My Rifle is on the Way; How to Build a short Back Yard Target Range, and Other

[Brislee]

Did a search for shooting in 29 palms ca. and there is a pistol/rifle club in the town with 50.00 yearly dues....also read some posts on a shooting forum about shooting in open spaces around the town...sounds as if you have know problem finding a place to do what you want.

 

[KnowNothing]

I wrote the shooting club, but 10 days later, nor response.

Yes, there is legal shooting in a lot of places in the County open areas. But from what I hear, not all of them are safe. As you probably know, in any activity, there are always some who just don't think about what they are doing, and that makes it unsafe.

 

[KnowNothing]

I went to the city hall in 29 Palms, and asked about the city ordnance concerning the shooting of pellet guns in my own back yard. I was told the city followed county ordinances when it comes to firearms.

I again went back online to read the county ordnance, and nowhere does it mention pellet guns, only "Firearms". I cannot even find a definition of what is considered a "Firearm".



Based on what I can glean from the internet, it is illegal to fire any type of weapon in the city limits. I sure hope someone who is smarter at asking questions on the internet can find some definitive answer to where I can shoot my pellet gun in my own back yard in the town of 29 Palms in the County of San Bernardino, California.

For now I am grounded until I can find somewhere safe to start shooting without getting shot by some crazy who thinks they can point and shoot anywhere.

 

[c_m_shooter]

An airgun is not a firearm. This is according to the definition at the federal level. If they have not specified them to be illegal, you are good.

 

[KnowNothing]

FINALLY, the question about pellet gun use on one's own property has been resolved, for at least the town of 29 Palms, California.



IT IS legal to shoot one, on one's own property, as long as you provide the safety measures to ensure the pellet or BB does not exit your property. 



I finally called the local Sherrif's sub station, and got with a deputy to get this question answered. My suggestion is you do the same if you cannot

find the appropriate answers online. San Bernardino's county ordinances are pretty general, so the only way to resolve my question was with a

member of law enforcement.



Now, all I have to do is wait three more weeks for my sternum bone to heal before I can do any lifting. I had open heart surgery five weeks ago, to replace 

a part that was defective. I am using the down time to learn and prepare. CaleyAnn



PS Thanks All for your suggestions and help.

 

[KnowNothing]

I finally have recovered enough to start shooting in the back yard. This morning I just loaded six BB's into my Crossman CR357 pistol to see what would happen. This is the second day I have fired this gun.

I made a backstop out of a lot of scrap wood I had. It consists of one sheet of each of the following. 1.8 and 1/4 plywood, 5/8 inch thick OSB sheet, and I cut up an old computer chair floor pad that is made of some kind of rubbery substance. I cut two sheets of it which are each 1/8 inch thick. I put all of it together, and then added my little target box trap.

Since this trap is not meant for BB's, I put a sheet of cardboard where you would normally put the target, then glued the target atop the card board. I also stuffed a wad of heavy plastic in the target catch box to prevent the BB's from eescaping.

My first round I fired from 15 feet directly into the backstop to see what happened. It punched a nice hole through the two sheets of rubbery plastic and the 1/8 inch piece of ply, but did not get through the OSB sheet or 1/4 ply which is in the back. So this backstop is probably OK for this CR357 for BB's and pellets, but cannot be used for anything more powerful.

The other five BB's I fired into the target. As usual, I do not have the finger strength to just pull the trigger, so I had to cock the hammer, then squeeze the trigger. All five BB's were captured inside my modified mini pellet trap. The only problem I see is that the metal is too thin, as I have three dents in the bottom defector plate. This is out of two rounds I shot, one of six and the five I shot today. I'm wondering what pellets will do to the box.

I also broke out my Swis Arms TG-1 break barrel rifle this evening to see if I could cock it. I barely was able to cock it, and now know purchasing it was a big mistake. I do not have the strength to keep cocking it. So I will have to try to sell this rifle in the hope of recovering some of my foolishly spent money.

I think I also goofed when I cocked this rifle, and then fired it, without a pellet. Some good spewed out around where the barrel breaks. I get the feeling that firing and empty break barrel is not recommended. I just hope one firing did not damage anything.

Guess I will just fire the pistol until I can find a rifle that is friendly to elderly arms and fingers.