Access to Pendleton

[bubbapug1]

Is there any way a civilian can gain access to shoot at Pendleton on a regular basis? I live in south OC and the public ranges are all at least 1.5 hours away. I have heard the marines let civilians practice there from time to time..

[Teletiger7]

Scroll down to the santa margarita club forum. That is where they have their matches.

[Trapper]

Only for matches, not for practice. Even for active duty military it is next to imposible to get access to a range for practice.

[Paratus et Vigilans]

SMGC has both matches and practices scheduled at Camp Pendleton, but you need to be a club member to attend and you must pre-register for the match or practice to be cleared through the MP posts at the gates. You can join for a day to give it a try, if you're interested, but before you do, realize that SMGC is all about NRA High Power shooting, not just casual range time. We shoot 200-200-300-600 yard XTC matches, 3 x 600 yard Mid-range Prone matches, 200 yard John C. Garand and Vintage matches and, new this year, long range and Palma matches at 800-900-1000 yards. If you already shoot service rifle, match rifle, or F-class, or want to learn how to do that, go to the website for SMGC, find out more about SMGC, and if you think it's something you'd like to try, come check us out.

[LOW2000]

Only for matches, not for practice. Even for active duty military it is next to imposible to get access to a range for practice.

I've shot there in the last year. You must be accompanied by someone with base access, and it is pistol only. The rifle ranges are closed to civilians.

[ocabj]

Is there any way a civilian can gain access to shoot at Pendleton on a regular basis? I live in south OC and the public ranges are all at least 1.5 hours away. I have heard the marines let civilians practice there from time to time..

A friend of mine who lives in OC drives all the way out to my local range, the Inland Fish and Game in Redlands/Highland. He's been doing that ever since they closed San Gabriel.

As far as Camp Pendleton, what everyone has said is basically true. MCCS Camp Pendleton operates a pistol and a skeet range for military and dependents. There is no rifle range open for general (military and/or dependent) use on base.

As far as I know, the SMGC is the only body/organization that operates any sort of live fire activities on any rifle range at Camp Pendleton that is not an actual military activity. Thus, you should take advantage of this access by participating in SMGC live-fire events if you have a rifle that can be used in NRA High Power (service or match), NRA Mid-Range, NRA Long Range, or F-Class.

Contrary to what some people have said, SMGC matches can be new shooter friendly. You simply need to be prepared mentally; translation: you simply need to be able to pickup and absorb information. If you notify the club officials when you pre-register for any live-fire event of your novice status for NRA HP, MR, or LR events, the club officials can find someone to give you some basic coaching.

Also, the SMGC does hold "open practice" events which are not matches, but are shot at distances that are shot in a match, so people can practice, get zeros, test loads, etc.

[otteray]

Ha!
Saw your thread title and was reminded of how we surfers used to sneak into Pendleton's Trestles and Cotton's Point surf spots back when Nixon was Prez... way back when.