Moving to Houston in a week!

[Houston1944]

Not to get off topic but I am also curious as to why Collectors ask you to leave. I have always found them to be very knowledgeable and friendly. Yes they are on the high side but you can bargain with them on some items. I have purchased several guns from them during the past few years and never had a problem with how they handled the process.

[Venus Pax]

Welcome to Texas.
Take these guys up on their offers to go and shoot. They tend to have a general knowledge of everything gun-related.
I'll second PSC. If I didn't live so far off, I would join too. It's an excellent set-up. My uncle joined within the last six months and loves it.

I agree that Texas is a pain in the butt when it comes to obtaining the CHL. I believe our costs are the highest of any shall-issue state. Believe it or not, the Brady bunch is active here. Move, get settled in, join a range, and these guys can guide you through the process. Many of them are pros at it.
Again, welcome to the Lone Star State.

[G.C.Montgomery]

I'm off topic here for a bit...I've window shopped at Collectors for years and even purchased one or two guns from them. I've also purchased many parts and accessories there over the years with no problems. I've almost always haggled for a lower price on major items like guns because they really are overpriced most of the time.

There are times that certain staff almost seem to be inconvenienced by me seeking assistance. And of course, there have been employees who offered opinions based on a highly suspicious knowledge base or lack there of. But not once have I ever seen anyone asked to leave.

More recently, they have posted a sign at the door requesting "appropriate attire" or something to that affect. I was told this was directed at those who take the "hip-hop" style of dress to the "gangsta" extreme, complete with gold/platinum/jewelled "grilles," jailhouse tats, dark shades, and spinning pendants. Now the reality is, this appearance alone is not an indicator of criminal behavior. But, the fact is, there are a bunch of criminal who do dress in such a manner. And despite sticking out like a diamond in a goat's rear-end, these criminal do consider committing, and been known to commit, robberies and other major crimes while dressed in such a conspicuous manner.

When I first saw this sign, I had every expectation that I'd be told to leave on entry since I at least have a passing resemblance to the alleged target audience of that sign. I'm not known for dressing neatly when I'm away from the office. However, I was still recieved warmly by the folks I knew to be OK guys and still treated like dirt by the one or two jerks whose names I've never bothered to learn and never interact with anyway.

The point lurking here is, I too have to wonder why "Stupid" was asked to leave. At the same time, some of "Stupid's" posts make me wonder if I should really be asking "Why?" And by the way, why on Earth did you choose such a username? I generally reserve the term for people I have determined are wasting good oxygen and human skin that could be put to better use.

...Back on Topic. PSC is by far the best place I can recommend in the Friendswood/Clear Lake area. Other than that, you could always come north and west to the Galleria Area to shoot at Top Gun. It's not cheap at $15/hr/person but, it's one of the nicest indoor, air-conditioned ranges in this part of Texas. Air is cycled every 70 seconds through three stages, including HEPA filters so you don't generally have major issues with having to blow grey stuff out of your nose after a night of shooting.

We've got a league of shooters who shoot an informal IDPA type match on Thursday nights (7pm) and Sunday afternoon (4pm). Gregg Garrett of Comp-Tac, also puts on a sort of "clinic" on Tuesday night (7pm) where we work on whatever subject the gang had decided needs attention. So one night might be "battlefield pickup," another might be a lecture/presentation on legal issues or a new product, and then the following week could be a rifle or shotgun clinic. We try to discuss the week ahead in an onlne forum at tcht.net. Gregg also asks other "instructors" in the group to take over so it's not always Gregg leading the group. Charles Cotton was kind enough to do a lecture for us a while back and we'd surely love to have him come hang out again sometime.

[Skiprr]

I'm a 50-mile drive from Pearland Shoting Club. And even I'm tempted to join.

At least I get to shoot there once a month at IDPA matches.

Welcome to Texas.

[Stupid]

I was asking if they could match either gun show price or online price, which were about $400 cheaper on M4.

A few times I was there [Collectors Firearms], they told me to get out.

Do you mind if I ask what you did just before they told you to get out?

Perhaps he was asking Stupid questions.

[tomneal]

I am 40 miles away and I am the membership director. (I make it out there a couple of times a month.)

PSC has the best pistol shooting facilities in the Houston area. The other facilities are top notch.

We have reached that critical mass of members. There are enough to insure continued operation but not so many as to delay you getting a spot on the firing line.

If you have questions
feel free to contact me:

membership@psc-range.com

[stevie_d_64]

A few times I was there [Collectors Firearms], they told me to get out.

Do you mind if I ask what you did just before they told you to get out?

Perhaps he was asking Stupid questions.

Ouch...

[stevie_d_64]

I was asking if they could match either gun show price or online price, which were about $400 cheaper on M4.

A few times I was there [Collectors Firearms], they told me to get out.

Do you mind if I ask what you did just before they told you to get out?

Perhaps he was asking Stupid questions.

But seeing this, I have to agree that I do not think its improper to ask about matching an advertise rate between internet, gunshow or shop price...

But I don't think I would've expected anything but what you got if you asked for a $400 mark-down...$100-$150 tops, but not anymore than that...And if I did, I would have brought the ads for both or more conditions to show them what you saw...They're not going to take you seriously if you come in, say "I like that one" and you tell them you want them to knock of $400 because you say you saw it somewhere else...

Even if it was their ad or event (gunshow) they attended...

Your M4 retailers are working on a finely defined price window, thats tough to beat...If you want one bad enough, you're going to have to pay pretty much what they are asking for...

And if you do that and then start talking about "bells and whistles" you are thinking about putting on there after you ask them for a deal...Thats probably where they didn;t take you seriously, and "asked" you to leave...

But I am only basing that on what you've stated here...

I've never known anyone at "Collectors" to be anything but professional and cordule to customers...

[fm2]

Welcome to Texas! I am in the same area as you. Drop me a PM when you get settled in.

[Skiprr]

I am 40 miles away and I am the membership director. (I make it out there a couple of times a month.)

PSC has the best pistol shooting facilities in the Houston area. The other facilities are top notch.

This, if I have ever heard one, is a real and shining endorsement.

[huaco]

TheRising, not to compete with those recommending PSC but just to add to what you know Bayou Rifles has a couple of ranges, one of which isn't too far from where you will be. The range near you includes several options including one of the few 1000 yard ranges in our part of the state. This club is largely made up of competitive shooters but there are lots of plinkers like me.

Come on down, learn to say y'all, you'll be fine. Lots of folks gripe about gunshows but I think we have some good ones here that generally beat the prices you'll find in stores. I usually choose to drive from the west side of Houston to the shows in Pasadena for the free, close in parking and easy going atmosphere. I've bought several guns there.

Welcome to Texas.

[BobCat]

Well, I was going to stay out of this - my first impulse was to jump up, wave, shout "Welcome!" and then suggest Bayou Rifles - but since this is more a pistol forum, it seemed better to keep quiet.

Bayou Rifles has one rule you will not like - no drawing from the holster and firing. Pretty much everything else is common-sense safety rules. There are 3, 7, and 15 yard, and 25/50 yard pistol ranges at Juliff (South off I-288) but no IDPA or IPSC matches. PSC is the place for action pistol.

If you do shoot rifles, please do consider that the 1,000 yard prone match is the first Sunday, the Highpower across-the-course match is the second Sunday (changed from Saturdays), and the 60-shot prone match (alternating between 300 and 600 yards each month) is the third Sunday. And Bullseye pistol (at the Addicks Range, West on I-10) is the fourth Sunday. It is all fun, and I've never been teased or given a hard time about posting a low score - everyone is helpful, they don't act superior if someone does not shoot as well as they do.

Anyway, welcome - I think you will like it here.

Regards,
Andrew

[tomneal]

I am a past member of Bayou Rifles and don't recomend it.

I kind of lost interest when they kicked out the shotgun division. It was a nasty fight that dammaged shooting in Houston for years.

Your milage may vary.

[kauboy]

Back to the CHL discussion. Can't he just get a non-resident license from PA, if they offer one? That would essentially cover you here. I know you can do this with a Utah non-resident license. Its a lot cheaper. And some states don't even require course time.

I can't stress enough that you would still need to know the Texas laws as best as you possibly can. A lot of members here can help you with that, and we don't mind answering questions, no matter how mundane you may think they are. I would recommend you perform searches for big topics because chances are, we have covered it to death.

[Roger Howard]

PSC is a private range in the area of your new home. Top notch place that would likely meet all of your needs. There are a number of shooting ranges in the Houston area that charge by the gun and limit mobility while shooting. When you get settled send me a message and we can meet up.....I would be happy to take you shooting one afternoon as my guest. I live about twenty minutes south of Clear Lake.

http://www.psc-range.com

Jason

I will be joining PSC this year. Great place.
I am also in the area. I do travel alot but try to shoot at a min. of once a month. I also reccomend Elgato. Tom's a great guy and tries to pass as much information along as he can. I suggest you go to the DPS website http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administra ... sindex.htm
and start your CHL process. I would also suggest you get your Texas CHL. The Houston DA is not so gun friendly. The texas CHL will help when dealing with LEO's.
Along with Prodefense in Clear Lake, there are two gun stores in Texas City. Shooters Corner and "T"s Guns and ammo. T's has good prices on target ammo. Travis is licensed manufacturer.