Thinking of joining another club

[max503]

Gun club that is.
My present club is very nice but it is 27 miles away. There is a not-so-nice club 5.5 miles away.
I'm thinking of joining the closer one in addition to the other. It's hours are restricted but dang, it is so close.
I could try it for a year. It would save on gas.
My present club is $100/year.
The one I'm thinking of joining is $150.
(I can spend that much on gas during a long weekend.)

Any reason I shouldn't join this close-by club?

 

[s&wchad]

Nothing wrong with being a member of more than one. Gun clubs need all the support they can get these days and most rely on volunteer help.

 

[BigBoy99]

Any reason I shouldn't join this close-by club?

I would say it all depends upon the club members. If they are people you like to associate with, then go for it. Saving gas money to be insulted, mistreated, abused. etc. doesn't make sense.

 

[NYlakesider]

Nothing wrong with being a member of more than one. Gun clubs need all the support they can get these days and most rely on volunteer help.

Just for that reason I'm a member of two clubs. As I live rural noting is close. The closest club (15 Miles)is definitely a red neck club. The best thing about it is a heated indoor range. The other club is about 25 miles but they have more to offer expect no indoor range.

My wife is also a member of one of those clubs and also of another 40 miles away!

That way if for whatever reason a club/s close we have a place to go to.

Same deal at my house I have a range but you never know what will happen and I might not be able to use it. We just got a new summer neighbor who is from NJ and do not know what to expect. His house/camp is within 500' from my longest firing point.

 

[dave1918a2]

I belong to two clubs up here and both are very friendly and helpful. And dues are only $30 annually.

 

[UncleEd]

Try to meet the closer's club members
in a visit. See how they are.

Also, maybe you could join the second club
on a "trial" basis for six months; club might
go for that depending how much it needs
members.

By the way the membership fees at both
clubs seem pithy compared to ones around
Atlanta.

 

[yeti]

As a multi club member, I say go for it.
Greatly expand your available options, events and meet different members. Each club has strengths and weaknesses. Maybe some days you don't have time to drive far, some days you do.

 

[Narragansett]

Having just moved, I am looking for a club. I still will maintain my club membership in RI. Been there 40 years.

So far, I have come across 2 area clubs, both with no openings and 700/year. One is shotgun only.

Sure hope there are some local shooting clubs around

 

[H Richard]

I belong to 4 clubs. One is 30 miles away, but it is the largest and has USPSA action pistol ranges, 600 yard rifle range with pits, and several casual ranges. The 2nd is my Trap/skeet club which is 5 miles away and the only trap/skeet range within maybe 65 miles. The 3rd is my winter indoor club within the basement of the Jr High School (mostly limited to 22RF) Shoots bullseye league in winter. the 4th is a private key club within 10 minutes of my house, and shoot any time I like outdoors. Small targets at 12 yards, 25 yards and 100 yards.


Each has it's own particular use.

 

[Krogen]

I belong to two private clubs. Anymore I have little use for public ranges. Note I said "ranges" as opposed to "clubs." My clubs are much more closer knit than ranges. Members are like family. Perhaps a quirky family. At one point, I belonged to six clubs/ranges. Although they all offered different things, it was impossible to get good use of that many.

The two private clubs I belong to are different in significant ways. Different people, matches, facilities, rules. They're filled with friendly, like-minded people. It's great to belong to a club and not just go pay to shoot somewhere.

To the OP, I say check out the 2nd club. Give it a go if it seems right. There are benefits to be had with multiple clubs.

 

[Baxter6551]

The closest state range to me is 27 miles away. I belong to a private club 10 miles away ($175 a year plus range fees when shooting) with outdoor pistol and rifle , skeet and trap. Long long waiting list for membership and not taking more applications. All other private clubs in a 15-20 mile radius are much more expensive.
For the $100 dues I would keep your current membership active until you decide if the closer range will work out.

 

[Golddollar]

As a multi club member, I say go for it.
Greatly expand your available options, events and meet different members. Each club has strengths and weaknesses. Maybe some days you don't have time to drive far, some days you do.

My feelings exactly. I belong to 3 different clubs. The farthest one away has an indoor range which makes it possible for me to shoot during the winter.

 

[Doug M.]

Options are limited here. I'd rather drive a little farther (it's about 35 miles) and spend more for the amenities and control over stupidity that comes with having at least one range officer on the range at all times.

 

[Protocall_Design]

I belong to 2 outdoor private clubs and 1 indoor range. I quit going to public ranges long ago because of the people waving loaded guns every direction, with finger on the trigger, shooting while others are downrange, etc. It's amazing that more people aren't killed at those places.

I shoot a lot of pistol matches, but the safety rules are strict, and enforced by everyone in attendance. That is as it should be. I can relax and enjoy the match, and the friends that way.

 

[Krogen]

Well-stated, Protocall Design! I'm in complete agreement. The members at my clubs trust each other. No worries about thieves or unsafe people. We have each others' six and expect others to call us out if we mess up. It's a brotherhood. We have a few sisters in the mix as well. As you say, it's relaxed and we can enjoy being with friends. It's common for members to just show up to visit and not shoot. Sometimes we all sit around the woodstove and just flap our jaws. We have solved a lot of the world's problems that way! (uh huh.... )