Britain’s Best Shooting Grounds: Marylebone Rifle and Pistol Club
It’s very hard to find a great shooting club in the heart of a city - if you’re a keen shooter then trekking all the way out of town just to do what you love can sometimes be a struggle. In London, these difficulties are maximised. But there’s a perfect option for you that you may not know about; right in amongst the rush of people and swarms of traffic, you’ll find Marylebone Rifle & Pistol Club (MRPC) - a shooters' haven in the centre of one of the busiest cities in the world.
MRPC's shooting ranges
MRPC’s main location is at London Bridge; a very modern club with multiple shooting ranges. The first is a 10-metre range for airguns, with multiple shooting posts. There’s plenty of space to practice your close-range airgun skills here, and it’s also equipped with state of the art auto-target changing technology, so you can move through rounds seamlessly without having to wait or switch targets.
The second is a larger 25-metre range, where you can use a variety of calibers for small-bore and full-bore firearms. This range is also air-conditioned for your comfort whilst you shoot, as we all know how hot it can get on the indoor range from time to time!
Member benefits
As a club member, you’ll get the privilege of being able to use exclusive small-bore and centre-fire rifles, so there’s no need to bring your own and plenty of chance to try out an assortment of new firearms without having to spend the money.
Another members-only benefit is the excellent storage facilities located in the armoury, where you can permanently store your own firearms ready for use any time you fancy going along. London can be a tricky place to navigate if you’ve got a gun on you and it’s definitely not advisable to wander around with your firearm every time you want to head over to the range. Therefore, being able to store your gun on site is an absolute no-brainer.
Other facilities
A recent development means that MRPC is now a Section 7.3 (Historic Firearms) approved facility, allowing members to store and view iconic weapons from some exciting and significant historical periods.
The on-site clubhouse is great too; spacious and very comfortable. Members get access to complimentary WiFi and a selection of food and drinks to purchase.
Accessibility & availability
The whole facility is accessible to wheelchair users, with lift access to all levels of the club, so all members can move freely around the shooting ranges, storage facilities and clubhouse, regardless of ability.
The club is open Monday and Wednesday evenings, with a range of session times on a Friday beginning at 2pm - perfect for unwinding after a hard day of work in the city.
The club promotes a really friendly atmosphere and has one of the most diverse membership pools in the country, which makes it an extremely welcoming place to be. The club offers you the chance to simply come and spend time in the clubhouse even if you’re not shooting, just to get amongst the social element of the club on your days off.
Safety
Safety is paramount here too. All new members have the opportunity to access complete training and supervision from highly trained professionals, whilst the ranges are always manned by an officer in order to keep the club as safe as it can be.
Competitions
For the more competitive shooter, MRPC holds annual competitions between members to determine club rankings and allocates medals at the annual awards evening. They also compete externally in national competitions - two of which are held at their very own shooting ground in Surrey, namely Bisley NRA.
Why we recommend MRPC
On the whole, Marylebone Rifle & Pistol Club combines affordability, accessibility, safety and diversity to make it one of the most popular shooting clubs in the country. Its unique location opens up new possibilities for the city worker, allowing you to turn up after work and enjoy your favourite pastime, without even leaving the city.
At just £25 a month, with concessions for students and over 65s, membership at MRPC offers great value for money. To find out how you can join yourself, click here.
