Massachusetts Rifle Association - Woburn, MA

vellnueve said:
Yeah, I think it's about time to look into getting sponsored as a member for HSC...
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Regardless of what you chose with MRA, I would be happy to sponsor you. First tuesday of the month I think are the meetings. I generally don't go but should stop in at least once outside of the annual.
As for MRA, I was actually looking to join that club as a second club closer to home and thought twice about it. I see now I made the right choice. I need to check out Reading. I would even put up with some of this crap because it is so close I can hear shot from my open window.
 
Massman said:
Actually, your first statement is in error. A member who is qualified on the McLaughlin range (50yards) can shoot a rifle with a mag limit of 8 rounds, and shotguns (slug only) with a maximum of 3 rounds.
Members who cause damage to club property seldom report the damage (same is true for members who observe damage being caused by another member or guest)
The cameras are there to monitor the property. They are not physically monitored 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Damage was being done. The BOD directors faced a decision to limit the damage. 3 non-BOD members were at the September meeting.(not counting new members who were there to get their keys fobs).
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Not to be confrontational but,

1 - Massachusetts already screws with lawful gun owners enough as to magazine capacity limits. Folks who enjoy our hobby shouldn't be limiting fellow shooters even more as to capacity limits. What reason is there that eight rounds in a mag is safer than thirty rounds in a magazine? The same goes for the Summa capacity limit of one round. It doesn't matter if your rifle can auto load one round or one million the safety comes from the person puling the trigger. I'm sorry my rifle doesn't hold one round manually loaded via bolt action. [rolleyes]

2 - McLaughlin is 50 yards which is aprox. 150 feet. At that point I'd be better off shooting 75' in Loeb.

3 - The security cameras may not be monitored 24 hours a day, but they don't need to be. How long could it possibly take to cross reference the log book with the camera footage on the lane with the damage and see who did it? Why bother having security cameras at all?
 
Massman said:
Unless I am mistaken, a member does not fob into a particular shooting lane on the Loeb. Individual shots are almost impossible to pin point. Not to mention the massive amount of footage that would need to be reviewed. Keep in mind that everyone, the BOD, ect., is a volunteer. Help is always welcomed and encouraged. [smile]
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I am availalbe for 4 to 8 hours a month to help out.

I am willing to help with simple repairs, review of footage, making copies ect...

I have decent computer skills, phone, excellent written and oral communication (at least that's what my boss tells me).

worst case, i can just clean up. give me a couple days and i'll say yay or nay. my work schedule depending....


PM sent
 
vellnueve said:

Well, it wouldn't help the people who deliberately shoot them.
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peterpressure said:

I was at MRA this weekend shooting next to a MRA instructor. A few lanes down, 2 gentlemen were shooting some large caliber revolvers and I heard them knock down 2 Carriers. MRA instructor did not say a word, I kept looking at him to see if he would do or say anything tot hem, nothing. Next this gentleman and his GF are shooting. Well, his GF shot the ceiling. I packed up my items and left.
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Wow. From reading today's posts in this thread, do I understand properly that some people in the Loeb range are deliberately shooting the carriers? And more damage comes from people who can't even shoot straight at moderate distances?

Massman,

For about a month or so, I've been considering joining Mass Rifle. It's not far from me, and the 24/7 range access is a big plus, as I sometimes only get free time at odd hours.

As part of my research, I downloaded the range rules from the website and read them through.

I also read about the initiation procedure for prospective members. From doing this, I got the impression that MRA is rather serious about its new members' character, abilities and qualifications. The "New Member Application Procedure" on the second page of the application form says that you have to:

1) Appear in person, have a picture taken, put down some money and schedule an orientation session.

2) Watch a movie and take a test. Then, take a shooting test.

3) Then, have an interview with the Membership Committee.

4) Then, meet the Board of Directors.

It sounds as though you people check out the new applicants pretty thoroughly. Application submitted in person, written exam, range test, interview and meeting with the Board? Yikes! I'm a clean-cut, well-spoken, quiet, responsible person, as well as a capable shooter, and even I, when I read that, thought, "Geez, I'd better have my ducks in a row when I go see these gentlemen. They look like they mean business. If they see one thing they don't like, they'll throw me out on my ear."

And, actually, I really was looking forward to joining (have to muster a little cash first, ammo's got me over a barrel) because I was fairly certain that, if my application were accepted, I'd be in the company of really great people. And I'm sure that most members are great people. So what I guess I mean is that I would have expected the membership to be almost entirely a**h***-free, and incompetent-free.

But the kind of activity I'm hearing about in this thread sounds like the work of either malicious punks or dangerous incompetents. And these people are members, or the guests of members? How the heck do people like this get into the club? Doesn't the extensive (or so it sounds from reading about it) application process weed these people out?

I know you can't always tell an a**h***, or an incompetent, when you see him. But you almost always can. And the more time you spend with an applicant, the better the chances for getting a feel for the kind of person you are inviting to join your club. If you guys meet with a person no fewer than FOUR times before granting range access, I should think that you have opportunity for a pretty darn thorough evaluation of the applicant's character and abilities, common sense, etc.

If, during the application process, you have in front of you the kind of person who would either intentionally, maliciously damage club property or a person who is so clumsy and careless that s/he can't hit the side of a barn, then I have to believe that those qualities would manifest themselves in various, small ways during the course of the interviews and tests.

I'm talking about things like low scores on the exam indicating poor attention to detail, obvious lack of common sense in handling guns (even if for the first time), failure to listen to or follow instructions, inappropriate comments or backtalk of any kind, a bad or combative or even frivolous attitude towards authority figures, wandering attention during instruction, etc. These kind of little red flags show up all the time with such people. Is it the case that you get applicants at MRA who look like model shooters throughout their orientation and interview and then start wrecking the place once they get their fobs?

Sorry for the rant, Massman, and I'm not speaking badly of Mass Rifle here. After all, I know hardly anything about it, and I'm not acquainted with any members there. I'm simply curious about what seems a really strange and startling situation.
 
If you are so inclined, please come by the club on a Sunday morning, or Wed night and check it out. Ask for me and I would be glad to show you around.
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Thanks, I think I will. I've been wanting to come down for a few weeks, but planned on bringing my dues money with me when I went, and wasn't quite ready. But probably within the next two weeks or so.

As far as the interview goes, does the committee work you over thoroughly, and if so, what kinds of questions do they ask? Should I prepare as though I were applying for a job at John Hancock? [laugh]

By the way, what does the shooting test consist of?
 
terraformer said:
Regardless of what you chose with MRA, I would be happy to sponsor you. First tuesday of the month I think are the meetings. I generally don't go but should stop in at least once outside of the annual.
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HSC meets first thursday of the month.
 
Just a quick FYI re: the upcoming MRA Board Meeting:

The MRA's Board of Directors normally meets on the 1st monday of the month except for July and August and October.

The October meeting is held on the 1st Wednesday of October (this Wed.) due to the Annual Meeting being held on the previous evening and the chance that there will be a change or changes in Board membership.

The BOD's "year" ends/starts with the Annual Meeting in October which will be this Tuesday evening. From the Board's meeting the following night on the club's policies, as long as they are not in conflict with the By Laws, may be modified. Generally, once a policy or rule is adopted it remains for that year or until modified or removed. I know of no Member who has asked to speak or has posted an agenda item who has not been heard - and there have been some pretty imaginative proposals submitted in the past.

While it may be too late to run for election this year, with all the recent discussion on this forum about how the MRA is run or what policies should or should not be adopted, (and, no, I'm not trying to resurrect that discussion and would probably decline participation in same) I would imagine several lively meetings over the coming year and a spirited election next October.

Enough chat for tonight, I'm going to the range tomorrow.
 
I can't seem to find any exact info on these meetings posted anywhere. Is it written anywhere about the times and dates of these meetings and what is on the agenda for the meetings? I would like to attend to be more active in the club.
 
Geoff C said:
Thanks for the info. Never noticed that calendar up there
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Geoff,
Please note that the Forum Calendar does not contain all the club events.
Events are posted when information is provided to the Forum administrator.
The Forum administrator is not on the BOD - so he does not have access to all event info and updates.
It's always best to check at the club for postings or ask about events at the MRA Forum.

Just an FYI -
 
Today was the first time I shot trap and it was fun.... so much fun that I am going to try to make it out every Sunday morning and Wednesday nights. I have spent the last 2 hours on line looking for a 12-gauge shotgun. Any suggestion on what I should look at for a beginner's shotgun. One of the range officers let me borrow a Benelli instead of a club gun and it felt great. However, I forgot to ask for the model. I have a long reach, as I am a 6’5’ person. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
 
Take a ride up to Kittery Trading Post in Kittery ME. Its only about an hour from Boston. They have a large selection ranging from $75 to $2000.
 
Thanks BostonShovel and Geoff C for the advice.... I will be in Portland, ME Thursday and will stop by the Trading Post on the way home. Being a Mass resident, can I buy a shotgun in ME or will I have to have it transferred to Roach's or Four Seasons? I have only purchased past firearm from Mass FFL dealers and have not experienced buy Mass compliant firearms from out of state dealers.

Thanks!
Patrick
 
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pduthely said:
Today was the first time I shot trap and it was fun.... so much fun that I am going to try to make it out every Sunday morning and Wednesday nights. I have spent the last 2 hours on line looking for a 12-gauge shotgun. Any suggestion on what I should look at for a beginner's shotgun. One of the range officers let me borrow a Benelli instead of a club gun and it felt great. However, I forgot to ask for the model. I have a long reach, as I am a 6’5’ person. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
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North Shore Firearms in Middleton has a huge selection of shotguns and they are the same or better priced than Kittery.
 
Pat you can do a search on the forum to get a solid answer to your question about buying a Long Gun in Maine. I think it is legal but IANAL...

Collectors Gallery in Stoneham has a TON of new and used shotguns upstairs too that you can check out as well.
 
I just joined MRA on Sunday. I still need to do my tests and interview(s). I noticed that 5 out of 10 lanes were closed because of broken carriers. I read back a few pages and saw that this was an issue over the summer. Does anyone know if there is a long term plan to address this problem?
 
BostonFJ40 said:
I just joined MRA on Sunday. I still need to do my tests and interview(s). I noticed that 5 out of 10 lanes were closed because of broken carriers. I read back a few pages and saw that this was an issue over the summer. Does anyone know if there is a long term plan to address this problem?
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That's a very good question. The problem from the summer, as I recall, was due to people shooting the carriers with center fire rifles.

Now it looks like the cables and/or pullies are breaking. It's pretty damn annoying since I just paid my dues in Dec.

Very nice FJ btw.
 
The carriers in downstairs range have been a problem since I've been going to the MRA. That's only a couple years, granted, so not nearly as long as many members here, but I've noticed it seems to continue to be a pain-in-the-ass for the directors.
 
Was at the range tonight - at least 8 of 12 lanes were down. I thought this problem was supposed to be minimized after the new carrier system install over the summer.

[thinking]
 
i'm so glad i did NOT renew my membership at MRA. it's 3 miles from my place, but the drive to Harvard will be worth it.
 
TonyDedo said:
Was at the range tonight - at least 8 of 12 lanes were down. I thought this problem was supposed to be minimized after the new carrier system install over the summer.
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I've been watching the new system evolve over the last year. I think it has actually gotten better; the electrics and switchology are now pretty solid, as opposed to last fall when half the line would have burnt-out motors or broken switches. The cables and carrier plates still get messed up.

So, nowadays, when fixes are required they're a lot easier, but they still need fixing. I don't think it's as much of a mechanical problem as it is a people problem, though.
 

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