Oh, the terror of it! Good people completely surrounded by objects of evil incarnate! What horror! As the scores of people gazed appreciatively around them, they saw pernicious pistol gripped armament, hideous high capacity magazines, scary shoulder-stocked pistols, diabolical destructive devices, suspicious semi-auto shotguns, brutal black plastic in many configurations, confrontational compensators, fearsome flash suppressors, and myriad malevolent machine guns. One baleful banana mag was of such large capacity that it appeared to be almost semi-circular. Particularly shocking were those guns that brazenly boasted brutally business-like bayonet lugs, for several of the lugs held real bayonets. In fact, one shooter professed himself ready for a bayonet exercise. A reunion of Janet Reno’s infamous Team Waco? No, just the Albany, Oregon, Rifle and Pistol Club’s Banned Guns Solidarity Shoot, held May 31, 1998.

Some of the best ideas are themselves the result of the confluence of several simple but good ones. In this instance, the good idea of holding the shoot came, first, from the truism that it is totally unnecessary to have either a complicated reason or major event as a reason for holding a shoot. The second simple idea is the rueful, bemused acceptance of the fact that, because of the thrust of the present administration’s philosophy and accompanying actions, many of the people who shoot at Albany have become, through no deliberate, positive act of their own, the owners of guns and/or accessories whose further manufacture or importation into this country is currently banned, although possession and commerce remains legal. One example is the club member who read a morning paper one day and learned that he now owned a destructive device, Clinton having whimsically changed the status of the Streetsweeper the previous day. So rather than mope or whine, ARPC decided to sponsor a sardonic “solidarity” shoot, held two weeks after the main shoot, another opportunity to come out and shoot strictly for fun with kindred spirits.

There was a certain show and tell aura to the get-together. Many smiled appreciatively as they looked over each other’s treasures. The scores of shooters who attended took full advantage of the opportunity to unlimber some really questionable ordnance. Understandably, many of the items were not exactly state of the art for various kinds of regular competition. What standard course of fire, for example, allows a shoulder-stocked 9mm pistol with at least an 18 shot magazine? For what standard course of fire does one use an M1 carbine that folds into about 15”? But that’s irrelevant. The point of the exercise is that if they’re fun to shoot, that’s reason enough to own them. And considering that the targets consisted of the same kinds of drum lids, balloons, and water jugs that were so popular among machine gunners just two weeks before, the guns were highly appropriate. The day’s shooting was provided gratuitously by ARPC strictly as a public service to all shooters. Everyone there had a good time and hoped that the shoot will become an annual event. It was certainly something to see!

As a footnote, in case anyone is curious about connections, the Albany range is approximately 45 miles from the site of the unfortunate May 21 shootings at Thurston High School. Naturally, the question of whether to proceed with the shoot was raised in the wake of the shootings. The club officers decided, quite rightly, to press on. These officers correctly determined that Albany’s shoot was a legitimate recreational event at which guests would safely and legally use legally acquired firearms for a sporting purpose, in contradistinction to the crimes committed at Thurston with illegally acquired firearms used as weapons. It is high time that we shooters everywhere quit being apologetic about our shooting avocations and quit allowing our enemies to define us. This writer’s hat is off to the Albany club’s courageous and correct decision to hold the shoot as planned. It is only by closing ranks and going on about our business that we shooters can maintain shooting sports of all kinds in this country.

May 18, 1998, dawned dry and bright at the Albany, Oregon, Rifle and Pistol Club range. As the sun rose and quickly burned off patchy fog, numerous small, puffy white clouds appeared. The sun had considerable warmth to it. After a long succession of overcast, showery days, the 18th appeared to be an ideal day for shooting.

Unfortunately, the 18th was the day after Albany’s spring machine gun shoot.

The 16th and 17th, like numerous days before them, were marked by periods of intermittent rain and threatening-looking weather. Not a good time to do anything outdoors. Numerous shooters were apparently unaware of the previous completion of the club’s main range firing line cover and noise suppression structure, of which more later, for attendance was smaller then anticipated. Those who did brave the recurring showers found the usual warm welcome and a multiplicity of targets down range. Scores of water-filled jugs awaited the shooters, as did long strings of gaily-colored, bobbing balloons that were periodically replaced. In addition, there were numerous hanging drum lids at 100 yards for those unsure of their zeroes. (Surely no decent machine gunner would find them to be challenging targets. Surely.)

A survey of the firing line showed that relatively modern machine guns predominated. Of the gun assortment on the main range, the majority were of the World War II era or later. There were numerous M-16s and their clones as well as pieces chambered for the 5.56mm cartridge. Several M-60s could be seen. A wide variety of subguns appeared, especially in 9mm, although many of the subgun shooters remained on the north range where the hotly-contested subgun match raged both days. But the World War I period was also well represented. Long bursts from assorted Brownings turned many heads. There were several Ma Deuces and A4s, plus a couple of A6s and BARs. Most of us are accustomed to Brownings, so the foreign guns were even more interesting. Providing a counterpoise to the familiar Brownings were several Vickers, and one local enthusiast shot an experienced looking Maxim MG 08-15 that was fascinating to see; it had, as they say, a lot of character. Equally appealing was a beautifully turned-out MG 08 that was brought by a gentleman from Nevada. Obviously a man of discerning taste, he also brought Vickers and Browning beltfeds. Several entrepreneurs provided a wide variety of guns for the unarmed venturesome to rent.

Interruptions in the shooting came more often at this event than at the December one because of concurrent firing of an assault rifle competition down on the left end of the range. The falling plates taken down by the assault riflemen required frequent resetting, and shooters made good use of these breaks by hunting down brass and links, loading belts, and going for food. Consequently, it seemed somewhat less formal than other shoots. Periodically, someone would exuberantly dump a magazine or a belt into a mud hole with the express purpose of seeing how high he could get the water to fly.

At this event non-shooters could enjoy watching from close proximity to the firing line and still remain dry, for this was the first machine gun shoot since the spacious new firing line cover was completed. This impressive edifice, measuring 185 feet long by 27 feet deep by approximately 12 feet high at the front and back underneath, is not merely an accommodation to ward off the incessant rain that falls in the Willamette Valley; it has another, equally worth-while purpose. One would think that a range located along a freeway in the middle of a farming valley would be immune from noise complaints. One would be wrong. Therefore, in the interests of being a good neighbor and also in the interests of being able to continue shooting .50 Browning ammo ARPC has installed a handsome combination firing line cover and sound abatement structure.
It is of steel, completely enclosed at the rear, with three access doors, and it reflects sound down range toward the Saddle Butte backstop. Beyond the north end of the firing line the cover continues an additional 35 feet and is partitioned to form a work room and a garage for the club’s fire truck.

It may be of interest to readers everywhere to learn how a private club that does not take in fees from the public during fall sighting in days and is not near a major population center can accomplish such an undertaking. The answer is that the club is a fairly large, very well run organization which fills the needs of the Valley’s population rather than trying to dictate what or how people will shoot.

There are a wide variety of shooting activities to satisfy almost every taste. Rifle shooters can choose among high power at 200 yards, smallbore indoor position, black powder, and benchrest for both smallbore and high power calibers. Handgun programs include metallic silhouette for both smallbore and centerfire, IPSC, and indoor bullseye. Trap is available, as well. Inter-disciplinary programs are old west (rifle, handgun, and shotgun), full-auto (regular monthly shoots are submachine gun plus either handgun or shotgun), and defensive shooting (shotgun and handgun). There are monthly competitions, which are open to all comers, in a number of these shooting disciplines. Competitors are kept abreast of at least some of the activities because, in addition to the club’s regular monthly newsletter and event schedule, individuals in several of the interest groups desk-top publish small, specialized news-letters.

Another reason for the club’s strength is that, unlike many clubs whose focus is inward, ARPC is an outward-looking organization, quick to see needs and opportunities in the surrounding area. A junior program, hunter safety, and two gun shows a year (the last was about 400 tables) are additional club activities. The club allows numerous police and military groups to use some of the club’s facilities on a scheduled basis during the week, thereby providing other sources of support with real political muscle. There is, after all, nothing like providing a public service to justify your existence. Recruitment of NRA members, especially at the gun shows it sponsors, is yet another successful activity of great value both to the club and to the NRA. The result of all this effort is a sizable, diverse club some of whose members live forty miles away. But all can find what they want here.

All revenues from full-auto shooting, less expenses, go straight into the Albany treasury. Consequently, machine gun shooting is the activity that brings in more money than any other. Shooters forgo awards at the monthly matches and instead bask in the psychic glory of having beaten their cohorts. Recognition comes in the monthly Albany Full-Auto, a special interest newsletter published by Bill Berg, Box 3722, Eugene, OR 97403 (541-689-1893). Usually exceeding twenty pages a month, this very useful periodical contains shoot results, course descriptions, occasional guest articles or critiques, political news and commentary, match photos, legislative information, cartoons, internet gleanings, and interesting web sites. A model of what a special interest newsletter can be, it is available to any interested party by subscription.

Albany’s May machine gun shoots appear to be the largest organized automatic weapon shoots held west of the Mississippi, and it is doubtful if there are any unorganized efforts that are larger. Not only Oregonians but also Washingtonians and Californians, who must store their class 3 holdings out of state, come here to enjoy the fellowship of shared interests. Other states are also represented. Anyone with a legally owned machine gun of .50 Browning or smaller is welcome to come and fire it at one of our shoots.

Although there are monthly subgun competitions, the next big non-competitive machine gun shoot is scheduled for December 12, 1998. People are probably loading ammo for it right now!

To get more information on any shooting program or to confirm a match date, contact ARPC at Box 727, Albany, OR 97321. Voice mail is 541-924-5914. E-mail is arpc@proaxis.com while the club web site is http://www.proaxis.com/arpc. The club’s property is located along Interstate 5, but unfortunately there are no exits at that point. If approaching from the north, leave I-5 at exit 228, go left (east) 1/2 mile on Oregon 34, and turn right (south) onto Seven Mile Lane. After approximately six miles, turn right (west) onto Boston Mill Road and follow it to the club’s entrance, near the freeway overpass. If approaching from the south, leave I-5 at exit 216 and turn left (west). Follow this road (Oregon 228) 2 1/2 miles to Halsey. At the four-way stop intersection turn right (north) onto U.S. 99 and follow it to Shedd. At Boston Mill Road turn right (east) and go approximately 4 miles, crossing the freeway, and turn right (south) or go straight ahead onto club property. We’ll be looking for you!

On December 13th the Albany, Oregon, Rifle and Pistol Club held it’s annual Full Auto Winter Fun Shoot. This was the last non-competitive full auto get-together of the year in the northwest. The monthly subgun match took place the following day on Albany’s north range.

Considering the demands upon enthusiasts’ time from Christmas shopping, necessary winter chores, and indoor activities, a larger than expected turnout made the shoot a fine success. Exact figures are unavailable, but an unofficial count found approximately 120 people in attendance around noon, and they continued to arrive until almost 4 PM, when it was over. According to a gatekeeper, approximately 90% opted for the $9 “shooter/firing line access” rather than the $5 “spectator” status.

What they found was a wide variety of machine guns. As is the case at any such shoot relatively modern guns predominated. There were all kinds of MACs, several with wooden stocks, and apparently all members of the Browning family, including FN Model “D”’s. The H&K logo appeared often. Another large genre was M16s and other 5.56s of various configurations. A fifth major grouping was that of 9mm subguns; examples included Carl Gustafs, Port Saids, M76s, PPShs, Yugos, and Uzis. I watched a shooter happily picking off bobbing 8” balloons away down range with a Maxim 08/15 twice his age, and as I left a recent arrival was unlimbering a Vickers.

Because a chilling fog limited valley visibility and kept temperatures close to freezing, it was a far from ideal shooting day, but that didn’t seem to bother people. Numerous heavy jackets and a few propane heaters showed participants, forethought, and the clubhouse fireplace (right by the food) was understandably popular. The attendees were young, and they came to shoot. Rental business by several entrepreneurs was brisk. One attractive fiftyish lady got her first taste of class 3 by emptying a 9mm buzzgun and promptly pronounced the experience “as good as sex”, thereby giving her husband considerable food for thought. He was last seen trying to convince her that at least sex lasts longer.

This considerable firepower was unleashed at numerous plastic jugs, drum lids, and balloons set up at various distances down range. A crew behind the line kept busy filling the multi-hued balloons, tying them to strings, and then tying the strings to cords that could be secured across the range, so that the balloons were buffeted by the breeze.

Safety, the number one priority, had been well planned. Painted stripes on gravel marked the firing area where the guns were set up. Just behind that was the regular paved firing line, which became a staging area and ready line. Access to either area required a “shooter” ribbon, to be worn somewhere on the back of the shooter’s jacket. Non-shooters stayed behind both areas. While not restricting the number of shooters to an absolute figure, as is the case on Knob Creek’s main firing line, this arrangement makes it possible for the owners of rental machine guns to be up on the line with the renters, coaching them, clearing misfeeds, etc. This procedure seems to work especially well where the renters are on the main firing line; at Knob Creek, of course, the bulk of the firing of rental guns occurs on a distant range, where the guns’ owners can provide instruction under less stressful circumstances. Moreover, Albany’s procedure encourages renters to shoot more, without long waits or trips to the “rental” range or exchange of shooter badges.

Another ARPC practice may also serve the needs of other clubs. Since it’s sometimes not always apparent if a machine gun is ready to fire, the standard practice at ARPC is to insert a fired 12 gauge shotshell in the breech of any uncased machine gun between usages or when moving it. The shotshell may hold up the top cover or it may hold the bolt part of the way back, but in either case, the presence of the empty shotshell, along with the absence of a belt or magazine, means that the gun is safe. A number of these shotshells can be seen in the accompanying photos.

It was obvious that the shooters appreciate the hospitality of the ARPC. The club serves a farming area of small towns and draws its membership from an extensive area. The club members are people of wide interests, and the club welcomes them all. In contradistinction to some other clubs, the response to a request for a different kind of shooting is “Why don’t we try this and see how we like it?” As a result there are programs for indoor rifle and pistol, bigbore and smallbore pistol metallic silhouette, DCM shoots to 200 yards, black power, IPSC, cowboy action, defensive shotgun, and defensive handgun. The club additionally sponsors two gun shows a year.

There is no question that machine gun shoots are the largest contributor to the club’s income. The monthly subgun shoots are fired in a series of seven bays that are deeply bermed and dug into the north side of Saddle Butte. These bays are graded and graveled, and two boast spacious covers similar to that which is being extended over most of the main range. Since these same bays are used for scenarios by IPSC and cowboy action participants-plus a number of local police organizations-a mover wire is left connected, and some barricades, doors, etc., are kept in place or stored nearby. There are, of course, stands, knock-downs of all kinds, pepper poppers, and several kinds of target holders. Scenarios are limited mainly by the imagination of the scenarists.

The high point of the machine gun program occurs with the spring shoot, a full weekend affair at both the main and north ranges. The format is for informal, open shooting most of the time on the main range, with competitions for crew-served machine guns and assault rifles held there, also. The subgun match stages are run concurrently on the north range. This shoot is surprisingly large when one considers that both Washington and California are non-class 3 states, and Idaho is almost 400 miles away. Attendance is increasing and is coming to resemble a downsized Knob Creek, minus the target cars, flame throwers, dynamite, and drums of paint reducer. There are even souvenir tee shirts available.

For those who don’t shoot the monthly subgun matches, this December get-together will provide happy memories until the spring shoot. The latter will probably be the third weekend of May, but be sure to confirm this date before coming. For more information on any shooting program or to get shoot dates, contact ARPC at Box 727, Albany, OR 97321. Voice mail is 541-924-5914. E-mail is arpc@proaxis,com, or see website at: http://www.proaxis.com/ arpc

While the club’s property is just off I-5, there are no exits there. If approaching from the north, leave I-5 at Exit 228, go left (east) 1/2 mile on Oregon 34, and turn right (south) onto Seven Mile Lane. After approximately 6 miles, turn right (west) onto Boston Mill Road and follow it to the club’s entrance, near the freeway overpass. If approaching from the south, leave I-5 at Exit 216 and turn left (west). Follow this road (Oregon 228) 2 1/2 miles to Halsey. Turn right (north) onto U.S. 99 and follow it to Shedd. At Boston Mill Road turn right (east) and go approximately 4 miles, crossing the freeway, and turn right (south) onto club property.

In the meantime, there’s lots of brass to be reloaded!