Handgun Ranges

Columbia Fish & Game has several outdoor pistol/handgun ranges for members and their guests to use. 2 of the ranges are short-range, covered ranges with a combination of backers (to attach paper targets) and/or steel plates. The shorter range has backstops for hanging targets at 7 and 10 yards, while the longer range has target backstops and several sets of steel plate racks that are able to be reset from the firing line.

There is also a split, uncovered, long-distance pistol range with steel plates at 25, 50, 75, and 100 yards, as well as some target backers at the longer distances. The right-hand side of this range is designed for rifle-caliber pistols, as noted by signage. Fair warning: anyone found firing rifle-caliber pistols on any of the other pistol ranges will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including revocation of their club membership. This range does not have a roof over the firing line.

Paper targets are available for members to use at a small cost, on the honor system. 

Range Rules: Outdoor Pistol

  1. No plinking at cans, bottles, explosive targets or any other objects.

  2. No shooting before 8:00 a.m. daily or 10:00 a.m. Sunday.

  3. Handguns will not be loaded with more than 6 rounds in the magazine or cylinder while on the shooting range.

  4. Action will be kept open at all times except when actually firing, with a chamber flag in the chamber. Yellow zip-ties are available for use as chamber flags.

  5. Shooters may use only one bench and the corresponding target standard at a time, and their equipment must be confined to that bench and, or the table provided for this purpose.

  6. NO CROSS FIRING. Portable target standards must be placed directly in front of appropriate back stop.

  7. Shooters must cease fire and unload when requested to do so by other members for the purpose of checking targets or a potential safety issue.

  8. No smoking on the firing line.

  9. Clean up brass and empty cartridge boxes when finished.

  10. Shooting from firing line only.

  11. No human silhouettes for targets.

  12. Hearing and eye protection are required.

  13. No rifle shooting on any handgun range, including the long range pistol range.

  14. Members violating these rules shall be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including loss of membership.

General Range Rules (Apply To All Ranges)

  1. Current membership card must be displayed at all times when on club grounds.

  2. Drugs and alcohol prohibited.

  3. Ranges close at 7 p.m. on meeting nights.

  4. Ranges will be closed during maintenance and/or work parties.

  5. No children permitted on ranges except when directly supervised by their parent or guardian.

  6. A member is responsible for their guest.

  7. Shooting hours at all outdoor ranges are: 8:00am Monday through Saturday and 10:00am Sunday. Shooting ceases at sunset.

  8. Club members may not use club facilities for personal financial gain.

  9. No one may be forward of the firing line when someone is shooting.

  10. No one may handle a firearm on the firing line while anyone is forward of the firing line.

  11. Any firearm considered a pistol (barrel 16" or less and/or no butt stock) with a semi-automatic action and chambered in center fire rifle cartridges may only be fired at the allocated lane at the pistol ranges.

  12. Effective May 1, 2018 chamber flags or empty chamber indicators will be required at all ranges. No one may walk forward of the firing line unless a chamber flag is inserted into the action of their firearm.

If you do not have a chamber flag for your pistol or rifle, Columbia Fish & Game have provided yellow zip-ties throughout the club ranges for use as chamber flags. The chamber flag rule does not apply to holstered, personal defense firearms. If a handgun is holstered it is considered to be safe. Safety is our highest priority and these rules will be strictly enforced.

Be aware that we have installed security cameras at the pistol ranges, the rifle range, and the indoor range. Club officers monitor these cameras regularly and if violations are discovered the member found violating the rules will be notified to attend and upcoming board meeting to be given a hearing. The board will then determine the appropriate action to be taken.

As a self-policing club, in alignment with Pennsylvania's S.P.O.R.T. initiative (Sportsmen Policing Our Ranks Together), it is your duty to be aware of all rules while on club grounds. If you see a violation of the rules, you can ask to see the membership card of the violator and submit their name to a club officer. If one of the club officers sees the violation you could lose your membership privileges. We will not tolerate continuing safety and rule violations as this places the entire club at risk if there is an incident related to mishandling of firearms.