Maryland Rifle Club

Founded January 27, 1933, Maryland Rifle Club Incorporated is the oldest charter member club of the Associated Gun Clubs of Baltimore. Formally incorporated in 1978 and recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(7) nonprofit since July 1943, MRC has built a reputation as the go-to organization for serious shooters in the Baltimore region.

MRC operates as a volunteer-run shooting club dedicated to safe enjoyment of the shooting sports. Their primary focus is High Power Service Rifle competition—200-yard reduced-course matches, across-the-course matches (200-600 yards), and long-range matches starting at 600 yards. But the club welcomes shooters across all disciplines:

• •High Power Rifle (primary focus)
• •Smallbore Rifle
• •Pistol & Air Pistol
• •Air Rifle
• •Black Powder Cartridge Rifle
• •Black Powder Muzzleloading
• •Trap (Shotgun)
• •Archery

Members have full access to facilities owned and operated by the Associated Gun Clubs of Baltimore in Marriottsville, Maryland. The facility includes:

Both upper and lower range houses feature modern comfort facilities, making them suitable for meetings and training sessions.

• •High Power Matches — MRC members dominate the Maryland State Rifle Team roster. The club fields strong high power teams competing in sanctioned matches at various distances. Steve Palmieri serves as High Power Co-Ordinator.

• •Jon Grove Memorial Match — Held annually in late Summer, this match honors the late Trustee and Executive Officer. Limited to 40 shooters, $25 entry fee (all proceeds to Jon Grove memorial scholarship fund). Calibers .22 to .30, any semi-auto rifle, NRA Individual Rattle Battle format. Maximum 180-point match.

• •Rattle Battle Matches — A unique combination of marksmanship and strategy where 6-person teams take out targets simultaneously within tight time windows. The format dates back to 1919 (officially 1936), originally called the Infantry Trophy Match. Competitors fire at distances from 200 yards (standing) to 600 yards (prone), with point values based on distance and hits:

• •600 yards: 4 points per hit
• •500 yards: 3 points per hit
• •300 yards: 2 points per hit
• •200 yards: 1 point per hit

Spring and Fall clinics introduce new shooters to the sport or help experienced competitors refine their skills.

MRC is the only AGC club hosting matches for military rifles classified as curios or relics by the ATF. Shooters bring historic rifles including the M1 Garand, M1903 Springfield, Mauser, Enfield, Mosin-Nagant, Schmidt-Rubin, and Mannlicher. These fun, public matches provide collectors and curious shooters a chance to examine and fire historic firearms in a relaxed setting.

Members must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents and meet standard federal firearms eligibility criteria (no felony convictions, not under indictment, not an unlawful drug user, not a fugitive, etc.). Members must also be at least 18 years old and agree to follow club bylaws and AGC range rules.

Unlike some clubs, MRC has no mandatory meetings or events and doesn't require membership in other organizations like the NRA. The entire club is run by volunteers. Members shoot according to individual interests and schedules.

MRC is affiliated with the National Rifle Association of America and the Civilian Marksmanship Program. CMP membership requirement for purchasing M1 Garands, M1911 pistols, and related items is satisfied through MRC membership.

Prospective members can apply online. New member walkthrough available. Current members download membership cards directly from the website. Membership renewals are calendar-year based (November through October) and coincide with AGC range badge issuance.

For questions about High Power shooting specifically, contact Steve Palmieri at [email protected]. General club inquiries go to the Vice President at [email protected].