Northwest Houston?

[bburgi]

Anyone from the Northwest side Houston (around HWY 6 and 290)? I might be getting a job transfer over there within the next couple of months. Still a LOT of details to work out, so I'm not sure if it will happen, but I'd like to be prepared.

What's the housing market like right now? I know it's a buyer's market overall, but what's that area look like?

Let me know if anyone's around there and we can grab a beer if I come to check the area out.

And to keep it CHL/Gun-related... Any good shooting ranges near that area? I'd hate to move somewhere and have to drive forever just to shoot.

Brian
http://www.bburgi.com

[seamusTX]

You can go to http://wheretoshoot.org/Find_Range/index.asp and plug in the ZIP code 77065.

There are eight ranges within 15 miles, two of which have pretty good reputations, American Shooting Center and Top Gun.

That area is your basic suburbia. I don't know it well enough to comment otherwise.

- Jim

[stevie_d_64]

Saw this one listed, and about flipped a gasket...

University of Houston
4880 Calhoun Rd
Houston, TX 77204-0001
Last Modified: 2/23/2005 3:01:00 PM
Phone Information
• 281-749-1458 Main
Services
• Instruction Available



Wonder how this works???

[bdickens]

Traffic is absolute.... Well, let's just say it's considerably South of Heaven.

Housing is typical suburban yuppie.

Shiloh might be the closest range to you.

[seamusTX]

The University of Houston may be a law enforcement program.

College of the Mainland in Texas City has shooting courses and a range on campus.

It's a cliché to think that all institutions of higher education are anti-gun. Most police departments require a college degree in a law enforcement or criminal justice program, and someone has to offer those courses. Many colleges also have sport shooting teams. One of my relatives is on one at Louisiana State University.

- Jim

[T3hK1w1]

NW Houston has several good ranges, and a fair number of gun shops. A couple of ranges in the area.
Shiloh shooting range (indoor pistol range, very nice)
Hot Wells (outdoor rifle and pistol. Not a fancy place but I like it.)
There is even a reloading shop in the area. (www.10ring.com)

[legend]

The closest range to you is Hot Wells (Barker Cypress and 290). It's not the best, but it's close and about $7 per gun for all-day shooting. Shiloh is also supposed to be a great range, and MAYBE an additional 5miles further than hot wells (in a different direction). It's a little more expensive, but indoor, air conditioned, and I've heard the staff is superb.

I think the best area to live near there (Where I live) is Fairfield. They have houses from 150 - 1 million and some of the best schools. Of course, I'm sure I'm a little biased. :)

-Mike

[Skiprr]

Other than the Northworst Freeway, the area is great. That's why the population keeps growing out here.

Based on a Hwy 6 and 290 center, Hot Wells is the closest range. Fine for slow-fire pistol work, shotgun, and short to medium distance rifle. The Lamar family (yep; related to that Lamar from Republic of Texas history) owns Hot Wells and they're good people.

There is a short LEO range at Hot Wells. If you're a federal, state, or local law enforcement officer, talk to the Lamars; you'll be able to get relatively open access to this area for all your short-arm practice needs. If you're not law enforcement, look up Donovan Lamar and see about the 3-hour courses/drills he conducts on the LEO range on periodic weekends.

Next up is Shiloh, straight up FM 1960 just about a mile past 249. My vote for Best New Range in Texas! You just won't find any friendlier owners than the Sanford family. And the comfortable indoor range is a place where you'll want to hang out, have a cup of java, and chat. Instructional facilities upstairs, they have two range areas downstairs. If you're on your own dollar, there's no draw from holster. But--and I think we all owe them a huge round of applause for this--you may rapid fire. Just don't shoot the target hangers!

Too, they've done a great job of pumping up the organized activities in the relatively short time they've been open. Tuesday evening is basic tactical drills; Wednesday evening is advanced drills with Gregg Garrett; Thursday evening is indoor IDPA; Friday evening is Brian Hoffner's Elite Pistol Team drills. Pretty much a happenin' place!

Shiloh is also an FFL, and they have a nice selection of handguns. Speaking of dealers, my ol' buddy Jim Pruett has his store just about a mile north of 290 on Huffmeister. Lot of good stuff, and never a dull conversation with Professor Pruett. Stop in and say "hi" to Joy, Barry, and Eric, as well.

Memorial Oaks (or Memorial Shooting Center...I haven't done a good job of keeping up with the new name) is under new management, have revamped the facility, and is offering whole packages of defensive shooting instruction. I have no firsthand experience with them...yet. I plan to. They're just north of I-10 and just inside the Beltway.

About 20 miles west is The Impact Zone, Phil Oxley's outdoor range. A monthly 3-gun match, monthly and weekly IDPA matches (both West Houston IDPA and Impact IDPA), USPSA, and more activities that are open to the public. But it's primarily a private, membership range. Join, and you can setup and practice your own defensive/combat gunning scenarios on your own schedule.

Additionally, The Impact Zone hosts a variety of nationally recognized trainers throughout the year, including Hoffner, Gabe Suarez, and Gordon Carroll, among others.

Yesseree. We do have some lead slingin' opportunities in northwest Houston; yes we do.

[htxred]

I would like to welcome you to the northwest side of houston. Although i do not live there, but my day job and part time job is in the area. The willowbrook area has a lot going on with many restaurants and a mall all in one area. a great place to spend a thursday or friday night and just relax away from computers, numbers, and sometimes wives/gf/children/etc.

There is also a new outlet further up out of town on 290, a gander mountain, 2 academy sports stores and 2 walmarts. there is also a sam's club and a costco, all along 1960 at 290 down to 249.

There is a 24hr fitness at jones rd and 1960, along with a lifetime fitness down by willowbrook mall in the 1960 and 249 area. the other direction towards copperfield there is another 24hr fitness at 521 and hwy 6.

and there are plenty of taco hell and jack in the boxes for those late night cravings. if you're a wine guy, cellar 17 in the willowbrook area is a very social and happening place.

and as mentioned, shiloh indoor pistol range.

[CompVest]

If you are into IDPA, in The Greater Houston Area you can shoot an IDPA match everyday except Fridays!

[thankGod]

Yesseree. We do have some lead slingin' opportunities in northwest Houston; yes we do.

Very nice write-up Skiprr. (Another note of thanks for letting me get acquainted with your Kimbers)

The NW side of town is very nice. The school district you will be in obviously depends on where you choose to live. I'm in Katy ISD, but I'm surrounded by Cy-Fair ISD. There are some very nice sub-divisions, and they cross all price ranges.

Welcome to the area.

[Skiprr]

If you are into IDPA, in The Greater Houston Area you can shoot an IDPA match everyday except Fridays!

And, bburgi, I should mention that once you're on the northwest side, you also aren't too far from the amazing Thunder Tactical Shooters in Conroe! [Ahem; coughcough]

Ya know, I used to keep an Excel calendar of the training/shooting opportunities in the greater Houston area. Maybe I should think about putting that into a public Google calendar...

Very nice write-up Skiprr. (Another note of thanks for letting me get acquainted with your Kimbers).

Thank you. And any time. I still have an original series 1 you haven't shot yet.

[ShilohShooters]

Skippr, you get our vote for poster of the year.

[nedmoore]

The further north you go the better!