Ft Meade Range

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  • INMY01TA

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 29, 2008
    5,816
    Yep. You have to join a club that has access to the range on base. It is useless though because you can only go per schedule of the month. If you miss the dates, you have to wait until next month.
    I wouldn’t call it useless at all. I shoot at an outdoor range 10 minutes from my house for $25 a year. Once a month is about all I have time for anyway.
     

    trickg

    Guns 'n Drums
    MDS Supporter
    Jul 22, 2008
    14,603
    Glen Burnie
    Yep. You have to join a club that has access to the range on base. It is useless though because you can only go per schedule of the month. If you miss the dates, you have to wait until next month.

    No. If you’re in MRPC or MRGC then you can shoot club rifle.
    So which is it? Yes, I need to be a member of another club, or I only have to be a member of MRPC/MRGC? (would it be beneficial to be a member of both MRPC and MRGC?)

    I'm currently in the National Guard, and less than 2 years from earning my retirement blue card - not sure yet if I'm actually going retire then or continue for a few years more. I'm 50 and ain't getting any younger - that's what I get for having a full 10 year break in service.

    In any case, getting onto the base or into the range shouldn't be an issue.

    I might roll the dice and see what I come up with. If I don't like it, I simply won't renew.
     

    INMY01TA

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 29, 2008
    5,816
    So which is it? Yes, I need to be a member of another club, or I only have to be a member of MRPC/MRGC? (would it be beneficial to be a member of both MRPC and MRGC?)

    I'm currently in the National Guard, and less than 2 years from earning my retirement blue card - not sure yet if I'm actually going retire then or continue for a few years more. I'm 50 and ain't getting any younger - that's what I get for having a full 10 year break in service.

    In any case, getting onto the base or into the range shouldn't be an issue.

    I might roll the dice and see what I come up with. If I don't like it, I simply won't renew.
    Either one of those two clubs will suffice, club rifle is a MRPC activity but l the two clubs typically share the range so either will suffice. I have been a member of both but no real benefit so I let rod and gun lapse. Unless you like to fish.
     

    trickg

    Guns 'n Drums
    MDS Supporter
    Jul 22, 2008
    14,603
    Glen Burnie
    Either one of those two clubs will suffice, club rifle is a MRPC activity but l the two clubs typically share the range so either will suffice. I have been a member of both but no real benefit so I let rod and gun lapse. Unless you like to fish.
    Fishing is definitely not my thing. Never was. Being from Nebraska I'm a bona fide land lubber, and have never had any real interest in boating, fishing, the bay, etc. Except for crabs. I like eating crabs.

    I'll go ahead and sign up for the MRPC and see how I like it.
     

    trickg

    Guns 'n Drums
    MDS Supporter
    Jul 22, 2008
    14,603
    Glen Burnie
    Hello. How far could you shoot?
    Thanks
    Paul
    Theoretically I could probably stretch past 600 yards with a couple of the guns I have, but realistically 300 yards will probably be the limit to what I'll ever shoot in any kind of a real/hunting situation.

    I've had delusions of grandeur for quite some time about building a tacti-cool rifle with all the good stuff - heavy barrel, composite stock, Harris bipod, some decent glass - with the idea that I could shoot semi-accurately to 1000 yards, but that's about where it's ended. It's one of those projects for when I get a round-tuit.

    It's not that I couldn't do the build, but when it comes to long-range marksmanship, I know about enough to know that it's a lot more involved than simply having a heavy barreled rifle with a scope. At this point I really don't even know what I don't know.

    I just put in my order for a membership, complete with my NRA number, so let's see how quickly I get some response or feedback. At $25, I can afford it if I wind up not liking it.
     

    rbird7282

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 6, 2012
    18,542
    Columbia
    I'm going to resurrect this thread to ask if anyone has any recent experiences with it. Based on this thread it seems like it's a bit of a PITA to try to shoot there.

    On one hand, for $25/year it would grant me access to a rifle range on the cheap, but if it's going to be a serious pain to try to go shoot, would the juice be worth the squeeze? Unfortunately here in over-populated central Maryland, options for shooting are limited. I go to Cindy's and On Target.

    I miss rural Nebraska...although not right now. It was -26 degrees in my hometown last week.


    Might not be exactly what you’re after but AGC has 100 (100 lanes) & 200 yard (10 lanes I think) rifle ranges, and a 50 yard (50 lanes) pistol range. It’s $200/year for the range badge plus a separate club membership to one of over 20 clubs including MSI. Can join one of those clubs for as little as $25/year.
    I’ve been going there for 6 years and have never had to wait for a lane.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     

    wreckdiver

    Ultimate Member
    Nov 13, 2008
    2,925
    I miss shooting there. I shot and competed there for years. There are probably a few folks that remember the John Pepper days. I learned a lot from him and miss his personality.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,738
    Socialist State of Maryland
    I miss shooting there. I shot and competed there for years. There are probably a few folks that remember the John Pepper days. I learned a lot from him and miss his personality.

    I was a member, Exec Officer, Asst CRO and published the newsletter for some time at Mead Rifle and Pistol. I shot with John, his sons and a host of others some who are no longer with us. I miss the hell out of that place! :sad20:

    Before 9/11, it had the biggest cowboy action shoots around, we even let the Swiss Embassy personnel do their qualification shoots there ( and they let us shoot with them and gave us medals when we shot the qualifying score).

    Ossma Bin Laden caused the base to be closed and the beginning of our lost freedoms. :mad54:
     

    bbrown

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Oct 10, 2009
    3,032
    MD
    Before 9/11, it had the biggest cowboy action shoots around, we even let the Swiss Embassy personnel do their qualification shoots there ( and they let us shoot with them and gave us medals when we shot the qualifying score).

    Back in the 90s some folks from the Swiss embassy invited me to one of their shoots there, all because of a web page I had up then about Swiss rifles. Very nice range, and I think I squeaked by qualifying with my K31.
     

    Slowhand

    Pre-Banned
    Dec 13, 2011
    1,870
    In a van, down by the river.
    I like the range, and the price. What I hate is the schedule. Zero time allotted on the 600yd range for MRPC on this years schedule. The targets frames and area needed some TLC last time I was there. If allowed, I'm sure a few guys and a few hrs, saws, machetes, wire brushes, spraypaint, and axle grease would make that stuff last a lot more years. But my feeling is Fish and Wildlife who now own it, and FT Meade who operates it, would prefer it all just die. Else they'd make it easier and more accessible. Seems to be going the other way.
     

    trickg

    Guns 'n Drums
    MDS Supporter
    Jul 22, 2008
    14,603
    Glen Burnie
    Might not be exactly what you’re after but AGC has 100 (100 lanes) & 200 yard (10 lanes I think) rifle ranges, and a 50 yard (50 lanes) pistol range. It’s $200/year for the range badge plus a separate club membership to one of over 20 clubs including MSI. Can join one of those clubs for as little as $25/year.
    I’ve been going there for 6 years and have never had to wait for a lane.

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    I looked at AGC - I've never shot there but I've been there a couple of times and it seems really nice. By joining MRPC and it being an associated club, I might look into getting a membership at AGC as well.
     

    INMY01TA

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 29, 2008
    5,816
    I like the range, and the price. What I hate is the schedule. Zero time allotted on the 600yd range for MRPC on this years schedule. The targets frames and area needed some TLC last time I was there. If allowed, I'm sure a few guys and a few hrs, saws, machetes, wire brushes, spraypaint, and axle grease would make that stuff last a lot more years. But my feeling is Fish and Wildlife who now own it, and FT Meade who operates it, would prefer it all just die. Else they'd make it easier and more accessible. Seems to be going the other way.
    as I understand it, some law enforcement agency took over the 600yd range and won’t let anyone else shoot on it. Much like the 1000yd range there (Secret Service) :mad:
     

    Mack C-85

    R.I.P.
    Jan 22, 2014
    6,522
    Littlestown, PA
    as I understand it, some law enforcement agency took over the 600yd range and won’t let anyone else shoot on it. Much like the 1000yd range there (Secret Service) :mad:
    Department of the Interior owns it, thanks to BRAC and lots of unexploded ordinance that kept it from being sold off for development.

    As part of the BRAC, NSA leases the land were the ballfields are off of Rt. 198 and the ranges. The NSA Police run the ranges and controls the schedule. They do a lot of Police Agencies quals and Military quals.

    This info is two years old, since I retired two years ago. At that time, DoI was actively trying to break the BRAC agreements and take total control of the areas south of MD 32. I was in Installation and Logistics and had some dealings with DoI, from Day 1 they would fight anything under the BRAC agreements.

    Don't know if it's changed, but there were some very strict ID and preregistration requirements implemented ~4 years ago.

    BTW - access is not through the Fort, but through a gate in Odenton, down off Piney Orchard Parkway.

    BTW #2 - Tipton Airport is owned by AA County. The rest of the of ex Fort Meade Property between MD 32 and the Patuxent River is controlled by Department of the Interior as the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center - North Tract

    Sent from my LG-G710 using Tapatalk
     

    bigmanindc

    Active Member
    Nov 3, 2018
    463
    DMV
    I'm going to resurrect this thread to ask if anyone has any recent experiences with it. Based on this thread it seems like it's a bit of a PITA to try to shoot there.

    On one hand, for $25/year it would grant me access to a rifle range on the cheap, but if it's going to be a serious pain to try to go shoot, would the juice be worth the squeeze? Unfortunately here in over-populated central Maryland, options for shooting are limited. I go to Cindy's and On Target.

    I miss rural Nebraska...although not right now. It was -26 degrees in my hometown last week.

    I was waiting on ammo shortage to end and was gonna join AGC but for $25 and once or twice a month might be doable for me. For the range days are you allowed to use a shotgun on the rifle range?
     

    Mack C-85

    R.I.P.
    Jan 22, 2014
    6,522
    Littlestown, PA
    One other thing, unless things have changed...gates open for a short period either side of start time and reopen for a short period either side of stop time. You are stuck there in between.

    Sent from my LG-G710 using Tapatalk
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,738
    Socialist State of Maryland
    One other thing, unless things have changed...gates open for a short period either side of start time and reopen for a short period either side of stop time. You are stuck there in between.

    Sent from my LG-G710 using Tapatalk

    This was the big reason that I left. I used to take my disabled wife with me but she could not stay there all day so we gave it up. :mad54:
     

    INMY01TA

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 29, 2008
    5,816
    I was waiting on ammo shortage to end and was gonna join AGC but for $25 and once or twice a month might be doable for me. For the range days are you allowed to use a shotgun on the rifle range?

    You can shoot shotguns (and rifles) on the 50yd pistol ranges. Bring your own targets.
     

    Pinecone

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 4, 2013
    28,175
    I was a member, Exec Officer, Asst CRO and published the newsletter for some time at Mead Rifle and Pistol. I shot with John, his sons and a host of others some who are no longer with us. I miss the hell out of that place! :sad20:

    Before 9/11, it had the biggest cowboy action shoots around, we even let the Swiss Embassy personnel do their qualification shoots there ( and they let us shoot with them and gave us medals when we shot the qualifying score).

    Ossma Bin Laden caused the base to be closed and the beginning of our lost freedoms. :mad54:

    When were you doing that?

    Bill Allred and I ran the IPSC matches there for while. Then I got out of it, and he continued until they got shut out.

    And he moved them to Thurmont. Where he ran the USPSA matches until he passed away last year.
     

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