All about Black Diamond Gun Club

Facilities and Ranges:

The Black Diamond Gun Club offers a variety of ranges to accommodate different shooting disciplines, making it a versatile facility for its members. These include:

• Rifle Range: A dedicated rifle range is available for long-range shooting, with targets out to 200 yards. There is also a 100-yard rifle range adjacent to the pistol range. Specific rules apply regarding target distances and firearm types on these ranges, with the 200-yard range being closed during public trap shooting hours due to shot fall.
• Pistol Range: A 25-yard pistol range is designed for handgun and rimfire (.17 and .22 caliber) shooting. Target stands can be moved within this 25-yard limit. It's crucial to ensure bullets impact the steel backstops and not the ground or overhead structures to prevent ricochets and damage.
• Trap Range: The club features five trap fields, all equipped with automatic Pat-Trap machines and voice-activated pullers. These machines can throw both American and Continental trap targets, and the machines in houses one and two also support Doubles. The trap fields are lighted for night shooting.
• Manual Trap Machine: In addition to the automatic fields, a manual trap machine is available for use during daylight hours when the 200-yard range is not in use. Shooters must supply their own targets for this.
• Archery Range: The club also caters to archery enthusiasts with an dedicated archery range.
• Clubhouse: A clubhouse serves as a central hub for members and visitors. It includes restrooms and offers a limited selection of ammunition for purchase, primarily for shotguns. The clubhouse also serves as a point of contact for notifying club officers or trustees about issues with the trap machines.
• Patterning Board: A unique feature is the patterning board, a steel sheet covered in grease used to pattern shotguns. This allows shooters to see how their shotgun patterns by observing where pellets displace the grease. Rifles, handguns, buckshot, slugs, steel shot, or lead shot larger than #4s are strictly prohibited on this board.

Services and Membership:

The Black Diamond Gun Club operates as a member-driven organization with specific hours for public trap shooting and exclusive access for members to other ranges.

• Public Access: The clubhouse and trap ranges are open to the public during specific hours: every Wednesday from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, every Saturday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and the second and fourth Sunday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
• Member Access: Rifle and pistol ranges are strictly for members only and their immediate family when accompanied and directly supervised by the member. Members gain access to the club grounds via a controlled gate using an access card. Sharing this card, even with family members, is grounds for membership revocation.
• Membership Process:
  • Application: Interested individuals can fill out an application form to be added to a waitlist.
  • Orientation: Once space becomes available, the membership coordinator will reach out to schedule a mandatory new member orientation. This orientation covers club rules, range safety, and member responsibilities.
  • Fees: An annual membership fee (currently around $100) is required, along with a one-time initiation fee (around $150) paid after completing the new member orientation. Annual memberships run from June 1st to May 31st, with renewals starting in March and late fees applied after June 30th.
• Safety and Supervision: Safety is a paramount concern. The club adheres to strict range rules. Range Safety Officers (RSOs) are assigned to the rifle and pistol ranges, holding complete authority and enforcing safety protocols, including ensuring ranges are clear before going downrange and making them live.
• Ammunition: While a limited selection of shotgun ammunition is available for purchase at the clubhouse, the club does not rent or supply firearms.
• Instruction: Instruction is available for shooters.
• Events and Activities: The club hosts various shooting events and competitions, which are detailed on their calendar. Law enforcement agencies also utilize the ranges for training during specific hours.

The Black Diamond Gun Club emphasizes safe and responsible firearm use within a community-oriented environment, offering a wide array of shooting opportunities for its members and specific public access for trap shooting.