Linoge at Walls of the City has made it to Kaliforniastan. I’d say something about misery loving company, but all the sunshine and low humidity here (not to mention the babes) make me forget about all the bad laws we live under, so I ain’t really miserable.
Time to go cook some more Happy California Cow steaks on the barbecue while sittin’ in the hot tub wearin’ my Ray-Bans, sippin’ a nice glass of Wente Pinot Noir, enjoyin’ a bj sexual attention appropriate to my lifestyle choice from my wife partner(s), and admiring my Kel-Tec SU-16 or other Kali-legal firearm of choice — which is what every Californian does after work every damn day, of course.
We all wish. Still, we get pretty close. Welcome, neighbor!
Hm.
You will have to forgive me if I remain skeptical for the forseeable future… After coming from Florida, which basically had everything you listed above, only a little more humidity (it really was not that bad) and a lot more legal firearms, I am a little jaded.
That said, I need to find a range…
I have more than a few acquaintances, friends and relatives who were born on the West Coast, and all of us find Florida’s humidity (not to mention the INSECTS) completely intolerable. Give it ten years, you’ll end up the same way.
It’s been almost thirty years since I was in San Diego, but I’m imagining you’ve got lots of open desert to your East in which you can wander about shooting at rocks and coyotes and the like. Up here, every wee bit of land is privately owned, so we’re pretty much confined to the ranges.
Meh. My previous West Coast exposure was Silverdale, Washington. Water don’t bug me ;). The bugs… eh, I have had more bugs in my apartment in the past week than I had in the entire 18 months I spent in Florida. And I am paying almost twice as much for a smaller pad. Now, Maryland sucks for bugs, but that is another matter.
And, yeah, the thought of going scouting around for a good gully to go shooting does have its draws… However, that “open desert” is getting smaller and smaller… I may very well be living where you were shooting those 30 years ago.
Anywise, as I told my Dad tonight when he called, California itself has been great thus far, barring one singular and rather substantial problem. Before I could even finish the sentence, he answered with the right words, “Oh, the government?” I mean, the climate is great, the weather is beautiful, and the terrain certainly has a charm to it. But the Nanny-State people and the government more than willing to oblige… Bleh.
Arizona is prettier and happier, and the only thing they do not really like is fireworks :P.
Linoge, It has been a while since I was down in San Diego, but there is a nice BLM area to the ENE of San Diego proper that was nice to shoot at (sorry cannot remember how I got there). Also a good indoor range off of 52 to the south a little, cannot remember if it was Santo or not. anyway it was called American Shooting Sports or something like that. A semi indoor range in Escondido that had a 200yrd line that is covered the entire way so as not to get get burned by the sun while getting your target. Have no idea on name or location beyond that. I wish I could be more help full, but it has been eight moves and six years ago since I was there last. enjoy it and drink a Guinness at the Field or the Shakespeare for me.
I think Christopher might be referring to the American Marksman Indoor Shooting Sports Center. I have not tried them so can’t give a good eval.
If you want a good outdoor range, head out to the East County and go to South Bay Rod and Gun club. They have four ranges, one of which is a trap range, and it costs about $20/day or $75 for a year pass. Just remember, don’t take any out-of-state black rifles to any ranges, they will ask for registration papers. I have never seen what happens when one does not have them, but it can’t be good. Feel free to email if you need more info.
Shane
Cashane is right on for the name of the indoor range I was talking about. Good for pistols, shotguns and rifles up to 7mm. Also forgot about south bay rod and gun club. Not a bad place to shoot either. As I have no black rifles here I never worry about that stuff. Also there is a small indoor pistol range just east of 5 near Mission beach that is not too bad either. It is right where Morena Blvd splits. Again cannot remember the name.
Linoge,So after reviewing the list of residences(or is it duty stations) I just have to ask if you are on targets or boats?
Wow, thanks all for the input on the ranges in the area! I am not too sure about heading off into the wilderness off in the East to find a good gully to go shooting in… likely to stumble into some ranch or private property or somesuch other thing. I am only putzing around with a piddly 9mm pistol at the moment, so any of the indoor ones should work just fine… Though, I am thinking of stepping up to am M1A at some point, and since the SOCOM is legal here in Kalifornistan (while still being an outstanding black rifle), it should fit into those outdoor ranges perfectly. Apparently, this grand old “state” requires registration of pistols as well… do either of you remember having to show that paperwork at the ranges?
Anywise, thanks again, Christopher and Cashane!
No, I have never had to show any paperwork for any of my firearms. Being that San Diego is fairly concervative I do not think that should run into any problems there.
I too have never seen a RM ask for “papers” on any AWs, black rifles or otherwise, that show up at the ranges hereabouts. I should think in any case that a hearty, cheerful “yes, this rifle’s legal!” should suffice.
Oh yeah, here’s a link to the BLM lands in CA. If you get up Ukiah way, there’s a fantastic 400-yard range at Cow Mountain with all sorts of fun targets (fridges, tailors’ dummies, etc.) at the intermediate ranges. I’m guessing a call to your closest field office might ferret out something similar in your area.
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo.html