CLUBS AND RANGES[14]
Whenever three or more persons in any locality are interested in rifle or
revolver shooting, a club can generally be organized and additional
members secured. If the business affairs are properly and conservatively
managed, much pleasure will result for the members at a nominal cost.
Approximate ideas of the cost of constructing and maintaining ranges and
indoor “galleries” can generally be obtained by communicating with the
officers of existing clubs. In preparing the Constitution and By-Laws,
that of the United States Revolver Association will be an excellent
guide.[15] The secretary-treasurer of that association will be able to
give valuable assistance to new clubs.
The first requisite of a shooting club is a suitable range. A 50-yard
range adapted to pistol and revolver practice can be constructed at a
comparatively small expense. At the firing point a room or house should be
provided with booths at least three feet wide with openings facing the
targets. A substantial butt must be supplied behind the targets to stop
the bullets, including the wildest shots. This should be an earthen
embankment, or may be a natural uninhabited hill with a steep slope toward
the range. The range should be measured and laid out by an engineer, or
other competent person using a steel tape. A pit at least 8½ feet deep
should be dug for the safe accommodation of the markers, and provided with
a safely shielded side entrance. The uprights and other target framing
should set against the back side of this pit. The width of the pit from
the framing toward the firing point should be 5 feet, and the length
should be made about 3½ feet for each set of alternating targets. The
alternating target frames to which the targets are to be attached may be
of wood with heavy canvas stretched over them. The frames should be at
least 30 inches square and should be so arranged that they can easily be
moved up and down between the vertical posts in grooves or slides, like
“double-hung” window sash, and so as to balance each other by means of
cords running over pulleys located in the posts at about the height of the
bottom of the target when in its highest position, the cords being
attached to the lower corners of the frames.
They should be so adjusted that when one target is at the top and in
position to be fired at, the other is at the bottom of the pit. Over each
set of alternating targets and attached to a cross piece at the top of the
uprights should be placed large numbers from 3 to 10 inclusive, for
marking each target. A roof or shelter should be erected so as to shade
the target and keep out the rain. Suitable timbers or steel plates should
be provided to protect the slides or grooves between the targets from
damage by wild shots. Steel plates are sometimes placed a short distance
behind the targets, slanting forward at the top, to positively stop the
majority of the bullets, but these must be far enough behind the targets
or inclined sufficiently so that the spatter of lead will not injure the
men in the pit. If possible, have the targets so located that they are due
north of the firing point.
[Illustration: Figure 81. Details of Alternating Targets, Pit, etc., for
50-Yard Range.]
Such a range is operated as follows: A marker is sent into the pit for
each target to be operated; paper targets having been pasted to the
canvas on the frames a sufficient length of time previously so as to be
dry. The marker pulls down one of the targets which raises the other into
the firing position. As soon as the shot is fired, the marker, using a
10-foot rod with an iron disc 2½ inches in diameter fastened on the end
as a pointer “spots” the shot by placing the disc over the bullet hole,
and then pointing to one of the numbers over the target corresponding to
the value of the shot. The disc on the pointer should have one side
painted white so that it can be easily distinguished when covering shots
in the bull’s-eye.
The scorer at the firing point then scores the shot as indicated by the
marker. The marker then raises the target at the bottom of the pit in
position for the next shot, which brings the first target down into the
pit where the marker covers the bullet hole with a paster. This operation
is repeated for each shot.
Where a score of ten consecutive shots is to be made on each paper target
without covering the bullet holes with pasters, as in the United States
Revolver Association Matches, the target is fastened to the frame with
double pointed carpet tacks and left in the firing position until the ten
shot score is completed, each shot being “spotted,” marked, and scored as
fired. When the score is completed, another paper target having been
placed on the alternating frame in the pit, the latter is raised promptly
ready for the next score.
In large cities it is often necessary to provide a suitable range for
target shooting indoors and by artificial light. Such a range is
designated a “gallery.” The standard range is 20 yards for the revolver
and pistol, and 25 yards for the rifle. The arrangement at the firing
point is practically the same as in the case of the 50-yard ranges, the
booths being at least 3 feet wide. On account of the small size of the
target and the short distance, it is feasible to move the target back and
forth, from the firing point to the butt by “trolleys” operated by a hand
wheel, the latter being located generally at the left hand side in the
booth at the firing point. The “trolley” carriage consists of a heavy
steel spring clamp holding a cardboard target (about 9 inches square) at
the top edge of the target, the carriage being supported by a No. 8 or
10-gauge wire stretched from the firing point to the butt, at a level of
about 2 feet above the line of fire. The supporting wires are attached to
the wood-work at the firing point by means of eye-bolts, which also
regulate the tension of the wires. The trolleys are operated back and
forth by an endless braided cord passing around angles over pulleys
screwed to the wood-work of the booth, and around the hand wheel. A steel
plate with the lower part inclined away from the firing point 20 or 30
degrees is placed about 12 inches back of the targets to stop the bullets
and prevent them from gouging out the wall or wood-work behind. By
deflecting the plates as described, the spatter of lead is directed
downward, and thus prevents damage to the wood-work around the targets. A
suitable background behind the targets may be provided by white or light
gray paint, or by a suitable fabric.
[Illustration: Figure 82. Details of Booths at Firing Line, “Trolleys,”
and Butt for Gallery Ranges.]
If the splatter of the bullets mars the targets, a shield of 1-inch boards
can be erected and maintained between the target and the steel plate.
The lighting may be accomplished by a line of gas jets or electric lights
about 2 feet in front of the targets and at the same distance either above
or below them. At least two jets should be used to light each target,
otherwise the flicker of the gas jets makes the light unsatisfactory. The
reflectors should be of tin or other metal, polished or painted white.
Glass is too fragile for this purpose. Heavy timbers or steel plates must
be provided to protect the lights and piping from wild shots. A telescope
is mounted in each booth to enable the marksman to see the location of
shots in the bull’s-eye.
When floor space is limited the rifle ranges can sometimes be located over
the revolver ranges, or the latter, if the range is in a cellar, may be
depressed by constructing a pit of a suitable depth at the firing point.
The booths for rifle shooting and the operation of the targets are
practically the same as already described.
It is best to complete all the work at the target end of the range first.
After the location of the targets is definitely fixed the position of the
firing line can be determined by making the distance from the target to
the firing point two inches in excess of 20 yards or 50 yards as the case
may be. The slight excess distance does not affect the shooting
appreciably, but it is important in order to avoid any possibility of
having scores disqualified in case the range should be questioned and
later be checked or verified and found “short.” It is desirable whenever
possible to have the ranges of the standard lengths especially if matches
with other clubs are contemplated.
The table for cleaning arms, and for tools, should never be placed near
the booths, but on the opposite side of the room, to avoid congestion at
the firing line.
The floor on which the contestants stand at the firing line must be firm
and solid, so as not to vibrate or move when others walk about in close
proximity. A concrete floor covered with a carpet or rug of firm texture
is excellent.
In indoor shooting smokeless powder and reduced charges are always to be
preferred. When artificial ventilation is provided, some shooting may be
done with black powder ammunition, but the range soon fills with smoke,
rendering the targets indistinct and the atmosphere unpleasant. Gallery
practice is very valuable, as it enables one to preserve good form in the
winter months, in localities where it is too cold to shoot with comfort
and pleasure out-of-doors.
The following simple rules should be printed and posted in conspicuous
places in every shooting range or gallery:
RULES
Arms shall be unloaded until the contestant is at the firing point.
Loaded arms shall be handled with the muzzle pointing toward the
targets.
Automatic arms shall be used only under the personal direction of the
Shooting Master.
Contestants are requested to use the greatest care in handling arms at
all times.
The authority of the Shooting Master in charge shall be absolute.
The rules of the United States Revolver Association shall govern all
match shooting.
The above rules must be strictly observed and will be enforced.
[Illustration: Fig. 83. Shooting Gallery of the Crescent Athletic Club,
Brooklyn, N. Y.]
The Walnut Hill Range of the Massachusetts Rifle Association is one of the
best 50-yard revolver ranges in the country. A well-equipped gallery of
up-to-date design is that of the Crescent Athletic Club, Brooklyn, N. Y.