AGC range worth it?

[Dav]

So I've been researching what goes into getting access to the AGC range and I'm just wondering what you guys think of it, If it's worth going through the work and money. To be completely honest I have no interest in joining a club I just want access to an outdoor range with reasonable hours year round. My work schedule eats up most of the usable days and hours of the week. Elk neck Is about the same distance from me and cheaper but I've had less than stellar experiences with other shooters there and with the lack of an RO (may have changed) I'm tentative to try it again or bring my girlfriend who desperately wants more gun time.

TL;DR Is the AGC range worth joining a club?

 

[Engine4]

Look into Baltimore Rifle Club. Join it, take the mandatory walk thru, & you're in. Nothing else needed. Oh yes, & I believe AGC is worth it.

 

[Mbutt]

I just joined one of the AGC clubs and to me, personally you can’t beat it. I understand you’re not big into club events but like I say this club has every type of event you could imagine plus with the added benefit of going to the range whenever you want to on your own time. Having been going to hap baker range when I felt like shooting it was just too expensive, and for the convenience, exceptional club events, and overall great people I’ve met with its unbelievable. I would definitely look into it but overall I don’t want to force your decision. Thanks

 

[rseymorejr]

You would have to join one of the clubs in order to get the range badge. I think the 2019 range badge is $190. for that you have unlimited access to the ranges and can bring guests at no charge. It all depends how much you think you'll use it. They also have range work days where you can volunteer your time and get credits toward next years range badge. There is always at least 1 RSO on duty and unsafe ******** is not tolerated. I live in Harford County and used to shoot at Elk Neck, I've had to wait for a spot there and witnessed some scary gun handling there too. Sometimes the road would get really dicey too in wet weather. It takes me about an hour to get to the AGC but I think it's worth it.

 

[Art3]

So I've been researching what goes into getting access to the AGC range and I'm just wondering what you guys think of it, If it's worth going through the work and money. To be completely honest I have no interest in joining a club I just want access to an outdoor range with reasonable hours year round. My work schedule eats up most of the usable days and hours of the week. Elk neck Is about the same distance from me and cheaper but I've had less than stellar experiences with other shooters there and with the lack of an RO (may have changed) I'm tentative to try it again or bring my girlfriend who desperately wants more gun time.

TL;DR Is the AGC range worth joining a club?

I've heard Elk Neck has been straightened out a little, but I'd say it's still no comparison to AGC. We also live about an hour from each. I went to Elk Neck a few times when I was first dating Katie because she lived in Cecil at the time, but neither of us has had any inkling to go back. (I can shoot up my own target frame just fine...I don't need other shooters helping)

We do participate in a club events, but I still think it would be worth it if we didn't. My only complaint is that, because it's a bit of a hike, we don't get out there as often as we should.

Also...they have 3 gun (and the club that puts it on allows members of other clubs)

 

[Virgil Co.C]

Used to drive to elk neck until I heard about AGC. For me it’s worth it ,never had a bad experience at AGC and people are generally friendly, the RO’s aren’t nazis but do there job respectfully. I think if you shoot frequentley it’s a good place . I joined a club ,not active with them which I do feel a little guilty but pay my dues which are very reasonable. Dues for this club are 25 a year. Then the AGC fee. Always had a lane to shoot unlike elk neck , that place can get crazy with people (meaning people waiting to shoot) so yes I think it is worth it . Jmo

 

[Dav]

Thanks for the input extremely helpful.

 

[brownspotz]

I've been an agc member for 15+ years. It's worth it. Shit part is I live less than 2 miles away and don't visit as often as I should. There's great things there to do.

 

[Squaregrouper]

Distance is paramount.
I am 15 minutes away, w/o traffic. For me, it is a no brainer. If it is 30 minutes away w/o traffic, my opinion stands.
Your location may change your stance.

 

[rbird7282]

Look into Baltimore Rifle Club. Join it, take the mandatory walk thru, & you're in. Nothing else needed. Oh yes, & I believe AGC is worth it.

This. I'm a member of Baltimore Rifle and it's $25/yr. No nonsense.
AGC is a good facility with a pistol range, 100yd rifle range, 200yd rifle range, and 4 (I think) trap fields.

 

[Gcs7th]

I’ve been shooting at the AGC since 2011 and through Arlington Rifle and Pistol Club I’ve made a lot of great friends. The AGC is a great community and not all clubs are created equal. I would recommend you find one that caters to your interests. ARPC does a lot of great events and has helped bring steel and action shooting to the AGC.

I’m currently the VP for ARPC so feel free to Email me at arlingtonrpc.vicepresident@gmail.com if you have any questions.

 

[Tungsten]

In most years I would say yes. This past year with the crazy amount of rain and general amount of drastically terrible weather, no. I think I made it out there twice.

However, I have had great experiences every time I have been out there in the past few years.

 

[Brychan]

I was a member of a club at AGC, while I really enjoyed shooting there I just wasn't getting there often enough to make it worth wild.

 

[Uncle Duke]

I'd definitely recommend AGC as a place to shoot. Given your location though, the real question becomes whether or not you'd travel there often enough to make a membership worthwhile.

You do need to belong to a member club. I think there are now 31 or 32 of them at present. Many shooters at AGC belong to member clubs that don't schedule a lot of activities, and are primarily about providing little more than range access. For many people, range access without commitments and other obligations is really what they seek. Having said that, if you're there often enough, you'll begin to notice and meet "regulars" there on certain set days of the week, regardless of what club you join. So over time, you're seeing a lot of the same folks. The shooters at AGC run the gamut from novices to experts in various shooting disciplines, so it's a great atmosphere with a lot of opportunity to indulge and enjoy and broaden your own particular interests.

 

[willtill]

Due to the lack of public land to shoot on here in Central Maryland; it's a no brainer (for me) to shoot at the AGC. I've been shooting there since the early 2000's and it's about 21 miles away for me. It's all many of us have; for a place to shoot.

.

 

[mcbruzdzinski]

As the president of Monumental Rifle and Pistol Club (one of the AGC charter clubs) and a weekend RSO at Elk Neck, I can state that joining any of the clubs at the AGC is worth it. I believe that Baltimore Rifle and MD State Rifle and Pistol Association (MSRPA) are the lowest in cost to join. Once you join a club, take the orientation, all of the AGC ranges are open to you. Most clubs have a schedule of events and many are open to all members of the AGC, no matter what club you join. I have been there over 20 years and do not regret it, even when I had a 45 minute drive to get there!


There are also opportunities to get range badge credits that can reduce your annual range badge fee.

 

[SKIP]

First of all I am a dysfunctional Vietnam vet. PLEASE LEAVE ME ALONE.
As a member for 35 years I am always annoyed by members trying to make friends and ask about the fine rifles I shoot. If I have a problem with a firearm most members try to help solve my problem without me fixing it myself. If you want a quite place to shoot I would not recommend joining.

PS. I have been a member for 35 years.

 

[Squaregrouper]

First of all I am a dysfunctional Vietnam vet. PLEASE LEAVE ME ALONE.
As a member for 35 years I am always annoyed by members trying to make friends and ask about the fine rifles I shoot. If I have a problem with a firearm most members try to help solve my problem without me fixing it myself. If you want a quite place to shoot I would not recommend joining.

PS. I have been a member for 35 years.

The grumpy old bastard scrounges for brass in calibers he doesn't shoot too.







(then offers it up for free in the brass trade thread)

 

[ToolAA]

First of all I am a dysfunctional Vietnam vet. PLEASE LEAVE ME ALONE.

As a member for 35 years I am always annoyed by members trying to make friends and ask about the fine rifles I shoot. If I have a problem with a firearm most members try to help solve my problem without me fixing it myself. If you want a quite place to shoot I would not recommend joining.



PS. I have been a member for 35 years.

I was one of those members who joined about 3yrs ago and had the fortune (or misfortune) if sitting next to you on the line. I couldn’t tell the difference between a Moisn and a walking stick at the time. I was taking my sweet old time setting up my stuff, maybe way too long, and you said “hey are you actually going to shoot that thing?” You must have been in a good mood that day. the rest is history.

To the OP, I would say it’s a nice place to shoot and we are lucky to have such a facility in central MD. And if you see a chain smoking cranky old vet shooting at one of the benches near the flagpole, doing more talking then shooting, say hello to someone else first.

 

[danb]

Baltimore Rifle Club motto is "less talking more shooting," or something. Says so on the chamber flag. If someone gets all school girl giddy over your new Galil, just wave that. If you have too many club meetings or chatty friends, you are in the wrong club. I cant recall what club I belong to but our motto is "Because **** you thats why" and says so on our stuff.

I personally hate it when people offer to let me borrow their tools and stuff. I'd rather go home and come back, My truck need the exercise.

Oh, and don't get me started on all the Moms and Dads teaching their 9 year old daughters to shoot a puny 22. WTF, are you raising a snowflake? Give her the 308 and let 'er rip. jeez.

On a serious note, get steel. Especially when its windy. Nothing more satisfying than the clang. And your target does not blow over!