Buying a blackpowder firearm in Illinois

[kwqd]

Has anyone successfully purchased a black powder firearm in Illinois? If so, where and how? I am specifically interested in picking up one or two Pietta 1858 Sheriff's models. I found an on line retailer who will ship to my FFL, but my FFL is leery about accepting them because the law is so murky in Illinois. Thanks.

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

Do you have a valid FOID card?

If so, I cant see why your FFL is leery about accepting them. Might want to find an alternative FFL

 

[kwqd]

Yup, I have FOID card. Thought about trying a different FFL dealer. Mine has never dealt in black powder before. I'll make some calls and see if I can find one who will handle it.

Has anyone found a retailer who will sell to Illinois residents at a reasonable price? The one I found is in Tennessee and his prices are not great. Midway and Cabelas won't sell to Illinois residents. Cabelas has the best prices I have found for Piettas.

 

[tscmmhk]

You might try Taylors. Give them a call and see what they say. Only problem with them is they don't have the cheapest prices.

 

[ofitg]

It is my understanding that the Illinois FOID system registers gun-owners, not individual guns.... and of course, percussion revolvers are not regulated by the feds.

What laws would be broken if your cousin in Kansas shipped you a '58 Remmie?

 

[Realist]

I see that Cabela's has a specific 'nogo' ship statement in their Restrictions listing on their website.
Might apply to other vendors as well.

 

[Fingers McGee]

Illinois has really gotten stupid lately. . Effective July 1, the State of Illinois now requires that ALL modern guns (Post 1898) be shipped by an FFL to an FFL. This includes post 1898 percussion revolvers. An additional cost would be the FFL Transfer Fee and the extra cost for UPS 2nd Day Air Shipping.

Have fun

 

[ofitg]

Thanks, Fingers - that answers my question.

 

[kwqd]

"Illinois has really gotten stupid lately. . Effective July 1, the State of Illinois now requires that ALL modern guns (Post 1898) be shipped by an FFL to an FFL. This includes post 1898 percussion revolvers. An additional cost would be the FFL Transfer Fee and the extra cost for UPS 2nd Day Air Shipping."

What he said! Unfortunately, the law doesn't specifically mention black powder firearms, though the definition of firearms in the statute clearly includes black powders firearms, so no one is sure what to do. Several big retailers just stopped shipping black powder firearms to Illinois, even to FFL dealers, and the Illinois FFL dealers I have talked to don't want to take a chance on handling a black powder firearm because the statute is so vague and they aren't sure what to do. Suckaroonie. Classic has a sale right now, though prices are not incredible, so I sent them an email to see if they will ship to an Illinois FFL. Found a slightly better deal from a gentleman who operates out of his home, but haven't yet found and Illinois FFL who will accept it.

I am retiring in a year or so and going to run screaming from this state. Not to mention that the tax burden here is going to have to increase dramatically due to the unfunded state pension debacle and the apparent lack of will to reform the pension system going forward. And that the state is 49th out of 50th for states in preservation of natural areas. I could go on, but you get the picture.

@tscmmhk. Thanks for the Taylors suggestion. I looked at them, Dixie Gunworks and some others. Shocking how much higher their prices are than some of the large retailers like Cabelas and Midway. But, then again, Classic Firearms is not a large retailer and they can sell them for a decent price, not the best price, but I don't lose control of my bodily functions when I see their prices.

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

Prior to January 1st 2004 Michigan also considered cap and ball revolvers as firearms. What was done here back then was to treat the cap and ball exactly the same as a cartridge handgun You would go to the sheriff and they did a background check and then issued a "Purchase Permit" then you could go pick up your revolver from the FFL return to the sheriff with the revolver for a "Safety Inspection" aka, to register it.

 

[Ephraim Kibbey]

I am in Ohio and when I bought from Simpson's (LINK BELOW) in Ill. this spring, they required that the BP revolver be shipped to my FFL so it cost me an extra $20, the time and gas to drive out to his store and the minutes it took to fill in all of the paper work.

The Simpson's salesperson that I spoke with seemed very knowledgeable about their state's rules so your might give them a call.

They have some interesting items for sale too!!!

Looking is half the fun, right?

https://www.simpsonltd.com/

 

[Crawdad1]

Prior to January 1st 2004 Michigan also considered cap and ball revolvers as firearms. What was done here back then was to treat the cap and ball exactly the same as a cartridge handgun You would go to the sheriff and they did a background check and then issued a "Purchase Permit" then you could go pick up your revolver from the FFL return to the sheriff with the revolver for a "Safety Inspection" aka, to register it.

Michigan?????? What about now?

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

Michigan?????? What about now?

Now Michigan recognizes them as Antique Firearms pretty much like the feds and most of the other states so I can get them conveniently in the mail right to my door.

 

[Crawdad1]

Now Michigan recognizes them as Antique Firearms pretty much like the feds and most of the other states so I can get them conveniently in the mail right to my door.

That's a load off my mind.

I never in a million years would think Michigan was like that.

 

[kwqd]

Update on this: Cabelas in Hoffman Estates, IL will now ship a BP pistol to an FFL in Illinois but they will charge shipping AND a $50 FFL fee. You can also have Cabelas ship a pistol to the Hoffman Estates store if you want, if they don't have what you want in stock, but the above still applies. This is apparently a new policy as of last week. The sales guy that told me all of this was really surly, so guess they either don't like to do this, or are tired of people laughing at them and hanging up, like I did. I have found several other dealers and sellers on GB that WILL ship to your Illinois FFL without reaming you, so look around and don't waste time trying to deal with Cabelas in Illinois. I am assuming Cabelas will still charge you the $50 FFL fee, even if you are able to go to their store. If someone ships to your Illinois FFL, the FFL has to treat the BP gun just like any other firearm.

 

[PapaG]

Ain't nothing murky. BP firearms are guns, plain and simple. 4473, proper waiting period and that is it. Illinois, where common sense disappeared in the last century.

 

[tscmmhk]

kwqd

Take a trip to Cabelas in Hammond, IN and walk out the door with a ball and cap revolver. I have done it a couple times in the past. With the new law, I'm not sure you can still do it. Might save yourself some paper work and a lot of BS.