If you’re looking for the biggest bang for your buck, you should head down Telephone Road in Santa Maria with some shotguns and a couple of pistols.
The Santa Maria Gun Club has the largest indoor pistol range on the Central Coast, with eight separate lanes to test your marksmanship from as far as 25 yards. The Gun Club also provides a shotgun range with nine trap machines that toss clay saucers in the air, if you fancy blasting moving targets with heavy firing power. Also, for those who’ve been infected by The Hunger Games craze, there are bales of hay to pierce with your archery skills.
During regular hours, the lanes of each range are available on a first-come, first-served basis for up to an hour a session. While the shooting range is open, there’s always at least one range officer onsite. Each one is trained to monitor the activity and keep a watchful eye on the inexperienced, according to range officer Jim Harrington.
For anyone looking for instruction on how to properly handle a firearm and learn basic techniques, Range Master Dan Wells offers instructional classes for all different levels. Wells has spent his life as a military police officer, deputy sheriff, and private investigator, to name a few, and has spent nearly his whole lifetime handling firearms. Wells is a certified range master and firearms instructor who has taught at the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department. He offers classes including a four-hour beginner class with instruction on the basics of gun safety and technique.
“I’ll teach you how to operate a gun and take you out to the range and shoot about 250 rounds,” Wells said. “But you have to bring your own gun. I teach you how to use your gun and not somebody else’s.”
Wells also offers a family gun-safety class, a women’s only class, and many more. Wells said he plans to instruct on non-lethal weapons such as Tasers and pepper spray in the near future.
“We’re here for the public; we’re open for everybody. If you’re a law-abiding citizen and you got a gun and want to learn to use it, come see us,” Wells said. “I do this because I enjoy doing it. I don’t have to do it. It’s fun, and I want people to be able to protect themselves.”
The Santa Maria Gun Club is located at 3150 Telephone Road in Santa Maria. The range is open Mondays and Wednesdays 6 to 8:30 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m.
To find out more about events, times, and instruction offered at the range, visit santamariagunclub.org.
Highlights
• The National Coin Collectors Association (NCCA) is asking locals to gather up their coins, paper currency, gold and silver, and bring it to the Radisson Hotel in Santa Maria from May 17 to May 19.
NCCA specialists travel the country and meet one-on-one with guests to review, research, and evaluate gold, silver and collectible items. Representatives make offers based on rarity, condition and market value, and pay for items on the spot. The event is free to attend, and there’s no limit to the number of pieces that can be brought in. Nearly all coins, paper currency, vintage jewelry and toys made prior to 1970 are highly sought after.
The Radisson Hotel is located at 3455 Skyway Dr. in Santa Maria.
For more information or directions, please call 217-787-7767.
• Sierra Madre Vineyard in Santa Maria recently announced the vineyard is now open for tours by appointment.
Appointments are available every Friday and Saturday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Other days and times can be arranged. The vineyard is located at 2570 Prell Rd. in Santa Maria.
To set up a tour, call 922-3100 or email allyson@ sierramadrevineyard.com.
Intern Jason Banania wrote this week’s Biz Spotlight. Staff Writer Jeremy Thomas compiled Highlights. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, e-mail, or mail.
This article appears in May 17-24, 2012.