ranges/public-land
RPI Air Rifle Club
Troy
•140.4 miles from New York City
RPI Air Rifle Club runs one of the region's longest-operating shooting ranges. The facility started as a military shooting range in the early 1950s and evolved into a student-led club in the 1970s when Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute took it over. The club uses Anschutz .177 caliber air rifles—prec...
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01 // OVERVIEW
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Overview
Location details and information
RPI Air Rifle Club runs one of the region's longest-operating shooting ranges. The facility started as a military shooting range in the early 1950s and evolved into a student-led club in the 1970s when Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute took it over.
The club uses Anschutz .177 caliber air rifles—precision instruments that shoot through the same hole if positioned identically. Unlike traditional firearms or airsoft guns, these rifles eliminate variables, making them ideal for learning marksmanship fundamentals.
Switched from .22 caliber rifles to .177 air rifles in 1983 due to lead poisoning risks in enclosed spaces. The German-made rifles have been the standard ever since.
Members train in International and Olympic-style shooting. The club regularly sends competitors to matches and hosts competitions on-site. Whether you're new to shooting or serious about precision marksmanship, the focus is on technique and consistency.
| Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 5pm–8pm | Armory Basement (Alumni Sports & Recreation Center) |
| Wednesday | 5pm–8pm | Armory Basement (Alumni Sports & Recreation Center) |
Club returns for Fall 2025 semester. New members welcome—the range can be tricky to find in the Armory basement, but they provide a location guide on their website.
- •Email: [email protected]
- •President: Kyle Sharp ([email protected])
- •Follow: Facebook, Instagram, Discord for event updates
This is a serious marksmanship club with Olympic-style training, not casual plinking. If you're at RPI or in the Troy area and interested in air rifle, they're the real deal.
Restrictions
- •Members only
- •Air rifles only
- •Eye and ear protection required
- •Range safety rules must be followed
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