Rifle Ranges Around Charlotte That Are Affordable And Not Restrictive

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Evergreen

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I was just wondering if there is any ranges in North Carolina that don't have all types of weird requirements. Being from the Northwest we do have a few ranges with rules like No Draw and SHoot, but some of the ranges I am seeing in the Charlotte area are just a little above the top for somebody like me. I was looking at Charlotte Rifle and Pistol Club and they make you go through some type of certification program , where they not only expect you to have decent marksman skills, but to know how to field strip every rifle you have. I'm not saying these are not good skills to have, but I jut hate so many rules. As long as you are being safe, the constant nanny mentality these ranges have just makes me a bit infuriated. I have nothing against gun safety, orientation, etc, but to demand you prove your efficiency with shooting and field stripping everything down to components just seems over the top. You have to certify each rifle you use and have the serial number, make and model and are not allowed to use any other rifle except the one certified. Each additional rifle requires more certification.

This is the website of this range right outside of Charlotte. In addition to all their crappy rules, nanny and anti-2A mentality that I don't respect, they have exorbitant fees . They make you pay $500 plus yearly fees to join. Even the ranges in Seattle don't charge that much.
http://www.cr-pc.org/


Being from the Northwest I have never seen this type of strict and stringent requirements. I can see that North Carolina has significantly more tight gun control than what I am use to and the ranges seem to be operated in a manner that doesn't seem very 2A friendly, where every member is almost treated like they are criminal or too dangerous. As long as I am being safe, courteous and following rules (reasonable ones, like cold/hot range, red lines, range flags, muzzle pointed downrange, etc) I don't see why they cannot just leave me alone and let me shoot. Normally, I like to draw-shoot my pistol, but I understand some ranges don't allow it. But, forcing you to register each rifle you use and prove to range master that you already mastered each rifle is just ludicrous and annoying.

I respect every range has their rules and can do whatever they want, but I rather join a range where I am not constantly nannied, watched over, restricted, controlled ,limited and regulated. I guess living in the Northwest, where going through a safety and rule orientation was the only requirements for joining a range this is going to be a new mindset that will take getting use to.


Is there any range in Charlotte area or anything within an hour of driving where the fees are reasonable, they don't have endless amounts of strange rules and requirements for you to join or shoot your guns, etc? I am looking for place I can do pistol and rifle shooting up to 300 yards. My skills have been rusty since I haven't had much time or money to do any shooting. Sadly, with the the mentality of some of the ranges I see I may not be doing any shooting while living in the Charlotte area.
 
In review I realized I haven't updated this.

Great place!
If you are near it's really worth it.
$10 to get in per person per day. $2.00 lane fee.
Extra $10 if you want to shoot steel they provide.
If just skeet or trap no entrance fee just pay for your clays.
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My main criteria for joining or not joining a range is if I can't shoot my reloads I walk away. If they will let me shoot my reloads that catches my interest.
 
Reading the initial/OP, I was curious about the Charlotte Rifle and Pistol Club Range Rules that were touted as somewhat onerous.

It didn't look too bad in Para 1 of Rifle Qual. Para 2 was getting a 'bit' much as I read on.... but no real biggy
given some of what I've watched when people show up with unopened cardboard boxes.

But with Rifle Certification....
http://www.cr-pc.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=956998&module_id=158118
Wow.
 
I'm also a member at Blackstone shooting.
https://www.blackstoneshooting.com/

Cost is 60 a month family. Can shoot reloads, can pick up brass, can fire fast if you wish to practice as such.

I was a member at point blank matthews
http://www.pointblankrange.com/
Until we moved and the drive would have been top much.
Point blank allows reloads and brass pickup. Is 10/mo cheaper, and has a no fast fire rule

Charlotte pistol and rifle club has a decent initial join cost followed by pretty decent regulations to be able to use your rifles or do the things you wish. It's all about safety so I understand but...
When I lived close enough to consider them I realized that after the large outlay of money to get started id probably have 2 months of qualifying and a work detail before I could just go and enjoy.

I'm glad I didn't make the plunge for the simple fact that now that I live on the Gaston county and York county line it would be to far away
 
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The ranges I belong to for the most part only cost me a maximum $168 per year and one charges an $8 a day rifle or pistol fee and you can switch back and forth all you want. One of the ranges that I shoot at is only $150 a year and your wife shoots free plus you can have 6 guest shooters per year free. Never used that option. Great to be old enough to get senior citizen discount. Although I earned that. Sometimes the hard way.:D:):):)
 
In review I realized I haven't updated this.

Great place!
If you are near it's really worth it.
$10 to get in per person per day. $2.00 lane fee.
Extra $10 if you want to shoot steel they provide.
If just skeet or trap no entrance fee just pay for your clays.
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How are the crowds on weekends? It looks like a great place and I’d be willing to make the trip on occasion.
 
I've always arrived at opening within minutes. It has been full thirty min after opening but lanes open up frequently. They are managed very well and seem to be on top of anyone waiting.
 
Interesting thread. I noticed when I moved here from GA that Charlotte's various ranges (indoor and outdoor) are less than optimal, usually some combination of overpriced, dillapidated, or draconian. It took a while but I found an outdoor range that works pretty well for my needs. I currently shoot at Leed's rifle range in SC. When I first started shooting there a few years ago there were no rules beyond the basics of gun safety, but after people began leaving washers/dryers/garbage and other shooting refuse SC implemented some rules (paper or steel targets only) and was considering a nominal fee for membership and to enjoy their 100 yard outdoor range. Haven't been there since last summer, so it might have changed since then.

Go on a weekday early in the morning. A lot of times you'll have that 100 yard range and firing line all to yourself. I don't mind the drive if it means relative peace and quiet. There are several benches and they're all covered. Most people are friendly or courteous.
 
If you don't mind the drive (a bit over an hour from NW Charlotte), look into membership at Catawba Valley Wildlife Club. It's a limited membership, (total number of members), so membership may or may not be open at a given time, but is an excellent club for those interested in shooting sports. Rules are strict for the sake of safety and proper behavior, but not onerous or overly restrictive (No 50BMG or full auto weapons allowed).We have a pistol range where you can shoot your own paper targets (on club approved target stands, to protect the berms), or shoot a selection of steel targets, from 7-1/2 to 25 yards.

The rifle range has a covered and enclosed gun house, targeting at 50, 100, 200, and 300 yards, with a few steel targets at 200 and 300 yards. We have wobble trap, 5-stand, skeet and sporting clays ranges for the shotgunner. We are closely aligned with NRA, NRA membership is required for club membership. Hunter safety courses are available, and regular club matches are scheduled. Right now the club is not allowing visitors or guests, due to COVID-19, but the ranges have remained open to members as long as social distancing is practiced and use is limited to ten or leas per range at any one time. generally this is not an issue except during matches, which were suspended until recently.

http://cvwc.org/index.html
 
Bangswitch, you’ve got a nice club there. Ranges over 100 yards are few and far between in our part of the world.
 
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