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Anyone know anything about the Bayou Rifles gun club in the Houston area? They have two ranges, and I'd be mostly interested in the one off 288.

You can find out quite a bit from the web site, http://bayourifles.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; but as a member (and former membership director) I can tell you some of the good points.

The bad points for pistol shooters are that there is a rule against drawing from the holster and firing. No rule against so-called "rapid fire", but there is a concern that someone will shoot himself in the leg, drawing. The other bad points are that there is no IDPA / action shooting; only Bullseye, and that at Addicks, not Juliff.

Come to the across-the-course Highpower match this Sunday and you can check out the range (gate is open during matches) and meet some people. We'll be there from 7 AM to sometime after 12 noon, it is a 100-round match (two 600-yard slow-fire strings instead of one).

Obviously, I love the club and the Juliff range so I'm not an "objective" source of information.

Anecdote:
In around 2005 there was a movement to have IDPA matches. They held some "demonstration" matches that went very well, and the Board was pretty well convinced to waive the no-draw-and-shoot rule. At the Board meeting the best proponent of IDPA was asked to speak, and he did so - very convincingly, until he used a phrase about "adrenalin" and excitement - at which point some of the Board members turned pale, their eyes rolled back in their heads, and they voted down the proposal. It was a shame - so close - but there is great fear of anything that might seem not-well-ordered or happening-too-fast.

The club has been at Juliff since 1936 and there is no record of a firearms-related injury. Can't say there has never been one, I wasn't there, but the club has no record of one. Very proud of the Safety Record and unwilling to chance damaging it.

Sorry to write a novel in response to a simple question. Come to the match and check out the range and the people.

Regards,
Andrew

Edited to add: if you are primarily interested in action pistol, Pearland http://www.psc-range.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; is your very best bet. If you are farther South of Houston, check out Greenwood in Lake Jackson.

I've posted about it before in letting folks know about other ranges around the West side of town that are better to go to.

I have been unsuccessful in attending a membership meeting there for nearly every single month this year. I was going to try to make Nov or Dec but now I'm thinking I might end up not getting there until Jan! Sat mornings are usually booked up for me by my family so its hard to get away. I'm primarily interested in the Addicks range since I actually pass it on my way to and from work every day.

phrogg,

Email Greg - address on the web site - and tell him you need to schedule an individual New Member Orientation.

If he is not available, ask him if he will delegate it and I will do it. When I had that job, the orientation consisted of going over the range rules, talking about Safety, and showing people around the range.

Addicks is nice, and better if you take the NRA Range Safety Officer class (through the club), and volunteer 1/2 day every once in a while as RSO. Gives you extra range access. Juliff is open to all members at all times.

Regards,
Andrew

I too have been wondering about the club. I've heard lots of good things about the facilities. I too seem to get booked for Saturday mornings way in advance. Perhaps I'll try to make the November orientation...it's "Opening Day," but I haven't made the time to find a lease in years--perhaps I should treat myself!

BobCat wrote:phrogg,

Email Greg - address on the web site - and tell him you need to schedule an individual New Member Orientation.

If he is not available, ask him if he will delegate it and I will do it. When I had that job, the orientation consisted of going over the range rules, talking about Safety, and showing people around the range.

Addicks is nice, and better if you take the NRA Range Safety Officer class (through the club), and volunteer 1/2 day every once in a while as RSO. Gives you extra range access. Juliff is open to all members at all times.

Regards,
Andrew

Andrew, I took the orientation on a Staurday in August '09 but did not join at the time, since I was shooting pistols only. I have recently picked up my first AR and am thinking about joining. Do you think i could just resubmit the paperwork without another orientation?

Tom

Tom,

I don't see why not, but I'm not Membership Director anymore.

Try going to the website and emailing Greg, the current Membership Director; tell him the date (as close as you can) that you took the orientation, and see if he has a record of it. If so, it seems to me he should be happy you finally decided to join.

Best of luck!

Regards,
Andrew

Addicks is where I shoot. I use the 15 yard course. I'm not sure what else I could want. Usually I am by myself. The most shooters I have ever seen at this course is maybe three.

All the members are nice and have been helpful to a newbie like myself.

Got to see a statewide pistol match a few weeks ago when I came to shoot. I had no idea you could fire a revolver so accurately at 50 yards.

Well, I went and joined at the November meeting...after seeing the facilities, I couldn't resist!

I've yet to make the Addicks range, but probably will this weekend. Sure was nice to be able to set up my chrono and work up loads without being in anyone's way!

And yes, everyone I've met out there has been amazingly friendly, and helpful. I'd recommend it as a look-see to anyone who's serious about shooting.

I've been a member there for about 6 years and have shot there for over 10 years now.

It is a great place, the Juliff range has Pistol ranges to 1000 yard rifle ranges.

Nice folks, always willing to cease fire for a new shooter.

Hope to see you out there soon!

I live several miles up 290 from Bayou City City Rifles.

The slow-fire and no-draw regulations have made Bayou City City Rifles a non-starter for me.

To each his own, but I'd rather drive to PSC or Impact Zone or Shiloh and get in a semblance of realistic practice. Hot Wells is closer to me for slow-fire work, so I'm likely never to become a member of Bayou City City Rifles.

what is their 'slow fire' policy

Fire slow enough to put all your projectiles in the berm...

That's not "official" but practical. I specifically asked about "rapid fire" at the orientation and was told that as long as it's controlled, they're fine with it.

They have had a few incidents over the years with people "bump-firing," but that's a whole 'nother animal...and a no-no for more reasons that I care type about...

I'm not aware of any "slow fire" policy, and I'm quite familiar with the Range Rules.

You can download the Range Rules from the bayourifles.org website. If you find any rules about slow or rapid fire, please let me know.

I hear people firing pistols at the short line - 3, 7, 15 yard - quite rapidly sometimes. Nobody objects or says anything. As long as the rounds all hit the berm, there is no problem.

The rule against drawing from the holster does, indeed, exist. Many members feel it is silly but the Board was worried someone might shoot himself in the leg. The president and much of the Board are younger, newer folks - and the rule might get eliminated if enough members push for that.

Regards,
Andrew

Thanks, Andrew. I stand corrected.