About Us

The Gemmer Muzzle Loading Gun Club (GMLGC) is an avid group of over 65 members who conduct monthly black powder matches on the club’s 35 acre private range near rural Pacific in Missouri.  Club members actively participate in many muzzleloading firearm related events throughout the year.  These events include rendezvous, offhand, bench, cross stick, chunk and pistol matches at ranges of 25 yards to 100 yards.

The GMLGC was founded in the 1940’s in the St Louis area and soon afterward became a charter member of the NMLRA in 1950.  The GMLGC incorporated with the state of Missouri in 1955. The club is named in honor of John Phillip Gemmer, a legendary early St. Louis, Missouri gunsmith, and one time owner of the Hawken Shop.

We are dedicated to:

  1. The understanding of, and the ability in, marksmanship with early American muzzleloading guns.
  2. Match promotion for the purpose of advancing fine accuracy with these arms and the establishment of standard practices for competition.
  3. The recognition and support for the continuing and growing interest in the added challenge of hunting with a muzzleloading gun.
  4. Greater safety with all guns, especially with muzzleloading rifles, pistols, and shotguns. Range Rules.
  5. The collecting, preservation, and recreation of antique guns and related accouterments, and the recognition of the value of living history re-enactments.
  6. The encouragement of family and youth participation.

Oh hi there 👋
It’s nice to meet you.

Sign up to receive awesome content about the Gemmer Muzzle Loading Gun Club in your inbox, every month.

We don’t spam!

6 thoughts on “About Us”

  1. Good afternoon, I’d like to know more about thr Gemmer Famiy. We met a son of the Gun Collecter in Fuengirola, Costa Del Sol, Malaga, Spain after World War II where he had been injured to the point that he could not cme out of hia apartment until early nightfall because sunlight caused blindness. He had lived in the 4300-4400 block of Pershing in the Central West End of St. Louis, Missouri. That was 2 blocks going E-W, 2 blocks north of Lindell where the Catholic Cathedral Basilica stands. Some people in Spain thought he was crazy, not coming out at daytime, but we understood his problem. He actually was very kind to us, cashing a check one day when Americam Express was closed. We considered him a friend and think he probably died in Spain, but someone said he probably come home for a hospital here. His father was Walter Scott Gemmer we were told; if that is true, he would be Frederick W Gemmer. I remember the name Scott, so he may have been talking about his father, because I talked about cousins who lived about a block from where he was born. He had apparently moved to Illinois by the time he registered for the military draft.
    Thank you for any help you can provide about him: his full name, the date and place of his death.
    Betty Torno

  2. Is there a group of muzzleloaders in or near Nixa or Springfield Missouri? I have enjoyed shooting my flintlock 50cal Rifle and my cap and ball pistol. Is there a group or shooting range near me where I can continue to enjoy this hobby?

    1. We are located about 90 minutes east of Springfield, MO in Dixon MO. Kickapoo Trace Muzzleloaders. You can find us on Facebook or contact me directly at billjlindsey@yahoo.com or at 573-855-7343 for more details. We do a monthly match, participate in Old Settlers Day (Waynesville, MO) and travel to a few Rendevous each year. Club has a primitive cabin and more modern cabin for cooking at our special events. We do an annual squirrel hunt on the club property as part of our Thanksgiving feast. We sometimes travel to other monthly shoots in Missouri. Great group of friendly folks at the club with a lot of knowledge in blackpowder, forging, etc. Some people come down and camp for the weekend. Club sits on 80 acres with everything available. We host Boy Scout camp out, annual fun day for the public, and are preparing to host 4H muzzleloader shooters.

  3. Just found out about your club at the Pacific gun show today. Do you guys allow black powder revolver shooting at your range? Just getting into this and would like to meet someone who knows more about this than me. Just want to be safe. I have never shot any black powder guns yet. Inherited the pistol from a relative. I am not a newcomer to shooting. I am 74 years old and have been shooting since I was 12. I live in the Eureka area. Thanks for any input.

    1. Good to meet you Jim. Yes we do shoot black powder pistols and rifles at our range. We would be happy to show you how to shoot black powder. We have our Annual Meeting at the Eureka Fire Department Education building next to the prison. The meeting is on February 12th at 1pm if you would like to attend.

Leave a Comment