Gateway Pistol Club is dedicated to the promotion of competitive bullseye pistol shooting. During Gateway's history the club has had many nationally ranked individuals and teams. Most recently a team from Gateway was the National Indoor Air Pistol Champions. Many of Gateway's shooters both past and present have been state champions in the different programs (indoor and outdoor conventional pistol, international standard pistol and air pistol). Gateway has been running an indoor postal match during the winter months for over 20 years which attracts shooters from not only North Dakota but also from the surrounding states.
The Gateway Pistol Club was organized in the late 1940's early 1950's. For many years the club practiced and held matches at the old YMCA in Fargo. When the new YMCA was built at it's current location in Island Park the club continued to practice and hold matches at that location. Later the club practiced and held matches at the Fargo Police Reserve Center on 7th ave. When the current Regional Training Center was built the club began practicing and holding matches there. Gateway has always been grateful to these organizations for allowing us to use their facilities.
Course of Fire: Our practice sessions are patterned after the standard competitive bullseye course of fire which is 2 targets of slow fire (10 shots on each target with a 10 minute time limit), 2 targets of timed fire (4, 5 shot strings in 20 seconds on 2 targets) and 2 targets of rapid fire (4, 5 shot strings in 10 seconds on 2 targets).
Weapons: Any .22 caliber or Center Fire pistol. Magnums are not allowed; center fire calibers must have a muzzle velocity of fewer than 900 fps.
New Shooters: We recommend that new shooters start with a .22 cal to master the basics. Also that for the first several sessions that you only shoot the slow fire stages until you become accustomed to the procedures and timing. We also expect that new shooters observe a couple of relays before actually going on the line, that before they go on the line that they receive instructions on range safety and procedures before going on the line. When a new shooter does go on the line for the first time they will be monitored by another non-shooting individual.
Range Courtesy: While firing is in progress do not visit with your fellow shooters because it is distracting to other individuals still firing. At the end of a course of fire (generally 60 shots) all shooters are expected to remove their equipment form the line at the direction of the range officer. This will enable the next relay to get on the line. If there is room then those that have already fired may fill in.
Membership: The annual club membership dues are $15. In addition we charge a nightly shooting fee of $4.00 to cover target and range rent costs. For liability reasons only members may shoot. A new shooter can purchase a one night temporary membership including the nightly shooting fee for $7.00.
Safety: Safety is of the utmost concern. Remember that when you are on the firing line you are responsible for not only you safety but that of your fellow shooters as well. In addition, we are the only private club that has been allowed to use this facility. Negligent property damage of personal injury would most certainly end our tenure here. We strictly enforce the following safety rules! Individuals are personally responsible for any property damage!
Safety Rules:
1) All shooters must follow the commands of the range officer.
a) Pistols will not be removed from their boxes/cases until directed by the range officer.
b) Loading and unloading will be done only at the direction of the range officer.
c) All firing will be done at the direction of the range officer.
2) Pistols may only be removed from their boxes/cases on the firing line.
This applies to cleaning and inspection as well as preparation for firing. Pistols must remain
boxed/cased at all times when not on the firing line.
3) Pistols are to be pointed downrange at all times.
Remember that there is someone in the booth beside you!
4) If a malfunction occurs during the course of fire keep the weapon pointed down range, raise your non
shooting hand and wait for instructions from the range officer.
5) The command "Slides back, magazines out, cylinders open, guns on the table, make the line safe" means
just that. Table your pistol pointing downrange!
6) Use of this range requires that a minimum of 2 shooters be present including the range officer.
7) Eye and ear protection is mandatory. Ear plugs alone are not adequate protection, but should be used in
conjunction with earmuffs.
Range Commands: The normal commands for firing a string are as follows:
Slow Fire:
1) shooters for first target of slow fire 10 rounds in 10 minutes load with 5 rounds load, load the second 5 on your own. (you may load a single magazine of 10 rounds)
2) is the line ready
3) the line is ready
4) ready on the right
5) ready on the left
6) ready on the firing line
7) commence firing
at the end of the time allowed
8) magazines out, slides back weapons on the table
9) when the line is safe would everyone step back from the line
Time Fire:
1) shooters for your 1st string of timed fire 5 rounds in 20 seconds with 5 rounds load
2) is the line ready
3) the line is ready
4) ready on the right
5) ready on the left
6) ready on the firing line
7) commence firing or the targets will turn
8) are there any alibis
9) repeat 1 thru 8 for the 2nd string
10) repeat 1 thru 8 for alibi string if needed
at the end of the time allowed
8) magazines out, slides back weapons on the table
9) when the line is safe would everyone step back from the line
Rapid Fire:
the commands are the same as timed fire with the exception that the time limit is 10 seconds.