Looking for ranges in/near Charlotte, NC.

[crew590]

Hey folks, I'll be moving to the Charlotte, NC area in the next few months and was wondering if you had any suggestions for ranges in the area (mainly handgun). Also, are there any laws that you could point me to regarding handgun possession? Mainly I'm looking to see if I need to do anything special in order to bring my handguns with me (registration with sheriff/city PD, Concealed/Open carry on own property, things like that).

Thanks,

Jay

 

[funfaler]

http://http://www.appleseedinfo.org/

http://http://www.appleseedinfo.org/join_rwva.htm

There is RWVA in Ramseur, NC.

They are some good folks and the Appleseed program is really useful.

I can not say what their range is like or if there is much pistol shooting going on, you would have to do a little leg work.

Good luck, happy moving

 

[Tim Burke]

The Charlotte Rifle & Pistol Club in Waxhaw & Stallings, Shooters Express in Belmont just off of exit 27 on I-85, and Firepower in Matthews off of Monroe Rd, are all in the area.

 

[Citroen]

Try South Carolina

If you are moving to the Charlotte "area" and have a choice in which state to reside; do not locate in Mecklenburg County! Or, at least, review some copies of the local daily newspaper (very very liberal and anti-gun); check on the property taxes (city and county combined on just my home exceeds $5000 per year- same house was $3200 4 years ago) and what you receive for those dollars. Rent first and find out for yourself!

As to your questions, Charlotte Rifle and Pistol Club is a great organization - not much for action shooting though; Shooter's Express is in the next county, in Belmont, NC - just down I-85 maybe 30 minutes away; FirePower is in Matthews, NC - a bedroom community to Charlotte; I belong to a great club in South Carolina - Sportsman (803-366-3466) in the town of Newport - maybe 30 minutes from Charlotte. Indoor range with unlimited time for members and great people. Good gunsmith and fair prices, too.

North Carolina is an "open carry" state but the Charlotte Chief of Police (known as a social worker not a police officer) is very anti and even opposes the state CCP seeking to "limit" where citizens can carry.

I believe that West Virginia just recently agreed to reciprocity with NC but you might check to be certain.

If you have children in school, Ft. Mill, SC (less than 20 minutes from Charlotte) has one of the best school systems in the two states.

Hope that answered some of your questions.

John

 

[crew590]

I guess that I should clarify. I am headed back to school and will be renting throughout that time. I'm not sure what I'm doing after school, whether moving some else or what.

I believe that West Virginia just recently agreed to reciprocity with NC but you might check to be certain.

Yes, as far as I've found we do have reciprocity with NC and I am working on getting my CCL currently. Is this going to be a problem if Mecklenburg County is anti gun or do I just need to be very careful of where I go?

Thanks,

Jay

 

[Waitone]

Charlotte Pistol and Rifle Club is private requiring a member to sponsor your joining. Significant effort to make the cut, however the facilities are the best in the area. Outdoor range in Waxhaw has a plinking range, target pistol range, rifle range, and skeet/trap/clays. The club has the best indoor range in the area in Matthews (again private). I wonder if the Waxhaw location is still function since it sits right square in the mother of all residential developments. The club sponsors PPC shoots.

D&L in Monroe (pronounced mun' row) caters to LE. Has some indoor competition (east of CLT)

Shooter's Express in Belmont (west of CLT) has pretty good facilities (indoor)

Firepower in Matthews (indoor and I've heard they purchased an outdoor range) is about the friendliest bunch in the bidness. Definitely not your average gunstore types.

Statesville (30 miles North of CLT) competition shooting as do a number of small towns. For some reason competition shooting hasn't caught on big in the big city.

CLT is an entertaining place in which to live. The comedy channel (AKA city and county council) is an unending source of mirth and merriment. Crime is a major issue in that CLT LE management would rather be doing community service (I didn't say it; the police chief said it in response to a direct question). The district attorneys office is a pathetic, disgusting mess. The sheriff is a standup kinda guy. Seems to be the only LE politicol in CLT with any competents or integrity. Definitely out of place. The sheriff's office handles gun purchase permits and CCH applications. Charlotte is the 8th highest taxed city in the country. NC's governor is rate the second worse in the US, sandwiched between Grey Davis of California and Jim McGreevey of Noo Joisey. City and county councils spend money on literally everything having a bright and shiny <train or bus or building or coliseum or ball park or ad nauseum>. Enjoy your stay because you can at least walk away from it.

 

[crew590]

Crime is a major issue in that CLT LE management would rather be doing community service ... Charlotte is the 8th highest taxed city in the country. NC's governor is rate the second worse in the US, sandwiched between Grey Davis of California and Jim McGreevey of Noo Joisey. City and county councils spend money on literally everything having a bright and shiny <train or bus or building or coliseum or ball park or ad nauseum>. Enjoy your stay because you can at least walk away from it.

Did I miss this part in the travel pamphlet?

Like I said thank you for all your help and the info. I will be traveling down that way before too long and hope to have the chance to take a look at some of the places mentioned.

Jay

 

[Citroen]

Jay, depending on your choice of schools, UNCC is close to Concord and not too far from Statesville - There is an indoor range in Concord but I have not been there (only seen it from the street) but I have been in Cabarrus Creamy for some of the best ice cream you will taste!

Schools downtown (the new law school; Johnson & Wales culinary arts and CPCC) are pretty much accessible from anywhere but the area itself (in my opinion) is not very safe - especially after dark.

Mecklenburg itself is not necessarily anti-gun (I have not seen any of the "No Concealed Weapon" signs except on medical offices and hospitals) and you can review the state laws on this issue at packing.org. I suspect if you contact the Sheriff's office they would send you the sheet of paper they give applicants with the dos and don'ts. The biggie (for me) is the can't carry in places that serve alcohol - which means just about any restaurant - doesn't matter whether you drink or not and NC has no "51 percent" rule.

If you will be paying out of state tuition anyway, the downtown schools are an easy commute from South Carolina. I go the opposite direction just about every day as my office is in Rock Hill, SC but I live just off of I-485 in Charlotte. If you are going to UNCC then Concord or Statesville are better options.

If you want a "viabrant" (local chamber of commerce words, not mine) nightlife, you may enjoy living in downtown Charlotte and, with some luck, you may survive the experience.

Either way, if a place to shoot is important to you, stop in at some of the better local gun shops, Hyatt Gun Shop (704) 394-0387 on Wilkerson Blvd. (kind of a rough area!) and Carolina Sporting Arms
(704) 554-9511 on South Blvd. should be able to guide you to some of the local events and/or clubs.
If you will be driving down I-77 there is an excellent gun shop and range in North Wilkesboro (you will pass the proper exit - Highway 421) called Duncan's Gun Shop and Pawn. The owner, Mark Duncan was once a power in the competition field but I have no idea if he is still active. They have a website and are affiliated with Shooter's Express (the one in Belmont, NC) so you can check it out (if you can tone down the volume on their sound effects).

Unless they have changed, Charlotte Rifle and Pistol Club matches were open to the public and that would be a good way to meet area shooters.

I chose to go to Sportsman since I can run over there at lunch and the people are just as nice as can be - a lot like West Virginia people! Since it is in South Carolina, I can't buy a handgun there but can buy anything else and they have an excellent selection.

Drive carefully on your trip.

John