VISIT US / JOIN US
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A BRIEF HISTORY OF SYDNEY PISTOL CLUB
The Sydney Pistol Club Ltd was established in 1953, the first in NSW and arguably the 3rd pistol club formed in Australia. Our first shooting range was in a disused rail tunnel near Wynyard Station in the Sydney CBD. There was then a brief occupancy of a section of the Malabar Rifle Range where the allocated area was washed away several times. In 1959, after erection of range buildings, the Club moved to its present site at Cape Banks La Perouse.
In the intervening fifty years our range at La Perouse has been used for State and National Championships, selection competitions for Olympic, Commonwealth and other International or National events.
Past and present members are and have been part of successful Australian shooting teams. Women in particular have achieved high success at Olympic level. It is a sport for all ages and gender.
The Club has always been a key training venue not only for Target Pistol Shooters but has always provided its facilities to both State and Federal Police Forces.
JOINING SYDNEY PISTOL CLUB
Who
Any person from the age of 12 onwards, providing they have undergone supervised club training and have complied with the stringent Club and NSW Police Safety and Firearms Regulations may obtain a Junior permit (for those under 18) or adult Probationary Pistol Licence.
Licensing
After 6 months from date of issue the Probationary photo licence allows an active member to obtain their first pistol.
There will still be a 28 day cooling off period required by the NSW Police Firearms Registry and the Club is required to endorse the Member’s suitability for ownership of a pistol.
Sydney Pistol Club Junior members, 12 years and up to 18 years (when an Adult Licence may be issued), must be the responsibility of an Adult Pistol Club Member who is over 21 years. Junior members may have the supervised use of any licensed target pistol appropriate to their shooting skill.
After the 12 month Probationary Licence has expired, members may then apply for their Full Licence, this will entitle members to key access to most Club Ranges for unlimited training. There must be at least two members present to comply with regulations.
Attendances
· Sydney Pistol Club does require a member to attend once per month and lodge a match score - once per month is not an onerous task. Attending and shooting on a Sunday morning or afternoon at the Sydney Club or a programmed competition visit to another Pistol Club, keeps everyone up to date with safe handling of Pistols, provides up to date information and interaction with other members and provides the Club with an active interested membership base.
· NSW law requires each different firearm type (Air Pistol, Rimfire and/or CentreFire/Black Powder) held by the shooter to be shot at least four times per annum at a properly conducted match at the member’s Club or by the presentation of certified scores shot elsewhere at Open Events.
Different matches are scheduled Sunday mornings and afternoons for the convenience of members.
Safety is paramount and regular use of any equipment provides a level of competency which supports Sydney Pistol Club’s exemplary safety record.
Safe storage of pistols
Prior to obtaining a pistol, the member must obtain an approved safe inspected by the Police – further information on safe storage is available from the NSW Police.
Inspection of ‘safe keeping of firearms’ by the Police LAC may occur at any time: due notice should be given but sometimes this may not happen.
Training
The Club will provide all safety training, match tuition, free loan of Club Pistols which are restricted to .177 Air Pistols and .22 S/A Pistols and are available on Club Programmed Sundays and Wednesday evenings by arrangement.
SPC club-level competitions
There are 65 live fire points available and 20 x 10m Air Range firing positions, providing members with many opportunities for extended practice.
· The Sydney Pistol Club 25m and 50m live-fire ranges are licensed for .22 rimfire, the larger calibres to .38 (including 9mm for modern pistols) and Replica Black Powder pistols to .44 calibre. Sydney Pistol Club members have been National Champions since Black Powder matches were approved. All members eligible under NSW Police Firearms Regulations and passed in safety and competency by Sydney Pistol Club may obtain licences for these larger calibre firearms.
· The indoor 10m range is licensed for 4.5mm (.177”) Air Pistols.
· Club competition days are Sundays from 9:30 AM until approximately 4:00 PM.
· During the warmer months the Air Range is open on a Wednesday evening from 7:00 PM.
Members may want to just participate on a Social level on Sundays, or aspire to represent the Club in Zone or our NSW State as a team member in various matches. Whatever your aspirations are, Sydney Pistol Club will support your enjoyment and the challenge of target pistol shooting.
However your responsibility to us as a member is that you remain active, joining a pistol club to obtain a pistol as your objective will fail as NSW Police Regulations require us to monitor your participation and to refuse continuing membership to anyone who doesn’t regularly attend.
OUR LOCATION
Turn left into the Botany Bay National Park, from Bunnerong Road, just past Grose Street La Perouse. Follow the Heliport signs, drive on the tarred road between St Michaels and NSW Golf Courses and the Club is situated approximately 1klm from the entrance
Visit us
We suggest that interest persons should visit the Club between 9.30 a.m. and 11 a.m. on a Sunday when the first Match of the Day is in progress. This will provide an example of the match and scoring processes. The Duty Officer of the day will welcome visitors, provide all information and escort persons around our facilities answering any questions that may arise.