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Chabot Gun Club Inc
Rating Details »
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
21 reviews for Chabot Gun Club Inc
As a casual gun owner I was very happy to find this place so close to the anti-firearms community of SF. It's only a 30 minute drive from the city and most of the drive is the windy park road into the valley. If you use a GPS to locate the club you might find as I did that it routes you about two miles short of the location. If you make it to Redwood Rd, just keep driving straight until you see the park entrance on the right and then just follow the sings for the range.
The range itself can be a bit overwhelming to anyone that hasn't been around guns. So if your with a child or someone that is new to guns be aware that it can sound a bit like a war zone with on a weekend with the range, handgun, and trap all going at once.
The rifle range consists of a 25, 50, 75, and 100 yard positions. I've never had a problem finding a spot at any of the positions even on a busy day. I would suggest that you bring your ammo unless you want to pay the range premium.
I absolutely love this place.
Respectful, easy going, and fun. I always enjoy my time here. As long as you respect the rules and others around you, you will have a great experience.
Whatever you do, never forget: do NOT cross the line when people are changing targets. Even accidentally. Don't forget. Did I say not to forget? Don't forget.
For an outdoor range, this place is very, very loud. I don't think my ear plugs made a difference.
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BAM BAM BAM
Pop Pop Pop
crack crack crack
Those are the sounds you hear as you approach the Gun Club through the lovely and winding Redwood Road. Unfortunately, it was as foggy as a mofo, so the scenery wasn't as appealing as it should be, although the flock of wild turkeys we saw a safe distance away seemed to be enjoying themselves.
This place is old skool. There are about 50 or so individual little booths covered with roofs. Everything looks very weather beaten, including the range master, complete with a nicely dyed comb over. I had never been here before and was a little freaked out the by the sounds of 35 or so people shooting off pistols, rifles and who knows what else.
We came so I could get a little training on our new shotgun, bought for "home protection". I haven't shot a gun in about 10 years, ever since I shot my bro-in-laws deer rifle and wound up with a bruised cheekbone and shoulder. Oh, and also a bruised pride caused by falling down since I wasn't ready for the force of the gun when I shot it at a tin can - which I hit, BTW.
The lone shotgun cage was occupied, so we were directed up to the trap shooting area, where we were told we could shoot targets for $3 each instead of the $14 they usually charge for shooting int the range. We had to wait or about 10 minutes while the trap shooters were finishing up their rounds. I was impressed by the safety protocols - we had to show our gun and let them know it wasn't loaded, had to have ear and eye protection, etc.
How did I do? Well, I was petrified by the freaking noise. Even with the ear plugs, it was very loud, and I don't like loud noises - at all. My hon of hons husband showed me how to load the shotgun, how to unload it, how to turn the safety on and off, and then let me loose. I shot one bullet, and was done. The kick that 12 gauge gave me was enough for me.
So now I know how to load, unload, put the safety on, and most important (according to the gun shop where we bought the gun) jack a shell into the chamber, thereby making the noise the gun shop guy termed "get the f**k out of my house".
You listening to me?
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One of the best in the bay hands down...dont go on saturdays its way too crowded. best place to bring your "evil rifles" AR15s or AK47s, the staff are not paranoid about black rifles and FMJ ammo. no ammo limitations. only have a 1 shot per second rule that is sometimes annoying. Got a change to take the army qualification test and shoot rapid fire during an event there which was cool...check the calenders. the only limitation is how many rounds you bring. i love to take the earplugs out and hear the CRACK CRACK CRACK of .308s and .223s. Bring your kids too i always see youngsters here shooting with their parents.
This place is awesome in every way. If you're coming from SF and get off at 35th Ave, you'll have a really fun drive. Half the fun is the drive up. That's unless you get car sick easily then I'd recommend to find another way.
It's $14 to shoot all day. They provide a target with payment. They sell bullets and target supplies if you need them. The bullets are a little costly so if you can bring your own. The people are friendly if you're a first time shooter like I was. The range officer, who is the guy that walks up and down the line to make sure nobody doing anything stupid helped me zero in my rifle.
It's a pretty safe as the range officer and the people in the both will yell at you if you do something stupid, but just remember it's for your safety and others.
This is my go to place to practice my shooting because we all know when 2012 comes around the Zombie Apocalypse will happen and I need to be prepared when the shit hits the fan.
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A nice range up in the hills. Others have covered it pretty well.
I'll add this: BUILD A TIN CAN RANGE 'ALA LOS ALTOS. If you do I'll buy a membership!
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A shooter's paradise: you follow a paved one-lane road down through grasslands and into a forest, and emerge on the other side into a beautiful, deep bowl of a valley rimmed by high eucalyptus, and at its floor is perhaps the best and largest public target range I've ever been to.
The facility's layout is pleasantly open, and unless there's some sort of event, you're likely to be able to pick a lane where you don't feel hemmed in. The staff and the clientele are relaxed -- well, as relaxed as you want people to be who are handling boom sticks. This is a range and no horseplay is gonna be tolerated.
I wish this were closer. It's a great getaway. And with a trap range, as well as pistol and rifle ranges from 20 to 200 yards, there's lots for you to do out here if you like shooting.
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I came here on a date with my ex-boyfriend and I fell in love with the place. It's nice cause it's away from everyting, there's many shooting slots, and it's a great way to enjoy shooting a gun. I love the adrenaline rush I get from the sound of gun shots going off.
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The drive here is nearly as fun as shooting here!
Prices are great, prepay and shoot all day =)
My only problem is it's a bit far from everything so make sure you have snacks, enough gas and absolutely make sure you have enough AMMO!
I'v shot all types of guns here and have even taken a few classes. Thinking about competing here often too. They have a pattern bench for your shotguns, a full rifle range, a nice outdoor pistol range and the range masters are very well educated and love to talk guns especially if you have a rare one. I brought my friends H&K P7M13 and the range master gave me a nice lesson on it's operation and history! Now that's service!
The public rifle range is quite nice, the benches are generally in good condition with a nice sand bag rest for you. Shoots out to 100 yards, 75 yards, 50 yards & 20 yards. 15 minute shooting sessions with a range master always near by incase anything happens. Just remember to uncase at the bench and step away behind the yellow line when the range tells you to. Target hangers are usually in good condition too, and be careful when you walk out, all those discarded shell casings in the front of the bench can be slippery sometimes.
They also have a nice 30 yard shotgun pattern bench to the right of the rifle range.
Pistol range has generally the same rules as the Rifle range with 15 minute shooting sessions, same uncasing and putting up target rules. The distances are 25 yards, 15 yards, 7 yards
They also have longer distance ranges on certain days, trap shooting for shotguns, hunter safety classes, tactical shooting classes, and competition shooting also!
Excellent range, good prices, good people and they let you shoot FREE if you recently bought a gun. Just bring the receipt!
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My first shooting range day. Lots of gunsmoke!! I cannot compare this with other ranges but I had a great time. I went with two friends to shoot a .22 revolver, a .22 semiauto and a Sig P220 chambered for the .45. The range is very safe. We were welcomed by a staff member who answered our questions, and made sure we knew what to do. We were able to select targets at the distance we wanted. They also tell you what to do and when over a loudspeaker system. If you do anything wrong they will yell at you and everyone will hear. There are 15 minute firing periods. At the end of each firing period they tell you in great detail that you are to empty your weapon, open the action and place it on the firing bench pointed downrange. Then a staff member comes down the line and checks each gun to see if it has been made safe. They then let everyone go look at their targets by announcing "move out!' During the time people are doing this, nobody is to approach, touch or even stand near their guns.
People there are so friendly! There were young and old, men and women. One of my friends asked the man in the next booth what that gun was that he was shooting. The man promptly asked if my friend would like to try it out. It was a Ruger Alaskan, not an easy gun to handle either. This is the six-shooter you supposedly carry when taking out the garbage in Alaska in the presence of bears. Everyone there seems eager to help and talk about their hobby. The black powder group offered help with my friend's muzzle loader.
Some tips: Do what the rangemaster tells you to do.Study the range rules on the website before you go. Wear your ear protection. I forgot to put mine on till the Alaskan went off in the next booth. My ears were ringing for five minutes. Bring food and lots of ammo. You won't want to stop!
They offer a gun safety class ( among other trainings ). That will probably be my next step. The good thing about this class is that you can indulge your curiosity about handguns without buying one. They teach the class with their own 9mm Glocks. See the Chabot Gun Club's website for much more interesting information. Trap and skeet ranges are available as well.
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Nice range. Was hear 3 months ago, about a 40 minute drive from SF. The Location is in a very choice wilderness area , not far from Chabot lake. Kayaking anyone !
I like the 100 yds target shooting with my 10/22. Easy parking. Small supply store. Food selection is vending machine junk.
The road to the range is smooth, curvy and inviting.
If you have a sports car, you will love the drive out there.
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Nice outdoor range. They don't give you any trouble about rifles with bullet buttons installed.
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Really good range. safe, clean , and fun. Completely an out door range, 10 yards to 100 yards .
excellent range for good weather.
for kids, got to super vise them, because of guns. but a great place to take them to shoot. and learn gun safety.
They have a great atmosphare, targets, and amo.
I'm only going to talk about the rifle range, since I don't own any pistols yet.
The range offers 25, 50, 75, and 100yds. That's a lot of variety compared to the standard 100yd (and member only 200yd) at Richmond Rod and Gun. The entry fee gets you one target to set up, and the office sells extras like Shoot-N-Cs, etc. This place can get real crowded, which shows how popular it is. Every 15 minutes there is a ceasefire and inspection to make sure weapons are unloaded and cleared. Then they let you venture out to inspect your target. If you're doing something wrong, guaranteed you'll know as they have a giant loudspeaker system set up. It's very safe.
This is one of the two outdoor ranges I go to, the other being Richmond Rod and Gun Club. Some things I dislike about Chabot are the ceasefire and clear to shoot seems to take forever. At Richmond, ceasefires for the rifle and pistol range are independent of each other. But then again, more people go to Chabot to shoot from what I seen so it does take more time to let everyone set up. The other thing seems to be the price, Richmond is a little bit cheaper at $10 entry. However, if you bought a rifle/pistol/shotgun within the year, bring your receipt you will be able to shoot for free
It might seem like a little thing, but I like Chabot's target holders. They are sturdy and able to take rounds from stray bullets (don't do it on purpose). At Richmond, the target holders are wires and occasionally a random shot will cause everyone's targets to go down. I haven't seen it too often, but it's possible and when/if it happens it will force as ceasefire as the shooters will need to do some repair work.
Chabot gets 4/5, and I would definitely visit more if it was a bit closer to my house. I'll stick to Richmond, but they are both top notch bay area ranges.
Random: A ****ing turkey had the guts to cross the pistol and rifle range, causing a ceasefire. 10 minutes later, we get another ceasefire as the turkey decided to go back through the rifle range and into the pistol lane. (Park rules do not allow turkey shooting)
At first thought, the idea of an outdoor shooting range would seem ill-advised. I had pictured some sort of big grassy field with people firing their guns into big Robin Hood type bulls'-eyes and hoping the bullets wouldn't go far enough to hit anybody. This is why my career as a shooting range manager is doomed.
No, they shoot into a hillside. Duh. And the targets are these black stickers that turn fluorescent when you hit them. Which won't happen often the first time around unless you're a natural born killer.
I chose the 9mm because it was the sexiest - I look fantastic holding it up gangster style.
Unfortunately, it kicks like a mule, which means that the bad guys will think it looks fantastic as the pry it away from my cold dead fingers, having hit them not once.
After 10 9mm magazine rounds of education, I took my friends' advice and switched to the 22, which has these tiny comical looking toy bullets. Which actually hit the target. Yes, I highly recommend the 22, especially if you have a lady friend along who you'd like to impress. Size is important fellas, but not if you're not hitting anything...
Then I got a chance to shoot the rifle with the laser scope. I insisted on shooting from a standing position while screaming "Get off my property!" I am SO ready to move to West Virginia.
The 300 pound NRA gun nuts in the next stall were staring. I'm going to pretend it was admiration.
I also wanted to scream out "Die, infidel!" or "Viva la Revolucion!" but I don't think my brothers in arms would have appreciated my brand of humor...
OK, so as for the actual range, it's on a scrubby hillside after a bunch of winding roads. They give you 15 minutes of shooting at a time, then they have a security check and target change that lasts 5 minutes.
They sell bullets, but don't rent guns. It costs 13 bucks a day, per person, to use the range. Go check it out and exercise your 2nd amendment rights, damn it!
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I have only been here once so far but I had a good experience. A good friend of mine and her family are competition marksmen and vintage gun collectors, so...after a basic safety lesson... they took me up for the 1st Sunday of the month silhouette shoot.
Silhouette shooting is where you shoot steel targets in the shape of an animal... rams, turkeys, chickens and pigs.... at varying ranges. The object being to knock them down. Sounds easy but it's actually quite difficult, as the silhouette's are rather small and pretty far away. You can read more about the sport at http://en.wikipedia.or...
It was challenging, for sure. I have shot a handgun once or twice but this was the first time I've ever shot a rifle. They're heavy, heh, and by the end of the day I was tired and sore but really satisfied with myself. I didn't knock any of the targets down ....but I had em running scared. ;)
We were the only two women there so I got some inquisitive looks and some well meaning advice from the crew of mostly older menfolk. There were a few curmudgeons, but they were very nice to me overall. Most of these guys are regulars and have known each other a long time, so I think it could possibly be a little intimidating for a newcomer but they're pretty good guys. Geeks in a *totally* different way.. they love to talk shop.
It can be really cold up there in the morning so be warned. Wear layers. The floors are cement and I wore tennis shoes which turned out to be a big mistake. After standing on that floor for a while the cold went right up my legs and my feet started cramping up really badly. So come prepared. Next time it's boots and thick socks for me. Also, there is only an outhouse... so come prepared for that too.
They do not rent guns but otherwise it's a pretty inexpensive and satisfying way to spend a day. All things considered. Follow the rules, be nice, ask questions if you're not sure of something and you'll have a good time.
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nothing like a good outdoor shooting range. i was here over the weekend aand it was great. bring your own lunch, there are only vending machines here, best 14 bucks i've spend for a whole day of fun with my friends.
Whether paper targets, steel silhouettes, or convicted sex offenders on the 100 meter range, Chabot Gun Club affords a fantastic opportunity to hone your marksmanship skills.
Reasonable membership fees, a competent staff of former combat arms range personnel, and a wide range of competitions make this the best gun club in the Bay Area.
http://www.chabotguncl...
Veterans receive discounted range fees. Basic handgun safety courses and marksmanship classes are available; I humbly, and strongly, encourage everyone to take these classes before lighting up the country side like a Christmas tree.
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A nice 1 hour drive into the twisty roads (hint: motorcycles) of Cabot Regional Park brings you to the peak and into the entrance of the Chabot Regional Maksmanship range. If you miss the signs you'll find your way into Castro Valley or Oakland, depending on whichever way you entered.
But at the range there are a variety of firearms related things to do.
14$ to get in now (ugh).
Weekends there is a 25-shotgun clays course for 8$
1st sunday of the month is a 3-gun (Rifle, Shotgun, Pistol) course where usually 2 guns are used.
Last weekend of the month head to the 200-yard range and shoot the High Power National Match Course (200, simulated 300 and simulated 600 yard matches).
But for the normal people who just want to try out someone elses firearm, or to sight in a new scope there are two main ranges. One is for Rifles and Pistols from 20-100 yards, and the other is Pistols from 7 to 25 yards. There are 3 separate spots reserved for private use (Mythbusters has been using them quite alot).
Just because the folk is a bit more mature than you doesn't mean they don't know their way around a firearm. Better yet they might have words of wisdom that will help you with your aim.
The only thing bad is, there is only food in vending machines and cell phone reception is very low. And their #1 rule is NO RAPID FIRE, follow what they say when the firing period is over and you'll do fine.
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$14 for an all day pass to this great outdoor range.
just watch out for the deer on the drive to and from the shooting grounds AND on the shooting grounds themselves; we witnessed a suicidal young buck wander its way into way of fire on the rifle range. it is a bit difficult to discern that there's a living deer between you and the target when you're using a scope.
don't worry, that deer was shooed away; but i;m sure some of the hunters were disappointed and at the same time proud of themselves for not firing.
once the range is closed and everyone is leaving the area... you get to see quite a bit of deer come out from behind the trees and shrubbery as you make your way out of this park.
i took the handgun safety class with john maunder today and it was very informative and hands-on. we spent a little while on the range afterwards and got to practice and try out a bunch of different handguns (shooting with the glock 19 9mm). he even brought out his favorite (glock 36 .45) for me to check out. i didnt feel like i was talked down to for being a beginner/girl and i will likely be back for private lessons or an intermediate class. it was a beautiful drive out there and i stopped for a hike before my class started at 9am. definitely watch out for deer on the way back into oakland in the evening. it is really nice that this range is outdoors, makes it very enjoyable and scenic and cuts down on the smoke and gunpowder smells. i did witness several suicidal deer wander down onto the ranges while i was out there. i would recommend taking one of the courses there or just going there if you need practice.
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