A group of students, faculty, and staff dedicated to bringing firearms safety and enhanced marksmanship skills to the OSU community.

For more information please contact us

General Information

Ohio State Pistol Club was formed to teach basic handgun safety and marksmanship skills in a safe, friendly, and convenient on-campus environment. The club meets during each full-week that classes are in session and is inactive over quarter breaks, during finals week, and during summer quarter.

Each quarter begins with a safety training class taught by the club's coach (a retired coach of the OSU NCAA Pistol Team) or a NRA certified pistol instructor.

No prior firearms experience or knowledge is required. At this time the class is required quarterly for all members. Training is typically offered during the first two meetings of each quarter and by special arrangement. Some students choose to join a subset of the club members who pursue NRA Bull's-eye Pistol marksmanship certification to advance their skill level.

The safety class costs $5 per person and includes instruction, insurance, pistol rental, eye/ear protection, ammunition, targets, and range time. Students who wish to join the club for the entire quarter pay a $30 quarterly fee. The club meets every Thursday from 5:30p to 7:00p in the basement of Converse Hall (CV).

Club members use several variants of the Ruger Mark II and Smith & Wesson Model 41 target pistols chambered in 22LR.

President:
Evan "Tex" Peck (peck.112)

Vice President:
Mark Noble (noble.48)

Treasurer:
Susan Zhang (zhang.497)

Secretary:
Denise Fong (fong.50)

Advisor/Coach:
John Wynne

So What is This About?

Understanding the safe and proper use of firearms is as important today as it ever was. Today, most people use handguns for sport or self defnese. Despite this, many people are raised without any knowledge, understanding, or exposure to firearms outside of the media where their safe and proper use is rarely portrayed accurately. Our safety training is convenient and affordable, enabling any affiliate of the university to come and learn first hand about the basics of firearms safety. With the knowledge and expertise our club provides, participants will be prepared to make informed decisions about the safety and utility of firearms in our society.

For those with existing firearms experience, our club offers opportunities to improve existing firearms safety and marksmanship skills as well as pursue new avenues of firearms training and expertise through sister clubs. Occasionally one of our members is asked to try out for the Pistol Team to represent our university at marksmanship competitions. Either way, it's a convenient and inexpensive alternative to visiting the crowded suburban ranges in the area.

Participation

Members typically begin by developing a basic level of proficiency in using a variety of pistol designs at varying distances. Students also learn proper form and several widely used firing positions.

Members practicing on the firing line
Members practicing on the firing line

Once a student is able to score 40 points or above on their target, they are able to begin certification training if they choose. The certification process is more structured than our casual shooting activities and designed to develop advanced levels of marksmanship proficiency.

Members practicing on the firing line
Coach providing a safety class

When possible, the club hosts a special "pin shooting" event as a treat at the end of each quarter. Pin shooting involves the shooter attempting to knock down 3 bowling pins 25 feet away with 5 rounds in under 2 seconds. Not only is it fun to participate - but it's also fun to watch!

Benefits

Why participate? College is a place to try something new and hone your skills while making new friends. Pistol club members are a diverse group, just like gun owners in society. Sometimes, often unexpectedly, marksmanship become skills are handy and important to have. It is also important to understand firearms safety to better protect your friends and family whether you choose to own firearms or not. A realistic understanding of firearms helps citizens make better choices when it comes to gun legislation and understanding their protected 2nd Amendment freedoms.

Requirements

To participate you must be an affiliate of Ohio State University (faculty, staff, or student). You must bring your Buck ID and proof of health insurance as a requirement of OSU Rec Sports.

Members must take the training course each quarter and pay their fees to participate as well as filling out the appropriate insurance and liability paperwork as required by Rec Sports.

Most importantly, members must obey range safety rules at all times including wearing proper eye and ear protection. Members who wish to bring their own eye and ear protection are encouraged to do so.

Materials

Downloadable PDF of standard targets for printing.

Range commands in MP3 format (from the Encyclopedia of Bullseye Pistol). Range commands for timed fire stage (MP3). Range commands for rapid fire stage (MP3).