All about The Marksmen Club

Facility and Ranges:

The Marksmen Club boasts a 25-meter, 10-position heated indoor shooting facility. This indoor range is designed for handguns, .22 rimfire rifles, and pistol caliber carbine rifles. The club also has an air-conditioned clubhouse, which features satellite TV, a canteen, and vending machines for the comfort of its members.   

While the primary focus appears to be on its indoor handgun and .22 caliber rifle range, other shooting clubs in Canada with "Marksmen" in their name, like Maple Leaf Marksmen, offer a broader array of ranges including outdoor ranges (up to 75m), shotgun, archery, and even tomahawk throwing facilities, suggesting a diverse interest in marksmanship sports across various "Marksmen" named clubs. However, for The Marksmen Club specifically in Hampton, the focus is on the indoor handgun and rimfire rifle range.  

A significant benefit of The Marksmen Club is its 24/7 access for members, allowing flexibility for shooting at any time.  

Services and Activities:

The Marksmen Club is geared towards both leisure shooting and competitive shooting. Members can participate in various competitive leagues, including:  

• Bullseye Shooting: Typically involves shooting .22 caliber pistols at official targets at 20 yards.
• Police Pistol Combat (PPC): A discipline that involves shooting handguns from various positions and distances, often simulating law enforcement scenarios.
• International Practical Shooting Association (IPSC): A dynamic sport focusing on accuracy, power, and speed.

The club emphasizes safety and education. For new members, a mandatory safety training course is required. This typically includes a full day of classroom instruction, study materials, written and practical tests, and two closely supervised live-fire training sessions on the range using club-supplied .22 caliber handguns. All instruction is provided by qualified and certified instructors, often affiliated with the Canadian Shooting Sports Association (CSSA).  

Membership:

To become a member of The Marksmen Club, applicants generally need to possess a valid Restricted Possession and Acquisition License (RPAL) and a valid Ontario driver's license. Membership with the Canadian Shooting Sports Association (CSSA) is also a mandatory condition, as it provides insurance and other member benefits.

Membership fees include an initiation fee, a safety training course fee (per person), a door access card fee, and an annual membership fee. The annual fees can vary for single adult memberships and family memberships. A "family" for membership purposes usually includes an adult couple and their children/grandchildren under the age of 18, with all identification needing to be included on the club application.  

Ethos and Community:

The Marksmen Club fosters a community atmosphere, where members can gather to learn from each other and improve their shooting skills. The club leagues are described as the "heart and soul" of the club, bringing together people of diverse backgrounds with common interests in shooting sports. They promote responsible firearm use and safety as paramount.