"Members-only" range in Long Beach/OC area?

[BigFatGuy]

I recently found out about the West End Gun Club, a private range where you must be a member or a guest of a member to go. (http://www.wegc.org/)

This probably says something terrible about me on a personal level, but I kind of like the idea of a range with limited access. Maybe I'm just an elitist bastard at heart...

Anyway, is there anything similar more towards the southern end of the LA area? WECG is pretty far north of me (Compton), it would be easier to go south or east into LBC and OC. (I'm sure there's nothing like that in metro LA).

[Kmullen]

http://www.coronasportsmensclub.com/cscforum/cmps_index.php

[IGOTDIRT4U]

You're kidding, right?!? You didn't know this was right around the corner from you?!?

http://www.friendsofnra.org/State.aspx?sid=5&cid=326

[BigFatGuy]

holy crap! Dude, that's like 2 miles from my house!

Not a lot of info on them online, though... Google doesn't even turn up a website for the club, and Wellness.com reports them as a fitness center. ;-)

I'll have to swing by and take a look... Thanks!

[IGOTDIRT4U]

holy crap! Dude, that's like 2 miles from my house!

Not a lot of info on them online, though... Google doesn't even turn up a website for the club, and Wellness.com reports them as a fitness center. ;-)

I'll have to swing by and take a look... Thanks!

Yeah, I always found it odd that there is no webby.

I have a friend that is a member, and it's supposedly a VERY nice place. It blew me away the first time he told me he was a member as I thought it might be "code" for something ghetto.

[BigFatGuy]

I swung by there, and the exterior is LOVELY. It's in the middle of an industrial park, surrounded by truck loading bays, but the lawn is huge and green, the buildings are all well maintained wood "cabin" types.

I never did find the front entrance, but the caretaker came out to find me as I was wandering around, told me you have to be sponsored in, and I should come in before one of their regular club meetings to meet the members and start with the schmoozing.

I suspect they don't advertise because they don't want people showing up. ;-)

[SikDMAX]

Ya.... anyone know how to become a member, or anyone here a member? Seems sweet!

[IGOTDIRT4U]

Ya.... anyone know how to become a member, or anyone here a member? Seems sweet!

As big fat guy posted just above you, there is an "open" period before their meetings. You can rub shoulders with the members a few times and then see if one will sponsor you. It's not that tough to get in. I would have joined but it is just too far for me. Real nice place, though.

[BigFatGuy]

The caretaker told me that showing up to "work parties" was important to the process as well.

I assume that's how the buildings look so nice. ;-)

[SikDMAX]

I figured that, was just looking for some more info as Im 4 hours away - not so easy to just pop in!

Thanks though

[Sam1]

probably a cult/freemason/secret society kind of thing . . rituals, sponsored in, have to attend all meetings, watch brain washing videos . . no thanks

[BigFatGuy]

probably a cult/freemason/secret society kind of thing . . rituals, sponsored in, have to attend all meetings, watch brain washing videos . . no thanks

I figure it'll be more of a private golf club kind of thing. Lots of sales guys named "Bob" who show up to the meetings to get trashed and talk about their mistresses.

Or, hell... it might just be a random mix of people who want a nice place to shoot. ;-)

[IGOTDIRT4U]

I figure it'll be more of a private golf club kind of thing. Lots of sales guys named "Bob" who show up to the meetings to get trashed and talk about their mistresses.

Or, hell... it might just be a random mix of people who want a nice place to shoot. ;-)

Judging by the guy I met and went camping with a few times, you nailed it on the head. It's a mix of hunters, gunnies and "golf club 19th hole " types.

[dwtt]

Most of the outdoor ranges here in VA are like this. They are privately owned and you have to join, paying an initiation fee and an annual fee. They then let you shoot cheap. There are indoor ranges here, but those charge by the hour. They don't have anything here like Lake Chabot, where the outdoor range has pistol, rifle, and shotgun trap, located on public land and lets you shoot all day with one fee. Also, there are no BLM land here in the east coast where you can just set up targets and shoot. If I was back in CA, I would shoot in BLM or an outdoor range like Chabot. I have no reason to join a private range.

[jester]

One of my bosses is a member.
He just showed me some pics of the place.
The "tube" range is a sealed drainage culvert tube underground. Looks nice and goes out to 100 yards and is lighted every 25 yards.
You have to be sponsored by 3 members, and the dues are $100 per annum.
The club also owns an outdoor range in a canyon with camping, showers up by Ohai(sp) that is roughly 1 mile by 1 mile.
The club gets alot of its money from the billboard that is on club property next to the 710, about $2500 per month...
Its kinda like being a member of a lodge, where you can go eat, have cheap drinks, ($1 beers & $2 drinks) & BS with the guys..
They have raffles for stuff too.
Been thinking of giving it a go too...

Oh, the guys who just go to shoot once in a while, but don't attend meetings & participate in club stuff, are called "tubers", & are generally not liked from what I was told..

They also have clubs within the club for coyote hunts, pistol shoots, offshore fishing,etc...