I bought my first (hand)gun last month and have been to ECPR and Pop's one time each and have enjoyed it. So I think I'd like to join a club so I can shoot more frequently.
I have read good things about ACC here on the forums so I emailed their membership person about starting the process. I had even joined the NRA a couple weeks ago because ACC requires it and I thought it'd be a good place. Unfortunately, he wasn't really encouraging and told me I needed to get a .22 pistol so I can compete in the steel matches before I can join. I asked about just helping out because I'm not comfortable shooting in a competition yet (remember, just 2 times to the range, and the site says you can help instead of competing), and he said they have plenty of help and I'd better just compete. I think that I'd pretty much embarrass myself if I went out there and tried to compete with them, and I'd really rather not buy a new gun to do so. I feel like I was basically told that a new person really isn't welcome there and that I should go somewhere else to get experience first... (can't get a job without experience, can't get experience without a job.. same sort of situation).
I live in Fishers which makes HCFG pretty close, but their website says they are closed to new members right now and will open that back up in 2012 sometime. It's just 9 miles away, but I really can't tell much about their facility to see if someone that's mainly interested in shooting handguns would be well served. I think it's the most expensive.
Fall Creek Valley Conservation Club is the next closest place at about 20 miles away. I really don't know much about it. Then MCFG is 31 miles away. I've been there twice and used the bays.
So, of those three clubs - HCFG, FCVCC, and MCFG - which would be best for a new person that is mostly interested in shooting handguns and possibly exploring the competitions at some point down the road? Keep in mind the distance I am from each, and that I'd be more likely to drive less miles..
I have read good things about ACC here on the forums so I emailed their membership person about starting the process. I had even joined the NRA a couple weeks ago because ACC requires it and I thought it'd be a good place. Unfortunately, he wasn't really encouraging and told me I needed to get a .22 pistol so I can compete in the steel matches before I can join. I asked about just helping out because I'm not comfortable shooting in a competition yet (remember, just 2 times to the range, and the site says you can help instead of competing), and he said they have plenty of help and I'd better just compete. I think that I'd pretty much embarrass myself if I went out there and tried to compete with them, and I'd really rather not buy a new gun to do so. I feel like I was basically told that a new person really isn't welcome there and that I should go somewhere else to get experience first... (can't get a job without experience, can't get experience without a job.. same sort of situation).
I live in Fishers which makes HCFG pretty close, but their website says they are closed to new members right now and will open that back up in 2012 sometime. It's just 9 miles away, but I really can't tell much about their facility to see if someone that's mainly interested in shooting handguns would be well served. I think it's the most expensive.
Fall Creek Valley Conservation Club is the next closest place at about 20 miles away. I really don't know much about it. Then MCFG is 31 miles away. I've been there twice and used the bays.
So, of those three clubs - HCFG, FCVCC, and MCFG - which would be best for a new person that is mostly interested in shooting handguns and possibly exploring the competitions at some point down the road? Keep in mind the distance I am from each, and that I'd be more likely to drive less miles..
Once I can get some accuracy down (I'm left handed, right eyed, and am struggling to get my left eye to cooperate), then I can think about the various competitions.
I guess having three other places to pick from isn't a bad thing.
And help me work on my "aiming problems" -- if you saw my targets from today you'd understand. Maybe I'll feel more comfortable trying to shoot steel or bowling pins in a couple months.
