Good gun ranges/clubs in MD

Oldcarjunkie · Jan 2, 2017

John from MD said:
Now you are talking expensive.

It is, But i have to say as someone who joined Stoney creek and was a member for a few months before quitting I would and AM paying for Berwyn and couldnt be happier with my decision.

I joined Stoney Creek and the very first time i shot there A older gentleman Jumped in my face about shooting too fast. I really wasn't , but he also said he heard it three separate times and yet I had only went through 2 Mags. He was screaming and being a dick. I sucked it up, apologized and called it a day after those two mags. I did not go back and shoot as you have to have a member with you and it was hard to find one who has the same schedule. So i kept going to meetings and listened to everything they had to say.
One night i got there for the meeting and there was a guy who was a member for a few years who had accidentally left the brow up when shooting. He had set a crono up and forgot to lower it again. He hit nothing but his target but they were still not happy. They sent him out side while they called a vote to Ex-spell him from the club. I was shocked that almost everyone in there raised their hand to do so. Only One person stood up for him. John was his name. He has a Motorcycle shop in the dena. Anyway John talked to all the people in there and in the end the club voted to Suspend the guy for 6 months and Make him pay a 300.00 fine. You could also tell that the leaders of the club were Pissed at John for doing so. That was the day I told them i quit. I wouldnt go back to that club if you paid me.

BeoBill · Jan 2, 2017

John from MD said:
Now you are talking expensive.

You get what you pay for. Inverse: There's no free lunch.

John from MD · Jan 2, 2017

That may be true but some younger folks with a family can afford higher dues. This may be one reason that we see younger people at the "public matches" but they aren't members of a club. In my club, I would say 75 % is over 60 years old. :sad20:

Minuteman · Jan 2, 2017

Wow thx for the story Oldcarjunky, I completely trust your judgement. I think some of these club guys only know the way it's been in their club and either get hard headed or lose sight of what really matters. Unfortunately the trend has been more rules, more talking behind people's backs and more people tolerating gun clubs becoming a good ol boys club. If you don't shoot, don't be an officer of a gun club; join another club. Pretty simple. But unfortunately so few people will volunteer to help run things, we sometimes get stuck with people who often start off with the best intentions and do good stuff, but lose it over time.

I belong to several clubs and guest shoot occasionally at a few others. I think all of them have some degree of politics going on. Just look out for the guys that default to questioning the motive of everyone else; just looking for some controversy.

BeoBill · Jan 2, 2017

Minuteman said:
Wow thx for the story Oldcarjunky, I completely trust your judgement. I think some of these club guys only know the way it's been in their club and either get hard headed or lose sight of what really matters. Unfortunately the trend has been more rules, more talking behind people's backs and more people tolerating gun clubs becoming a good ol boys club. If you don't shoot, don't be an officer of a gun club; join another club. Pretty simple. But unfortunately so few people will volunteer to help run things, we sometimes get stuck with people who often start off with the best intentions and do good stuff, but lose it over time.

I belong to several clubs and guest shoot occasionally at a few others. I think all of them have some degree of politics going on. Just look out for the guys that default to questioning the motive of everyone else; just looking for some controversy.

Absolutely right. Every club is composed of people, and every group of people is different. And I believe politics happened when the third person showed up. I think the point I'm trying to make is that every club is going to be different, and those with a range have rules.

I believe the key is finding the club and range that you're comfortable with, and that's suited to your preferences.

chetjp · Jan 3, 2017

I like AGC. I have been a Monumental member since 2000 or so. AAFG is nice also.

John from MD · Jan 3, 2017

chetjp said:
I like AGC. I have been a Monumental member since 2000 or so. AAFG is nice also.

AGC is a great place now. I doubt many would have liked it when Ralph was running it. :sad20:

mcbruzdzinski · Jan 3, 2017

John from MD said:
AGC is a great place now. I doubt many would have liked it when Ralph was running it.

Or having Mike Seebo (?) as an RSO!

PapiBarcelona · Jan 3, 2017

What's relatively close? This state is so little, about hour and a half you could probably be at a number of private Pennsylvania clubs that have been around for decades. Monetary friendly dues, laid back and extremely lax rules, and usually no one else is there. Some are work clubs and some arent.

My dues are $55/year for a rifle range a few pistol ranges.

I'm literally minutes to the PA state line, so I can understand not being inclined to drive through Baltimore area interstate traffic and all the other highly populated areas down there.

John from MD · Jan 3, 2017

There is a good bit of stress if you have to drive either of the beltways in MD. Getting to PA via beltway and 83 from Pasadena would be about 1 1/2 hours if you do it outside of the rush hours. But then you have to leave early enough to beat the return rush hour traffic. :sad20:

Glaron · Jan 3, 2017

Traveler said:
On a serious note, FreeState is worth the drive.

I like free state to an extent, but if I can't fire my 50 cal there.. .not worth it.

ebxgsxr · Jan 3, 2017

i went to freestate for the first time on Sunday. i REALLY like that place. very friendly staff & not a-holes about things. range was nice and high tech. i liked the digital displays so you know the exact distance you want. i haven't been to a lot of ranges, but compared to where i have been, freestate was the best. i just wish it was closer to my house.

Enowacki · Jan 3, 2017

I think I wold be interested in joining the Anne Arundel Game Association but I am in need of a sponsor and I do not know any. When I went on their website the first part of the very lengthy application process was to have a sponsor sign your application before you send it. I decided to drive down there today and when I got there I was met with a locked gate with a RFID card reader and multiple signs saying that this is a private club and that NO ONE who is not a club member is allowed past the gate and "all vehicles entering the grounds are monitored by CCTV". And "anyone caught inside that is not a club member will be arrested and charged with trespassing". This was very deterring and made me seriously question why I should give my time and money to a place which goes to such lengths to keep people out of their organization. However I think that maybe by becoming a member I can use my time to try and change that culture. I just need a sponsor first. If anyone knows someone or has any information on public events held at the club that I could go and meet people it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Mike · Jan 3, 2017

Not much data about the places shown but if you find something interesting, you could go try it, or ask here for feedback before you go. See the link below.

https://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=38816

mcbruzdzinski · Jan 3, 2017

Enowacki said:
I think I wold be interested in joining the ACG but I am in need of a sponsor and I do not know any. When I went on their website the first part of the very lengthy application process was to have a sponsor sign your application before you send it. I decided to drive down there today and when I got there I was met with a locked gate with a RFID card reader and multiple signs saying that this is a private club and that NO ONE who is not a club member is allowed past the gate and "all vehicles entering the grounds are monitored by CCTV". And "anyone caught inside that is not a club member will be arrested and charged with trespassing". This was very deterring and made me seriously question why I should give my time and money to a place which goes to such lengths to keep people out of their organization. However I think that maybe by becoming a member I can use my time to try and change that culture. I just need a sponsor first. If anyone knows someone or has any information on public events held at the club that I could go and meet people it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Are you sure you mean the AGC?

Biggfoot44 · Jan 3, 2017

AGC is a federation of individual affiliated clubs. Each individual Club sets their own membership procedures.

I won't touch the question of which Club is "best" overall, but if that is your concern, two of the simplist to join are Baltimore Rifle Club and Md State Rifle & Pistol Assn. No sponsers required, all information is on their website, and you respectively pay on line, or print out the forms and bring with you to range orientation.

The last sentence gets ahead if me. You must attend a range orientation/ safety briefing before purchasing the seperate Range Badge to be able to shoot on your own. Without a Range Badge, you may only shoot in official matches/ events run by your Club .

Enowacki · Jan 3, 2017

I apologize I was referencing Anne Arundel Game Association

ebxgsxr · Jan 12, 2017

Enowacki, are you looking to just occasionally shoot? seems like the clubs i have been reading about are making reference to certain "specialties" that their member compete in.

MD_3%er · Jan 12, 2017

Enowacki said:
I'm looking to become part of a gun club/range that I and my gf can go to and shoot casually. Most of the places I have come across are very over regulated and/or very expensive. I live in the Pasadena area so it would be nice to have someplace relatively close to go to. If anyone has any suggestions it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Traveler said:
On a serious note, FreeState is worth the drive.

Enowacki - Make sure you wear your "cool guy" uniform though... 5.11 Tac pants, salomon boots, suunto watch, and Oakley's.

Dave MP · Jan 12, 2017

Try Select Fire, in Glen Burnie.

Their memberships include some fantastic Cheese Steak Subs.

Good gun ranges/clubs in MD

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