Best Area In The Country To Shoot Competition?

[BOSKI]

Here is a great thread idea:

What city or area has the most active USPSA or IDPA clubs?

My area (Sacramento, CA), has seven clubs within an hour and a half drive. Two of those are major clubs that hold GSSF and Major USPSA matches. Even though we are in "California" and I get to read all the negative comments about the state, the shooting community is fairly strong.

What do you think is the best area to shoot competition?

[Custom Glock Racing]

The Phoenix Area is fantastic for competing. 4-8 matches a week within 40 minute drive. USPSA, IDPA, GSSF, Steel. Plus Cowboy, ICORE and Single Stack matches. One club alone has 17 matches a month if I recall correctly. Adiitionally you get to shoot against some of the best in the game like Burkett, Leatham, Hobdell, Enos and Golembieski.

matt

[BOSKI]

That is impressive. How do matches run in the heat? Is it you just shoot early and end early or do you just get use to it?

[AKelly]

And here I was just getting over feeling sorry for myself because that transfer to AZ. fell through. Thanks for bringing up the pain again Matt.;1 Just kidding! Don't forget the multiple Glock Accessory Dealers in your area.

[9x45]

Boski, but we don't have to contend with weather in the Inland Empire. Within 2 hours are 13 clubs, 9 are within 1.5 hours. So there is a match every Saturday and Sunday and some weeknights. IPSC,3-gun, IDPA, GSSF, ICORE, SASS, Steel, Steel Challenge, Bullseye, Bianchi Cup. And some local, very talented shooters, Mike Dalton, Michael Voigt, JoJo Vidannes, KC Esubio to name a few.

Are you going to be at the State IDPA match?

[Custom Glock Racing]

THe matches are run in the morning or late afternoon/evening under the lights. Morning matches start at 8-9, earlier on the summer and you are done by 10-11 most days. Plus match fees are $8-13

matt

[BOSKI]

9X45;

I have yet to shoot IDPA. I am looking forward to trying it soon. Are you going to the Golden Bullet in Ione?

Boski

[BOSKI]

Matt;

It still has to be hot at 0900. We start at 0900 and by stage three or four its 90 to 95 degrees in the summertime here in Sacramento. God forbid we run long;P ;P ;P ;P

Andy

[Custom Glock Racing]

I used to live is CA and shot a lot at Ione, Richmond, Oakdale, Stockton etc. It is hot here but very very fry and it does actually make a difference.

If its 95 at 8 am its really quite cool for here so its not bad at all. Does not get bad till its above 110. I would rather shoot in 110 here than 100 in Ione.

matt

[BOSKI]

That says alot. When did you shoot at Ione? I shot there from 92 to 94. I shoot mostly at Targetmasters now.

I wonder if we ever shot together.

Boski

[Custom Glock Racing]

I shot in the valley from 96-01.

[Bongo]

I understand and agree with Matt that his area is hard to beat for amount and level of competitions. It also sounds like there are a few spots in CA whre similar scenarios can be found. However, the OR/WA area has many great matches, positive carry laws and a great environment to live in.

You can shoot/live in the mountains or the desert areas. If you live near Portland OR/Vancouver WA, you can get to 4 matches a month within a 100 mile radius, add a match in Bend OR, and the many matches in the Seattle area of WA and you can shoot as much as you want. There are no mid-week matches and only a handful of GMs but not having to deal with temps that go into the century mark can be a great asset.

Where I live now (near Raleigh/Durham NC) the area has a handful of strong clubs (both USPSA & IDPA) but the driving distance is greater if I want to shoot every weekend. I can get in 2 matches a month in 45 minutes (one way), 2-3 others that are around 2 hours (one way) and 3 IDPA matches under an hour each way. So, it's not bad, it's just that I have put over 18k on my car this past year.

[BOSKI]

Bongo;
Was the rain in Portland or Seattle an issue?

[VincentZ]

Houston, Texas also has A LOT of local USPSA, IDPA and other shooting clubs. I'm not up to speed with everything, but I know that there is some serious shotgun competition and at least some High Power and Cowboy Action shooting as well.

For IDPA related info a good source is
http://www.tacticalshooters.com/Announce.htm
Local clubs are running 2 IDPA sanctioned "state" level matches in the Houston are this year.

For USPSA related info a good source is
http://www.texassouthsection.com/SectionMemberClubs.htm
The USPSA "Space City Challenge" is hosted in the Houston area as well.

You can shoot something just about every day of the week and on weekends there is so much going on that you have to choose what you want to shoot because you can't go to them all. What a great problem to have! :)

[Bongo]

Originally posted by BOSKI
Bongo;
Was the rain in Portland or Seattle an issue?

Some people find it "depressing", some like the way it makes everything so green and lush. It didn't bother me, I fall somewhere in the middle. The clubs in the Columbia Cascade Section shot rain or shine. I don't remember any match being cancelled due to weather.

What's funny is that my wife convinced me that the weather would be better down here in NC but we get nearly as much rain (except for the present drought), more days of snow, more days with below freezing temps and many more days with above 90 temps (that part was expected).

I enjoyed the environment and weather of the Pacific Northwest, it fits me a lot better than the heat of AZ (my dad lives outside of Phoenix and it's friggin hot!) but if I were to strive to be a professional shooter, AZ would be the best place to train/compete.

[Menehune]

We have had some great matches here in the southeast. Area 6 is a great match to attend, Ga state is always fun. We have a few names here also, Todd Jarrett, Max Michel, who shoots often at local club matches. It is a blast to see him shoot, and a good guy. Nice having the Army Team in Columbus, and I am good freinds with a member of the AF shooting team, stationed at Robins AFB. A great pool of talent to watch and learn from.