Izaac Walton in Manassas?

[Jamie]

Anyone tried Izaac Walton in Manassas? I work with a guy who does archery there, but he's not into guns. He says they have an indoor pistol range and an outdoor rifle range that is currently out of commission. The price is right, but their range rules make me wonder about the place. They ban 5.56 and 7.62 mm rifles because "that's what a lot of assault rifles use."

Hopefully that's just ignorance and could be changed by protesting at a meeting, but there ya go. Opinions welcome.

[jdonovan]

They ban 5.56 and 7.62 mm rifles because "that's what a lot of assault rifles use."

Hopefully that's just ignorance and could be changed by protesting at a meeting, but there ya go. Opinions welcome.

That tells me a lot about the leadership if they have banned those calibers, and I'd keep on moving down the road to another place if it were true.

BUT

I know a guy who is a member there, and helped him get started reloading for his ar-15 he shoots there, so this may be a very new, or very old rule... I'd investigate more carefully before making a decision.

Also I think you are referring to the the Arlington-fairfax chapter, which is in centerville. I don't know of any IWLA in Manassas.

[Chasbo00]

Too many pistol restrictions for me. From their online newsletter:

Handguns and Holsters

I have noticed several members in the past few months carrying handguns in holsters while at the Rifle-Pistol Range.

When can a member or guest bring a loaded handgun onto the Rifle-Pistol Range? The basic answer is never. All firearms brought onto the range must be unloaded and properly boxed, bagged, cased, or otherwise immobilized. (The only exception is for law enforcement officer who are on-duty.) Therefore no one may ―carry concealed‖ while on the range. Also no one can ―open carry a handgun in a holster while on the range. All firearms must remain UNLOADED until authorized by the duty Range Officer when the range is ―hot‖ or ready to fire.

The only place where a member or guest can fire a handgun is at the Rifle-Pistol Range. In effect, handguns are banned at all other ranges. We have had cases in the past where members fired handguns at a camping area or at one of the pavilions. This is very unsafe and cannot be tolerated!

To enter the Rifle-Pistol Range (inside the fence) all firearms must be UNLOADED and should be boxed, bagged, or cased. If you do not have a box, bag, or case then the firearm must be carried with muzzle pointing straight up and the action open. You cannot bring a loaded firearm onto the firing line of the Rifle-Pistol Range.
You cannot bring a handgun onto the Rifle-Pistol Range in a holster (open or concealed). You cannot be at the firing line of the Rifle-Pistol Range with a handgun in a holster. And you cannot draw a handgun from a holster while at the firing line. The ONLY exception for holster carry, drawing, and firing of a handgun is during a NRA Personal Protection course operated by the Chapter Education and Training Committee when there are instructors present to monitor each and every course participant AND when the Rifle-Pistol Range is closed to all other shooting activity.

http://www.arlingtonfairfax-iwla.org/49-1.pdf

[Taggure]

After reading that I would have to say that there is NO Way I would belong to that chapter. I know it is private property and they can make the rules up as they wish, but I can execute my right to not participate in such Draconian range rules by not visiting this range.

Vern

[dorminWS]

Either there is a regulation Nazi in charge with no judgment and not enough to do, therefore the membership are idiots for tolerating it (in which case I'd steer clear), or if they really do need that degree of regimentation and regulation, they've got a bunch of fools for members (in which case I'd steer WAY clear).

[Jamie]

That's from the Arlington-Fairfax chapter. This one is indeed in Manassas. http://www.pwiwla.org/

Appendix F contains their range rules, which all seem reasonable to me. http://pwrp.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/sop2007.pdf

They have apparently changed their rules (http://pwrp.wordpress.com/2011/06/02/re ... rocedures/) but haven't posted the changes yet.

The bit where they prohibit 5.56 and 7.62 (which they write as 7.63 for some reason) is here: http://sites.google.com/site/pwiwla/notices That also includes some craziness about not allowing FMJ rounds for centerfire rifles. It was posted by the club president, but it's not part of their SOP. I'm guessing he took it upon himself to clear out them thar crazy gun nuts or something.

[jdonovan]

It looks like from the rules, they are trying to restrict quite a bit of the higher power ammunition. They also have a max 50yd outdoor range, so they must be reasonably space constrained.

I really don't like how they have written the their rules, now, or the older rules, which is why I opted to join a different IWLA.

[shootergdv]

Gotta remember that any Izaak Walton League range operates as a subsidiary of the Izaak Walton League chapter. Many of the chapter by-laws prohibit loaded firearms entering the property. The R & P guys have to obey the by-laws. On the other hand, our Chapter is "don't ask, don't tell" in re concealed carry. We don't allow tracers or incendiary rounds, but we've had everything up to a 20mm Lahti on the range as far as caliber. Also, consider that all of the members have attended a range specific safety class. All events are open to the general public, and some folks ain't comfortable with strangers with loaded guns moving behind 'em while they are running or participating in a match !

[Doyle]

I have monitored the website for the Izaac Walton league in Brentsville (Manassas) for a couple of years now. So what is up with the following announcement that has been on their site since I first started to monitor it a couple of years back?

Important! The Outdoor Range is in a Cease Fire status until further notice!

Seems like you put up with a lot for the use of an indoor pistol range. I might consider joining if they ever open up the outdoor range....but I am not optimistic that will ever happen. Any one know the story behind the closure of the outdoor range.

[Purdune]

Err, your giving me some pause guys. I'm planning on going to the Alexandria chapter tomorrow and apply for membership. Now I'm wondering if they will even let me in with my military bayonet, high power, killing machine. I really need some place to plink with my Nagant!

I do understand unloaded weapons outside the range and even bringing them to your station unloaded. Understand is different than like. From what I see they have camp grounds and other areas around the ranges. Course I'd be more prone to walking people outside the gates for unloading a firearm in an improper manner than adding more rules.

[bryanrheem]

What are member fees like anyway?

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[MarcSpaz]

...
The bit where they prohibit 5.56 and 7.62 (which they write as 7.63 for some reason) is here: http://sites.google.com/site/pwiwla/notices...

In their defense, that posting is ONLY referring to the indoor range, not the outdoor range. Their indoor range may not have the appropriate backstops and/or traps for the items that are listed as not acceptable.

I would never do business with them anyway. Not worth the aggravation and I don't want to support a company that should be more firearms friendly, but clearly either is not or has to make rules very tight due to the clientele behaving poorly.

[kelu]

Their indoor range is for air rifle only, and mostly for kids training.
The outdoor pistol and rifle range (25, 50, 75 and 100 yards) is nice, and I am not aware of caliber restrictions, I saw many 30-06 and 308 there. AR's too.

[Doyle]

I have monitored the website for the Izaac Walton league in Brentsville (Manassas) for a couple of years now. So what is up with the following announcement that has been on their site since I first started to monitor it a couple of years back?

Important! The Outdoor Range is in a Cease Fire status until further notice!

Seems like you put up with a lot for the use of an indoor pistol range. I might consider joining if they ever open up the outdoor range....but I am not optimistic that will ever happen. Any one know the story behind the closure of the outdoor range.

I will repeat myself! I have just looked at the website for Brentsville (Manassas) and they are still in a cease fire condition. Before you respond to this post how about making sure you are talking about Brentsville and not another chapter.

[Vince]

I have been a member of the archery club for some years now. The outdoor range has been down since I joined in 2006. I am there for the archery range only. The downstairs pistol range is ok but I have never shot there. I choose to shoot elsewhere.

[Purdune]

Joined the Alexandria chapter. They do have a restriction on automatic, bump fire, and 50 cal BMG. They made it very clear they weren't restricting the caliber just the M2, sniper rifle BMG round. There is a dirt mound and forest behind as a back drop but also houses around. Every range has some sort of restriction and I got the impression that the Alexandria chapter was all about safety and not about being a snob. I like that. Just because someone paid their dues doesn't mean they are safe shooters!

To answer Bryanrheem's question, $200 for the first year and $100 after that. Pretty nice considering what ranges cost. The Alexandria chapter doesn't have an indoor range, cept for the turkey shoot. You are inside but shoot out open windows.

All in all I'm pretty impressed.

[MarcSpaz]

I will repeat myself! I have just looked at the website for Brentsville (Manassas) and they are still in a cease fire condition. Before you respond to this post how about making sure you are talking about Brentsville and not another chapter.

I'm not sure why you would post this. No one is disputing the fact that the outdoor range is closed. In fact, some people are confirming that the Manassas facility is a joke as far as ranges go.

I don't know, maybe I am missing your point.