of all the above, the Club wants to protect
its present members and maintain some minimal conditions for them,
so it doesn't become like that PoCo sh!thole.

One of the measures taken by Ridgedale
was capping the membership numbers.
They accept new members but this new priority system is
based on the home address (neighbours first, from what I understand).




However, I completely understand your point
and the fact that you feel un-welcomed or maybe even rejected,
especially when you are a newbie.
I hope somebody will take you along and bring you to a range
that accepts new members and you will like it in there and could integrate.
I wish you best of luck

I had a bad experience back in 1992 when I went to join the Orillia gun club in Ontario, where a member actually give me, my wife and her kids a hard time and actually closed a door in my face and asked us to leave. I was there to hand in my applaction and money. So I did not join. I finally joined a club in 2005. Have had nothing but a great time. It all depends on the persons or persons one meets. Try another club, or another provance.

TGC said:

I had a bad experience back in 1992 when I went to join the Orillia gun club in Ontario, where a member actually give me, my wife and her kids a hard time and actually closed a door in my face and asked us to leave. I was there to hand in my applaction and money. So I did not join. I finally joined a club in 2005. Have had nothing but a great time. It all depends on the persons or persons one meets. Try another club, or another provance.

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Hey, years of lead exposure does cause behavioural changes you know

Seriously though, front-line workers/volunteers (salespeople, clerks, receptionists etc.,) are really under-rated....and unfortunately are thought of by many organizations/companies as being interchangeable/expendable. In fact, these people are amoungst the MOST important people because they MAKE the impression/set the tone for the entire organization.

More thought needs to be given as to who/what type of people get these "frontline" assignments. In the case of volunteers, it might be better not having anyone than having Mr or Mrs. Grouch working.

We (as gun owners)really need to work on the "treat people as you want to be treated" principle.

srv2miker said:

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.

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.


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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Hello srv2miker,

I suggest giving Langley a second chance. I too got the stink eye and "ignore him and maybe he'll go away treatment". Same feeling as if I was walking into the coffee shop at 9:00 AM in some small town in Saskatchewan and wasn't wearing a John Deere cap. LOL. I have a 14 and 12 year old sons who also want to shoot. We just went to Junior Rifle last night 6:00 - 7:00 Tuesdays and it was very descent for my son. The two gentlemen running it were very good to us. And we felt welcome. As 7:00 PM approached a guy and his son showed up to shoot .22 rifle and handgun. I was pleasantly surprised when I was invited to shoot both his rifle and handgun. They invited my son to shoot their stuff as well. Nice. Then another hand gunner showed up. He shot one round and then insisted I shoot his handgun. Then more guys (guys your age) showed up and they got to joking and ribbing each other and shooting - the atmosphere was down right pleasant. They are starting Sunday morning trap shooting for kids as well. I am happy that my family are new members. At first I had thought I'd made a poor choice.

What you ran into was a bunch of oldsters (all twice your age) who have spent many many years of being at the club and unfortunately just seem like old curmudgeons. Are there some oldsters there, giving you the stink eye. Yup. But I am confident that they just time to warm up to you. I don't know for sure but I think there are many 30 something members at the club and not just the "give 'em the stink eye" types. If you join, you'll lower the ratio of oldsters to younger guys. LOL

zupermann said:

Hey, years of lead exposure does cause behavioural changes you know

Seriously though, front-line workers/volunteers (salespeople, clerks, receptionists etc.,) are really under-rated....and unfortunately are thought of by many organizations/companies as being interchangeable/expendable. In fact, these people are amoungst the MOST important people because they MAKE the impression/set the tone for the entire organization.

More thought needs to be given as to who/what type of people get these "frontline" assignments. In the case of volunteers, it might be better not having anyone than having Mr or Mrs. Grouch working.

We (as gun owners)really need to work on the "treat people as you want to be treated" principle.

Click to expand...

For the record my only gun club experiences have been the opposite. The TRC club, returned my phone call and explained their fudd rules very carefully, patiently and politely. The staff was excellent even if the club was not my style. (Too long a probation period and inflexible hours).

Better yet was my time at the Oshawa Skeet and Gun Club. They are always the super friendliest bunch of shooters. The fudds are being slowly outnumbered too. The staff ( I forget her name, but she is a mature blond woman) is super amazing. She is wonderful, available, friendly, knowlegable, helpful and resonable. I could not recommend a staff member more.

In fact the club could only be improved in my mind with a reduction in fudd rules. Namely

1) 5 shots in mag only. (Even 10/22 ) and
2) 1 Shot every 2 seconds.
3) No holsters. (They host IPSC/IDPA but you can't practice for them).

Other than this, it is a great range with excellent staff. Sadly we can't let our dollars do the talking as ranges are so few and far between. New ones won't likely pop up when crappy ones die, so we put up with ####. WHat'ya gonna do?

Sorry to hear. I don't seem to have that problem in GTA area, besides most ranges are out 'range' for me. Too far, too many rules, no safety course until next year, etc etc... I finally gave up and forked out $600 to join Target Sports and ironically, the first club I learned about when I started researching back in April. If only I live out west or far away from a major city... I could belong to several clubs and still have tons of $$$ left over for ammo!

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 want to make it clear that I'm not expecting hugs and kisses when I visit a club. What is not acceptable is for the caretaker to act like a complete a*****e when I walk through the door. There's a great Rodney Carrington joke about princes and princesses that could go here, but probably isn't appropriate

Thanks everyone who has contributed helpful responses. I definitely want to go to Langley one night, just to see what the members are like. I also attended the open house that Mission had a few weeks ago, and I really enjoyed the group there. I'm just a little wary of their winter hours (closing at dusk). In winter it's dusk before my day even ends, so I'd feel like my membership would be wasted for 4-5 months of the year.

Last time I was at Langley I got muzzle sweeped by some dude "making safe his gun". Then after about an hour of shooting some guy tried to scoop my brass and got all pissy at me when I told him I wanted it, he just said I should have picked it up earlier because it was getting everywhere. I went to complain to the staff but they told me I could leave a note for the boss.

chise said:

Last time I was at Langley I got muzzle sweeped by some dude "making safe his gun". Then after about an hour of shooting some guy tried to scoop my brass and got all pissy at me when I told him I wanted it, he just said I should have picked it up earlier because it was getting everywhere. I went to complain to the staff but they told me I could leave a note for the boss.

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What the hell? The dude that was picking up your brass should say sorry instead of making up excuses. The nerve of some people...

Langley Rod and Gun was my first club. The caretaker gives everyone the stink eye. It gave me no warm fuzzies to join but damn I wanted that LTATT!
Anyway, try dropping by on a thursday evening and check out the indoor pistol shooting. The range officers were always very nice so I did have a good time when I went.

I have since dropped my membership there and am now a member of DVC. Its a little further for me to go but its nice to have much better hours and so far I really only shoot handguns so they are a perfect range for me. I also like shooting at distances other then 20 meters(and so does my wife), the automatic target returns mean no cease fires every 5 to 10 minutes.