Our club has always been about the big bang! Pistols and Rifles have been our focus since the 1980s. In the next couple of weeks that will change. We are opening a brand new 30 yard indoor archery range. While our bylaws talk about firearms, archery dovetails nicely with firearms in that it is one of the most ancient way men armed themselves just without the fire. Our board of directors want to welcome the archery community and urge them to join us at our shooting campus. We are offering a nice discount to members of the Flathead Valley Archers. Check out the new member application on our website: https://2therange.com/Membership

I am sad to announce that the upcoming spring show has been cancelled by the county health department.  This is a huge financial hit for the many vendors who count this show into their annual budget.  Thank you all for your understanding.  Now for those of you who are challenging the authority of the health department, remember it is us the citizens of the great country who have over time given up our rights.

You can now shoot for hours without spending a dime!  The new Smokeless Range shooting simulator is up and running in the upstairs meeting room at the Les Bauska Target Range.  The software comes standard with 10 core shooting modules like “Toss the Can” and “Transition”.  These modules were originally set up for one shooter.  The latest update that should be made early this week will allow two people to compete on the same module by shooting at a split screen.  The program rewards with a “Winner” for the best score.  So bring a buddy, square off about a step in front of the railing and have at it!

While waiting for the new Smokeless Range laser dry fire program to become operational my mind has wandered to some of the possibilities like…

• Can I use my own pistol with a laser insert?  Yes you can.  If you are already using a laser trainer it will work fine as long as it is a red or infrared laser.  Sorry green lasers do not work.
• How much to buy my own laser insert?  They range from $80 and go up in price.  You may want to hold off if you have a striker-fired pistol like a Glock.  You have to rack the slide every time you fire.  While this will give your fingers good exercise it could become tedious.  If you have a hammer on your semi-automatic you can get some good practice with your trigger pull and sight picture but double taps are not on the agenda.  My double action Sig Sauer would work great.
• Are there any good reviews on this technology?  Yes, I found a pretty good review dated 2015 that is worth a read.  Click on this link to read the review.

Haven’t seen much on revolvers other than the SIRT product line that has a training pistol like the ones we purchased that looks like a snub nose.  The revolving cylinder seems like it would be a problem using the cartridge and bore type training lasers.

Coming to you in January. The club has invested in the Smokeless Range software so we can practice dry fire shooting at moving & multiple targets using three different styles of SIRT training pistols (laser). Along with the basic package that comes with the software we also purchased their newest release, the IPSC competitive shooting software. There will be a gaming computer set up in the meeting room at the range. The program will be projected to a screen at the end of the room. Make sure to practice so when you come to the gun show you have a chance to win a cash prize for high score in one of three categories: Advanced, Novice and Child. We’ll send out an email when this exciting new feature is up and running at the range.

Martin did a thorough examination of the ventilation system from beginning to end.  The reported lack of ventilation when running regular speed and turbo speed has been solved.  No, it was not due to dirty filters or because a turkey got stuck in the intake.  The problem was three of the five supply grills were closed.

I know it can feel a bit drafty at the shooting line, but that is the price you pay for clean air.  Remember the yellow turbo button is not necessary as long as the smoke is not too thick.  If you don’t care about breathing lead particles go ahead and shut the vent, but make sure to open it when you leave.  Martin tried to direct the air flow just over the head of a 6 foot person.  If you are taller and are annoyed by the draft consider redirecting the fins as opposed to closing the vent.

Thanks for reporting the problem.  Glad it was a simple fix.

David Mosby

We have installed links to the new 2019 membership application forms.  One of the changes is to make it easier for couples who set up a spousal membership.  We now allow both to apply on the same form.  There are now two names, two phone numbers, two email addresses and two places to sign the affidavit at the bottom.

Another change is on the renewal applications.  Members who have let their membership lapse can now renew in the middle of the year.  We are charging a flat $15 per number of months remaining instead of paying for the entire year.  The member does however have to renew for the following year as well.

You may notice that we have kept the cost of memberships the same as last year.  It has been a good year for the financial statement.

Thank you for treating the range as your own.

David Mosby

Ever wished you could just simplify something you do over and over?  The genie granted my wish and we now have an easier way to connect to our website:

2therange.com

Much easier than nwmaca.wordpress.com.  It was a mouthful even for those conditioned to phonetic spelling.  I tried the old way and it still works, but now you have a new and easier way for you and your  friends to check out our website for gun show info, applications or just check the calendar.

Just remember you are heading 2 The Range.

As an older man I decided that I am getting too old to punch and kick my way out danger.  Consequently I became deeply entrenched in the armed self defense arena.  I’ve purchased, borrowed and studied all kinds of hand guns, calibers and ammo ballistics.  I have become quite comfortable drawing my pistol from various conceal positions up to and including open carry.  I have trained, practiced and visualized.  And what do I have?  I realized that this preparation while necessary only covers a very small percentage of the scenarios I visualize.  I can visualize so many circumstances where I would never decide to kill a person.  Never being one to just roll over and take abuse I see it is time to start expanding my expertise and preparation for non-lethal defense.   I commend the Women’s Firearm Academy for expanding their course offerings to include all kinds of non-lethal training including but not limited to the Civilian Taser Course.  If you are interested stop by their table in the back corner of the Original Kalispell Gun Show and sign up for their first course on Saturday March 31st, 1 -5 pm.  Call 406-318-7233.

We are on track to have the biggest gun show ever in Flathead Valley.  There will be the usual outstanding selection of firearms, ammo and accessories, and you can also try your hand at the shooting simulator provided by the Women’s Firearm Academy.  If collectibles get you buzzing, check out Ed Luke’s outstanding display.  He will surprise us with a sample of his collection.  You will also get a chance to see the late Austin Monk’s antique Winchester and Remington collection.  Renowned gun writer Mike Venturino will have a table at the show, so stop by and chat.  If that’s not enough you get a chance to win a door prize each day you participate in the show.

Flathead County Fairgrounds – Trade Center Building

Friday 12 to 6          Saturday 9 to 6         Sunday 9 to 2

$5 per day     $10 all three days    Child with adult free

Contact:  David Mosby 406-471-0972                                                                                                  Hosted by Northwest Montana Arms Collectors Association, a Montana non-profit      for the benefit of the Les Bauska Underground Target Range