Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is Austin Rifle Club?
    • Austin Rifle Club, Inc. is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to the shooting sports and the education of America's youth in the areas of shooting and safe gun handling. Established in 1894 and incorporated in 1928, Austin Rifle Club's range is located right outside of Manor, TX on Littig Road. We are a club! Members of ARC have unlimited access to our range to shoot as much as they want, and it is also our membership who maintains the range. If you choose to join the club we ask that you become an involved member who donates time to help ensure that we and our children have a safe place to shoot for generations to come.
  • Is the public allowed to shoot on the range?
    • No. The Austin Rifle Club is a private club. Only members and their guests are allowed to be on the range, or shoot on the range. Memberships are annual and we do not offer hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly options. Guests must be directly supervised by a full member and signed in. There are limits on guests such as only twice per year and new members may not bring guests. There are family membership options.
    • If you would like to host a class or other commercial event on our ranges, contact business@austinrifleclub.org.
  • What is a Prospect Safety Evaluation?
    • All applicants for membership must first be evaluated by an ARC Range Safety Officer to ensure prospective members can handle firearms and use the range safely by themselves and in the presence of others. This is a one-on-one evaluation with you and an ARC RSO. We hold a group evaluation immediately prior to the Range Orientation Class for convenience. See "How to Join the Club" for additional information.
  • Is Range Orientation Class Ever Canceled?
    • If a class should ever be canceled we will email all registered students.
  • Can I include my parents, sibling, or other extended family in a Family Membership?
    • No. The Family membership is designed for a married couple to both join the club as full members at a reduced rate, plus all of their children are included in their membership for a family rate of $200.00.
      Click here to read about all of the membership options.
  • What does it cost to join the club and use the range?
    • Click here to read about all of the membership options.
      Dues are prorated for the first year of membership based upon the month you join. So, PLEASE do not come to Range Orientation class with an exact payment unless you know the proper prorated amount. Add to the prorated dues a $200.00 initiation fee to join the club.
    • Range use is free for dues-paid members. Matches, classes and special events may have associated fees. Members put in volunteer work time to keep the club operational.
    • Certified instructors can reserve the classroom and/or range G for a fee. All commercial instruction must be approved by the ARC Board.
  • Do I have to renew my membership every year?
    • YES!  All members must renew their membership every year, including Life Members. The renewal process ensures that you refresh your knowledge of our range safety rules every year, and also ensures that we have current contact information for you.
  • What Special Events Take Up What Ranges, and When?
    • Always check the calendar before coming to the range if you have a specific place you are interested in shooting. It's no fun to drive to the range only to find out there is a match where you want to be. While viewing the calendar, click on any individual event to see the Range Venue where the event will be held.
  • Where Can I Park at the Range?
    • When on the south side of the creek at the six shooting bays Ranges "G" through "L" park in the designated parking area or off the service road, keeping it clear. If there is insufficient room for parking during a match please park on the north side of the creek (across the bridge) in the grassy area there.
      • If you are the only member using a bay, you can park directly to the side of, or behind, the covered firing line. Again, please do not block the service road.
    • On the north side of the creek at Ranges "A" through "E" you may park right in front of the shooting positions at each range. It is also OK to park in the grass across the road from each range, but do not drive on the grass (stay on the road until you reach the place you want to park).
  • What target sticks do I need for Ranges B and H I J K & L?
    • The cheapest ones with rounded corners work best. They are usually way at the back of the lumber at Lowes or Home Depot and should be under $1.50 each (2024 pricing). Try to pick some that are relatively straight. We suggest cutting them to 5 feet long. Longer works fine, but shorter will limit your target placement options. If you have a small vehicle, you can make some 2-part sticks that bolt together (contact safety director for details if needed). You can usually find a few target sticks on the ranges but often they are much shorter than 5 feet which means limited target placement. B range (as-of mid 2024) also has some fixed target frames you can just staple targets to. Used cardboard for backers can nearly always be found in the used-target cages on H-L
  • How do I use my ARC Badge to access the range?
    • Place it on the black keypad, accessible through the driver side window of your car, where the "Tap Badge Here" label is.
    • You will hear a triple beep if access is granted. A long solid beep means your membership has lapsed, or your range access is suspended.
    • Always scan your badge when entering and exiting the range! Do not follow another car through the gate or allow another car to follow you.
  • What are the range hours?
    • Shooting hours are 7 days a week, 30 minutes prior to sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, including holidays (please be considerate of our neighbors).
    • After hours, members may be on the property, but shooting is not permitted. There are occasional partial and full closures which are shown on the calendar.
  • What ranges and distances do you have?
    • The longest range for centerfire rifle shooting is 200 yards.
    • We also have rifle shooting at shorter ranges (100 yards, 50, & 25 yards, 100, 75, 50 & 40m)
    • Pistols, PCCs, black powder, shotgun and rimfire from 1 to 100m (varies by range).
    • Indoor 10m Air rifle and air pistol (limited access)
  • Can I draw from a holster and shoot?  How fast can I shoot?
    • Drawing from a belt holster is allowed on some ranges, but all shooting must be with a sight picture.
    • Rapid fire is limited to the rate at which you can acquire a proper sight picture between shots.
  • Can I shoot multiple targets?  Steel targets?
    • Yes, on some ranges, no on others. We go over the rules for these in New Member Orientation.
  • Can I move around and shoot?
    • No.
    • Exceptions only for participating in a match or an ARC authorized match practice.
    • Full members with Range Safety Officer credentials can apply to hold authorized practices.
  • Are NFA firearms allowed?
    • Legal Suppressors, SBR and SBS are welcome.
    • Machine gun and simulated machine gun fire such as bumpfire, FRTs, etc are not allowed.
  • Can I buy targets, ammo or supplies at the range?
    • No. You'll need to bring everything you need.
  • How busy does it get?  Can I reserve a range?
    • Except for matches, classes and events on the calendar, there are no range reservations. Unless a range is closed or there is an event, the ranges are almost never completely full.
  • How long does it take to join?
    • The membership process takes approximately 30 days from attending the monthly new member orientation and safety check to getting a gate access badge.
    • Memberships are per calendar year. New member dues are pro-rated for the first year depending on start date.
  • How do I renew my membership?
    • Annual membership renewal notices are sent out each year in early October, giving members three months to renew their membership before the end of the year. Members who renew before the end of the year will have no interruption of access to the club. On January 1, members who have not renewed will not be able to open the gate and are not allowed on the property except as a guest of a paid member, or as a participant of a match.
    • To renew your membership, log in to the Member Area, then click the Renewal icon.
    • There is no 'penalty' for late membership renewal, but you are not considered a member until the renewal is turned in (no voting privileges or range access). We do not prorate dues for late renewals. Late renewals will have their access reinstated after one full business day.
    • If you encounter issues or need to schedule an in person renewal, please email membership@austinrifleclub.org. Paper/mailed renewals are no longer accepted.
    • If your membership has lapsed for two or more years, you must join as a new member.
  • What if I have other questions?
    • If you are interested in joining, please read through the range rules and/or the quick reference cards. If your question remains, please contact the Membership team using the email found in the joining instructions.