Locked & Loaded

We have club shoots every Wednesday evening from 6:30pm to 8pm where everyone interested in the sport is welcome to try it out. We will require you to adhere strictly to the club rules and obey the commands from the range officer. Safety First!
Visitors (bookings required) will be charged $75 on club nights and this include the use of our facilities, a .22 pistol, a 9mm and 38 Special pistol when available and approx 20 rounds of ammunition as well as the supervision and guidance of an endorsed member. Please note that wearing of camouflage or paramilitary clothing is not allowed on the club complex and make sure you are wearing closed shoes.
Phone the club on (07) 843 3232 or email info@pistolclub.co.nz to make arrangements to visit.

You may visit the Club as a visitor 3 times only before you must decide whether you wish to become a member. To become a member you must have a current Firearms Licence (unless under 16), be proposed by a full member and pay the required membership fees. You will then be invited to an interview with the club committee who will vote on your application the following month. Once you have been accepted by the Committee you will be required to serve at minimum a 6 month probationary period where you will be trained and examined on safety and shooting techniques. During this period you will be assessed by the range staff and attain a satisfactory level of competence with the club firearms. After satisfactorily completing your probationary period you may be accepted as a full member by the Committee.

YES. Before being permitted to own your own pistols, you will have to hold a Firearms Licence with a "B" Endorsement. If you do not hold a "B" endorsement, but are in the process of getting one, you may shoot a pistol on the range under the direct supervision of a member holding a B Endorsed Licence. Until you hold a Firearms Licence, however, you may not have possession of a pistol or purchase ammunition. Before being accepted as a new probationary member of the club you must hold a current New Zealand Firearms Licence.
Note: the only exception is junior members under 16 who must be under the supervision of a licenced guardian/mentor at all times.

An "A" CAT Firearms License is obtained by going to your local Police Arms Officer who will carry out a background check to confirm your suitability to hold a firearm. You will be required to attend a firearms safety course and a written exam which you must pass.

The "B" Endorsement to your firearms license is obtained by being a "bona fide" member of the Pistol Club and having attended and shot at the club to the satisfaction of the Training team during the minimum 6 month probationary period. Upon attaining this stage the Committee and Pistol NZ may, at their discretion, recommend you to the Police for your "B" Endorsement. At this stage the Police for their part will once again confirm your suitability, and your security arrangements for owning your own pistol...ie....that you have installed an approved safe and that your house is secure.

In short not super competitive, no, but  we feel you will reap more enjoyment from competition even if only at club level. Pistol shooting in New Zealand is allowed under the arms legislation ONLY for competition shooting, so competitions are a big part of being a member.

Upon joining the club you will receive an introductory induction lecture followed by four months of organised shoots where you will be supervised on a "one to one" basis and be taught all safety and shooting basics that will prepare you as a pistol shooter.

This initial training will put you in good stead to attempt any of the four disciplines open to you in the remaining months of your training period. The basics of pistol shooting...ie...sight picture and trigger control are common to all types of pistol shooting.

We are proudly paranoid about SAFETY and the rules will be DRUMMED into all new members and strictly enforced.

There are few naturals in pistol shooting and as in other sports, practice makes perfect.  Each discipline has grades for shooters of all abilities and you will be scored with those that match your skill level.  This means you can be competitive within your grade and you can work toward moving up the grades as you progress.  That said, you don’t have to be medal material to have fun.  And yes, The Hamilton Pistol Club is producing top national and international competitors every year.

To join the club there is an annual subscription as follows:

Note: Juniors are exempt from the New member joining fee

These rates exclude mandatory Pistol NZ Affiliation of $85. All prices are inclusive of GST.

Please note that the wearing of camouflage or paramilitary clothing is not allowed on the club complex. Additionally, ensure that you are wearing closed shoes for safety reasons.

PNZ visitors from other Pistol Clubs who shoot our club matches should pay the $20 match fee by direct debit to Hamilton Pistol Club 06-0284-0200679-00 with your surname and the match name you attended.