Sweet Home Alabama....

[TenDriver]

The Arab range is a good place to shoot.

The Madison Guns location in HSV has already closed up shop. I bought a shotgun there last year and though the place was OK. Good CS and they were happy to negotiate on the price. I've had good service in JC's as well, but I've only bought ammo there.

 

[wundudnee]

My son lives near Huntsville (Woodville), about 20 miles East of Huntsville. He works for the DOD on Redstone. I love it around Huntsville, a mix of native Alabamans and a lot of outsiders. It's a good mix, you end up with a lot of educated rednecks, and I don't mean that in a bad way. You have to get to Larry's, If you haven't been there yet. I try to get in there every time I'm down there visiting. Also, Swan lake is a very nice and handy range. I have shot there with my son. I think you will be very happy with the gun culture in Alabama.

Here are a couple pictures I took at Swan creek.





Huntsville area has a lot of nice backstops, they call them mountains. Here my son is shooting on his place. The target is to the left of the buildings.





Here's the target.

 

[22-rimfire]

Madison Guns, either in Hsv. or in Madison, might be going or gone out of business, don't know, don't care. Low inventory, high prices and closed on Saturdays. Three strikes, you're out!

I visited Madison Guns in Madison a couple months ago and was not impressed at all. Their prices were not very competitive.

Spent last week in Huntsville. First time I ever really drove around exploring. My observation.... you need a couple more Walmarts.

Look west for housing.

Heading to Gadsden tomorrow. Spending a lot more time in AL than I used to. I kind of like the state.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

a mix of native Alabamans and a lot of outsiders. It's a good mix, you end up with a lot of educated rednecks,

Yeah,it's amazing how much the outsiders learn in just a short while here.

 

[FTG-05]

Well, you don't have to worry about MGs anymore, they're either selling out or closed their (2) stores.


Good luck.

 

[Doc Savage]

Well, you don't have to worry about MGs anymore, they're either selling out or closed their (2) stores.

Can't say they will be missed. Did give them a chance when I got my Hipoint 9mm. Only went with them because Larry's was out and the guys I talked to when I was ready to buy didn't seem interested in ordering one for me. Prices were high and not much stock. Really like Larry's for my guns.

- JC's Guns in Huntsville. 100% negative reputation from everyone I've talked to about them going back almost 20 years.

Gotta disagree with this one. I've had nothing but good luck with them. Haven't gotten a gun from them, but get 90% of my reloading supplies there. Decent prices and excellent service. I will say that just like Larry's it depends on who you talk to that makes for a good or bad experience. JC himself is great to deal wiith, don't care too much for one of the other dudes there. Got a couple I avoid at Larry's also.

Bow stuff I'd have recommended Wylie's before they closed the Huntsville store. Never been to the one in Decatur, but the Huntsville store used to have an indoor archery range.

Do most of my shooting at Swan Creek. Rarely at Skyline. Both are equal distant from me but Swan Creek seems closer and is bigger, Skyline has a longer range though.

Welcome to Hsv, been here 26 years now.

Robert

 

[mdauben]

Lots of us from HSV here on the forum! THR range time might be in order.

I would be all over that if someone wanted to put something together. I've been here a couple years but never really managed to connect with any other local shooters. A THR get together at Swan Creek or even Skyline would be great.

Well, you don't have to worry about MGs anymore, they're either selling out or closed their (2) stores.

Sorry to hear that. I never bought much from the Madsion store and as others have said their prices and selection were never that great, but I always hate to see another gun store closing their doors.

 

[FTG-05]

Gotta disagree with this one. I've had nothing but good luck with them. Haven't gotten a gun from them, but get 90% of my reloading supplies there. Decent prices and excellent service. I will say that just like Larry's it depends on who you talk to that makes for a good or bad experience. JC himself is great to deal wiith, don't care too much for one of the other dudes there. Got a couple I avoid at Larry's also.

Glad you had a good experience with JC's. After +20 years in the North Alabama area, you're the first I've heard of.

Of course, I may have to back track on my words above. That GD Larry hasn't come up with a Smith 329PD in the last 3 weeks and I'm getting tired of waiting - I want my pig pistol!!!!

 

[smince]

Until recently Alabama wasn't very NFA friendly but that has changed somewhat.

Well, they allowed everything except short-barreled rifles and shotguns. I still call that NFA friendly, especially compared to many other states.

But we can have SBR/SBS as of last year

 

[jonboynumba1]

In Hunysville there is a good indoor range at Larry's Pistol and pawn on university (main shopping drag) The store has a lot...they have a crappy attitude and fail in the friendly and customer service areas...but you can occassionally find some great deals there....my wife and I like to use the range there when it's "Alabama HOT" outside at our local range...then I reccomend Carabbas if you like Itallian http://carrabbas.com/our-menu/ http://www.cheeburger.com/locations/alabama.asp if you want a good burger and fires and real milkshake after shooting or for the $$$ Papa Gyros (greek gyros....SOOO good and not much more than fast food!) We make a whole afternoon of the shooting eating and shopping thing...also there is a KILLER knife shop in the mall...upstairs from William Sonoma (where my wife goes while I drool over knives) It's not a bad town to spend money in...plenty of good places to eat...don't know of any good rifle ranges.

 

[TenDriver]

Some guys in Larry's are better than others.

I bought an XL-7 there with a cheap scope. Had it dialed in very well, then it blew a seal out of it. I took the rifle back in with the intention of buying a new scope and having it bore sighted. I left with a new cheap scope, total cost to me was 8 rounds to sight it back in.

Bought a .22 revolver in there that wouldn't shoot straight (found out when I went back to the range). They swapped it for a Heritage. When he opened up the box to get the SN, it was the higher priced adjustable sight model. He let me have it anyway.

My dad bought some ammo for me in there I ended up not being able to use. They don't accept ammo returns, but traded me for ammo I could use. One or two of the sales people may not be the friendliest people on the planet, but I can't complain one bit about the CS there.

I've never had any sort of problem with Larry's that hasn't been resolved beyond my satisfaction. You just have to keep in mind when shopping there that it is a busy store, and you may have to wait for help.


I'm trying to plan one shooting day per month at Swan Creek. Will post the next time I'm headed out and hopefully we'll have some folks show up as well. I encourage all of you to do the same!

 

[Monkeyleg]

I'm trying to plan one shooting day per month at Swan Creek. Will post the next time I'm headed out and hopefully we'll have some folks show up as well. I encourage all of you to do the same!

I'll be watching for that. I'm new to the area, and haven't met any shooters yet (other than chatting for a few minutes with some strangers at the ranges).

 

[GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL]

Borned and raised in and right outside of Huntsville. (Owens Cross Roads and Big Cove [now called Hampton Cove I believe] and Gurley..Sure shot many a squirrel and rabbit and 'coon back then. (helping my family put meat on the table for us hungry children)..Bought me some acreage and moved to Wyoming several years ago. (very rural)..I just don't think I could ever live in Alabama again especially with their screwed up gun laws. Way out here I'm free.. Just to make sure I'm free and that I stay free the Governor pf Wyoming signed the bill yesterday I think it was. Take's effect this coming July 1st. Get's mighty damn cold out here on these high plains with that wind and snow and ice screaming through....

 

[jimmyraythomason]

screwed up gun laws.

Which screwed up gun laws would those be?

 

[GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL]

More than I feel like listing right off hand. Can't carry a loaded gun in your vehicle. Firearm and ammo must be kept separate. Can't do this, can't do that. Lot of damn trouble to get a CCP. I got one right after I got out of the Marines and swapped it in and got another one when I got to Wyoming although most of the time up here I just buckle it on and tie it down and go on about my business. July the 1st I will piss on the CCP and then pour some gasoline or lighter fluid on it and burn it up....

 

[Tommygunn]

Which screwed up gun laws would those be?

+1. I don't think our gun laws are all that bad. I used to live in Connecticut and while some people might think Ct. laws are OK, I think they're "screwed up."

 

[Tommygunn]

Can't carry a loaded gun in your vehicle. Firearm and ammo must be kept separate. Can't do this, can't do that. Lot of damn trouble to get a CCP. I got one right after I got out of the Marines and swapped it in and got another one when I got to Wyoming although most of the time I just buckeled it on and tied it down and went on about my business. July the 1st I will piss on the CCP and then pour some gasoline or lighter fluid on it and burn it up....

You posted as I typed.
I have no trouble keeping a loaded gun in my car. You need a concealed carry permit, which was easy enough for me to get; I dropped into Morgan County Sheriff department, had a photo done, paid $20.00 and walked out with it. You reapply every year and it is done by mail -- they send you a reminder form.

 

[GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL]

I didn't have any trouble keeping a loaded gun in my pickup truck either after I got the CCP (concealed carry permit). Never answered so many questions in my life and then they still made me wait 6 months as a 'cooling off period' and then got mad because I wouldn't go to work for them. (Madison Cty. Sheriff's Dept.)..Oh, not talking bad about Alabama. Inside of me I'm still a Alabama boy. (You can get them out of Alabama but you can't get Alabama out of them)....Best I remember Morgan Cty. start's right across the river there....

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Can't carry a loaded gun in your vehicle. Firearm and ammo must be kept separate.

Not true and hasn't been. A pistol permit is reqired for in the vehicle and on property not your own. Alabama is a may issue state but a permit is not required for open carry. In my county a permit costs $20,not photo and no fingerprints. No magazine restrictions (except for WMAs and migratory bird hunting),no waiting period for purchases,no limit on purchases. No stupid FOID no purchase permit requirements,no CLEO approval for purchases. I think our gun laws are pretty lax compared to many states.

 

[GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL]

Sir, I think you need to read EVERYTHING I said and read it more carefully. You are mistakenly insinuating that I said something I did NOT say and are implying that I said and/or meant something that I did NOT imply. Have a good evening. I have nothing else to say on the matter....Just thank God you don't live in new york or chicago!!!!.I know I do every day!....

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I was addressing your post #40. Apparently you posted #43 as I was writing.

 

[smince]

Never answered so many questions in my life and then they still made me wait 6 months as a 'cooling off period'

A lot may depend on the county, the sheriff, and the applicants attitude.

In 1983 when I got my first permit, took me all of 10 minutes and $10. I just renew it yearly at the S.O. ($25 now) and go about my business.

But I do agree - I wish we had the Constitutional carry that WY, AZ and a few others have. I think it may be a while before it catches on in other states.

 

[GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL]

Well, I had a good atitude and all. I had just came in from 'over there' and I think they were worried about me losing my temper and pulling the firearm out and maybe going crazy. The question and answer period didn't really take long and they were very nice. They assured me that I would get the permit but they preferred me to wait until I had 'adjusted' a bit. I did get one with no problem after the cooling off period. But hell, sitting here thinking, I can't remember carrying one concealed on my person the entire time I was in Alabama. Kept a loaded Marlin .45-70 Lever Action in my truck (removed it and brought it in the house with me at night to keep it from being stolen and maybe mis-used) and a Ruger Single Action .41 Mag. Got away from all of that stuff years and years ago. I haven't fired a modern cased firearm in a long long time except when I had to go to the range as per orders from my superiors. I'm certainly armed 24 hours a day and usually with a primary and at least one backup. I think besides Wyoming there are 3 other states that currently have it. I know Alaska is one of them and I can just about guarantee you that although several other states are trying to get it and some of them eventually will, Alabama will never be one of them that get's it....

 

[UniversalFrost]

thanks for the info guys.

when did they change the regs for guns on post? I just picked up a copy of the 2010 hunting regs for on post and it mentioned shotguns with slugs for deer and shotguns with shot size restrictions for turkey, waterfowl, etc....

if it is archery only, no problem since I have been bow hunting since I was 10 and have more archery deer kills than rifle/shotguns.

 

[smince]

Alabama will never be one of them that get's it....

Maybe, maybe not. That was the thought behind getting SBR/SBS's legalized for years. All it really took was a letter to the right Congressman to get the ball rolling.

Hope you enjoy a long stay in Wyoming...

Excuse me, I have another letter to write