All about River Bend Gun Club

The early history of River Bend Gun Club dates back over 60 years to the Seven Hills Gun Club. The Seven Hills Gun Club was formed in the early 1950's, and its range facilities were located just south of the intersection of Roswell Road and Interstate I285. In those days, that area was open farmland and I-285 had not been built. The club ranges were built on 25 acres of that farmland. The club had about 50 members who built a 10-point 100-yard rifle facility, a 30-point pistol range with turning targets and 2 duplex shotgun fields. Seven Hills Gun Club members enjoyed these facilities for six or seven years. By 1955, Atlanta was growing so rapidly that urban sprawl encroached on this range site. A massive apartment complex and the proposed I285 expressway forced the Seven Hills Club to relocate in 1955. This was to be the birth of River Bend Gun Club. The Seven Hills Gun Club found a 45-acre tract just north of Norcross just off Medlock Bridge Road where it crosses the Chattahoochee River. This property, located at a bend in the river, was leased to the club by the Medlock family for about $1000 per year. This site was ideally suited for a gun club since it was located on bottom land and in a sparsely populated area. The River Bend Gun Club was officially born in December 1955 at that site. This was to be its home for the next thirty-two years. River Bend Gun Club members pitched in and constructed an 80-point covered pistol line roughly 320-fect long as their first of many projects. The club erected a 33-foot by 95-foot club house just behind the pistol range on the bank of the Chattahoochee River. This served as a place to hold the annual membership meetings, various other club functions, and became the site for the indoor air gun range. During the early years, members also built a 20-position, 100-yard small-bore rifle range and a 12-point 200-yard-high power range. By the late 1950's River Bend Gun Club had nearly 200 members. Competitive shooting activities required range improvements. Members again worked to lengthen the high-power range to 300 yards and to expand the small-bore line to 40 and shortly thereafter to 60 positions. Members also expanded the shotgun facilities to 5 skeet and 9 trap fields, built a running target complex and an 8-point PPC range. During the late 1950's. River Bend Gun Club had indeed the finest club facilities in the Southeast. Its members labored long and hard to build it to this status. In the early 1960's, River Bend again began to experience the pressures of expanding urban development. Berkeley Lake subdivision, across the Chattahoochee, was growing by leaps and bounds. Some of the residents began complaining about the noise of shooting and fishermen floating the river complained about shot falling on them. To placate its subdivision neighbors the club agreed to withhold shooting until 9:00 am and to discontinue early evening shotgun activity. To solve the problem on the river, the skeet field closest to the river was retired. This was the beginning of a series of events which would eventually close this range site and force River Bend Gun Club to move.

Membership at RBGC requires an initiation fee of $1,000 and annual dues of $360, which are prorated depending on the time of joining. Prospective members must provide proof of membership in an approved national firearms organization, secure two sponsors from the club, and complete a New Member Orientation. This orientation includes a tour, a review of range rules, and a written test. Members can access the club seven days a week from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Facilities include camper/RV sites, a clubhouse, and picnic areas. Spouses of members can also obtain their own membership badge at no extra cost after completing orientation.