airforceblue7032 Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 I'm not sure where to post this question, but I wanted to get your thoughts on something regarding IDPA. I'm in the Air Force in will retire in the near future and I know shooting IDPA, Steel Matches and other types of pistol competition is something I want to be heavily involved in after I retire. Currently I'm shooting maybe twice a month due to other commitments. So, my question is: If you could move anywhere in the US where would you go that allowed the greatest opportunity to become a competition shooting junkie? I know this is a off the wall question and maybe I won't be able to get a good answer because there isn't. Best case would be to live near a top notch shooting range and be even closer to where the better state matches are hosted. What would you suggest? I'm sure state gun laws would play a factor as well. Sorry for such an off the wall question. Maybe someone else here wondered the same thing. Thanks in advance for your comments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harleytech Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Check out Central Florida. IDPA, USPSA, ICORE,high power rifle, Steel etc. Plus no state income tax. You can shoot every Saturday and Sunday somewhere within a one to two hour drive. Florida is also a "shall issue" CWP state. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
throttleup Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Arizona, Pheonix or Mesa area. On some weekends you can shoot 4 matches at different clubs and many shoot matches in the cool, clear, bugless evenings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuzinvinny Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 (edited) I currently live in Eastern PA, and can easily get to an IDPA, USPSA, ICORE, or steel match in less than one hour. PA is a "shall issue" state, however I worry about the encroachment of ridiculous gun laws from New York, New Jersey, and Maryland. The state is quite rural with the exception of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and more recently the Allentown area. The problem here is the democrat leanings of those 3 metropolitan areas, since they carry a bigger electorate. A big factor for me, as I approach retirement age, is the cold winters, and the accompanying snows. I recommend going south for the warm weather. Florida is quite appealing, although depending on the tax ramifications, the Carolina's are worth a look. Edited October 2, 2014 by cuzinvinny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent #1911 Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 (edited) Central Florida. also plenty of military bases nearby for your mil benefits. Edited October 2, 2014 by Agent #1911 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airforceblue7032 Posted October 2, 2014 Author Share Posted October 2, 2014 Thanks for all the comments. I would have to mention that I'm not a fan of living somewhere during the summer's where I melt every time I walk outside. So I'm not sure if Arizona is my bag. However, living too far north and freezing my butt off doesn't sound to good either. Maybe southern Colorado? Utah? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fmj3 Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 (edited) Colorado seems like a bad fit for a shooter. They ran Magpul off already and I expect it'll get worse for gun owners there before it gets better. Edited October 2, 2014 by fmj3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Had similar discussion just a few months ago - you might be able to locate that discussion. Turns out, after about 50 people responded with all the usual suggestions, the OP finally laid down some guidelines which were very personal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Living, I like Texas - shooting I'd go to Phoenix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 SW Ohio. USPSA every weekend. IDPA at least a few times a month. AND WPAFB! I'm retired Army and live north of Cincinnati. I am around 35 minutes from the base and three of the 4 USPSA matches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Watson Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 If climate is a big concern, you will need a winter home and a summer home. Or a motor home and become a snowbird. I don't think I have been anywhere that was comfortable year 'round. Except Hawaii and that is certainly not a shooter friendly environment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatJones Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Colorado seems like a bad fit for a shooter. They ran Magpul off already and I expect it'll get worse for gun owners there before it gets better.Really? How many areas have this many matches?http://www.ecouspsa.com/schedule.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger123 Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Vegas. Close to Nellis if you need AF anything. Close to Phoenix, Utah and Cali. Lots of matches and places to shoot. Cost of living is not too high. Flights in and out are inexpensive. Weather, except for the summer is good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KPIC24 Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Central NC we have a lot of matches each weekend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jester121 Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 After last week -- somewhere within driving distance of St George, UT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gahunter12 Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 NE Georgia around Winder, Monroe area. I live in Winder, Ga, and have 4 outdoor gun clubs with in 30-45min from home that shoot monthly IDPA, USPSA, and 3-Gun matches. I also have 5 indoor ranges that hold weekly indoor IDPA matches M-F within 20min-1hr. That not counting the other indoor matches, and outdoor matches on the west side of Ga. Also from Winder, Ga I can shoot IDPA at Skip J in South Carolina with a short 1.50hr drive. South River Gun Club has the largest monthly outdoor IDPA matches drawing 70-100 shooters. SRGC is also a top notch facility! I am really lucky to have a chance to shoot IDPA or USPSA almost nightly if I choose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elguapo Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 SW Ohio. USPSA every weekend. IDPA at least a few times a month. AND WPAFB! I'm retired Army and live north of Cincinnati. I am around 35 minutes from the base and three of the 4 USPSA matches. True that, but our winters do suck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunsAbout Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 St. George, Utah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neomet Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 Another vote for the Phoenix area. An insane number of matches and weather that allows you to pretty much shoot 12 months a year. Fair warning though.... there are a metric ton of amazingly good shooters here. Multiple national champions and a bunch of other premier level competitors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
56hawk Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 After last week -- somewhere within driving distance of St George, UT. That's for sure. As soon as I can find a job there I'm moving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino1 Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 Sorry to get off on a tangent on this thread. How does the 15 round mag capacity limit in Colorado affect the shooting sports? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remoandiris Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 Do what I should have done when I PCS'd to Fla after Germany; buy/live in an RV. Move to where you want/when you want, forces you to live clutter free, you can travel and experience matches all across the country while seeing first hand what we spent careers defending, and you get as much time as you want to find the "perfect" place to live. BTW, there are LOADS of RV parks (and other places) you can stay at for free in exchange for working 20 hrs a week. Thousands of people do that for 6 months up north then 6 months down south. Some jobs also offer pay as well as a free site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe D Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 NE Georgia around Winder, Monroe area. I live in Winder, Ga, and have 4 outdoor gun clubs with in 30-45min from home that shoot monthly IDPA, USPSA, and 3-Gun matches. I also have 5 indoor ranges that hold weekly indoor IDPA matches M-F within 20min-1hr. That not counting the other indoor matches, and outdoor matches on the west side of Ga. Also from Winder, Ga I can shoot IDPA at Skip J in South Carolina with a short 1.50hr drive. South River Gun Club has the largest monthly outdoor IDPA matches drawing 70-100 shooters. SRGC is also a top notch facility! I am really lucky to have a chance to shoot IDPA or USPSA almost nightly if I choose. I would tend to agree with your statement. I lived in ATL for 20 yrs. Belonged to GADPA,River Bend and South River. I most likely shot with you. The MAJOR downside to ATL is the traffic. Bad beyond belief. That's why we moved to Birmingham. Brock's Gap rivals South River. Birmingham has one of the best VA hospitals in the nation. BTDT many times. Winder is OK location wise. Buckhead sucked. Glad to get away from that rat race. We actually live in Hoover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjl Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 East Tennessee. Low cost of living. No income tax. Gun friendly culture/laws. Competitions close by every weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdawgbeav Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 Thanks for all the comments. I would have to mention that I'm not a fan of living somewhere during the summer's where I melt every time I walk outside. So I'm not sure if Arizona is my bag. However, living too far north and freezing my butt off doesn't sound to good either. Maybe southern Colorado? Utah? There are places in AZ where it's not as hot. Could look at living up in the mountains... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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