The Maxey Rifleman Black Powder Club began as an informal group of individuals who gathered on a piece of property owned by the City of Paris to shoot black powder firearms. As the group grew in size so did the interest in having a range where other types of modern firearms could be used.

On July 14 , 1984, a group of 23 people met to organize a shooting club. The meeting was called to order by acting chairman Larry Jackson. The club was officially named Maxey Rifleman Black Powder Club and Larry Jackson was elected President. Other officers elected were Gary Jack Ingram as Vice President, Nancy Jackson as Secretary, Susan Thompson as Treasurer, and Murray Jackson as tournament Director. A five year lease agreement was secured from the City of Paris for approximately 26 acres of land on the back side of Lake Crook.

The first structure on the Range was a pole shed to break the wind and rain for shooters. Four shooting benches made of 2 X 4’s and plywood was installed. By March of 1986 the club had grown to 80 members. The club treasury was still too small to afford the dirt work needed to enlarge and raise the 100 yard brume so a Rifle Raffle was held which raised the needed funds to get the job done.

In early 1988, members Jerry Dudley & Paul Kraniak made a trip to Kansas to pick up a large trailer load of drill stem pipe and shafting to begin to build supports for a covered firing line and target frames. Supports were welded up for a full cover of the Rifle Firing Line as well as supports for a proposed Pistol Range to the north. Work days were scheduled for members to set the up-rights and pour a concrete firing line. Another work day was scheduled to attach c-purling and screw down the metal roofing.

In late 1988 a 200 yard range and brume were added to the right of the 100 yard range. Target frames were set at 25, 50, 75, 100 & 200 yards. Grader blades were set for Silhouette Matches as well.

As membership continued to grow a target shed was constructed in the center of the Rifle Firing Line and a cover and target house was constructed on the pistol range.

During the late 1980’s and early 1990’s a number of shooting events were held at the club. They included Pistol Silhouette & Rifle Silhouette, Bullseye Pistol, Bowling Pin Matches as well as High Power Rifle Matches.

In conjunction with the Director of Civilian Marksmanship, (DCM) the club began to hold National Rifle Association Approved Matches where the club provided 30-06 ammunition to the competitors. This was the most popular event held by the club. Sadly the DCM discontinued that program in the mid 1990’s. Participation was still good until the early 2000’s when participation dropped off and the event was cancelled.

As the club grew it became apparent that a location was needed where people who wanted to join could pick up applications and members could pay their annual dues. The office staff at Harmar Bottling Company, the local R C Cola & Seven Up Bottler, agreed to accept that task. For the next 30 years they preformed those services for the gun club, ending in 2017 when the company closed its doors.

In the late 1980’s the club agreed to sponsor the Boy Scouts of America’s shooting program by purchasing .22 rifles and ammunition. Member Durlan Utley was the Event Coordinator for this program.

As the club continued to grow a steady flow of improvements were added to the range. Wooden shooting benches were replaced with eight concrete shooting benches. The overhead cover was extended on the south of the firing line to facilitate shooting from the prone position. Concrete was poured to widen the firing line and a curb was added to deflect runoff. Additional pistol bays were added on the pistol range. Pistol shooting stands were installed on both pistol and rifle firing lines.

The Club voted to remove the words Black Powder from the club name. The Maxey Rifleman Gun Club became the official name of the club.

In the late 1990’s the club became affiliated with International Defensive Pistol Association. (IDPA) The IDPA Match is a competition geared for those who carry and conceal a weapon and want to develop and maintain their skills. Member Mike Trout was Event Coordinator for several years.

In 2002 the club became the main sponsor for the Lamar County 4-H Shooting Program. The club purchased target rifles, ammunition, shooting mats & kneeling rolls as well as targets & stands for 4-H Shooters. Member Dave Osborn was Event Coordinator with the 4-H program for the following 12 years. Followed by Member John Mustardy. The current Event Coordinator is Shane Welch. The club has hosted several 4-H Regional Matches at the range. 4-H Shooters from Lamar county have placed well in the Texas State Championships. Each year the Maxey Rifleman Gun Club awards a $1,000.00 scholarship to a selected Lamar County 4-H Shooter.

In July 2013, the club had 591 dues paying members. Also at this time the club outlawed the use of the .50BMG and Tannerite on the range.

To improve our Community Involvement the club has held a number of Ladies Firearms Familiarization & Safety Classes which include class room instruction and supervising individuals on the shooting range. These classes have been very well received by the community. Members Dave Osborn & Scott O’Bryan have been Event Coordinators.

In 2013 the officers of the club felt the need to modernize our organization to achieve better liability protection for members and officers & directors. Working with an attorney who works with firearms issues we created a system for gun club management that has been imitated throughout the state of Texas. Currently the membership elects five members to a Board of Directors. The directors then select the President, Vice President, and Secretary/Treasurer. All club business is brought before the Board of Directors. Current liability policies protects members, officers, directors and the City of Paris.

Since early in 2000’s President & Director Scott O’Bryan has assumed responsibility for dirt work, rebuilding the brumes and target stands. A new 4 rail fence and gate was installed in 2014

On July 1, 2021 the club had over 700 members.

In 2021 the Board of Directors voted to update the club’s web site to be more responsive to member needs. The web site will allow members to join the club, pay their dues, renew their membership, see upcoming events, pictures of the range, automatic renewal, and get the current gate combination. Each member will be assigned their personal membership code and can select their own password.