Talk to me about gun clubs

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hAkron

hAkron

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Dec 11, 2010
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Akron, Ohio
I live in North Eastern Ohio and I have been to most every public indoor range, and I've made the hour drive a few times to a public outdoor range run by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. I'm primarily a hand gun shooter, but I'm also starting to get interested in clay pigeon shotgun sports. I'm interested in joining a gun club where there are some practical pistol types of activites, such as IPDA, and also some area to shoot trap, and/or skeet. When I do a search on the Internet for gun clubs I get seemingly out dated lists, usually with links to maps of the location as the only information, and on the off chance that there is a web address, the website is normally lacking in information. I've never been to an actual gun club and don't know anybody who belongs to one so I'm no even sure how to set an expectation of what to look for or where. Looking for some insight from anybody who's been in my shoes, or better yet maybe some information on any good clubs in my area (I live in Akron and would prefer something within a 30-45 minute drive or closer).
 
First off I do not live near you so that part does not help out. When I looked at a gun club I first decided what I wanted it to provide and any extras were a bonus. For handguns I was looking for a shooting league and indoor practice area that was open often. I also wanted some sort of security, say a range that did not let just anyone in. The application process, wait for full membership etc. was going to weed out the people that were not there for serious, safe use of the facilities. Now I have a place of my own that I can shoot anytime I want but still do belong to a club cause I am too lazy to build that indoor heated range at home. Plus sitting there with a bunch of other gun guys/gals and swapping tall tales is lots of fun.:D If you want to find some place to shoot go to the places you expect to find firearms--gun stores or your local PD/Sheriff or the already found range etc and ask those there if they know of a local club/range that they would recommend for the specific interest you want. Most will be glad to help you find a place to safely shoot your firearms.
 
I've heard that Hill and Dale near you is a great place for trap and bird hunting. Had to cancel my hunt a few weeks ago so I've never actually been there.
 
Many of them are small clubs so, many times their websites are pretty basic and not updated. Just the way it is. In my area there is usually a waiting list to become a member, sometimes you have to wait for years. The NRA keeps a database, but it's only good if the club keeps info current. NRA...http://www.nra.org/nralocal.aspx
 
I would go to one or more of the clubs on this list and just ask around to get any local input. I would start at the fish and game club. this is a list within 30 miles of Akron

clay.gif
 
Thanks for the advice everybody. Sometimes the hardest thing about getting started with something is figuring out how to take the fist step. I appreciate the info!
 
i belonged to a gun club for many years but left because the "politics" got in the way of the fun...dont think that is unusual but i do think it is unfortunate
 
I belong to a private "sportsmans club." All of the members just refer to it as the gun club. We have a nice trap/skeet/whatever those guys call it setup. We also have a 25-100 pistol range and a 350yard rifle range. We host IDPA once a month, cowboy action shooting once a month, aspirin shooting once a month, and many other events. Membership at our club is 100 dollars a year plus NRA membership. We have nice clubhouse facility with indoor bathrooms and kitchen facilities. We also have a nice pond.

I would never shoot at a public range again. We only have about 110 members, as we are in a rural area.
 
Pay attention to the "atmosphere", and especially the way prospective members are treated. I have seen too many clubs described as "a bunch of grumpy old men with attitudes." I gave up on a nearby club years ago after I encountered rudeness from a member, and I have heard others say the same thing about that club. At the public ranges I have fired at I have never met anyone who acted like they owned the place-even when they did.
 
Joining the club I'm a member of was one of the best things I ever did. It's a long drive, but an absolutely outstanding facility! 560 acres of shooting joy, and no idiots to deal with. The only time I'll ever have to shoot next to anybody else is if I'm at the 600yd. high power range, which is usually empty anyway.
 
Hakron: I live in Medina and belong to the South Cuyahoga Sportsman's Assn. in Chatham (west of Medina). It is a full-service club w/ organized trap, skeet, sporting clays, NM, IDPA, hunting, archery, kids and veterans programs.

Their next general meeting is the first Wed in Dec (the 7th) at 7pm. They have a nice web site you can find doing a google search.

IF you want to learn more, PM me w/ your phone number and I will call you. You are also welcome to come to the meeting with me.

For informal pistol and rifle shooting, try Kelbys in Marshallville (Wayne County)and the West Branch Gun Club in Belden (Lorain County).
 
North Lawrence has a nice club. Its expensive to join(IMO) but they are an active club. Im pretty sure they have public trap shoots on wednesday evenings, but not sure of the schedule anymore. There are 5 traps and 1 practice trap. They have an outdoor rifle/pistol range.
 
Kevin Rohrer said:
Hakron: I live in Medina and belong to the South Cuyahoga Sportsman's Assn. in Chatham (west of Medina). It is a full-service club w/ organized trap, skeet, sporting clays, NM, IDPA, hunting, archery, kids and veterans programs.

Their next general meeting is the first Wed in Dec (the 7th) at 7pm. They have a nice web site you can find doing a google search.

IF you want to learn more, PM me w/ your phone number and I will call you. You are also welcome to come to the meeting with me.

For informal pistol and rifle shooting, try Kelbys in Marshallville (Wayne County)and the West Branch Gun Club in Belden (Lorain County).
Click to expand...

Kevin - I did see this club while searching the web today. Is this the kind of club that I can just fill out a form and write a check and I'm a member, or is there a waiting list or anything? Once I am a member can I shoot whenever I want? Are there additional costs for shooting, or is unlimited range time included in my membership?
 
You write a check, but there is also a requirement for renewal the next year to do three 4-hour work parties or pay additional money over and above the normal yearly fee. There is no waiting list.

Organized shooting events cost a few dollars to participate. There are restrictions on using the rifle/pistol range when other events are going on.

The club has a second set of ranges for trap/skeet, and bow just north of Hinckley in North Royalton along Ridge Road.
 
i am from ne ohio too. out out of all the ones i have been at was the vienna fish and game. high pwered rifles, a archery and a hand gun place. i am just too far away being in steubenville and not youngstown now.
 
Kevin Rohrer said:
You write a check, but there is also a requirement for renewal the next year to do three 4-hour work parties or pay additional money over and above the normal yearly fee. There is no waiting list.

Organized shooting events cost a few dollars to participate. There are restrictions on using the rifle/pistol range when other events are going on.

The club has a second set of ranges for trap/skeet, and bow just north of Hinckley in North Royalton along Ridge Road.
Click to expand...

Kevin,

Thanks for the info. I contacted the email address on the website and got some information. I think I'm going to possibly show up at the meeting on the 7th and probably join. From what I can tell this sounds like as close to what I'm looking for as I'm going to find.

Thanks again!
 
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