What Is a Gun Club? How Do I Pick the Right One for Me?

A gun club is a place where gun owners, or aspiring gun owners, can train with their weapons, expand their abilities and learn more about their firearms. But it’s also a great place to go to share your passion for self-defense, hunting, or the second amendment with others. 

Gun clubs and pistol ranges come in all shapes and sizes, and there are likely several options to choose from in your area. So how do you pick the right one for your interests? We’ll talk about knowing what you want from the club and what to look for to find the perfect match. 

Why Join a Gun Club?

There are plenty of reasons to join a gun club, whether you consider belonging to a group of highly-trained pros, VIP Club members, or new members who've just recently purchased their first firearms and want to learn more. 

There are many clubs out there, so it’s important to find a shooting range that suits your interests, whether that’s taking courses to help develop your skills, have the chance to try out new guns, or just fit in with similarly interested gun owners.  Once you find the right fit, they can provide many opportunities to grow as a gun owner. 

Firearms Training

Gun clubs tend to offer a wide variety of great training opportunities and educational materials to their members. Whether you’re an aspiring law enforcement officer or just want to feel more confident with your weapon, develop your skills with pistols, rifles, or any other firearms they may carry to be prepared in a handful of situations. 

Some states require gun owners to take and pass concealed carry courses, and there are plenty of gun clubs that offer these courses. Passing these will make attaining your concealed carry permit faster and easier. Knowing what your state's requirements for purchasing your gun are critical, and a gun club is a great way to talk with others who have gone through the process.

Overall, learning how to properly and safely handle, store and discharge your firearm is incredibly valuable information, and gun clubs tend to prioritize these lessons for all of their members. 

This can be an extremely valuable opportunity, whether you’re taking actual courses on the shotgun range or just practicing with your firearm. 

Expanded Arsenal

Gun clubs typically have their own arsenal that members are allowed to use under the supervision of the club, which means that you can train with weapons without having to own them personally. This is great for certain firearms that you wouldn’t really have a use for, especially if they’re financially difficult to obtain. 

Training in a wide variety of weapons increases your defensive skills and overall abilities when wielding your firearm, in competition environments, or in combat. 

Network With Other Responsible Gun Owners

There are plenty of gun clubs out there that range from hunting-specific interests to pistol competition shooters to people just generally passionate about honing their firearm skills. Finding the right club for you is a great way to meet and hang out with like-minded gun owners with similar interests. 

Even beyond taking training courses at indoor gun ranges, this is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about being a gun owner. Getting to know others with the same interests will help you grow by picking up lessons from their experiences. 

A great way to strike up a conversation with other gun owners is by having a firearm that stands out. An easy way to accomplish this is by having a custom wrap on your gun that shows off your personality, like the easy to apply Proveil Victory Pistol Skin that demonstrates your patriotism, or even the awesome Kryptek Typhon camo skin sheet which you can apply to anything like your holster or binoculars.

Different Types of Gun Clubs

Most gun clubs will offer all of the above; however, knowing what to look for in your area will help narrow your list of the right club for you. Whether you’re looking for training courses, hunting simulations, or just want to get your hands on some heavy artillery is important information to know when looking. 

Above all else, gun clubs look to promote confidence when handling a firearm as well as safety measures. Always keep an eye out for a gun club that cuts corners when it comes to safety provisions, as they may not have your best interests in mind as a gun owner. 

Training Facilities

While a gun club can be a great place to take your firearm and let off a few rounds, certain clubs aim to train amateur gun owners to heighten their skills and confidence. They typically offer a wide range of courses, from beginners courses that cover the basics to advanced technique classes.

Training facilities like these are open to responsible adults and youth, and each course will cost a certain amount, depending on your area and the skill level of the course, but should usually be fairly reasonable. 

Usually consisting of a variety of target ranges, training facilities will have highly experienced teachers to show the fundamentals and advanced techniques of wielding your weapon. Gun clubs may even offer courses on how to store and take care of your gun properly, which will help your weapon last as long as possible. 

Rifle Focus

Some gun owners are more focused on hunting than anything else. Getting out into the woods and stalking your prey is a passion for many, and gun clubs that focus on this interest will suit them perfectly. 

Some clubs don't have ranges long enough to accommodate rifles, so it’s important to find one that does. Hunting clubs may also offer skeet shooting, wherein clay discs are released into the air for the hunter to track and shoot down. This is a great opportunity for those looking to train up for pheasant season.

Recreation and Luxury

Recreation or luxury clubs are tuned more for the gun owners that are passionate about firing high-quality weapons. They usually offer an expansive arsenal that includes pistols, carbines, and rifles that you probably don’t have personal access to. 

These clubs are great for people interested in recreationally firing weapons for the thrill of it, without getting particularly dirty from hunting or crowded by those looking for training.