FINALLY! Escaping IL, where to shoot in FL?

[t1tan]

After growing up in Texas and moving to IL in 2005 with my family when my father retired from Houston PD I have been desperately trying to leave. Now It's finally happening, and in less than a month as my girlfriend accepted a position this week in the West Palm Beach, FL area. Beyond excited to be leaving and never coming back, although nervous about money for the time being while I'll be looking for work and she's taking a 30% pay cut, but it's the only opportunity that's arisen so we're going to take advantage. I'll just continue as a stay-at-home-dad while I wait to see how long it takes for Illinois Department of Health to mail back my form to apply for reciprocity for my EMS license with Florida, as far as I know none of my firefighting certificates transfer, so not sure which direction I'll go from here, new or start over.

On to the main purpose of this thread, does anybody have any recommendations of where to shoot in the West Palm Beach area? Mostly shoot pistol and AR when ammo funds permit. Indoor, outdoor, I'm not picky, as long as there are no ridiculous range rules; i.e. "no drawing from holster", "slow fire only" and other non-sense that's prevalent around here. I'd like to run some drills in peace without being told I'm shooting too fast. Any decent well-stocked shops with decent prices around? Excited to toss a suppressor on my Noveske and start my suppressed 300 blackout build once things have settled. Hoping for a Glock blue label dealer around the area for once my Gadget shows up as well.

[Mjolnir]

Nothing to add as I am not from FL but CONGRATULATIONS on the Life change! I pray all goes well with you!


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"One cannot awaken a man who pretends to be asleep."

[1slow]

Glad you are leaving Ill&Annoyed for free USA.

[Hambo]

Welcome to Florida! I don't live in PB county so I can't be too specific, but I'll answer a few of your questions and some you didn't ask.

Ranges are a mixed bag. There is one shop with an indoor range in WPB that hosts quality instructors. Tom Givens was there in February and John Farnam will be there later this month. Of course it was Tom's rules when he was there, but I wasn't totally thrilled with the place. Shooting fast at indoor ranges doesn't seem to be a problem. There is a state outdoor range waaaay north of WPB but they have rules, lots of rules.

Gun prices in Florida seem high to me. Scrounge around enough and you may find some deals, but usually not.

Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and some other counties have their own firearms laws. For example, they have waiting periods on all guns (not just handguns) if you don't have a CWP.

If you don't have to live in PB county, consider Martin or St. Lucie. Both are firearms friendly.

Your CWP will let you carry guns, knives, and "billies". You can go to the office in WPB and get everything sent in electronically and cut the wait time a bit. There are "no guns" signs, but they're not like Texas where they carry the force of law.

There are two seasons here: hurricane and snowbird. Both have their ups and downs, but I prefer hurricane season.

Good luck, have fun, and remember it's not the Midwest.

[LittleLebowski]

Carry permit already taken care of?

[mc1911]

This won't apply to everyday range activity, but you'll only be about 2 hours from Frank Garcia's Universal Shooting Academy in Frostproof.

Once you get a few spare $$, give Frank a call.

[t1tan]

Welcome to Florida! I don't live in PB county so I can't be too specific, but I'll answer a few of your questions and some you didn't ask.

Ranges are a mixed bag. There is one shop with an indoor range in WPB that hosts quality instructors. Tom Givens was there in February and John Farnam will be there later this month. Of course it was Tom's rules when he was there, but I wasn't totally thrilled with the place. Shooting fast at indoor ranges doesn't seem to be a problem. There is a state outdoor range waaaay north of WPB but they have rules, lots of rules.

Gun prices in Florida seem high to me. Scrounge around enough and you may find some deals, but usually not.

Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and some other counties have their own firearms laws. For example, they have waiting periods on all guns (not just handguns) if you don't have a CWP.

If you don't have to live in PB county, consider Martin or St. Lucie. Both are firearms friendly.

Your CWP will let you carry guns, knives, and "billies". You can go to the office in WPB and get everything sent in electronically and cut the wait time a bit. There are "no guns" signs, but they're not like Texas where they carry the force of law.

There are two seasons here: hurricane and snowbird. Both have their ups and downs, but I prefer hurricane season.

Good luck, have fun, and remember it's not the Midwest.

Thanks for the info! I'm actually looking forward to hurricane season over snow, at least for now.



Carry permit already taken care of?

Not yet, been so preoccupied with finding a place to live I hadn't even thought of it yet. Looking it up now though looks like I can start now through the mail but we'll be leaving about 13-14 days from today so I may wait to go with Hambo's suggestion and go to a regional office.

[Luke]

Universal puts on some awesome matches! I hope to be attending the monster match this year. They also sell "match grade" minor and major ammo. $189 a case for the practice 124gr loads.

[Hambo]

Not yet, been so preoccupied with finding a place to live I hadn't even thought of it yet. Looking it up now though looks like I can start now through the mail but we'll be leaving about 13-14 days from today so I may wait to go with Hambo's suggestion and go to a regional office.

Also, you should know that the state will accept virtually any firearms training. So if you've been to any NRA or other classes you should be good to go.

[CoGT3]

I have lived in St Lucie County for the last 13 years (and not moving). Will echo an earlier comment, if not totally committed to living in PB county, Martin and St Lucie county are good alternatives. Much smaller, safer, gun friendly communities. Not much we can't find locally, and what we don't is at most a 45 min drive away.

Shoot Straight is probably the indoor range someone mention in WPB, shoot twice there. Nice enough, don't know about how bad the "rules" are. Good gun selection, but tend to deal much more when they are at local guns shows, seems like they bring the whole store also (esp on sundays).
https://shoot-straight.com/locations-and-ranges/west-palm-beach/

There are 2 great outdoor ranges near Okeechobee toward the center of the state. Depending on where you end up in WPB probably about an hour drive to both. One does IDPA events, the other USPSA. Okeechobee shooting sports also has pistol and rifle steel ranges. Great people at both locations.
http://okshooting.com/
http://www.okcorralgunclub.com/

In Jensen Beach in Martin Co, there is a great indoor range at Lotus Gun Works. Superb ventilation, very safe with numerous range officers keeping a close eye. Favorite place to shoot if too hot to head out to Okee. Gun store is usually well stocked with higher end toys, haven't seen much wiggle of price.

Truthfully, I have a retired local officer who has a home based FFL across the canal from me, I order most of my guns and send them to him, way too convenient.

If you like sporting clays, Quail Creek is worth a trip also.
http://www.quailcreekplantation.com/

Echo the comment about the WPB CCW office. Make an appointment, bring all docs, they do everything else at once including fingerprints. Very easy and counts down on process time.

[Casey]

Can't speak to the WPB area specifically, but you'll be fairly close to Southern Exposure (http://www.southernexposuretraining.com/) in Lakeland, which is my go-to destination for firearms training in the state. Ancient City Shooting Range (http://attac-fl.com/) in St. Augustine also hosts a lot of the bigger name instructors.

[jwperry]

I have a friend who recently moved to Loxahatchee. He has 5 acres and shoots in his yard.

Shoot Straight range rules, at least in 4 I've been to in central Florida, will allow rapid fire (as long as not one joins you and starts poking holes in the ceiling) but not from a holster. In all my travels up and down I95, I75 & I4, I have yet to find an indoor range that will allow drawing from a holster. Being able to do it at out door ranges is normally restricted to 'games' only.

As noted before, lots of training opportunities in FL.

[Inkwell 41]

There are two seasons here: hurricane and snowbird. Both have their ups and downs, but I prefer hurricane season.

Good luck, have fun, and remember it's not the Midwest.

They call it snowbird season, but Game and Fish won't issue a tag for them. Many drive looking between the dash and steering wheel.

2004 was fun with Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne.

[StraitR]

Lot's of good advice already. Can't comment on ranges other than confirm with carnal knowledge that drawing from the holster is a no-go at any Shoot Straight. WPB Shoot Straight is 25 yards, if that interests you for rifle. Don't let the prices scare you, they'll take money off pretty much anything if you ask.

Welcome to the South!!! Open doors for people, use Sir and Ma'am, drink lots of sweet tea. You'll fit right in.

Oh, and I'm not sure how many vehicles you're bringing, or type, but I would suggest budgeting $350 per vehicle for new tags and such. Initial registration now starts at $225 and they tack on crap from there. It's hard to figure out, but here is the fee schedule... https://www.flhsmv.gov/fees-2/

[t1tan]

Lot's of good advice already. Can't comment on ranges other than confirm with carnal knowledge that drawing from the holster is a no-go at any Shoot Straight. WPB Shoot Straight is 25 yards, if that interests you for rifle. Don't let the prices scare you, they'll take money off pretty much anything if you ask.

Welcome to the South!!! Open doors for people, use Sir and Ma'am, drink lots of sweet tea. You'll fit right in.

Oh, and I'm not sure how many vehicles you're bringing, or type, but I would suggest budgeting $350 per vehicle for new tags and such. Initial registration now starts at $225 and they tack on crap from there. It's hard to figure out, but here is the fee schedule... https://www.flhsmv.gov/fees-2/

Appreciate it. Had vehicle registration on the list but good to get an idea of prices. It will be my 2014 VW Golf and her 2005 Hyundai Elantra, unless she goes through with her idea of ditching it for a scooter, hah.


Fuck, and apparently I have to transfer the title too, another $225. I'm not sure what to do about her car, because it was previously her sisters, given to her parents and then technically loaned to her, so everything related to that vehicle is still in their name.

[Joe in PNG]

What else can I add for the new Florida immigrant...
-Don't talk about how you do things "up North"
-Make your list & check it twice before Hurricane season.
-Don't feed the gators, bears, or seagulls. Especially the seagulls.
-Be prepared, keep an umbrella handy.
-If outside longer than just a walk from the car to something, put on sunscreen

[Hambo]

Can't speak to the WPB area specifically, but you'll be fairly close to Southern Exposure (http://www.southernexposuretraining.com/) .

I thought Southern Exposure was a dancer bar off I-95. Live and learn.

[rob_s]

I currently live in northern Palm Beach County, and work in West Palm beach, having moved north from Ft Lauderdale/Broward County last year.

Somewhat surprisingly, I moved further into the country, further away from the city, and have less opportunity to shoot. At least, the kind of shooting (IDPA, USPSA, 3-gun, Steel Challenge, etc.) that I want to do. If you just want to go to the indoor range there are plenty, and as mentioned above Shoot Straight tends to be the cleanest/nicest/most-consistent.

For anything outside that, I hope you like driving. The only truly "local" outdoor range, which comes with a ton of restrictions and limited days that they are open, is the Sheriff's range (http://www.pbcgov.com/fdo/admin/shootingrange/).

All of the below are also open to the public and have outdoor ranges with various distances, etc. besides the matches.

Markham Park (http://www.broward.org/parks/markhampark/pages/markhamparktargetrange.aspx) has monthly IDPA and USPSA & Steel matches. 1+ hours from WPB
(https://www.google.com/maps/dir/West+Palm+Beach,+FL/Markham+Park+%26+Target+Range,+16001+W+State+Rd+84 ,+Sunrise,+FL+33326/@26.399636,-80.4871302,10z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x88d8d5ccb595ad c1:0x15efc7b51fe16bde!2m2!1d-80.0533746!2d26.7153424!1m5!1m1!1s0x88d90988d7540b 6d:0x3b1852be3f1c9de8!2m2!1d-80.3545787!2d26.1296413)

Okeechobee Shooting Sports (http://okshooting.com/) has monthly IDPA. 1.3+ hours from WPB (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/West+Palm+Beach,+FL/Okeechobee+Shooting+Sports,+Northeast+48th+Street, +Okeechobee,+FL/@27.0413687,-80.7037937,10z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x88d8d5ccb595ad c1:0x15efc7b51fe16bde!2m2!1d-80.0533746!2d26.7153424!1m5!1m1!1s0x88de9f1e01785d 2b:0xfbac29c91e24c6bb!2m2!1d-80.750508!2d27.29231)

OK Corral (http://www.okcorralgunclub.com/) (down the street from the above) has monthly USPSA.

The following are not "public" but do offer training and/or matches.

Homestead Shooting Center (http://www.shoothtc.com/) (Formerly Longshots Range) has recently changed hands and is offering a ton of competition and training options. 2+ hours from WPB (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/West+Palm+Beach,+FL/11700+SW+304th+St,+Homestead,+FL+33033/@26.1004597,-80.7817861,9z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x88d8d5ccb595ad c1:0x15efc7b51fe16bde!2m2!1d-80.0533746!2d26.7153424!1m5!1m1!1s0x88d9dc63aacc8f 4f:0xce70ae1eb14cc31a!2m2!1d-80.379895!2d25.485307)

Universal Shooting Academy (http://www.universalshootingacademy.com/) has USPSA matches, training, etc. 2+ hours from WPB (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/West+Palm+Beach,+FL/Universal+Shooting+Academy,+Highway+630+East,+Fros tproof,+FL/@27.256162,-81.3027036,9z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x88d8d5ccb595ad c1:0x15efc7b51fe16bde!2m2!1d-80.0533746!2d26.7153424!1m5!1m1!1s0x88dda94d9a4b02 8f:0x4d3e015e65a07e03!2m2!1d-81.431169!2d27.765355)

Southern Exposure (http://www.southernexposuretraining.com/) is strictly training. 3+ hours from WPB (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/West+Palm+Beach,+FL/12425+Old+Dade+City+Rd,+Kathleen,+FL+33849/@27.5407961,-81.6149864,9z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x88d8d5ccb595ad c1:0x15efc7b51fe16bde!2m2!1d-80.0533746!2d26.7153424!1m5!1m1!1s0x88dd4f91867456 e7:0xe0db18e4172e141c!2m2!1d-82.0537499!2d28.225875)

[Palmguy]

Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and some other counties have their own firearms laws. For example, they have waiting periods on all guns (not just handguns) if you don't have a CWP.

If you don't have to live in PB county, consider Martin or St. Lucie. Both are firearms friendly.



Thanks to Florida's preemption statute (FS 790.33), waiting periods are the pretty much the only thing local jurisdictions can do on their own (and I don't even see the waiting period exception in the statute any more.

[StraitR]

Appreciate it. Had vehicle registration on the list but good to get an idea of prices. It will be my 2014 VW Golf and her 2005 Hyundai Elantra, unless she goes through with her idea of ditching it for a scooter, hah.


Fuck, and apparently I have to transfer the title too, another $225. I'm not sure what to do about her car, because it was previously her sisters, given to her parents and then technically loaned to her, so everything related to that vehicle is still in their name.

I live 45 minutes NW of Orlando, but personally, I would NEVER ride a two wheeled on public roads anything anywhere in FL. Insurance rates down here are higher than most for a reason, because all the blue-hair's crashing into everything and everyone. I've lived in Cincinnati, San Diego, Anaheim, North Hollywood, Seattle, and Atlanta. None of which I've felt more compelled to drive as defensively as I do here.

As already accurately pointed out by Hambo, there are two seasons here, hurricane and snow-bird, and I too prefer hurricane.

[jwperry]

I live 45 minutes NW of Orlando, but personally, I would NEVER ride a two wheeled on public roads anything anywhere in FL. Insurance rates down here are higher than most for a reason, because all the blue-hair's crashing into everything and everyone. I've lived in Cincinnati, San Diego, Anaheim, North Hollywood, Seattle, and Atlanta. None of which I've felt more compelled to drive as defensively as I do here.

As already accurately pointed out by Hambo, there are two seasons here, hurricane and snow-bird, and I too prefer hurricane.

In/around Orlando I'm not as worried about the blue hairs as I am about the tourists; the ones who like to cruise in the LH lane until they pass their exit, at which time they decide to cross 3+ lanes of traffic to catch it OR stop in the middle of the interstate so they can slowly work their way over. Couple that with the generally poor driving techniques allowed through here and you'll never want another nice car again, it'll just get hit/scratched.

You can also look at the seasons as wet or wild fire. Last year we didn't have a wild fire season..

[t1tan]

Not sure if anybody can answer this or not, but figured I'd ask.

No luck on a house yet so for the time being we're expecting to leave no later than June 5 where we'll be staying with relatives in the area while continuing the search. My question, can a non-resident purchase and take possession of a handgun in FL? Google has come up with questionable answers, but if I'll be waiting on a FL drivers license, etc until we obtain residence I wanted to know if I should make any purchases before we leave or if we can wait till after the move. Shortly after arriving we'll be going in to submit for our carry permits wherein the girlfriend would like to get a gun of her own for when our licenses arrive.

[HCM]

Not sure if anybody can answer this or not, but figured I'd ask.

No luck on a house yet so for the time being we're expecting to leave no later than June 5 where we'll be staying with relatives in the area while continuing the search. My question, can a non-resident purchase and take possession of a handgun in FL? Google has come up with questionable answers, but if I'll be waiting on a FL drivers license, etc until we obtain residence I wanted to know if I should make any purchases before we leave or if we can wait till after the move. Shortly after arriving we'll be going in to submit for our carry permits wherein the girlfriend would like to get a gun of her own for when our licenses arrive.

Under federal law you must be a resident of the state to purchase a handgun.

Long guns it depends - transaction must be legal in both states - not sure if IL residents would qualify due to the IL FOID requirement.

[Palmguy]

Not sure if anybody can answer this or not, but figured I'd ask.

No luck on a house yet so for the time being we're expecting to leave no later than June 5 where we'll be staying with relatives in the area while continuing the search. My question, can a non-resident purchase and take possession of a handgun in FL? Google has come up with questionable answers, but if I'll be waiting on a FL drivers license, etc until we obtain residence I wanted to know if I should make any purchases before we leave or if we can wait till after the move. Shortly after arriving we'll be going in to submit for our carry permits wherein the girlfriend would like to get a gun of her own for when our licenses arrive.

Regarding the carry license; I highly recommend making an appointment at one of the department offices as opposed to mailing the packet to Tallahassee. Processing time is significantly faster.

http://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Licensing/Concealed-Weapon-License/How-to-Apply-for-or-Renew-a-Concealed-Weapon-License