moving back to NC soon want advice/info

[Detritus]

After 16 years away, it looks like I will be moving back to central NC later this year.
along with all of the various other concerns related to such a change, I would like to gather as much information as I can about not only current USPSA clubs in the area but also suggestions for what gun clubs / ranges to look into possibly joining and what each provides in the way of various disciplines etc.


bear with me while I go through my thoughts here in the hopes that they help clarify what I hope to find...

• most likely will be moving back to the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area but not entirely sure yet, depends on where I find work.
• I spent 16 years of my life (1st-12th grade + 4yrs) in Durham, but since i never really went past the basics re: firearms until the last 18 months to two years i was there, my knowlege of things like the purchase permit system/process for handguns is limited
• the only what you might call "Organized ranges" I ever visited in thos 16 years were The Range in Oxford, at the time Mr. Glover offered memberships to folk to shoot there during times when the range wasn't set or in use for a match, and Sir Walter Gun Club in Creedmoor (once). so I don't know anything about what's out there and at what cost any more.
• In addition to a refresher on basic things like Where to shoot, current gun law (including Concealed Carry), and where the good gun stores are. I am also looking for info on where to find certain Competition types, Specifically USPSA/IPSC (IDPA is currently secondary for me), CMP Garand matches, F-class, and for later various black Powder goings on (BPCR Silhouette, and various Muzzleloader doings)

anyway, that is what has been running through my mind for half the day. I'm sure something else will come to mind as well, if not of it's own accord then in response to the info you kind folk are able to provide. thank you in advance for any info you choose to share, it is always welcome.

 

[hammerklavier]

There is also Durham pistol and rifle club, and Durham county wildlife club (mostly shotgun, but they have a range), and wake county firearms training center in southern wake,a very nice indoor facility.

Least hassle way for Durham residents to buy is to first get a concealed handgun permit, that will act as your purchase permit. Durham no longer has a gun registry.

 

[bottom shelf]

We'll be happy to have you back.

Sir Walter is still a very nice place to be a member. Best gun shop in the area is Fuquay Gun and Gold. There are several other good shops too, but that's my favorite.

While you were gone, a County Range opened in Holly springs. It's indoor, but handguns to 50 yards, and rifles to 100 yards. No shop is associated with the range, so you need to bring everything you'll need.

 

[MrBorland]

Welcome back.

There are a number of clubs in the area, but AFAIK, there are fairly long waiting lists to get in.

I'm a member of Caswell Ranch. It's not a country club environment, but there are no club politics, either, and it's got pistol bays where you can runNgun, a 300Y rifle range, no wait list, and a very reasonable membership fee. They used to hold excellent IDPA matches, then stopped, but will start holding one per month again. All things considered, if you're interested in shooting USPSA (or IDPA) and practicing for it, it's likely your best bet.

The Range in Oxford holds outstanding matches. I don't think Frank accepts open memberships any longer, but I think will let those who regularly shoot matches there to buy a membership.

There are a lot of match shooting opportunities here in many disciplines. Check out the calendars for Caswell, The Range, Sir Walter, Durham Pistol & Rifle. I haven't shot USPSA in a while, but the matches I shot at Sir Walter were top-notch. "Woody's" also hosts top-notch tactical precision rifle matches - in fact, there's typically a waiting list to shoot one of his matches, and I'm told big dogs from Bragg and Benning show up. Also check out FrontLineDefense for tactical precision rifle matches. There are also opportunities to shoot F-class & High Power rifle matches at Camp Butner, or even practice for them the day before. Check out North State Shooting Club's calendar for this.

If you're willing to travel an hour or two either direction, there are plenty of other matches to be found.

 

[Detritus]

The Range in Oxford holds outstanding matches. I don't think Frank accepts open memberships any longer, but I think will let those who regularly shoot matches there to buy a membership.

I know that he let my dad re-join or whatever you want to call it, when he and mom moved back about 10 years ago. I just need to talk to Frank first opportunity I get after I get settled.
Whether I can become a regular at The Range or not I'll want/need to join somewhere like Sir Walter anyway. Only having one "Rifle-length" bay is a little bit of a downside for a shooter not completely pistol focused.


as a side note, when I visited last month it kind of surprised me how 15 years in Texas and Houston in particular has changed my outlook on driving distances and similar. especially when I did some searching in relation to my wife's concerns over finding certain hobby resources in the new area. things that I would have considered a long way to drive to get to back when I lived in Durham, now seem like a nice outing or even a regular errand distance.

 

[MrBorland]

I just need to talk to Frank first opportunity I get after I get settled.

That's what it really comes down to. His range, his rules.

Whether I can become a regular at The Range or not I'll want/need to join somewhere like Sir Walter anyway. Only having one "Rifle-length" bay is a little bit of a downside for a shooter not completely pistol focused.

Check out Caswell. It's much like The Range - sole proprietor (a former top competitor himself), and set up for runnin' and gunnin' with a handgun (as well as rimfire rifle or pistol caliber carbines). But it's also got a dedicated and covered 5-station 300Y rifle range. The limitations of the rifle range are 1) no steel 2) slow fire only and 3) not set up for prone shooting, though I shoot prone with a sling and my AR15 service rifle by laying on top of the bench. I'm thinking of rigging up a bigger piece of plywood to lay on top so I can shoot prone with a bolt gun & bipod.

Anyhow, if you can get into Sir Walter or DPRC, great, but I hear the waiting list is long. For someone interested in handgun competition while not being "completely pistol focused", Caswell's the best alternative, IMO. At least while you're waiting on Sir Walter or DPRC.

as a side note, when I visited last month it kind of surprised me how 15 years in Texas and Houston in particular has changed my outlook on driving distances and similar. especially when I did some searching in relation to my wife's concerns over finding certain hobby resources in the new area. things that I would have considered a long way to drive to get to back when I lived in Durham, now seem like a nice outing or even a regular errand distance.

I understand. I moved here from Dallas. Life's good here.

 

[Detritus]

first get a concealed handgun permit

What all is involved with this in NC (process to obtain and fees involved)? I know all the hoops etc we have to jump through here in TX right now for this. but for me personally it never came up before I left in '99.
In other words I have no idea if the NC CHL process is better or worse (read bigger PITA) than texas. though I have been told that the TX system is unnecessarily complex and costly.

 

[larryh1108]

Must read gun forum for NC shooters. It has all the answers plus...

http://www.ncgunowners.com/forum/index.php

Frontline Defense is growing and has a great following. He is pushing forward with his rifle ranges and should have a 1000 yard range open soon.

Central Carolina Gun Club is also taking memberships and is at the lower end of membership costs. They are out of Burlington.

http://centralcarolinagunclub.wildapricot.org/

Wake County has a nice Action Pistol match and a separate rifle match. It has a nice indoor range as well.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wake...ion-Pistol-Match/1479450158972916?sk=timeline

As has been mentioned, get your concealed pistol permit after the 30 day wait. This allows you to carry concealed, if you wish, and also allows you to buy a pistol or rifle without getting a pistol permit from your local sheriff. Walk in, pay for it and walk out.

http://www.ocsonc.com/index.html#!conceal-carry-permit-forms/cofi

To get the permit, you need to take an 8 hour course (about $75-$80) and then apply for the permit (another $80). The course covers the NC laws as well as gun safety and handling and also has a simple, live fire at the end.

There are a lot of good gun shops that can be found on the forum site listed above. If you reload, Acme Bullets in Graham offers a good reloading selection and will cast bullets to your specifications. Mace Sports in Burlington is a nice sized store with a large selection of new inventory. There's no end to choices when you get back here, all within a short drive.

 

[Detritus]

Update and a shopping question

Well, I've made the move.

and at this point I have a couple of shooting related items near the top of my "things to do as soon as I secure employment" list.

First where in the triangle area is the most likely/best place to find a decent selection of powders? Specifically pistol powders suitable for .45acp, W231, IMR 700X, etc.

2nd I still need to find an affordable place to shoot. Even if I can get on at The Range as of right now it would only serve my pistol related needs. The Rifle lane has been indefinitely closed due to some numbskull deciding that they would shoot a TV while said TV was sitting in the back of one of Frank's range-prop vehicles!!
All previous suggestions for range locations are being considered, just looking for all the input I can get. after paying less than $200 a year for over 10 years in texas, the local dues most places are a bit... I guess pause inducing is appropriate.

again thanks in advance for any advice etc.

 

[benEzra]

Local USPSA and such:

http://www.ncsection.org/

 

[GoWolfpack]

There is a "powder in stock" thread at http://www.carolinashootersclub.com/