Lubbock, Texas

[Luggo1]

I will be relocating in a month or two from east Texas to Lubbock. I would appreciate it if those members who live in that area would give me the benefit of their local knowledge on shooting ranges, gun shops, gun clubs, sporting goods stores, hunting clubs/leases etc...

If you are also willing I would like to perhaps be able to PM back and forth with folks on other aspects of living in Lubbock.

Please drop me a PM if you would be willing to help on other fronts besides gun related items.

Thanks,

[Owens]

Luggo1,
I don't live in Lubbock, but nearby.
There are several gunshops. The biggest is probably Sharpshooters. There is also an Academy and Gander Mountain. Gun ranges, there are 2 in the area that I know of. Patriot (an indoor range) and Rustic in nearby Slaton (an outdoor). I think there is also a shotgun range out near the old Reese AFB. Haven't been to it though.
Maybe someone else with more knowledge on the other questions will pop in here.

[G.A. Heath]

I live about 60 miles south of Lubbock and go there all the time. There are enough gun stores, and sharp shooters does have a great selection and huge inventory. Unfortunately The also have huge prices and negotiation seems to be a lost art there. Between myself and a buddy we visit all the gun shops regularly (Usually he is greeted by first name and asked "So what can I sell you today?"). My favorite shop, for people reasons, is Gun Shak located a little bit south of Lubbock. Its a little hard to find and get to but has the friendliest atmosphere around. Come to think of it I need to make a return trip there. As far as ranges go I tend to visit a private range in my county but I can attest to Patriot being an "ok" range. I shot there once, when I just had to shoot a 1911 I had just purchased really cheap. I don't recall any rules on long guns.

The Lubbock area is VERY gun friendly, but the city government of Lubbock has always been a little ..., well If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.

[troglodyte]

In addition to Sharpshooters (50th and Slide) and The Gun Shak (Slide and 1mile south FM1585) there is Fred's Gun Emporium (30th and Slide) (I'm not too fond of them but have made purchases there as they are a stone-throw away). There is also two shops on 34th Street; Gun Shop AKA Texas Tactical (3009 34th) and West Texas Military (2413 34th). I've heard the best reports from The Gun Shak and West Texas (but they are fairly new). Both are smaller operations.

I think Gebo's still carries some long guns but they are on the other side of town and I rarely get over there...especially since Tractor Supply is much closer.

Shooting ranges are as already noted, Rustic (Slaton is about 20-30 min from the west side of Lubbock) and Patriot (which is on the west side of town). Both sell firearms. I prefer Rustic because I like to shoot outdoors but frequent Patriot due to it being just a couple of miles away from the house.

Lubbock is a good town. We still have a lot of small town atmosphere but are getting some big town ammenities (like a Cracker Barrel ). Our city government , drivers , and weather will take a little getting used to.

Be prepared, we are at least 5 hours from anywhere you want to go...but you can see all the way there. Coming from E.TX get ready for wide open spaces. It can be a shock for some, almost agoraphobic. I've spent most of my life here and don't think I could live anywhere else.

PM if you wish and welcome to God's Country.

[grandpatim]

There is also a shop here in Brownfield called Outfitters Supply. He has some good deals on guns. carries a lot of used stuff but can order just about anything for you and gets it in a day or two. He beats Academy by 20 to 30 bucks and Gander by 50 to 100 bucks. He beats Sharpshooters and Fred's and the Gunshak by a whole bunch. He works another job and is only open from around 4 to 6 and then 10 to 4 on Saturdays. Brownfield is about 35 miles southwest of Lubbock.

[Greybeard]

Quote: "welcome to God's Country"

They call it that because very few would want it except Him.

Seriously, some beautiful country out that way. You'll soon need to get up north another couple of hours and check out Palo Duro Canyon State Park (the breaks of which continue to the northeast of Lubbock - some awesome hunting country.). And another hour or so north of Palo Duro Canyon is the Canadian River, which runs basically east/west through the northern panhandle - breaking up a little more more of the "flat land" in the heart of "God's Country".

A little closer to Lubbock is the sandly land of eastern New Mexico. But you don't really need to go there to see it, Mother Nature will bring it to you, especially in the springtime. When The Wife and I lived near 42'nd and Boston back in the late '70s, we learned very quickly to never leave a car window even slightly cracked. And at home, unless you have excellent weatherstripping, be prepared to sweep the walls.

[Luggo1]

Thanks for all the replies. I am sure I will have a lot of questions through the process. Any information you have is appreciated.

[G.A. Heath]

Maybe we need to have a CHL dinner some night after you get settled into the area.