Weighing my club options

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  • Chem

    Member
    Aug 1, 2018
    96
    So I'm currently weighing my options for joining a club so I can shoot weekly when I'm free. I've looked into the agc route and more locally at Arundel fish and game. Agc seems like an easier process to join but out of convenience afg is more tempting as it's 10 min away vs 50 for marriotsville. What are your thoughts and opinions on these options? Also i know afg requires you to know someone currently in the club which I do not, how did you all who are members get sponsored?
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,738
    Socialist State of Maryland
    Do you shoot IDPA, Bullseye, cowboy, Trap or AR15? If you do, the best thing to do is to look up the calendar at AAFG.org and see when they are shooting. On Saturday, the gate will be open and you can go in and ask the RSO on duty to give you a tour.
     

    toppkatt

    Ultimate Member
    Apr 22, 2017
    1,185
    Check out Stoney Creek in Pasadena. They have up to 300 yard rifle range. You can shoot 25, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200 and 300 yards. or 7yds, 25 yds and 50 yards with handgun. ONLY paper targets not thing else. They have trap every Tuesday evening and as a range certified member (special certification for trap) you can go and shoot trap after 12 Noon during the week @ $5 per round (25 shots).
    Meeting this Friday at 8PM come and take a look. Most meeting nights there is dinner served for, usually, under $10.
    Just saying...

    9090 Ft. Smallwood Road behind the AACo Public School Maintenance yard.
     

    Biggfoot44

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 2, 2009
    32,884
    More generally on the subject of club sponsership .

    Most Clubs will have matches and events open to the public . Go to those , don't be an ahole , and talk with the members and officers there , and ask about joining .
     

    photoracer

    Competition Shooter
    Oct 22, 2010
    3,318
    West Virginia
    More generally on the subject of club sponsership .

    Most Clubs will have matches and events open to the public . Go to those , don't be an ahole , and talk with the members and officers there, and ask about joining .
    What he said. First figure out what you might like to do, then find clubs that do that. If its some kind of match shooting call the club and ask if you can spectate if you don't actually shoot that already. Its best to go to a club and talk to the people who are doing what you want to do, specifically, and often that can only happen at a match. Also go to a club meeting and find out if you want to join that club.
     

    Chem

    Member
    Aug 1, 2018
    96
    I'm honestly new to the whole idea of joining a club so forgive my ignorance. What I'm really looking to to do is shoot my ARs, handguns, and shotguns with some responsible friends of mine at reasonable distance. I appreciate all the responses so far , heard you loud and clear.
     

    Biggfoot44

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 2, 2009
    32,884
    Answer #1 - An active all around Club will expose you to new & interesting formats of shooting you haven't tried yet , and most likely make a bunch of new shooting buddies .

    Answer #2 - For the fastest and simplist way to exactly meet OP's stated goals , join one of the no frills Clubs at AGC
     

    Overboost44

    6th gear
    MDS Supporter
    Jun 10, 2013
    6,619
    Kent Island
    I'm honestly new to the whole idea of joining a club so forgive my ignorance. What I'm really looking to to do is shoot my ARs, handguns, and shotguns with some responsible friends of mine at reasonable distance. I appreciate all the responses so far , heard you loud and clear.

    I would be willing to take you to AAFG to check it out and see what you think. The process to become a member is long, but I can share the details and you can make your own decision if it right for you.
     

    rob-cubed

    In need of moderation
    Sep 24, 2009
    5,387
    Holding the line in Baltimore
    I'm a member of AGC and I rarely go, because it's 45 mins from where I live. If I had a range 10 mins away I'd join that one instead.

    AFG is a nice little range. AGC is a large range with lots to offer, especially if they ever get the new action bays completed. If you are really into black powder or FA or another specialty, it has clubs that specialize in it.

    Some smaller ranges will have membership caps to keep from overcrowding but IMO knowing a member is usually a formality. AFG will surely have events open to the public. Show up and make friends with someone.
     

    Chem

    Member
    Aug 1, 2018
    96
    I would be willing to take you to AAFG to check it out and see what you think. The process to become a member is long, but I can share the details and you can make your own decision if it right for you.

    That would be awesome! This is for sure a long process but your guidance would make it a little easier for me I'm sure. I appreciate it
     

    Chem

    Member
    Aug 1, 2018
    96
    I'm a member of AGC and I rarely go, because it's 45 mins from where I live. If I had a range 10 mins away I'd join that one instead.

    AFG is a nice little range. AGC is a large range with lots to offer, especially if they ever get the new action bays completed. If you are really into black powder or FA or another specialty, it has clubs that specialize in it.

    Some smaller ranges will have membership caps to keep from overcrowding but IMO knowing a member is usually a formality. AFG will surely have events open to the public. Show up and make friends with someone.

    See that's what I'm thinking. Agc looks awesome it's just so far away from everyone that I know. About 50 from me as well.
     

    noahhh

    Active Member
    Jan 28, 2009
    254
    Arnold,Md
    Another thing to consider about AAFG, besides the hoops they make a newbie jump through to attain full membership, is their greatly restricted hours for shooting. If your personal schedule is inflexible then you need to seriously reconsider. Were it me, I would head up to Stoney Creek, or AGC (where it's cheaper too).

    Because I'm out in Hagerstown every weekend, I went ahead and joined the Izaak Walton there and enjoy immensely cheaper dues ($80/year) without the rigamarole of AAFG membership- even though I live within earshot of AAFG- and is a much nicer facility too IMO.

    Lots of alternatives to AAFG whose only claim to fame for Annapolitans is their location.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,738
    Socialist State of Maryland
    Another thing to consider about AAFG, besides the hoops they make a newbie jump through to attain full membership, is their greatly restricted hours for shooting. If your personal schedule is inflexible then you need to seriously reconsider. Were it me, I would head up to Stoney Creek, or AGC (where it's cheaper too).

    Because I'm out in Hagerstown every weekend, I went ahead and joined the Izaak Walton there and enjoy immensely cheaper dues ($80/year) without the rigamarole of AAFG membership- even though I live within earshot of AAFG- and is a much nicer facility too IMO.

    Lots of alternatives to AAFG whose only claim to fame for Annapolitans is their location.

    Couldn't make the cut hmmm? :innocent0

    The rigamarole, as you call it, keeps the gang bangers out. If you haven't noticed, they are now practicing and usually at the pay as you go or the clubs that don't have a good membership selection process. Our process also insures that all members go through a training program to mitigate range accidents and insure that they are at least familiar with longguns and handguns.

    As for our claim to fame, I'll just hit on a few items. We were the second club in the State to start IDPA matches and have a thriving Practical Shooting program even with our restricted hours. We also have thriving Precision Pistol, High Power, Rimfire, Junior Rifle and Trap programs. Those of our members who go to Regional and National matches almost always come home with awards. You don't have to shoot in matches, but if you want to, it is in a friendly, relaxed environment.

    Last but not least, we are one of the few ranges that has a real plinking range where you can shoot tin cans, plastic bottles and clay birds instead of paper if you choose to. And, if you shoot .22's, you can shoot seven days a week from 0900 to dusk if you choose to.

    Just so you know, I was an AGC member for almost 30 years. While it may be bigger, it certainly is not better. ;)
     

    Qbeam

    Ultimate Member
    Apr 16, 2008
    6,074
    Georgia
    Being one of the first guys to go through the updated vetting process (sometimes called "hoops") for AAF&G, it is not a difficult thing to do, if you want to have the convenience. Yeah, there are restricted hours for shooting, but you get used to it. It still beats having to drive a further distance to shoot.


    Q
     

    Biggfoot44

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 2, 2009
    32,884
    Yea ! A selection of excellent Clubs , each with their mix of strong points . Freedom of choice for everyone choose which best meets their own combinations of needs and preferences .
     

    Chem

    Member
    Aug 1, 2018
    96
    Honestly speaking I just need a place with a flexible schedule with a nice selection of ranges. I'm a college student and also work 5 days a week so my schedule isn't the best. What exactly are the time restrictions for aafg?
     

    JoeRinMD

    Rifleman
    Jul 18, 2008
    2,014
    AA County
    Honestly speaking I just need a place with a flexible schedule with a nice selection of ranges. I'm a college student and also work 5 days a week so my schedule isn't the best. What exactly are the time restrictions for aafg?

    Here's an except from the AAF&G Range Rules:

    A. Centerfire & Muzzleloaders
    1. Monday - Friday: 10:00A.M. to 4 P.M.
    2. Saturdays & State & Federal holidays: 10:00A.M. to 1:00P.M.
    3. Sunday: NO CENTER FIRE OR MUZZLELOADING SHOOTING (except sanctioned weekends).
    4. Sanctioned weekends: 10:00A.M. to 8:00 P.M., daylight permitting.

    B. .22 Caliber Rimfire Short/Long/Long Rifle Only
    1. Daily: 9:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M., daylight permitting.
    2. Sundays there is no shooting on the Bullseye Range at Positions 17 through 24, except sanctioned weekends

    In general, each of the disciplines has become very adept at optimizing their events to fit within the hours restrictions. And part of the membership process is to be certain that prospective members understand their obligation to respect those hours.

    JoeR
     

    Chem

    Member
    Aug 1, 2018
    96

    Here's an except from the AAF&G Range Rules:

    A. Centerfire & Muzzleloaders
    1. Monday - Friday: 10:00A.M. to 4 P.M.
    2. Saturdays & State & Federal holidays: 10:00A.M. to 1:00P.M.
    3. Sunday: NO CENTER FIRE OR MUZZLELOADING SHOOTING (except sanctioned weekends).
    4. Sanctioned weekends: 10:00A.M. to 8:00 P.M., daylight permitting.

    B. .22 Caliber Rimfire Short/Long/Long Rifle Only
    1. Daily: 9:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M., daylight permitting.
    2. Sundays there is no shooting on the Bullseye Range at Positions 17 through 24, except sanctioned weekends

    In general, each of the disciplines has become very adept at optimizing their events to fit within the hours restrictions. And part of the membership process is to be certain that prospective members understand their obligation to respect those hours.

    JoeR
    Appreciate the response. I seems like for what I want to do it doesn't really fit well with my schedule.


    Can anyone tell me about the process for stoney Creek? I do have my Hunter's license so that's not a problem.
     

    ClutchyMcClutcherson

    Active Member
    Aug 29, 2016
    703
    Odenton, MD
    I’m a member at Stoney creek. It’s a similar process. You need a sponsor. Once you have that you attend the first meeting with your sponsor and fill out the paperwork. Then you have a “background” investigation which consists of meeting with someone from the board. Then the next meeting you can eat voted in. After you show proficiency at the range with the range officer, and a full understanding of the rules, you have free reign pretty much.

    Shooting is I think 8 till dusk, but I may be a little off on the hours because I usually shoot in the afternoon.

    There’s lots of events for you to do. Friends cost 10 bucks to shoot, and family is free.

    Membership is $50 a year. There’s an assessment in addition to that for 5 years that’s $150 a year. You’re required 16 work hours per year or you pay $8 for every hours you don’t get.

    Tuesday’s are trap open to the public. This Friday is the meeting if you’d like to see what’s up. Go on their website and they have a calendar of events.
     

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