Gun clubs east of GTA

[u/Nascar_chayse]

Hey guys, had my pal for about a year now, really want to get more into shooting
I live in uxbridge, I see there’s uxbridge clays, but it seems pricey (if there is value there I’m open to it)
Would love to join a club that allows rifles but I’d be okay with shotgun only. Anyone recommend any clubs that will take new members without a sponsor?

Also any clubs that will allow you to show up as a visitor and shoot?

Thanks

[u/groggygirl]

Orono has a waiting list but they have accepted some new people this year.

Oshawa Clay and Target requires you to know someone there as a reference. I've been told you can befriend people at shotgun comps and get in that way...but I'm not a shotgun person so I can't vouch for it.

There's Port Perry Rod and Gun but they have almost no web presence and I don't know any members.

You're pretty close to Sharon Gun Club - getting your hands on a share is a unique experience and it's the most expensive range around, but lots of rifle bays.

Only solo drop in place I know is Silverdale which isn't near you.

[u/TheBulletBuddy → u/groggygirl]

Forgive my ignorance, but whats the deal with all the conditions/waiting lists to join ranges on that side of the country? In my province, it was a $75 fee online, and 10 minuets later ive got the range gate code. No applications, references, or credit checks /s.

Are you guys just over loaded with shooters on that side? Too few ranges and not enough crown land (this has been my assumption)? Or am i just a member of a "sketchy" range haha

[u/groggygirl → u/TheBulletBuddy]

• 10 million people in a 1 hour radius.
• Extremely high cost of land.
• Not much gun culture locally (ie most people don't come from a farming and hunting background - "rural" here is closer to something like a acreage where rich people want a ton of land and huge house while being 30 minutes from the city) so the neighbors are unsupportive.
• Asshat gangbangers aren't exactly doing wonders for promoting shooting as a safe family sport. Ranges are straight-up banned in several municipalities.

[u/TheBulletBuddy → u/groggygirl]

Huh. Interesting, appreciate the info!

[u/LongjumpingChipmunk → u/TheBulletBuddy]

I think it's density, land value and NIMBYs nearby make ranges in southern Ontario harder to come by.

[u/TheBulletBuddy → u/LongjumpingChipmunk]

Kinda figured it was something like that.

[u/1882greg → u/TheBulletBuddy]

Land is expensive and in short supply in the GTA. And as it gets built up the NIMBYs are constraining us.

[u/TheBulletBuddy → u/1882greg]

Moves out of the city and doesn't like out of city stuff. Sure makes sense (/s). That's a huge bummer

[u/Nascar_chayse → u/groggygirl]

Any idea what a share in Sharon is worth

[u/Perfect-Emphasis-211 → u/Nascar_chayse]

Their dues are thousands… you gotta be burning money to join, and there is a long wait list 

[u/conanap → u/Nascar_chayse]

If you want to buy, currently around 13k.

If you want to rent, currently around 600 / yr.

Keep in mind in both cases, you need to pay 700 ish on top for membership / year.

[u/pinkystinkypinky → u/conanap]

If you wanted to buy is it available or still have to search for someone willing to sell?

[u/groggygirl → u/Nascar_chayse]

Current asking is $14K. You might luck in and get lower (lowest I've heard in the past year was $12.5 with exceptional circumstances), but a lot of people are choosing to rent them if they can't get what they want.

Renting is $750-850 depending on how patient and lucky you are.

[u/Inside-Profile-5865]

Aurora GC is great, but they don’t do shotguns. Only pistol calibre firearms. No wait list, but there’s a probation period. It’s generally known as a pistol club.

[u/Big-Guitar-1979 → u/Inside-Profile-5865]

is 44 mag pistol calibre

[u/Inside-Profile-5865 → u/Big-Guitar-1979]

From the club rules:

FIREARMS PERMITTED:
Handguns: up to .44 caliber (subject to approval) with muzzle velocity under 1500 fps
Rifle: Any Pistol calibers with Muzzle Velocity under 1500 fps
Black Powder, any firearm
Air pistol or rifle
AMMUNITION PERMITTED:
Lead, Jacketed, or semi-jacketed bullets permitted
Absolutely no steel core/military ammunition
No ammunition shall be used that exceeds 1500 fps

[u/gangstaeckz]

LTVFG

[u/Possible_Jellyfish69]

Check out Gagnon Shooting Centre in Oshawa

[u/Upstairs-Zebra8115]

Peterborough Fish & Game Association. Rifles, shotguns, pistols and archery. No wait list, about $300.00 Safety course with extra fee required.

[u/Cute_Ad6301]

Target Sports in Gormely (indoor range) is accepting members. Rifles, shotguns, etc.

Club safety course is about 3 hours, with written test then an on-range practical test. Once you pass you're a member.

No way to show up as a visitor unless you book online, but you can't use your own guns unless you're a member.

[u/Perfect-Emphasis-211 → u/Cute_Ad6301]

As a range it sucks, poor ventilation, limited space, 30 yard range, and the owner is a narc who will let you know his political stance very clearly (even if you agree with him, it’s annoying).

But 300sh a year and no long wait time, it’s the best option around without committing thousands to club fees.

[u/Cute_Ad6301 → u/Perfect-Emphasis-211]

Sucks: Subjective

Poor Ventilation: Subjective

Limited Space: 22 shooting bays?

30 yard range: duh. it's indoors

Owner is a narc? Bahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah! Ya ok. Also he's never there since he doesn't even live in Ontario.

$300 a year? Obviously you've never been there.

[u/1882greg]

No wait list at Gagnon and lots of us from Oshawa have membership there as well. Start shooting there regularly and you’ll be able to find someone to sign for you at Oshawa.
FWIW, not far from Oshawa GO either.
Uxbridge is a very nice club as well but they’re about clay sports.
Theres also Eastdale on 35/115, it’s 24/7 access I believe but indoors.

[u/FireteamOrcale → u/1882greg]

I see on Gagnon’s website it says “no caliber restrictions” does that include being allowed to shoot surplus/steel core ammo?

[u/1882greg → u/FireteamOrcale]

Pretty sure steel core ammo is not allowed. Call ahead to confirm though. I don’t recall seeing anything about surplus ammo, just steel core.

[u/IndividualCertain358]

Barrie Gun Club an option? its a decent club. rifle ranges, indoor handgun range, clays, IPSC handgun/shotgun, Lots of stuff going on. (it is costly for the first year tho)

[u/ONTZ28]

I just recently joined Uxbridge clays and my initial impressions are very good. Of the 3 clubs I've been a member of it is somehow the most professional and yet laid back. If you're interested in skeet and sporting clays I'd recommend it.

[u/Nascar_chayse → u/ONTZ28]

Isn’t first year membership like 1400 bucks

[u/ONTZ28 → u/Nascar_chayse]

Yeah but it's $600 each following year. It's steep, no argument here. I was looking for a clays club and the only two in the area taking members are both pricey.

However after going a couple of times I feel better about spending the money. It's a really nice club, everyone is friendly, the facility is top notch.

[u/Nascar_chayse → u/ONTZ28]

Is ammo reasonable price? Do they include much with the membership