Changing clubs...need input.

[Will Brink]

I have been a member of Braintree for a long time now. It's about 20 miles from me. I have come to the end of my rope with the place. Not really their fault per se, but the outdoor range (pistol range in particular, which is where I need to go) closes regularly, and for long periods of time, when some moronic neighbor finds a bullet or something, which is always found to not have come from the club, but I digress. The club also has no IDPA (probably due again to proximity of said morons around them), and one can't do much of anything but stand at a static firing line (which is both boring and of little value to people interested in IDPA/tactical oriented shooting) which does not meet my needs anymore. Thus, I really need to join a new club.

Harvard would be my first choice as all of the above problems are solved for me. Im in Metro west, to the closest would be the Fur and Feather of Natick. Anyone here a member? To be a member, I need:

"Be recommended by a current Club Member who is in full standing."

I don't know any members off hand...anyone want to meet with me and give a tour, etc?

The rest is just details. Looking at their ranges however, I get the impression it's again, a static shooting line only. Are there any bays that allow you to simply set up some targets and shoot not at a static line? Can you go in front of that line if no one ss there? Members here comment? This brings me to Harvard, which requires a sponsor. Anyone want to sponsor a wise guy like me? I know we have many members here. Harvard is a hall for me (about 30 miles I recall) but has essentially all that I want in a club: the ability to actually shoot like a free man!

My needs for a club are:

A decent indoor range I can access pretty much any time (key card, etc)
outdoor ranges I can set up targets as needed vs standing at a static line
Coming from Metro West

Please advise

 

[Len-2A Training]

Will, Mansfield F&G serves some of your needs, but alas not all of them.

You can practice defensive tactics, shoot at steel/clays/plastic/metal as long as you are safe and clean up after yourself. You can shoot at any distance up to 50 yds on the 50 yd range.

Downside is no indoor range. Just completed phase 1 of construction, but the completion will be a long way off due to need to raise a lot of money to do it.

That's the reason that I'm a member of both Braintree and Mansfield, they both serve different needs.

 

[Will Brink]

Will, Mansfield F&G serves some of your needs, but alas not all of them.

You can practice defensive tactics, shoot at steel/clays/plastic/metal as long as you are safe and clean up after yourself. You can shoot at any distance up to 50 yds on the 50 yd range.

Downside is no indoor range. Just completed phase 1 of construction, but the completion will be a long way off due to need to raise a lot of money to do it.

That's the reason that I'm a member of both Braintree and Mansfield, they both serve different needs.

In New England, must have access to indoor. Harvard would solve all of it as far as I know.

 

[Len-2A Training]

No arguement. Just throwing out one possible alternative.

If you want latest sitrep on BR&P, ping me privately with Email. But it will always be a square range, paper only, never IDPA or anything like that.

It's rare to find a club in this area that allows shooting on the move, from holster, etc. so that's why I mentioned MF&G to you.

 

[Will Brink]

No arguement. Just throwing out one possible alternative.

If you want latest sitrep on BR&P, ping me privately with Email. But it will always be a square range, paper only, never IDPA or anything like that.

It's rare to find a club in this area that allows shooting on the move, from holster, etc. so that's why I mentioned MF&G to you.

I was at Braintree yesterday. Asked about the status of the outdoor pistol. Got mostly shrugs and "maybe in April or May" type comments. Regardless of the proximity, it's really a bullseye/target shooting oriented club. Those who want to shoot pistols in "tactical" manner so to speak, don't get no respect.

 

[Supermoto]

If Ames rifle and pistol isn't to far, they have an indoor range, an outdoor range that allows you to draw from the holster and every Sat at 2:30 there is a pistol practice with USPSA stage built.

 

[Len-2A Training]

I was at Braintree yesterday. Asked about the status of the outdoor pistol. Got mostly shrugs and "maybe in April or May" type comments. Regardless of the proximity, it's really a bullseye/target shooting oriented club. Those who want to shoot pistols in "tactical" manner so to speak, don't get no respect.

Will, sorry to say that it sounds like the people who responded didn't know what's going on. I get my info direct from the club President or Chief Range Officer (as of last week).

BR&P is strictly a "square range" club and now that they are paranoid about our "neighbors", nothing different or with anything but paper targets will ever be allowed.

 

[Bob P]

I have been a member of Braintree for a long time now. It's about 20 miles from me. I have come to the end of my rope with the place. Not really their fault per se, but the outdoor range (pistol range in particular, which is where I need to go) closes regularly, and for long periods of time, when some moronic neighbor finds a bullet or something, which is always found to not have come from the club, but I digress. The club also has no IDPA (probably due again to proximity of said morons around them), and one can't do much of anything but stand at a static firing line (which is both boring and of little value to people interested in IDPA/tactical oriented shooting) which does not meet my needs anymore. Thus, I really need to join a new club.

Harvard would be my first choice as all of the above problems are solved for me. Im in Metro west, to the closest would be the Fur and Feather of Natick. Anyone here a member? To be a member, I need:

"Be recommended by a current Club Member who is in full standing."

I don't know any members off hand...anyone want to meet with me and give a tour, etc?

The rest is just details. Looking at their ranges however, I get the impression it's again, a static shooting line only. Are there any bays that allow you to simply set up some targets and shoot not at a static line? Can you go in front of that line if no one ss there? Members here comment? This brings me to Harvard, which requires a sponsor. Anyone want to sponsor a wise guy like me? I know we have many members here. Harvard is a hall for me (about 30 miles I recall) but has essentially all that I want in a club: the ability to actually shoot like a free man!

My needs for a club are:

A decent indoor range I can access pretty much any time (key card, etc)
outdoor ranges I can set up targets as needed vs standing at a static line
Coming from Metro West

Please advise

Hopkington Sportsman's Association has an indoor pistol, outdoor pistol/rifle and while it doesn't do IDPA it does ISPSA.

 

[gerrycaruso]

Harvard is very active in all types of action shooting. They have IPSC IDPA and Cowboy shooting. They have eight outdoor ranges from 7 to 300 yds. Four of those allow full auto. They have a series of pits for Cowboy shooting and another for IPSC & IDPA. They also have an indoor range that's open 24/7. Memberships are done at the monthly meetings on the first Thursday of the month. I can't be at this month's meeting. I'll be in the hospital from Tuesday to Saturday. I should feel good enough to shoot on Sunday. If you'd like a tour of the club let me know. If you shoot with me and don't put any bullet holes in people,pets or club property, I'll sponsor you.

 

[Will Brink]

Folks, the two clubs I would like to get a look at are:

Hopkinton Sportsmen's Association

http://www.hsasports.com

And FFF:

www.finfurandfeather.org

These appear closest to me (Natick) and seem like they would fit my needs (see OP) unless I am mistaken.

Anyone a member of either? Anyone want to show me around/give a tour to either club and or shoot some afternoon? I need to get some momentum back on this. The Braintree outdoor pistol ranges are still closed....help your fellow shooter out...

 

[Len-2A Training]

Will, ping Rob Boudrie about Hopkinton, he's a member there.

Check for a thread on Fin, Fur & Feather and see if you can find members from there on NES to ping for a tour.

Yup, it's looking more like May for the re-opening of BR&Ps outdoor pistol ranges. The president told me (a week ago) that they hope to give out the contract by the next members meeting (mid-April). Plan is that it will take ~1 month to do the work, weather permitting.

 

[M1911]

These appear closest to me (Natick) and seem like they would fit my needs (see OP) unless I am mistaken.

If you are in Natick, then the closest to you would be Wayland Rod & Gun, but we might not meet your needs.

 

[natf]

Folks, the two clubs I would like to get a look at are:

Hopkinton Sportsmen's Association

http://www.hsasports.com

If you can get to Hopkinton on a Wednesday afternoon (after 5pm or so) you can meet a bunch of great guys who practice action pistol shooting there almost every week. They should be moving back outdoors soon after shooting inside for the winter. Then join them for dinner afterwards. When I lived close enough I used to shoot with them regularly.

-Nat

 

[Will Brink]

If you are in Natick, then the closest to you would be Wayland Rod & Gun, but we might not meet your needs.

I would be happy to take a tour of Wayland. From looking at the site, I had the impression it might not be what I want, but happy to meet up with a member, get a tour, pop a few rnds if possible. Thanx.

 

[Will Brink]

If you can get to Hopkinton on a Wednesday afternoon (after 5pm or so) you can meet a bunch of great guys who practice action pistol shooting there almost every week. They should be moving back outdoors soon after shooting inside for the winter. Then join them for dinner afterwards. When I lived close enough I used to shoot with them regularly.

-Nat

Nat, is that something a non member can just show up for? I really want (need!) some place I can set up some targets (outdoors preferred) and shoot the damn things.

 

[M1911]

I would be happy to take a tour of Wayland. From looking at the site, I had the impression it might not be what I want, but happy to meet up with a member, get a tour, pop a few rnds if possible. Thanx.

PM sent

 

[natf]

Nat, is that something a non member can just show up for? I really want (need!) some place I can set up some targets (outdoors preferred) and shoot the damn things.

Non members are welcomed with open arms at the Wednesday practices. Earlier someone suggested PM'ing Rob Boudrie on this forum, do that and you'll be able to get all the details, or drop me a PM and I'll get you in contact with Rob.

-Nat