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I may have to spend a few days in Los Angeles next month for work. Quite looking forward to it as I've never been to the west coast before.

Just wondering if anyone on here has any knowledge of any clubs/ranges I could visit in the evening to do some pistol shooting? Not often I get the chance and I'd hate to miss the opportunity

- daman

Been shooting there a couple of times.

Depends what you're after really. Mostly I head down to Sharpshooter, Torrance. It's dingy but they've got a few .45's and I've never had any problem there. Depends where abouts you're located though.

Mostly they're less clubs, more gun shops with ranges. For rentals, wherever you end up going try to make sure you don't go alone, they'll usually flat out refuse you.

Los Angeles - itself a very large area not just a city.

Where are you going to - city, town, location? i may well be able to advise too, I have spent quite a bit of time around there, around 20 visits in a 24 month period and prior to that, 3 trips in 6 or 7 weeks!

Wow, Polchraine, that's a heavy schedule. I'll be staying in the Culver city area, but am happy to travel a bit if necessary.

TG thanks for the "don't go alone" tip - I'll have to see if I can find a like minded American colleague :-)

Unfortunately, was around 60 miles south of there ... which could be anything from an hour drive to 2 or more even at weekends. I did have a few trips to the Burbank and Universal areas although there was little spare time!

You will certainly find plenty up to the North side. I am sure you will find a US colleague who shoots or is willing to go along with you!

On a few trips, I had to stay close to the airport for a night - seat availability or traffic and would then spend the day down at Manhattan Beach. One side of the you have sunbathers and swimmers an the other, beach volleyball and surfers. Standing on the pier watching, it was possible to see small sharks swimming amongst the surfers! Plus there is a decent microbrewery close by!

Culver city is only a small drive to Los Angeles Gun Club, which comes very highly rated, and closer still to LAX firing range.

I'd try both and see how you get on. I don't have direct experience with either of these, however I have stayed close by. I would say prepare for traffic, wherever you go. They're long straight roads with 55/65/75 limits but as you're close to downtown, expect delays. Obviously if you're driving around try to avoid rush hour traffic and avoid rangetime on weekends if possible.

TattooedGun wrote:Been shooting there a couple of times.

Depends what you're after really. Mostly I head down to Sharpshooter, Torrance. It's dingy but they've got a few .45's and I've never had any problem there. Depends where abouts you're located though.

Mostly they're less clubs, more gun shops with ranges. For rentals, wherever you end up going try to make sure you don't go alone, they'll usually flat out refuse you.

Why do they refuse you if you turn up alone?

TattooedGun mentions Torrance. That is not too far down, maybe 15 to 20 miles on the 405 or 1 - however it can be a slow journey on the 405 ... 8 lanes in each direction in some places and still get solid with slow traffic! PCH (1) can be easier and is more scenic if you go further down!

Fear the cops, they will shoot you and get pleasure doing it.

Hunter87 wrote:

TattooedGun wrote:Been shooting there a couple of times.

Depends what you're after really. Mostly I head down to Sharpshooter, Torrance. It's dingy but they've got a few .45's and I've never had any problem there. Depends where abouts you're located though.

Mostly they're less clubs, more gun shops with ranges. For rentals, wherever you end up going try to make sure you don't go alone, they'll usually flat out refuse you.

Why do they refuse you if you turn up alone?

I'm not sure if it's federal law, or just good practice.

I toured california last year and everywhere I stopped wouldn't rent me a handgun on my own. I collared a few people to "accompany" me as they were coming in, assuring that I wasnt a loon, just looking to get some practice.

I believe it's to stop someone wanting to off themself, or cause mayhem. Presumably these people are more likely to go alone and less likely to go in a group. But the second person there puts the range guys at ease and assures them you're not gonna go postal or off yourself and make a mess on their range.

I found the same thing all throughout my travels of the states, east coast and west.