The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Mezzer wrote:

hitchphil wrote:

Outsider wrote:Perhaps the clubs around the country should put some money aside each year, then everyone dissatisfied with the NRA's absolutely shockingly poor treatment of people interested in shooting and owning firearms pulls their membership. NRA goes bankrupt, everyone steps forward with the funds and buys up Bisley before the housing developers can get it and forms a new NRA, one that isn't a complete embarrassment.

Another informed member? slagging of the NRA hu? helpful ............... not .

On the contrary ... at least he's thinking outside the box!

460 quid is a lot of cash to some people and there is little doubt that they would get better value from a local club which has a certified shooter competence programme in place as part of the probation process. Club firearms / ammo should be available for use and hopefully, not at the prices you quoted (although I have no doubt that the figures were correct). All that's missing from the local club scene is 'the Bisley Experience' and to be perfectly honest, I'd rather spend the money saved on ammo. Don't get me wrong, I'm not anti-NRA, but rather pro-local clubs.
Mezzer

Neither am I anti NRA but I am heading in that direction especially after reading this.
Makes you wonder if it is really worth the time and effort many of us put in for free developing new shooting members when the national organisation charges so much.

Yes, but how much is membership of a local club and what range access do you get for your money?
Do they then charge green fees?
Let's start.
FCSA £70 year and £10 green fees.
A new probationer usually needs 6/8 visits to complete the training programme.
Although we shoot 4/6 times a month our range venues are spread out so most probationary members use just one range - that takes 6-8 months.
Cost so far 130-150 PLUS ammo and travel
Average of 75-100 rounds a day so add 46-75/day depending on firearms used.
Already that costs more than the NRA !!!

So the NRA costs are not that bad when broken down and our membership costs are cheap compared to loads of other clubs.

hitchphil:

Not sure if NRA can do credit terms? but am sure there are people who know about that better than me :-)

They would need a Consumer Credit Licence to be able to refer to a lender, or range of lenders - but they might be able to do it easier as an "appointed representative" of some finance company. Not sure how the rules are today as it's all red tape and nonsense.

Fair point though about "no shows" if that happens. Then again would a finance company want to be seen funding "those mad nasty gun people "!

As for "getting together to buy it", that's a non starter - easier to get a lasting peace agreement in the middle east than shooters of different disciplines agreeing to work together methinks.

My outdoor club charges £60 per year for membership (possibly less for juniors) and no green fees. Training is included in the probation period and i'm not even sure if the probationers have to pay for their ammo. Just go to a normal club and get the SSC for free/as part of the membership fee and then go to Bisley.

£130 member fee
£50 shooters card
Insurance £45
No range fees
no rifle hire charges
Use of other members £ 2000 + rifles cost £0.00

That is all its cost me.
And my visit to bisley in march - 15 quid

Mark

For our club probationary membership is £115 per year pro rata plus £45 joining fee including access six days a week to our 25yrd indoor range. Guest rates for four visits to a MoD range for Safe Shooting certificate training/assessment £10/visit. Probationary course ammunition is provided by the club.

So training costs for new members to get safe shooting certified and eligible for full membership of our club is £85 on top of the annual membership fee.

65 quid annual members fee
No green fees
Buy your own ammo on the night (subject to the usual restrictions)
Club rifles available (small bore and full bore)
Competence programme free as part of the probationary process
6 slots annually booked for full bore at Altcar (around 5 - 10 quid per visit)

That's still a lot of change out of 460 Quid! What's not to like?

Mezzer

if you go back to the beginning, it was stated that all the courses in the immediate future are full up. Some people obviously think that they are getting value for their money. It would need an in-depth study, comparing the training received by members going down the club route with that provided by the NRA before any fair comparision could be made. Most of us---me included-- would opt for the cheapest route, but that does not mean that it is the best.
Fred

Mezzer wrote:65 quid annual members fee
No green fees
Buy your own ammo on the night (subject to the usual restrictions)
Club rifles available (small bore and full bore)
Competence programme free as part of the probationary process
6 slots annually booked for full bore at Altcar (around 5 - 10 quid per visit)

That's still a lot of change out of 460 Quid! What's not to like?

Mezzer

Pretty much similar here but only £60 annual membership and a one off joining fee of £30. No other hidden charges and targets provided by the club. Membership thriving and we are currently not taking any new members.

Chapuis wrote:

Mezzer wrote:65 quid annual members fee
No green fees
Buy your own ammo on the night (subject to the usual restrictions)
Club rifles available (small bore and full bore)
Competence programme free as part of the probationary process
6 slots annually booked for full bore at Altcar (around 5 - 10 quid per visit)

That's still a lot of change out of 460 Quid! What's not to like?

Mezzer

Pretty much similar here but only £60 annual membership and a one off joining fee of £30. No other hidden charges and targets provided by the club. Membership thriving and we are currently not taking any new members.

+1

No joining fee charged here either and all targets etc provided by the club. 2 x 25 yard ranges of our own and access 6 evenings a week if requested. Like yourselves, our club is positively thriving and it's a treat to see people enjoying themselves.

Mezzer