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1860 Rifle Club

Safe, skilled and responsible shooting

Home Office Approved Club

One club. One page. Clear, modern and easier to navigate.

1860 Rifle Club is a shooting club based at Altcar Ranges, bringing together historic rifle enthusiasts, precision shooters and members who value safe, disciplined and sociable range time.

This single page concept consolidates the current website into one streamlined layout, keeping the key information easy to reach from a single navigation bar while preserving the club’s character and safety-first message.

About the club

The club promotes a safe, friendly and welcoming environment, with shooting primarily at Altcar and occasional visits to other ranges.

What the club is about

1860 Rifle Club supports safe, responsible and enjoyable shooting. Members meet monthly at Altcar Ranges and shoot a variety of platforms, from classic historic firearms through to modern precision rifles.

  • Historic rifle heritage and craftsmanship
  • Modern precision rifle shooting
  • Competition preparation and skill development
  • Sociable, disciplined and well-run range days

History of Altcar

The range traces its roots back to 1860, when organised rifle practice was established for volunteer rifle corps. That heritage gives the club a strong sense of tradition, but the site also supports modern disciplines and standards.

Membership

Entry standards are clear. The current site sets out certificate, sponsorship, attendance and conduct expectations.

Requirements

  • Valid Firearms Certificate required
  • Sponsorship from a member with 2+ years standing
  • Personal and shooting references
  • Agreement to the club Code of Conduct

Attendance

  • Members are expected to attend at least 25% of annual events
  • Regular participation helps maintain competence and club standards

Certification

  • Competent Shooter certification under NRA UK guidelines
  • Qualified safety officers support broader shooting opportunities

Visitors and guests

  • FAC-holding shooters from other approved clubs may occasionally visit
  • Guest spaces are not currently available

Safety

The existing site is built around a safety-first message. This section keeps that front and centre.

Safety is the club’s highest priority. All members are expected to follow range commands, safe handling principles and supervision requirements without exception.

Fundamental rules

  • Always point the firearm in a safe direction
  • Treat every gun as loaded
  • Finger off the trigger until ready to shoot
  • Be sure of the target and what is beyond it
  • Keep the firearm unloaded until ready to use

Essential practice

  • Use the correct ammunition
  • Wear eye and ear protection
  • Store firearms and ammunition securely
  • Never handle firearms under the influence
  • Maintain and inspect firearms properly

Current range note

The site currently warns members that 6.5 mm ammunition is restricted on MOD purpose-built firing ranges unless the range has been specifically assessed and approved.

Code of conduct

The full code can sit below as expandable content, while the headline expectations stay visible.

Core expectations

  • Act with honesty, integrity and responsibility
  • Protect the reputation of the club and shooting sports
  • Comply with firearms law, FAC conditions and police requirements
  • Treat members, visitors and staff with respect
  • No abusive, aggressive or threatening behaviour
  • No alcohol or drugs before or during shooting
General principles

Holding an FAC is a privilege. Members are expected to behave as ambassadors for the club and the wider shooting community.

Compliance with law and regulation

Members must comply with firearms legislation, licensing conditions, storage and transport rules, and notify the club of changes affecting FAC suitability.

Behaviour at the club and outside it

Members must follow range safety rules, handle firearms only in authorised areas, and avoid conduct that could bring the club into disrepute.

Constitution and governance

Rather than forcing users into a separate page, the key constitutional points can sit here with the option to expand for more detail.

Purpose

The club exists to encourage skill in rifle shooting through instruction and practice.

Officers

The management team includes a Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and any additional positions needed to run the club effectively.

Meetings and decisions

Formal meetings are held at least every six months, with a minimum quorum and no single officer acting alone.

View constitution summary

The constitution sets the club title, purpose, affiliations, officer roles, rule-making powers, meeting requirements, committee arrangements and member voting arrangements. In a live version of this page, the complete constitution could be embedded here or linked as a downloadable PDF.

Range orders

This section keeps the operational rules close to the rest of the club information, which is where members will actually see them.

Key range rules

  • Only valid NRA SCC holders may shoot unsupervised
  • “STOP STOP STOP” means cease fire immediately
  • Firearms must be visibly safe with breech flag or bolt removed
  • Loading only on the firing point and with RCO permission
  • No HME rifles or ammunition without prior approval
  • Home loads must be declared and may be chronographed
  • Hearing protection is mandatory
  • No shooting under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Misfire and emergency procedures

  • Keep the firearm pointed downrange for 30 seconds
  • Raise your hand and inform the RCO
  • Open the bolt carefully and inspect safely
  • Seek RCO help if unsure
  • In an emergency, call an ambulance and inform the Range Office

Resources

Useful documents can stay on the page as a clean set of external links.

Public information

You may want to remove the Wikipedia reference from the live version and keep only official or club-approved sources.

Contact

The current site includes both club contact details and police firearms licensing contacts. This layout keeps both, but separates them more clearly.

Club contact

1860 Rifle Club
Altcar Ranges, Hightown, Liverpool, L38 7JE

Email: secretary@1860rifleclub.com

You could also place a contact form here if you want membership or enquiry submissions routed more cleanly.

Police and official firearms licensing contacts

Cheshire Constabulary
Firearms Licensing Dept, Clemonds Hey, Oakmere Road, Winsford, Cheshire CW7 2UA
Tel: 01244 612084

Merseyside Police
Firearms Department, Police Headquarters, P.O. Box 59, Canning Place, Liverpool, L69 1JD
Tel: 0151 777 8479

North Wales Police
Victoria Road, Prestatyn, LL19 7TD
Tel: 01745 539394

Staffordshire Police Headquarters
Weston Road, Stafford, Staffordshire, ST18 0YY
Tel: 01785 232790