The AR platform- the Erector set of Firearms?


The sport of shooting carries inherent risks and we don’t want anyone hurt while engaged in the sport and especially at our range. We strive to maintain a safe environment for the sport. We also understand and appreciate that special pride which come from working on firearms and do appreciate the work required to create a one of a kind firearm.

The AR platform provides more accessorizing than any other platform ever developed. Back in the day 70’s and 80’s , the 1911 style pistols enjoyed a similar popularity. Don’t misunderstand, there are some major differences. When you purchased an unfinished 1911 frame, the frame was machined, and complete with correctly-sized holes drilled in proper locations, slots milled to specifications, etc. there are stories about 1911’s going full auto because they were not properly assembled or the trigger group was reworked incorrectly.
Part of the romance with the AR platform is the ability to change the uppers receiver, providing a wide range of calibers and barrel combinations. Purchasing a AR style forging with the intention of making a safe, effective semi-automatic rifle without the proper tools and/or skills to properly finish the machining process could result in an unsafe firearm. Therein lies some safety considerations.

Please be careful when making modifications and keep safety utmost in your mind. I have personally witnessed several firearms that malfunctioned due to being incorrect assembly procedures. Check head-space when changing barrels and/or the carrier group. For example, the carrier group from your .223 will fit in your 300 blackout upper, but the headspace may need to be adjusted. In addition, properly modifying the trigger mechanism can result in tighter groups, while improper modifications can result in a firearm that double fires, or does not fire. either of these conditions render the gun unsafe and maybe even illegal. If you are not 100% confident in your ability to make the modifications so the firearm remains safe, take it to someone who can.

As a final safety check, be sure the work is checked by a qualified person who has the proper gauges and knows how to check the firearm.

Events for 2019

During the year, we hold several events for the community to participate in. We will be making final decisions at the February Club meeting, but as of now, we have several already in place. Yo can view the dates and times on our events page, but here is a quick list:

Road 2 Freedom will be sponsoring 3 events this year, a Trap shoot, an AR platform shoot, and a Cracker shoot. The proceeds from at least two of the events will go toward paying for hunter safety classes for youths under 16.

From March through September, on Tuesday nights and many Saturday mornings, the trap range will be open. The rifle and pistol ranges are closed during these times.

Of course, we will host the Dunn County Fish and Game’s Hunter Safety field days in April and August.

August is the Annual muzzleloader youth clinic and Adult shoot.

And in September, is the Women on Target Day. A special day for women only.

More events should be finalized at the Feb meeting. Watch the events page and our calendar for updates.

New Year, New Website, New Projects

It just seemed right after three years to update our website. So we now have a new look and we plan to expand several of the pages in the future. It also seemed appropriate to change how we communicate with our clients (that’s the best word we could find to describe those who come out and use the range). Facebook does not provide the feedback the way a blog does so we are going to try a blog.

This past year saw some major improvements to the range, thanks to several grants and some local organizations/groups providing substantial donations.  We were able to make the range more handicapped accessible, put in a regulation trap range, Finally got the new blue sky barrier installed, put up a new maintenance shed and still had about 200 more supervising hours that last year.

In 2019, we hope to continue improving the range, emphasizing on accessibility. The 300-yard firing point needs our attention in that respect and we are looking at a fairly involved landscaping project which should positively affect ADA access to the new trap range.  Another project on the agenda is running water. We are hoping to start looking for funding to pay for a well and several drinking /hand-washing stations.

Just to be clear, the Menomonie rifle and pistol club, LLC and the Menomonie Public Shooting range are totally separate. And all donations to the range are used for the range. The Range is a county park, open to the public. The club is just that a rifle and pistol club. The needs, wants, and desires of both came together several years ago when the county was looking for a group to supervise and maintain the range and the club was looking for some way to promote shooting sports locally.  Thus, a partnership was born. There is more on this on our home page.

We will be posting items of interest for hunters, outdoor people, conservationists, and shooters as well as updates on the range and club.

Safe journeys throughout the new year.