Sunday, January 11, 2009

Where can I shoot airguns in Oregon (part 2)

In my search for places to legally shoot airguns in Oregon, I've compiled a list of firearm shooting ranges that list airguns shooting as an accepted feature. One of those closest to me, is the Public Safety Training Center in Clackamas Oregon (just east of Portland). Which by the way is an excellent facility that should as an example for others around the nation. I was some what surprised that they listed airguns as this indoor facility's range caters primarily to handguns. However, I had a new .22 cal Ruger Charger that I wanted to test and sight so decided visit.

The range is excellent with top notch air filtration, target retrieval and shooting stations. It is a 25 yard+ range, which is large for an indoor. However there are only perhaps 10 shooting stations, and during standard hours of public access the range tends to be very busy. On a range like this that also translates to very loud. Shooters of various skill levels also can be distracting. I had a fairly good lane which I started on with the .22 Caliber Pistol and was getting phenomenal groups after sighting in a Red-dot site I'd mounted. Not long in to the session I was surrounded on each side by very new handgun shooters one of which seemed to think they'd do better by leaning an the wall between us and then leaning further out and close to her target. While I didn't feel it was to far out safety wise, it did place the muzzle of her auto loader next to and in front of the blast shield such that I got an awesome muzzle blast of her high-power defense loads. On the other side was a equally distracting as a fellow struggled to get on top of a pistol that seemed a bit much for him (hand cannon). So there was a lot of retrieving and resetting of his target (pretty much every shot).

Don't get me wrong, I believe this type of public facility is the right place for them to be. They belong here (as do I when shooting fire arms), but is this a decent place to shoot airguns?

I'd have to say no. It's to loud and to busy, teaching a child or new shooter would be somewhat difficult here and it certainly does not promote accuracy or a teaching environment. After shooting a while I was able to chat with a couple of the range officers (these guys are great) about whether or not there were other more appropriate ranges in the facility that might be better suited for airgun shooting? Also I inquired about any existing or future scheduled time for airguns only.

They explained that the facility was simply overbooked and already running at full capacity and needed to be expanded as it was. Should that happen, we might see an improvement then.

Well, the short version is that airgun shooting is ok'd at the Public Safety Training Center in Clackamas Oregon (just east of Portland) but it's noise level and lack or segregation between weapon types can make shooting airguns distracting.

I did get a lead on an extremely airgun friendly range in Oregon. That is the one I'll be checking out next.

5 comments:

Mychal said...

Hi
I just got into shooting airguns recently and just moved to PDX. I too have been looking for a place to shoot them. I am very interested in seeing your review of your lead on an "extremely airgun friendly range" when you do it. I have been considering joing Portlands Rifle and Pistol club as I have heard they are airgun friendly plus I do have a ruger 22 I like to shoot too.

Don said...

I did not realize this post was close to a year old, but am also interested. I am new to airguns and am looking for a safe place to shoot.

Abouttime said...

Have you considered crossing the river into Vancouver and joining the Vancouver rifle and pistol club? The yearly membership is inexpensive and often when I shoot there is no one else there (during the day). Pellet rifles and pistols are welcome.

A.J.Green said...

Thanks for your excellent comment on shooting at the Vancouver Rifle and Pistol Club. This sounds like an excellent range and one that I will make a point to try out soon.

Sorry it's taken so long to update this blog. Was distracted by life, but look forward to being able to commit more time soon.

Thanks again for the suggestion time.

To everyone else, lets keep them coming.

Anonymous said...

As a 10 year fire arm shooter in Oregon I have found the gravel pits and quarries on National forests and State parks very user friendly. They are often designated on Forest Service maps.

Though you are correct about shooting in "the peoples" parks you forgot to mention is a BIG NO NO to shoot in or around campgrounds; safely or otherwise. Airguns MIGHT not be illegal there, but, you will raise some eyebrows