Public Ranges in PA (Eire area)

[Babarsac]

So I'm about to head up to northwest Pennsylvania for work and was looking for some local ranges during my downtime. According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PCG) website there are public ranges available with a $30 annual fee. Are these range permits available to non-residents?

I'm most likely to do some handgun shooting and this regulation from the PCG website has me a little worried.

At a Commission range specifically designated as a handgun range, it is permitted for an individual to load and discharge a handgun containing a maximum of six rounds of single projectile ammunition at any one time.

Does this I'm only gonna be firing my K-frame?

Lastly, are there any members from the Eire area who can chime in about the range on State Game Land 109? I'm mostly interested in any special rules or anything I should know about that range.

 

[Sam1911]

Babarsac,

I can't answer most of your questions, but the Game Commission ranges do have limits on how many rounds you may load in a gun at once. The gun can HOLD any number, you're just not supposed to put more than 6 in a handgun at once, and I think I thought it was 3 in a rifle.

I do remember that the state range I used to shoot on decades ago that hosted High Power matches had a bit of a "wink-and-a-nod" understanding for that event.

 

[rayatphonix]

I was in a similar situation...

Yes, non-residents can get a permit. It's easy to do if you can get online and have a printer. I was shooting at a range outside of Clarion, PA (also in the NW corner). It was one of the nicest public ranges I've visited. It was very clean and well maintained. Like you, I was up there for an extended business trip.

The ranges do limit the number of rounds you can put in a pistol (6 as you noted) and a rifle (3 as I recall). As I had an AR and pistol with me, the rifle was more of a pain than the pistol. I'm not sure why 6 rounds would be a problem; it wasn't for me.

I shot at the range about 4 or 5 times and for the most part never saw anyone. The locals told me things change as hunting season nears. The Rangers are out and enforcing the rules and the ranges are packed.

 

[Babarsac]

rayatphonix

Do you remember if you had to bring your own target stands? Or would I be ok with some targets and some tape?

 

[rayatphonix]

Targets and tape should do fine if you can live with specific distances. The range near Clarion had OSB backstops at 25 yards (pistol) and 100 yards for the rifle. I went out and bought a stapler as that worked better than tape. Someone replaced the OSB backstops halfway through my visit, which surprised me as they we not in that bad of shape. If you needed to set something up halfway, you'd need a stand.