Gun clubs near Manchester

[Sa Calobra]

Decent ones with decent ranges. Where possibly you can hire initially?

[Ziplobb]

this would be a good place to start

http://www.diggleranges.com/index.php/about-diggle...

there are others

https://www.altrinchamtsc.co.uk/

http://www.marplerifleandpistolclub.org.uk

however you will NOT be hiring anything - the law does not work in that way - you can 'borrow' if you have a firearms certificate with a valid 'slot' for the firearm you wish to borrow

[Sa Calobra]

I'll get cracking on the firearms certificate too. Ta

[smack]

Sa Calobra said:

I'll get cracking on the firearms certificate too. Ta

Unless you have (Police Approved) land to shoot on, you will have to join a club for justification for a FAC.

[red_slr]

What do you want to shoot? Bolt action, lever action, pistols, black powder, rim fire, tactical, mini rifle, shotguns, bench rest, etc etc...

If you are brand new to the sport and want to learn I highly recommend doing the probationers course at Bolton NRP. Its very, very thorough and run by a good friend of mine who is very knowledgeable. The best bit is its free, other than paying your joining fees and a small cost for course material. Contact me off line if you would like details. BNRP also offer gun hire so you can get shooting quickly. Its indoors so you can shoot any weather although opening hours are weeknights only really (very occasional Saturday)

As for PSSA (Diggle) its an excellent range but its worth noting its just that - a range. (well 4 ranges) The "club" as such does not really run any shoots - the members hire each range on Saturdays and Sundays for competitions. Plus there is no gun hire. You can shoot as a visitor (£20 fee) but you will need to hold a FAC and SSC.

As such its quite a lot for someone who is brand new to the sport to take onboard as the comps require you to arrive comp ready and there is generally not much time for new people to try things as once the comp is on you have to be ready to shoot. That all said, I still highly recommend membership there if you want to shoot in comps and over longer distances (upto 1000yd). A lot of very experienced members, ex military and some serving military. They take their shooting seriously but its also a good bit of banter. Its not unusual to see 30+ people turn out. The club house is slowly being refreshed and there is an onsite RFD who is very competitive price wise. There is a bit of a social aspect to PSSA too.

There are a couple of other indoor ranges, one over Wigan and another near Sale. Bolton Gun Club and Rossendale Fusiliers both well known but as far as I am aware neither are taking on new members.

Consider the start up process will take about 12 months. If you can do it in less then great, bonus but you are generally looking at 6-12 months.

[Sa Calobra]

Thank you.

Ideally I'd like to visit a club and get to meet/have a conversion with them if ok?

I've fired SLR, 303, 9mm previously and two days on the Glock at work a couple of years ago.

Works got in the way but I'd like to take it up now as a hobby. No preference as I remember shooting* up in Marsden on the long open range as well as enjoying the Glock at 15 and 20metres

• Air cadets

[red_slr]

PM me if you want to arrange a visit to PSSA or BNRP. If you want to visit any of the others its always best to contact the membership secretary for the club as some have set dates / times for new people to ensure someone is around.

[Johnspex]

Ziplobb said:

this would be a good place to start

http://www.diggleranges.com/index.php/about-diggle...

there are others

https://www.altrinchamtsc.co.uk/

http://www.marplerifleandpistolclub.org.uk

however you will NOT be hiring anything - the law does not work in that way - you can 'borrow' if you have a firearms certificate with a valid 'slot' for the firearm you wish to borrow

Are you saying you can only borrow a type of gun that is on your FAC but you do not own yet, i.e. a vacant slot ,or you can borrow a gun if it's on your FAC even if you own one of that type yourself? Not arguing, just wanted it cleared up myself.

[red_slr]

It very much depends on the circumstances, where this is happening, for what use, the status of the individual at that club, the status of the firearm to be used and the intended duration.

Some firearms cant be "lent". Section 1 shotguns. Long barrel pistols. Others, in the right circumstances can.

Some ranges also have "guest days" which allows almost anyone to shoot.

Also some other ranges operate on the Mini Rifle Rules which are rimfire only ranges. Although I fully expect those to be abolished as the rules are open to abuse.