TargetTalk

I just moved from Long Island to Silver Spring Maryland and am looking for nearby competitive bullseye clubs. Years ago when I shot at Quantico Virginia, I heard the Marine's club was open to civilians. I was wondering if there was something closer.

Hi Wallyb,

Depending on your comfortable travelling limits, you've moved to one of (if not the) hottest points in the country for BE shooting. My primary suggestion is to stop out to the Twelfth Precinct Pistol and Archery club on a Wednesday night or Saturday morning and talk with the shooters there. They run a year-round league at those two times and several matches each year. Also Anne Arundel Fish & Game runs a league and matches continuously (including a police-L match you'll love). Here's a run-down of how much shooting you can get into with leagues and matches. Of course the colder weather does dampen some of the matches, but there's a bunch of shooting still going on.

Monday evening - NRAHQ (Fairfax, VA) has a 60 shot league - http://members.cox.net/metropistol/
--Might be a little far, but a good event

Wednesday evening (5:30/7:00)- Twelfth Precinct (in Harwood)- 1800 (2 gun) league - http://www.twelfthprecinct.com/
--The site is often out of date, but there are normally a few shooters even in the colder weather - usually has food after the league - during the colder season this league is fired from an enclosed firing line

Thursday afternoon (12:00/2:00) - Anne Arundel F&G (near Annapolis)- 1800 (2 gun) league - http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/6484/
--Unfortunately work might conflict - starts at noon

Friday afternoon (unconfirmed reports) - practice relays run at Associated Gun Clubs (Marriottsville) - http://www.associatedgunclubs.org/
--I have no other info, but perhaps you can find out if this is going on as you settle into the local shooting community

Saturday morning(9:00/10:30) - Twelfth Precinct - 1800 (2 gun) league (unless a match supercedes it - http://www.twelfthprecinct.com/
--two relays - during the colder season this league is fired from an enclosed line

If you make it out to the Twelfth, and mention my name to "George" he may put your first league day fee on my tab. He likes doing that to me.

If you send me an email to edwin_hall@airforceshooting.org it will redirect to my juno account and I'll send you some contact points for the Twelfth and AAFG. If you do send a message, give me a couple days in case I don't fire up the computer tomorrow.

There are also matches in PA and DE that shouldn't be too far away for you. You can look at this site for matches along the east coast:

http://www.bullseyematches.com/

BTW, Quantico is questionable as to whether they will hold any more matches. The lastest I heard was that the base has hit the club with a requirement for two EMTs for all matches. The cost prohibits the matches from being held.

Fairfax R&G holds matches which you can also see at the above link.

Happy Holidays to everyone!

Take Care,
Ed Hall
http://www.airforceshooting.org/
http://www.starreloaders.com/edhall/

From another Maryland Shooter. Thanks for the Bullseye links.

Be sure to stop by Continental Arms in Timonium (North of you)
75ft range and I am sure they will be able to help you

Affliated Gun Clubs list all the clubs in the Baltimore area
Good Luck
HJC


http://www.continentalarms.com/

It looks like the Bullseye Match site is still showing 2006 matches. Most of those are annual events, so they will be within a day of the shown dates for 2007. They probably won't be updated at the site until the new schedules are out. The contact information at the bottom for all the places mentioned seems to still be valid. I don't have anything more current.

I'll open the invitation to check out the 12th PAC league and use my name to save a one day/evening league fee, to anyone interested - see George. BTW, the last time I checked the fees were $3.00 for one relay (900) or $5.00 for both (1800), and you can shoot any BE caliber for either. Where else can you fire an 1800 for $5.00? Actually, I think the AAF&G club's league is pretty close at $6.00 for the 1800.

If I'm wrong about the current prices, I apologize. Those were what I paid last season. For both leagues, there is a reduced fee if you pay full up front, but you'll have to check with the directors for the schedule to see which is better, if you do step in full time.

Take Care,
Ed Hall
http://www.airforceshooting.org/
http://www.starreloaders.com/edhall/

Welcome to Maryland, Wally! In addition to the matches Ed listed above, Anne Arundel Fish & Game also has a Sunday morning league match at 9:30 AM each week throughout the year. This is a 900 fired with .22 only, and is generally well attended, even in cold weather. I live in Olney, which is about 1/2 hour north of Silver Spring, and belong to both AAF&G and the 12th Precinct. Let me know if you have any questions about either club.

John Hollingshead

Thanks to all for your informative and detailed responses. I am glad to see there is a good amount of activity here in Maryland and Virginia.

For over 25 years I was a member of the Freeport and Roslyn clubs on Long Island. Both are very competitve. I also shot outdoor 2700 matches at Peconic River Sportsman club, which was a former Woolworth estate out east on Long Island.

For the past 7 years I have become addicted to trap shooting. My wife caught the bug too, and we go to all of the matches together.

I have shot several matches at Quantico MCB and posted my best 2700 score there along with a 10 point leg. Shooting next to a number of National Champions sure boosted my performance as well. I have always enjoyed shooting there.

Look forward to seeing you at the matches.