Palm Springs Gun Club

Palm Springs Gun Club runs a tight schedule of competitive shooting events. Most weekends you'll find matches happening—USPSA on the first Sunday, Stock Gun on the first Saturday, Cowboy Action on the second Saturday, Love That Steel on the fourth Saturday, and Steel Challenge (September-May) on the fourth Sunday.

• •For newcomers: The Introductory Match (fifth Sunday when available) is specifically designed to ease you in. National Range Officer Institute certified ROs walk you through the basics: range safety, match etiquette, gun handling, USPSA rules. You shoot 125 rounds at various target types to get a feel for different disciplines. Entry is $20 for members, $30 for non-members.

Membership requires filling out an application and passing a club test on range rules and safety. You'll attend a New Members Meeting (roughly 2 hours) where officers ask about your experience and purpose, then vote on approval. Range Safety Officers then brief you on operations before you're cleared to participate.

You don't need membership to compete in matches—a current member just needs to vouch for you. But you'll want to watch a match or two first before jumping in, especially if you're new to competition. The club actively encourages experienced shooters to help beginners on an informal basis.

"As a community of active shooters, it is quite common for the more experienced shooters to help out beginners on an informal basis."

Matches start at 7:30 or 8:00 AM depending on season (earlier times May-September to avoid desert heat). Most events finish by noon. The club maintains approximately a dozen NROI-certified Range Officers and offers match score sheets and sign-in resources online.

• •Current Status: The club is working through permitting channels for permanent access to a new property. Member support during the transition is appreciated.