Fort Hill Rifle and Pistol Club

Fort Hill Rifle & Pistol Club started as something practical. When the Maryland Minute Men militia got deactivated in June 1944, members didn't want to lose the shooting community they'd built. An organizing group formed—John Woodyard, Kirk Lathrum, Blair Ullery, and Norman White—and they got their NRA charter that October. The club's been running ever since, one of the few original Western Maryland League clubs still operating.

They found their current home on the O'Neal farm on Morningside Drive after searching for years. The club bought the property through member donations on non-interest-bearing notes. It's been the outdoor range location for decades now.

Fort Hill operates as a membership club, not a public range. Here's what you need to know:

Geographic Service Area: - All of Allegany County and Garrett County, Maryland - Bedford and Somerset County, Pennsylvania (south of the PA Turnpike) - Mineral and Hampshire County, West Virginia (north of Route 50) - The portion of Morgan County, West Virginia west of Highway 522

To Join:

1. Get an application from a current member 2. Obtain signatures from two members in good standing 3. Submit $25 application fee (covers background check) 4. Pass background check 5. Complete range orientation 6. Show proof of NRA membership 7. Get approved by the Executive Committee

Wait List Reality: Expect approximately a 2-year wait. The club maintains a downloadable wait list showing where you stand in the queue.

Annual Dues: - Due by December 31 each year - Pay at the P.O. Box or drop box at Morningside Drive - Can include NRA dues payment (FHRPC is an NRA recruiter—get a discount and the club receives a rebate)

Life Membership: If you joined before 2016: 25+ years of continuous membership makes you a life member (no yearly dues, key access, voting rights, eligible for officer positions). Members who joined after 2015 don't qualify for this option.

Non-sanctioned match designed to build firearm operation skills under pressure. You compete against yourself, not other shooters.

What You Do: - Maintain muzzle discipline - Engage targets tactically - Perform planned and unplanned reloads - Clear malfunctions - Shoot on the move, use cover/concealment, clear rooms

Stages use paper targets, plastic silhouettes, and steel plates. Pistols range from .22 semi-autos to .45 autos (revolvers accepted with speed loaders). Some matches now include rifle stages requiring transitions between rifle and pistol—you'll need a sling and holster. Setup is 50 rounds pistol / 20-30 rifle without misses.

CMP-affiliated and NRA-sanctioned. Open to any safe shooter following range official directions.

• •800-yard aggregate regional courses of fire
• •600-yard prone matches during high-power season
• •Scores eligible for CMP recognition (EIC, Garand, Springfield, Carbine, RF Sporter, vintage sniper, 80-shot service rifle)
• •NRA Mid-range and X-Course scores submitted to NRA when applicable

Shot at 50 yards. 30 targets per 8.5" × 11" sheet. Win by cutting the X on every target.

NRA rules govern all matches.

• •Match times: Tuesday 10 AM & 6:30 PM
• •Fees set by match coordinator
• •Must complete 10 matches to qualify for NRA classification, club picnics, dinners

Typically 40-shot match: 10 shots each at 40, 60, 77, and 100 meters. 1/5 scale metallic silhouettes (chickens, pigs, turkeys, rams). Shoot offhand/unsupported—exceptions made for inexperienced shooters.

Equipment: - Any 22 LR rifle (no sight restrictions) - 22 LR standard velocity ammo only - Empty Chamber Indicator required in chamber (except when firing) - Eye and hearing protection recommended

• •Eligibility: NRA membership not required. Shoot at least 7 matches to qualify for end-of-year raffle.

The club's advice is straightforward: shoot in a league. League shooting competes you against yourself, not other shooters, and it's how you naturally meet members who can vouch for your character. Contact the league chairman for your interest. League schedules posted early each spring.

NRA Membership Requirement:

Members who joined after December 31, 2000 must maintain active NRA membership to stay in good standing. You can: - Renew through FHRPC (get a discount, club gets rebate) - Pay NRA dues with annual club dues (write your NRA number on the check memo line) - Provide a legible photocopy of current NRA card - Submit email receipt from NRA online renewal

FHRPC can help process your NRA membership paperwork. NRA contact: nramemberservices.org or 1-877-NRA-2000.

Fort Hill Rifle & Pistol Club, Inc P.O. Box 1242 Cumberland, MD 21502-1242

Email: [email protected]

Drop box for dues: Morningside Drive location

• •Club Calendar: Download the current calendar from their website (updated as needed—check for revisions).