A range in Switzerland

[sigger69]

Does one have to be Swiss to join the club?

Swiss Canadian Mountain Range Association

The Swiss Canadian Mountain Range Association is a member of the Shooting Federation of Canada and the Swiss Shooting Federation. The club was incorporated in 1964 under the Societies Act of the province of British Columbia. We are financially independent and are proud to declare that we have never yet and do not intend to depend on government grants and/or taxpayer's money.

Our membership totals approx. 100 members. We have an initiation fee of $214.00 and an annual membership fee of $65.00. We screen all new applicants carefully as to their personality and lifestyle. All new applicants have a 6 months probationary period.

The aim of our Association is to preserve the Swiss tradition while adhering and adapting the Canadian way of life. Besides target shooting we organize a number of social events for our members and guests. We also host the annual Swiss National Day celebrations.

We are the organizers of the International Match Vancouver, a postal match which was inaugurated in 1965 at which time 31 clubs participated. The number of clubs, from Switzerland and elsewhere, competing in the annual match has increased to more than 800.

Our facilities are situated on a 27 acre site and are used during all seasons. They include a Chalet-type clubhouse, ranges for 300m Fullbore, 50m Rifle and pistol, as well as 10m Indoor; all of them equipped with electronic targets. In addition there is also a Trap range. The Swiss Crossbow Association Vancouver, an associated club, operates a 30m Crossbow range.

We participate on a postal basis in various shooting competitions in Switzerland. Members also compete in an annual club championship, highlighted in the fall by a shooting festival. This competition is the only one of its kind in North America, where shooters compete for a best aggregate score in four disciplines: Rifle, pistol, Smallbore and Crossbow. Approximately 80 shooters take part every year, coming from as far away as California, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver Island and the Interior of British Columbia.

We enjoy the freedom and opportunity to continue the sport which we learned and know from our country of origin and are grateful to the District of Coquitlam, the province of British Columbia and our adopted country, Canada.

Swiss Society of Vancouver​

 

[stevebc]

They do allow a few non-Swiss to join each year, yes. I've shot at the Swiss Club in Poco, and what a dream setup they've got there. Sius-Ascor marking systems on the 300 metre and some of the 50m positions as well. You take your shot, turn your head to the small black and white tv screen mounted next to your shooting position (prone) and your shot will be displayed exactly where it hit. It also shows you your last shots, and keeps a running total. When you're done, it prints out every shot you took and gives you your total score.
The chalet is awesome, the 50m pistol and smallbore is ditto, and the 30m crossbow range is a ton of fun.
My Dad was a member, and every year we'd join him there in October for the annual Schutzenfest- thats a multi discipline shoot in which you go for best aggregate score in 300m fullbore (yup, the Schmidt-Rubin and or P90), 50m smallbore (22), 50m pistol (9mm or 22, your choice), and 30m crossbow. By the way, I believe this competition is open to anyone, but I'd confirm that with the club before you head up there. This competition draws shooters from all over North America and a few from Europe as well.
My Dad passed away a couple of years back, but all of us sons still go to the Schutzenfest each October. My younger brother who lives in Langley joined, and goes there with his nephew.

I know, most of us will never get to shoot there, but if you're looking for the ideal range setup, I'd have to say this is it.

Check out the link Timelord posted:

http://www.scmra.ca/E/

 

[cybershooters]

It looks too clinical, too sheltered.......you cannot do anything other than lying down on the belly?

You can on most ranges, for the three-position. On the big ranges like that one they have trapdoors so that you stand at nearly the same height you would be from kneeling position, they do it for safety reasons and so you can see the monitor.

The range rules prohibit non-approved Swiss guns, but the Sphinx pistols are approved. In reality however I usually find they don't mind if there's no-one else about and you're using Swiss issue ammo. I've used AR-15s and all sorts of pistols on Swiss ranges.

 

[Dr_Scholl]

You can on most ranges, for the three-position. On the big ranges like that one they have trapdoors so that you stand at nearly the same height you would be from kneeling position, they do it for safety reasons and so you can see the monitor.

The range rules prohibit non-approved Swiss guns, but the Sphinx pistols are approved. In reality however I usually find they don't mind if there's no-one else about and you're using Swiss issue ammo. I've used AR-15s and all sorts of pistols on Swiss ranges.

Are Swiss gun laws similar to America's? I mean, in terms of what's legal?

 

[diopter]

Are Swiss gun laws similar to America's? I mean, in terms of what's legal?

It's not in the same context as you think.

Almost all the 300m ranges in Switzerland were helped, and/or sponsored with help from the Military for the sake of the population having a means to shoot their required military shooting programs. This is were the "legal" part comes in. In the past, the military was adamant that these ranges were strictly for use with Swiss Military Issued weapons(it's their money that made it possible all possible anyway) with the sole exception of UIT, now ISSF recognized shooting sports. That's why most clubs also have 50m pistols and small bore ranges.

The electronic targets do not like large calibers, expanding bullets, or wad cutters.
These play havoc with the rubber backing of both the 300m and 50m
targets. Very expensive to repair.
FMJ .223, 7.5 and 9mm are not a problem.