Range profile
Putnam County Gun Club
The short version
A private, member-owned shooting club in Eleanor, West Virginia, offering multiple disciplines - from smallbore and pistol to 400-yard rifle and cowboy action - backed by NRA grants, certified instruction, and active range improvement projects.
The hits
- Multiple dedicated ranges including smallbore, handgun, dedicated pistol, 100-yard, 400-yard rifle, and cowboy action bays
- NRA grant-funded improvements such as wheelchair-accessible concrete pads, a multipurpose building with planned utilities, and updated berm work
- Certified instruction and leadership from a retired Huntington Police lieutenant and NRA-certified competitive shooters
- Active competition calendar hosting USPSA, NRA Youth Smallbore, and Precision Pistol matches alongside an annual Youth Day
- On-site amenities including Wi-Fi, restrooms, air conditioning, and electric keypad gate access
The misses
- Private club model requiring membership applications, annual renewals, and adherence to formal bylaws rather than drop-in public access
- Ongoing maintenance demands and strict access protocols, including anti-tailgating gate rules and updated Standard Operating Procedure requirements
- Past governance disputes and restrictive rule interpretations documented in older feedback, indicating that organizational culture has shifted but retains a structured, rules-heavy environment
About Putnam County Gun Club
Putnam County Gun Club operates as a private, membership-driven shooting facility in Eleanor, West Virginia, serving recreational shooters, competitive athletes, and local law enforcement and military units seeking training and qualification space. The property encompasses several distinct ranges: a smallbore range, multiple handgun bays, a dedicated pistol range, a 100-yard range, a 400-yard rifle range, and a cowboy action range. Members also have access to a smallbore pavilion and a multipurpose building under development near the Liberty Range, funded in part by NRA grants totaling thousands of dollars for concrete work, berm improvements, and accessible amenities.
The club runs on a formal membership structure with monthly meetings held on the third Thursday of each month, new-member orientation sessions, and an annually updated application process. Leadership includes a Training Officer who is a retired Huntington Police Department lieutenant and certified firearms instructor, and a Vice President who is an NRA-certified instructor and competitive shooter. This emphasis on credentialed oversight aligns with the club’s adopted Standard Operating Procedure, which replaced older range rules to codify safety and consistency across all bays.
Amenities noted by members and the organization include wireless internet, restrooms, air conditioning, and wheelchair-accessible concrete pads added via grant-funded projects. The club hosts a variety of monthly shooting disciplines and competitions, including USPSA, NRA Youth Smallbore matches, and NRA Precision Pistol events, alongside an annual Youth Day that introduces children to marksmanship. An electric keypad gate controls access, requiring members to follow strict anti-tailgating protocols to preserve equipment and safety.
Visitor feedback consistently points to a welcoming atmosphere, well-maintained grounds, and continuous facility upgrades. Several reviewers note that the range is not a cold-standby facility, meaning shooters can handle firearms more freely than at some comparable outdoor clubs. The board and volunteer base actively maintain berms and firing points, though source material indicates that berm upkeep is an ongoing, labor-intensive obligation. While the club’s membership model and scheduled gate-access procedures create structure, they also mean casual drop-in use is not available; participation requires an application, dues, and adherence to club bylaws. Historical reviews from 2016 cite earlier rule disputes and governance friction, but subsequent responses from management indicate those specific concerns have been addressed through leadership changes and revised operating procedures.
Recurring feedback
What visitors consistently mention
- Facility upkeep and modernization: Recurring feedback notes continuous physical improvements, clean bays, and active volunteer maintenance efforts, particularly around berm work and range accessibility.
- Organizational turnaround: Multiple reviews reference a marked improvement in management, safety culture, and member experience under current leadership compared to earlier years.
- Competition and community focus: A consistent pattern highlights the club's strength in organized shooting sports, monthly competitive events, and youth development programs.
- Access and security protocols: Feedback reflects that the gated, membership-only structure and formal Standard Operating Procedures create a controlled environment, though some earlier reviews noted concerns about rule enforcement and non-member access that management has since addressed.