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For about two years (or is it three) we've been members of Bayou Rifles and have absolutely been very happy with the club... but the end of the year is coming along and we'd really like to shoot IDPA-style for a change. Not being able to draw or move while pistol shooting at Bayou Rifles is a problem.... and I'm getting a hankering to better my personal protection skills with some IDPA shooting (plus the plate shooting and was it called the "Texas Star"? looks like a lot of fun!)
So I'm at a quandary; Bayou Rifles in Juliff is closer (we live in Sugar Land) and PSC is in Friendswood (a longer drive). Do I shoot enough to pony-up to be a member of BOTH clubs? Sometimes, sometimes not.
Should I just continue to draw in front of a mirror at home (not very realistic) or should I join PSC and train in a more realistic fashion (and spend more time driving)?
Has anyone in the forum been a member of both clubs? I see at PSC they have orientation classes 2 or 3 times a month... does that include a full tour?
I do love Bayou Rifles for the long gun ranges... but I really feel the need to do some PD exercises and training and it appears that PSC would be a good choice for that. What do you guys think? Your input is much appreciated.

kirock7 wrote: Should I just continue to draw in front of a mirror at home (not very realistic) or should I join PSC and train in a more realistic fashion

i'm not a member of either , but i have seen what PSC has to offer.
it sounds like you may have gotten all you can get out of Bayou Rifles other than just some straight forward target shooting.

i think you may have already made up your mind for yourself and just need a friendly little push to get you to the next level .
something that important to you is worth driving a little further IMO.

you asked for input .

If you like the long ranges, remember you do not have to be a club member to shoot the matches - they are open to everyone. Match fee is $20 instead of $15, but even if you shoot both mid-range and long-range, that's 24 matches a year at $5 each, $120 is still less than $140.

The only way to get rid of the rule against drawing and firing is to get the board to vote on it - and that will be effective when the composition of the board changes. You are far from the only member who dislikes that rule.

If you have been a Bayou Rifles member for two years, you are eligible to run for a spot on the board. No guarantees, but for years we struggled to get the idea of having a web site accepted. Once a couple of obstacles were out of the way, the web site was launched and it has been super! Changes can be made - slow but steady.

I can't help you decide, but I think it is a matter of what kind of shooting you want to do. If defensive pistol takes precedence over rifle, and PSC is close enough, there's your answer.

If you decide not to renew at Bayou, ask for a "demit" - it is given if someone moves away or can't continue their membership for some valid reason (e.g. tight economic times) - and waives the initiation fee when they move back to Houston or are able to re-join for whatever reason. So - you can renew with little or no penalty. Just a thought.

Regards,
Andrew

Very helpful, guys. Thanks for the input Andrew, if (and I still say "if") I switch clubs I'll see about requesting a "demit" from the good folks at Bayou Rifles.
Does the PSC or any of it's members offer PD training on site like Hot Wells does? That would be a great selling point for me, but I don't see it mentioned on the site (although matches are mentioned of course).

You realize that if I were to opt for PSC and since my in-laws live in Alvin, I'll be having to drop the wife off at her Mom's house every time I go... and then making the sojourn to the range by myself. That's a hitch in my evil plan, since it's hard enough to get her to go with me to Juliff to shoot (unless we're shooting her Marlin 60 or the Para SKS. Ha!) and would be darn near impossible to get her to go shooting with me so close to "mom".

Edit: Just read up on the 2009 TexasCHLforum Day at PSC... apparently those are the types of training clinics I've been looking for... but are they a regular occurrence or was this only an occasional event?

You don't have to be a member of PSC to shoot the IDPA (or USPSA,steel challenge etc) matches. Come on out to the November match on the 4th Saturday (28th) and bring your pistol, holster, at least 3 magazines (6 better), eye and hearing protection, 150-200 rounds of ammo, $18 and I promise you an extremely enjoyable and educational morning(you won't believe how much you will learn about using a pistol).

There are several schools in Houston area for advance pistol training like http://www.hoffners.com/ .

I would recommend Gordon Carrell's classes http://glcshootingacademy.com for any advanced pistol training related to competition.

I'm obviously biased, but if you want to practice "practical" pistol and not just shoot matches, then PSC seems like a perfect fit.

Chas.

SRVA does an IDPA class for men about 4 times a year at PSC. He will be doing a class the first Saturday of December if you are interested. You don't have to be a member to try out his class. The fee is $15. The class runs from 9AM to noon.

I would become a member of both if you have the funds. If not PSC offers everything!!!

PSC is the only club for me.

CompVest wrote:SRVA does an IDPA class for men about 4 times a year at PSC. He will be doing a class the first Saturday of December if you are interested. You don't have to be a member to try out his class. The fee is $15. The class runs from 9AM to noon.

I would become a member of both if you have the funds. If not PSC offers everything!!!

Excuse my ignorance, but who is SRVA? And $15 for a three hour IDPA class? That's a heck of a bargain! I am most definitely interested!

kirock7 wrote:

CompVest wrote:SRVA does an IDPA class for men about 4 times a year at PSC. He will be doing a class the first Saturday of December if you are interested. You don't have to be a member to try out his class. The fee is $15. The class runs from 9AM to noon.

I would become a member of both if you have the funds. If not PSC offers everything!!!

Excuse my ignorance, but who is SRVA? And $15 for a three hour IDPA class? That's a heck of a bargain! I am most definitely interested!

SRVA is Mr. Compvest and an EXCELLENT instructor and speaker (as is Compvest.) They are both VERY knowledgeable and extremely good marksmen. I would highly recommend attending any classes either one are teaching or seminars they are speaking at!

Keith B wrote:They are both VERY knowledgeable and extremely good marksmen. I would highly recommend attending any classes either one are teaching or seminars they are speaking at!

+1

Charles L. Cotton wrote:I'm obviously biased, but if you want to practice "practical" pistol and not just shoot matches, then PSC seems like a perfect fit.

Chas.

Pm sent, Charles.