Lodge offers gun action

By Michelle Butzgy
Paraglide

	Photo by Michelle Butzgy/Paraglide Master Sgt. Darren Shearlock, 6th Military Information Support Battalion, aims his .357 Magnum revolver at the target Feb. 11, at Fort Bragg Rod and Gun Club.

Whether you want to practice your marksmanship, try out that new rifle you received for Christmas or meet with fellow gun enthusiasts, the Fort Bragg Rod and Gun Club at McKellar’s Lodge is the place to be.

The 100-meter ranges are located at Building 0-9127 off of McKellar’s Road, an extension of Grueber Road, near the Fort Bragg Wildlife Branch Office. Once you see McKellar’s Lodge on the left, you cannot miss the sounds of gunfire on the right.

The two ranges, with 15 firing points, are set up for pistols, rifles and shotguns with slug ammunition, said Robert Vissichelli, range officer.

“We get anywhere from 15 to 20 shooters on Wednesdays (and up) to 90 on the weekend,” said Vissichelli.

Although there is a limited supply of ammunition and targets at the rod and gun club store, the range officer suggested that marksmen bring their own supplies.

Active-duty servicemembers, retirees, Department of Defense civilians and Reserve and National Guardsmen can join the club for $40 per year and pay $4 for each visit. Civilians pay $70 for a year’s membership and pay $9 per visit. Family members accompanying members pay $4 per visit while two civilian guests per member pay $5.

Capt. Kelby Glass of the North Carolina National Guard said he enjoys coming to the range. He has fired .22-caliber rifles, .22 pistols and an AR-15, similar to the Army’s M-16 weapon.

“It’s something I always enjoy doing,” said Glass. “Today I brought a .22 rifle I got for Christmas and a .40-caliber pistol.”

Rodney Graves, a retired first sergeant from the 82nd Airborne Division, said that he has been coming to the club since “(Maj.) Gen. (Dan K.) McNeill was a two-star general.”

Graves, a 21-year veteran, loves to shoot. He brought along a .308-caliber “Varmint” rifle, which sounds like a small cannon when fired.

“I’m learning how to reload (ammunition),” said Graves.

He has noticed his reloads aren’t as accurate as the factory-made rounds, he said.

“I’ll perfect that. I’ve always wanted to do it. I’ve decided I need another hobby,” added Graves.
A Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum was the weapon of choice for Master Sgt. Darren Shearlock, 6th Military Information Support Battalion. His reason for practicing with guns is to improve his marksmanship.

“It’s one of the reasons I joined the Army,” Shearlock said.

One of the other benefits of being a member of the Rod and Gun Club is the discount available at McKellar’s Lodge.

Overlooking McKellar’s Lake, the restaurant offers daily lunch specials along with a buffet. Catering is available seven days a week.

The range is open Wednesday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. McKellar’s Lodge buffet is open Monday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The bar and lounge are open Tuesday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

For information, call the Fort Bragg Rod and Gun Club at 432-1391 or McKellar’s Lodge at 907-5253.

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