Bay Area shooting ranges- Where and why?

[Ratters]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ivanimal:

http://www.dragunov.net/bay_area_ranges.htm

This is an old list but may help if you are looking for new venues and just want to see what is out there. There is commentary as well, I like to form my own opinion. I usually just go to my sisters house in rural Vacaville, that way I get fed as well! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hey, when are you inviting us???

I prefer Chabot for outdoor even though it is a bit of a hike. I've had some not so great experiences with the rangemasters at USI plus they won't let you use military (steel jacketed) ammo there. Luckily like Ivan I also have some other options for shooting.

For indoor I like Target Masters and the Shooting Gallerey. There is one in San Rafael that my friend uses and likes but I've never been there. Guns and Gear in Vacaville is going to be opening up a range in Vacaville sometime this year I think.

[ivanimal]

sure ratters lets go!

[American Canyon]

The guys at Guns and Gear said the new range is targeted to open this June off of Butcher Rd in Vacavile. Can't wait to check it out...

[shooterx10]

Anyone know the name of the new range that is opening up near Vacaville? According to the map, Butcher Road is not too far off of I-80 so perhaps a sneak peek is in order.

I've been to mostly every range in the Bay Area, and all of them are great. However, my only gripe is Coyote Point. No handguns allowed greater than .22, for rifles, you have to shoot out of this port/window, and they are open MWF from 7-10PM[?]. Also, the range officers there get all skittish and crotchety in their undies if you bring an EVIL AND VILE ASSAULT WEAPON!

If you want a free-for-all range where anything goes, check out Circle S Ranch in Petaluma. It's like shooting in some guy's front yard! Facilities aren't that great and it can get pretty windy. You can shoot anything there, even .50's.

[bwiese]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">shooterx10 wrote:
...my only gripe is Coyote Point... they are open MWF from 7-10PM[?]. Also, the range officers there get all skittish and crotchety in their undies if you bring an EVIL AND VILE ASSAULT WEAPON! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

For some of us, being open MWF 7pm-10pm is GREAT!! Hell, lotsa places are open during daytime. This way you can shooting after work, then get Mexican food at Celia's or hit Max's afterwards. Beats drive into Los Altos hills etc.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">shooterx10 wrote:
Coyote Point... the range officers there get all skittish and crotchety in their undies if you bring an EVIL AND VILE ASSAULT WEAPON! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

You may have run into one weird rangemaster.

I've shot there numerous times over the past years with AWs - multiple ARs and an AR10. I've seen lotsa ARs, FALs and some HK9Xs and Steyr AUGs there.

No special attention to me by range volunteers or sheriff any more or less than the bolt gun guys.

You do have to show your AW reg - that's expected, since it's a range operated by Sheriff's Ofc./Parks Dept: they can't exactly condone felonies (unreg'd AW use on county property).


Bill Wiese
San Jose

[minion82@yahoo.com]

Wow, no one has mentioned Richmond yet?

I've found them to be nice folks. Cheaper than Chabot, and much closer to civilization. Major downside is the pistol range is 25 yards only.

[shooterx10]

Minion,

If you shoot the IPSC practice at Richmond R&G on Saturdays, you can use the shooting bays and some have targets set up beyond 25 yards. However, a certified range officer has to be here to supervise you.

Kinda cool to walk around with a holstered gun (unloaded) and check out the expen$ive raceguns (STI, SVI, Para's) out there.

I can shoot the 6-shot plate rack all day! Also, you can chrono your loads if the chrono is set up as well as shoot a stage.

[Turbinator]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by tooTactical:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by bwiese:
You do have to show your AW reg - that's expected, since it's a range operated by Sheriff's Ofc./Parks Dept </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I can't believe you wrote that!

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Curious, why not?

Turby

[bwiese]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by tooTactical:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by bwiese:
You do have to show your AW reg - that's expected, since it's a range operated by Sheriff's Ofc./Parks Dept </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I can't believe you wrote that!

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Why can't you believe that?

You and I both don't like that, the concept of registration, the CA AW ban, etc. That has nothing to do with my post's statement:

...as much as we don't like it, it is entirely logical that if a law exists that requires an item (esp a perceived dangerous item) to be registered, with felony penalties for nonregistraion, that facilities operated by a police dept. (or agency with police powers) would require production of said registration documents so that felonies are not committed on their property.

Hell, I wouldn't let an unregistered AW in my home - too much legal risk.

I know DMV facilities for example regularly check their parking lots for cars w/outdated registrations.

Bill Wiese
San Jose

[ScorpioVI]

Indoor = 10th St. Range Why? Less than 10 minutes away. I have 24/7 access to the place. I can shoot from the holster, do whatever-I-want-fire, and I am my own RSO.

Outdoor = Metcalf - Less than 10 minutes away. Decent facilities. Personally acquianted with the rangemaster and range officers (all good guys) and generally have a headache-free time everytime I go there (unless somebody's shooting a .50 next to me). Oh, I also have access to the 200yd and special-purpose range as part of club benefits. Chabot is nice too, nicer than Metcalf even but it's 1 hour away from me.

[bwiese]

ScorpioVI--

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ScorpioVI:
Indoor = 10th St. Range Why? Less than 10 minutes away. I have 24/7 access to the place. I can shoot from the holster, do whatever-I-want-fire, and I am my own RSO. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Tell me about 10th Street range. I know of it but never been there. Not too far from me - I live by Capitol & 87.

And how do you get 24/7 access? Wheee!!! I'd LOVE to go shooting at 11pm then midnight breakfast afterwards! Fits my schedule GREAT!

Bill Wiese
San Jose

[ScorpioVI]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by bwiese:
ScorpioVI--
Tell me about 10th Street range. I know of it but never been there. Not too far from me - I live by Capitol & 87.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yea, it's our own dirty little secret. There's honestly not much to the range. 1 indoor 50-foot bay, 5 firing lanes. Primitive pulley/elbow-grease target system. Public hours are 6:30PM-9:30PM (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays) and 2PM-5PM (Saturdays). Costs $5/hour plus $2.50 for every additional half-hour. Free targets.

Pistols, 22 to 45 caliber (No magnums or hardball ammo)
Rifles, small bore Rimfire only
Eye and ear protection required and available at the range.

More info: http://www.scvrc.com/10th_street.htm

On Saturday nights we hold action pistol events at the 10th St. Range. Some pictures from these events:











<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by bwiese:

And how do you get 24/7 access? Wheee!!! I'd LOVE to go shooting at 11pm then midnight breakfast afterwards! Fits my schedule GREAT!
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

See your Private Messages for details.

[Turbinator]

If you don't allow hardball ammo, do all of y'alls just shoot cast lead or something??

Turby

[Yute]

forgive my newbness questions but I'm a rather new resident

Does anyone have any pictures of Coyote point's rifle range? I would like to see how the window/port set up works and the distance of the rifle range.
Is it bright enough at night to be able to zero a rifle?
and lastly, how to people join the coyote point pistol and rifle club - is it a private thing?

Thanks a bunch!

[bwiese]

Yute85...
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Yute85 wrote:
Does anyone have any pictures of Coyote point's rifle range? would like to see how the window/ port set up works and the distance of the rifle range. Is it bright enough at night to be able to zero a rifle? and lastly, how to people join the coyote point pistol and rifle club - is it a private thing? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Sorry, no pictures... maybe someone else?

The window/port opening is about 14"-18" square (? approx. -can't remember exactly), and sandbags are provided. Each shooting position is essentially a shooting bench and metal stool. It's pretty good for most every kind of rifle.

The downrange target area is lit by floodlamps below ground level (target area is in a shallow trench). So even when it's dark you see a pretty well-lit target. The shooting area is lit too, of course, and the shooting positions are covered w/roof, back and side walls and wind isn't a big factor at all.

Shoots last 10-15 minutes (depends on number of shooters etc) with a 5 min target-change session.

Spotting scopes, "eyes & ears" etc are for rent. They will hold your drivers' license as security. They sell targets too. Ammunition is not sold anymore as I recall - unlike the good ol' days of the 1980s.

Coyote Pt. Firing Range is open Mon/Wed/Fri evenings only, 7pm-10pm. Last fire session is usally a long one (15-20min) and the staff is understandably hot & bothered to get outta there as soon as they can after 10pm.

Any caliber rifle is allowed (prob not 50BMG though). However, only rimfire handguns are allowed - no larger calibers. You _might_ be allowed to use a scoped bolt-action rifle-caliber pistol like a T/C or an XP100 at a rifle position, but ask.

The regular rifle range is 100yds. I believe in the rimfire area 22LR rifles can be shot at 25? 50? yds too, but not sure.

You are free to shoot assault weapons (as defined by Calif.) there - lotsa guys shoot ARs and FALs there. This range is not private, though - it's run by a combination of the Sheriff's Dept. and Parks & Rec so they WILL ask for your AW registration papers. Don't rapid fire, one shot every second or so is cool.

Usu. the range is staffed by volunteers from the club. I have occasionally seen a sheriff deputy in the booth but that was 3+? years ago.
The club may have some daytime range access, not sure - during days the Sheriff's Office seems to use it too for practice. Otherwise than that I do not know anything about club membership - but you might see info posted there when you go in the evening.

Coyote Pt is really the only hi-power rifle range I know around here open in the late evening.


Bill Wiese
San Jose