TriggerT Posted November 16, 2003 Share Posted November 16, 2003 I used the search feature to see if this topic has already been posted, but didn't find anything. I wanted people's opinions on where is the best place, in the US, to live for USPSA type shooting? I have heard that the Austin TX area is really good, but I know areas of FL also have alot of shooters. Anybody know what area has THE MOST league, club level, or larger shoots during any given year? Maybe I can talk my wife into relocating Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlin Orr Posted November 16, 2003 Share Posted November 16, 2003 I have never shot around the Austin area but I know there are 4 or 5 clubs right around the Houston area. Lots of clubs in TX. Austin is a good place to live but has the traffic of a much larger city... Texas also has No State Income Tax! Lots of gun friendly people here also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeeper Posted November 16, 2003 Share Posted November 16, 2003 Phoenix is pretty good because a lot of the big dogs live there and shoot tuesday steel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmittyFL Posted November 16, 2003 Share Posted November 16, 2003 I know there are many places around the country with alot of shooting but I would think it is hard to beat the Tampa area. I know it was a factor in me moving here. We have 7 monthly matches within 2 hr drive, a "mini" match every Tues. and Fri. nights. And if you want to drive further the east coast and south Fl have a plenty of shooting also. www.tbpc.org Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Di Vita Posted November 16, 2003 Share Posted November 16, 2003 Florida is starting to look pretty good. Mid-Michigan is gread except for the weather. During the summer there is 1 IPSC match every weekend within 1.5 hour drive from me. If you want to shoot IDPA too, you can easily average 8 or more matches a month...all within a 2 hour drive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Ankeny Posted November 16, 2003 Share Posted November 16, 2003 On another forum I once saw a member post a very simple question, "How do I become a Master class shooter?" One of the better known GM shooters in the country replied, "Move to Arizona." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shred Posted November 16, 2003 Share Posted November 16, 2003 Austin's not a bad spot (I live there), but even we ask "where would be the best place to live to shoot a lot?" (in fact, we asked that today on the way to a match). We've got 3 IPSC matches a month within a 1 hour drive, 3 more within 2 hours, plus a 3-4 more steel and IDPA matches, but nothing weekly since the demise of Tuesday-night bowling pins. We do shoot year-round, which is a big plus. AZ, FL and SoCal all have that going for them as well. VA might also be a good spot-- lots of good shooters at matches there, but I think AZ still wins, especially if you consider the facilities and talent density. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricW Posted November 17, 2003 Share Posted November 17, 2003 The Phoenix/Scottsdale area is practically a shooter's Mecca. AZ would be my first stop if I wanted to shoot among giants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Posted November 17, 2003 Share Posted November 17, 2003 In order, the places I would move to from Kalifornia if IPSC shooting options were the deciding factor. This list is biased to the western US. Phoenix, AZ Las Vegas, NV Boise, ID Bend, OR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tombstone Tactical Posted November 17, 2003 Share Posted November 17, 2003 Mesa by far. Tues nite steel, 140-160 shooters .2 or 3 matches a week. Pima Pistol Club North of Tucson, is 1hr25min away. IPSC 1 and 3rd Sun. Steel 2nd. IDPA 4th, and if there is a 5th sun. in the month, we host the best 3-gun in the state. Some matches we have 75 shooters.Mesa has 2 gun 2nd Sat, high power of every kind, and as they said, The Best Of The Best live there. Where else can you shot in shorts in Dec. TT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheOtherErik Posted November 17, 2003 Share Posted November 17, 2003 I don't live there but looks like western washington area has alot of clubs. I may have a possible relocation to that area in about a year or so. California still has the most GMs and Ms. Texas is a close second, followed by AZ and FL. class summary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAZZ Posted November 17, 2003 Share Posted November 17, 2003 WOW...5, 6 and 7 local matches in one month in some areas!? Do some of you guys actually get to shoot that much? Man, I'm lucky if I can make 5 monthly matches a year. Maybe I need a new job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sincityshooter Posted November 17, 2003 Share Posted November 17, 2003 We have it pretty good over here in Vegas. If I wasn't here I would say that Mesa would be my next choice. I'm not sure on any of the other 12 month fair climate destinations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TriggerT Posted November 17, 2003 Author Share Posted November 17, 2003 Hmm....Lots of good reply's, thanks. I guess I don't have it too bad here in northern IL. During the summer, I can go to 4 to 5 matches per month, and there is a Thursday night league only 15 minutes from my house. Still, the winters slow down WAY too much. AZ sounds pretty solid. Thanks for all the great info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimel Posted November 18, 2003 Share Posted November 18, 2003 Boise Idaho? Only matches 2 per month that I know of: Emmett & Nampa. Nothing against the area. I grew up down there, have a ton of friends and family in the area and would move back in a heartbeat if I had a decent job offer down there but it wouldn't be for the matches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDave Posted November 18, 2003 Share Posted November 18, 2003 Simply b/c of the winter weather, I'd pick Pheonix/Tempe. Spend $25, attend 4 (I think) "combat" matches at Rio Solado and get a key to the target shed. Its a beautiful thing. The summers are a mutha...... though. Because I'm partial to the midwest, there are two very good choices. First, I'd pick Louisville, KY. There is a match within 1 hr's drive nearly every weekend, and on some matches you can shoot two. Second, Columbus, OH. Again, you are within spitting distance of several high quality matches (just ask Flex, Steve Anderson or BrianH, among others). I got my start in practical shooting in Houston. That place is awesome. During the summer, you really can shoot 3-4 matches a week. Yes, per week. Yes, they don't have state income tax. But if you are seriously considering moving, and I'm sorry if this sounds corny, check on what is available for homeowners insurance, and if you can get it, what the cost is. This may sound trivial to many, especially if you don't live there, but it is a harsh reality for some (perhaps not all) who live there, especially in the Houston area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skeeter Posted November 18, 2003 Share Posted November 18, 2003 central indiana aint bad we have 5 clubs within 2 hours from my house. if i'm willing to go 3 i can get to 3 more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlos Posted November 18, 2003 Share Posted November 18, 2003 Want to shoot with the best of the best? Area 8. Phil Strader & TJ live in VA as does revolver guru Rudy Waldinger and J.J. Racaza lives (I believe) in PA or someplace nearby. We also HAD forum member & Production powerhouse Eric Lund until last year & rising Junior star BJ Norris is here too. CA may have more people but as a percentage of active shooters, I think you might find more GMs & Ms around here. Then again, I am biased & based in Area 8. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redmercury2 Posted November 18, 2003 Share Posted November 18, 2003 i moved to MESA to compete and have had no regrets! cept that TGO guy always whoops ass! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDean Posted November 18, 2003 Share Posted November 18, 2003 Ya, we shoot every Sunday here in the Seattle area. .....and we're all very poor to prove it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellyn Posted November 18, 2003 Share Posted November 18, 2003 redmecury2 is right. I just got scalped by TGO on Sunday. I have to agree with the comments about Phoenix/Mesa. We've got Dillon. We've got Area 2. We've got Mystery Mountain 3 Gun. We've got Don Golembieski and Accuracy Speaks. We've got a host of GMs including TGO, Brian, our gracious host, Matt Burkett, and many others. We've got the fabulous Pima pistol club an 1+ hour away to the south. We've got Rio Salado and Cactus Combat League not to mention South Mountain. Gunsite is an hour and half to north. You can't do better than here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benos Posted November 19, 2003 Share Posted November 19, 2003 Yes, kellyn broke it down - move to the Phx area, and set up base camp near Rio Salado. Haven't seen a better club anywhere. be Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigbadaboom Posted November 20, 2003 Share Posted November 20, 2003 I would have to say central Florida ( Orlando area ) . There is a match within 2 hrs. every Sat. and Sun., Our Orlando range has a 3 gun every 5th Sat., A couple of these ranges even have 3 gun matches every month. We have quite a few big shooters down here also, there's a monthly match at Frank Garcia's place and we have Armando Valdes, and Paul Whitacre just to name a couple and Chris Tilley along with a lot of other GM's always shoot our state, area, and Fl. open matches. We shoot year-round and it is very rare that I show up to a match that has fewer than 25-30 shooters. OH! There's also the fact that Fl. is a very Pro-gun state. Man, I love this place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blake Miguez Posted November 20, 2003 Share Posted November 20, 2003 I agree with Enos. The Phoenix/Scottsdale areas is definetly the best place to live for IPSC shooting. The attendance to tuesday night steel amazes me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhgtyre Posted November 20, 2003 Share Posted November 20, 2003 I agree with Enos. The Phoenix/Scottsdale areas is definetly the best place to live for IPSC shooting. The attendance to tuesday night steel amazes me. I'll toss in another vote for the Phoenix area. You are right about Tuesday Night Steel. 125+ shooters every week and usually its more like 140. A buddy recently described the match director as a "steel genius" and I think he is right. The weekend matches are all pretty good too. In one weekend of the month you can shoot in the morning, if you play IDPA, USPSA in the afternoon, a .22 steel match Sunday, and then haul ass to South Mountain for an all shotgun match. That is just that one weekend. All the others have matches as well. It is great to be here! -ld Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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