No black guns or plastic guns allowed!

[Cush63]

Has anyone ever run into such a rule while shooting clays? I have a friend who is telling me he can't take his camo Beretta to target shoot at a number of clubs because they do not allow black guns or plastic guns. I think he is misinterpreting something.

I have shot at a number of places thru the years and never seen such a rule. I understand the rules against short barrel tactical guns and ar style shotguns. However, I have shot plastic hunting guns at clubs and see others doing it all the time.

 

[BeeMaa]

I've seen rules for bird hunting outfits that only allow break action O/U's & SxS's and don't allow semi-auto's. Their reasons center around safety and I (mostly) get it.

I've also seen restrictions on what size shotgun you are shooting. They would like you to use a 20 bore or smaller, even though a 12 bore shooting the same payload produces better patterns.

I've NOT seen a restriction that said NO PLASTIC or BLACK guns on a clays range. Only that they have a minimum barrel length of 22". I have a friend with a Browning Citori White Lightning 12 bore with 22" barrels...he's been checked a number of times but always allowed to continue.

Doesn't mean that there aren't those out there trying to make their club more exclusive by limiting what can and can't be used...but I haven't see this particular brand of snobbery.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

That would exclude me and I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. Just saves me a pile of money wasting my time shooting with a bunch that I have nothing in common. Couldn't possibly enjoy myself.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I've seen rules for bird hunting outfits that only allow break action O/U's & SxS's and don't allow semi-auto's. Their reasons center around safety and I (mostly) get it.

I've also seen restrictions on what size shotgun you are shooting. They would like you to use a 20 bore or smaller, even though a 12 bore shooting the same payload produces better patterns.

I've NOT seen a restriction that said NO PLASTIC or BLACK guns on a clays range. Only that they have a minimum barrel length of 22". I have a friend with a Browning Citori White Lightning 12 bore with 22" barrels...he's been checked a number of times but always allowed to continue.

Doesn't mean that there aren't those out there trying to make their club more exclusive by limiting what can and can't be used...but I haven't see this particular brand of snobbery.

Clubs won't let anyone shoot guns with barrels shorter than 22" but I bet they let the rich boys shoot their fancy ported trap shotguns. I would much rather stand next to some guy with 18" barrel 870 than the guy with 30" ported barrel trap gun.

 

[rookhawk]

Has anyone ever run into such a rule while shooting clays? I have a friend who is telling me he can't take his camo Beretta to target shoot at a number of clubs because they do not allow black guns or plastic guns. I think he is misinterpreting something.

I have shot at a number of places thru the years and never seen such a rule. I understand the rules against short barrel tactical guns and ar style shotguns. However, I have shot plastic hunting guns at clubs and see others doing it all the time.

Yes. The better clubs do not appreciate black guns, plastic guns, and particularly detest auto loaders and pumps. The former because its a private gun club and there is an etiquette to be upheld, the latter because its so rude to sling hulls at the next guy on the line, litter the fields, and introduce delays between rounds for clean up.

 

[rookhawk]

That would exclude me and I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. Just saves me a pile of money wasting my time shooting with a bunch that I have nothing in common. Couldn't possibly enjoy myself.
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It works out for the best, I think you and Groucho Marx have something in common. “I’d never join a club that would have me as a member”. Either way, that rules out all clubs.

 

[uplander01]

Fact is when you look at Benelli and Beretta, and lot of the higher end sporting guns are plastic or carbon fiber. Not allowing semi autos is stupis IMO,.....if you are at such a high end club maybe tey should be paying "hull boys" as well as scorekeepers. We live in a semi auto world now, especially the younger generation, not everybody wants to buy a fancy wood O/U or SxS for 3-5k.

 

[CBH Australia]

Interesting post.

If I were planning regular clay shooting I would probably consider something more traditional looking and purpose specific.

If a visitor goes to an open day or wants to try clay shooting they should not be disqualified because they only have a Black gun or a Camo waterfowl gun. Clubs need membership as shooters need shooting opportunities.

I would not be surprised if some clubs are more exclusive, expensive and intend to hold a standard but the new guy might well be in a good position to meet their standards if not discouraged straight up by not having the usual traditional setup.

It no good having a prestigious club if you make it to exclusive and it folds.

 

[CBH Australia]

Fact is when you look at Benelli and Beretta, and lot of the higher end sporting guns are plastic or carbon fiber. Not allowing semi autos is stupis IMO,.....if you are at such a high end club maybe tey should be paying "hull boys" as well as scorekeepers. We live in a semi auto world now, especially the younger generation, not everybody wants to buy a fancy wood O/U or SxS for 3-5k.

The use of semi autos for clay shooting is restricted by legislation in Australia. Basically you need a medical reason to say the gas action has lowere recoil and the mag capacity may be limited.

My O/U is a Turkish made ATA that cost $1000 at the time of purchase. My family had a ton of fun with it shooting informally on a mates property when he was still around.

We have a world class shooter locally and others that have the means to have high end Beretta, Kemen or Benelli, Perazzi and others. It doesn’t make them world class or even top class but it sometimes makes them the ones that discourage those who want to try.

 

[Red Leg]

Fact is when you look at Benelli and Beretta, and lot of the higher end sporting guns are plastic or carbon fiber. Not allowing semi autos is stupis IMO,.....if you are at such a high end club maybe tey should be paying "hull boys" as well as scorekeepers. We live in a semi auto world now, especially the younger generation, not everybody wants to buy a fancy wood O/U or SxS for 3-5k.

I don't believe that is necessarily true with respect to shotgun sports. A clays course of which I am a member here in central Texas has no restrictions of which I am aware, though I would be fine with them - particularly semi-autos, but I would guess 85% of the shooters, regardless of age, are using OUs. Except in a duck blind, I can't remember the last time I hunted with anyone using a semi or a pump.

 

[uplander01]

Texas is vastly different gun market than anywhere else in the country. Shocking how many expensive guns are sold down there…but the economy is good and there is money in tx. I just know that what we see statistically is the Gen Z folks (20 and early 30’s) in general aren’t the crowd that are going to traditional type guns, they want techy stuff that’s durable. In the Midwest for the guy that’s going to spend 2500 it’s going to be on a semi auto and he’ll use it for everything.

 

[wesheltonj]

We have several places to break clay where I live.

The oldest is San Antonio Gun Club (built in 1928) I've shot lots of clay there. Never has anyone there said anything when using a semi-auto. I doubt anyone would say anything about using a plastic gun either. They do require eye and ear protection and limit shot size.

National Shooting Sports Complex, I have no clue if they have any restrictions, but I would guess not as they also host a lot of charity events like Gun Club.

Joshua Creek Ranch, they are a Beretta Lodge. If any of them. did I would expect this would be the place.

 

[mdwest]

National Shooting Sports Complex, I have no clue if they have any restrictions, but I would guess not as they also host a lot of charity events like Gun Club.

Ive shot there several times.. thats where the HS and college state championships are held every year..

Im not aware of any restrictions other than the common restrictions on shot size.. what sort of gun you want to shoot, I dont believe anyone cares.. Ive seen everything out there from $250 no name turkish O/U guns to $40K custom/bespoke italian built O/U's to crazy high tech semi auto "race" guns, etc..

All have been allowed to compete in the different events I have attended, coached, scored, or shot in..

 

[RR 314]

Well, concerning the semi-autos, it is humorous when someone shoots 3x at a station. I have seen it several times. I have no concern with semi-autos in general, but do have safety concerns if someone loads more than two.

 

[BeeMaa]

Well, concerning the semi-autos, it is humorous when someone shoots 3x at a station. I have seen it several times. I have no concern with semi-autos in general, but do have safety concerns if someone loads more than two.

There is a public shotgun range (Bull Run) not too far from me and they hold annual 3-bird tournaments, specifically for semiautos, although I suppose you could use a pump if you wanted.

Other than that, you are only allowed to load two.

 

[RR 314]

There is a public shotgun range (Bull Run) not too far from me and they hold annual 3-bird tournaments, specifically for semiautos, although I suppose you could use a pump if you wanted.

Other than that, you are only allowed to load two.

That sounds like fun. Everywhere I have shot you have only been permitted to load two. That is why it is humorous/concerning when the newbie with an 1100 etc. shoots that 3rd round. We were all newbies at some point, just hate to have someone walking/riding between stations with a possible third round. Action should obviously be open, but things get overlooked.

 

[BeeMaa]

@RR 314 - The vibe at the public range is pretty mellow. They don't really care what you are shooting as long as you do it safely. Typically a polite word from another shooter is enough to correct any infraction. Even the RO's will be polite, but firm.

 

[mark-hunter]

High-class British, high-volume, pheasant shoot, I guess.
Until the eighties, on some shoots, not even over-unders were welcomed.