Holyoke Revolver Club

Founded in 1914, Holyoke Revolver Club sits in a secluded setting near Route 202 and I-91 in Holyoke, Massachusetts. This members-only club has built a community around practical shooting, precision rifle work, and competitive pistol sports over more than a century.

Members access year-round indoor and outdoor ranges, plus mountain-side hiking trails on the property. The club hosts regular competitions, organized practice sessions, and a active social shooting community. You're not just joining a range—you're joining a competitive shooting ecosystem.

• •Practical Pistol Matches - Held second Saturday of each month. New shooters arrive at 9 a.m. for safety instruction. Bring a centerfire pistol or revolver, 100-150 rounds, extra magazines/speedloaders, OWB holster, baseball cap, and eye/ear protection. Setup volunteers needed at 8 a.m. Organized by Dan Jones.

• •Benchrest Precision Rifle - First and second Saturday (plus 5th Saturday if applicable). Shooters use .22 LR rifles from rests, competing at 50-yard and 100-yard distances on shaded ranges. Setup 9 a.m., matches start 10 a.m. sharp. Competition cost: $1.00 per target.

• •Tuesday Night Fun Shoots - Dave Sparko runs .22 pistol matches on steel plates and dueling trees. Shooters compete to move spinning target discs to opponent's side.

• •USPSA, Steel Challenge, and Western Mass Pistol League - Additional competitive opportunities throughout the year.

The only sub-collegiate pistol team in Massachusetts

This is serious competitive training. The team practices every other week and travels to matches across New England and beyond—including at least one trip per year to a new U.S. destination. Competitions run in two divisions: Rimfire (.22LR) and centerfire (9mm), broken by age brackets. Juniors shoot one at a time under supervision of certified instructors and range safety officers. Head Coach Paddy Sullivan leads the program with safety as the non-negotiable priority. The team recently won 1st Place Varsity at the New Hampshire Steel Challenge Championship with team member Paddy Sullivan earning Top Shooter honors.

Adult applicants must be 18+, hold a valid Massachusetts License to Carry (LTC) or Firearms Identification Card (FID), and follow all federal, state, and local firearms laws.

Process: 1. Sign up for Range Safety Training & Orientation (RST&O) - $25 down payment (applied to membership fees). Bring locked handgun, 50 rounds ammunition, eye and ear protection. 2. Demonstrate safe firearm handling and knowledge to an HRC Range Safety Officer. 3. Complete membership application and submit at next membership meeting (first Wednesday, 7 p.m.) for membership vote. 4. Application fee: $15 (waived for NRA Basic Pistol graduates), $10 key card fee.

Membership Costs: - Annual: $140/year - Spouse: $70/year - 65 & Over: $70/year - Junior (under 18): FREE

Juniors join free either through the competitive team or by club member sponsorship. Before membership: - Pass NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course ($125) - Attend HRC Range Safety Training & Orientation ($25 refundable) - Get voted in at membership meeting

Junior memberships automatically transition to adult rates after their 18th birthday.

The club maintains affiliations with the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the Gun Owners Action League (GOAL) of Massachusetts. Both organizations are strongly recommended for members staying current on Massachusetts firearms laws and regulations.

431 West Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. Easy highway access via Route 202 and I-91. The secluded setting keeps shooting away from noise complaints while remaining convenient to Western Massachusetts population centers.

Contact: - Membership: [email protected] - Range Safety Training: [email protected] - Junior Coaching: [email protected]

Holyoke Revolver Club operates as a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization, meaning member dues go back into range maintenance, competitions, and junior programming rather than shareholders.