Can anyone recommend a good gunshop in Illinois?

[mosesthedog]

One with a good inventory of rifles and pistols, with knowledgeable staff or owners and decent hours? I live in Central Illinois but am willing to travel to the Chicago suburbs if necessary.

Tony

 

[kermit315]

Try Pekin Gun. I have bought some stuff from there and felt like I got a good deal. Not sure of their current hours though.

 

[cavman]

There is Rock River Arms in Colona. IL

http://www.rockriverarms.com/

 

[cfl1911]

I also live in central Illinois and Daves firearms in mayview ( Which is by Urbana) Is real good. Where you live in central Illinois?

 

[Kingcreek]

Pekin/Morton/Peoria area has a couple. Bartelmays(sp?), Prestley's Outdoors.
What type of gun stuff are you looking for? There may be some others, depending on what you want. Vintage and collectables (especially Lugers) Simpson's Ltd in Galesburg.

 

[bogie]

Belleville Gun Show. Have your FOID ready.

 

[Anotherguy]

GAT Guns in Dundee on Rt 25. Huge inventory of new and used handguns, rifles, shotguns, black powder, archery, reloading supplies and fishing tackle. Reasonable prices on most stuff. They also have a couple of competent gunsmiths and a decent range. Most of the folks there are pretty knowledgable and don't have the large ego/attitude thing.

 

[GoRon]

Megasports in Plainfield Illinois, not far off of I-55 just outside Joliet.

How knowledgeable the help is really depends on who you end up talking with.

They have a huge inventory of pistols, rifles and shotguns, probably the largest in northern Illinois.

There is a Gander Mountain (Joliet) within 5 minutes of them, a small gunshop practically across the street from them and a Bass Pro Shop (Bolingbrook) 15 minutes from them.

 

[Don Gwinn]

Capitol Arms Supply/Bullet Express in Springfield, IL.

 

[ZachB]

May be a little bit too far north, but like a few people have already said, Megasports in plainfield is good(if you like dealing with mostly arrogant salesmen, save a few). GAT (Guns Archery Tackle) has the best selection in N. IL and with one exception all the staff is very helpful. JR Shooting in Aurora has a decent selection, but I'd say most Gander Mtn.s are better.

 

[2TransAms]

Belleville Gun Show. Have your FOID ready.

The Belleville gun show is a joke. It gets worse every time. Unless you want overpriced mil-surp and optics,then it's the place to be.

If you're going to Belleville,take another ten minutes and head to Ron & Jo's in O'Fallon.

 

[CoinMan]

Former BelleVegas resident

"The Belleville gun show is a joke. It gets worse every time. Unless you want overpriced mil-surp and optics,then it's the place to be."

My first time at the Belleville show was in September, and I was somewhat disappointed with the selection. I did find my Model 10 at a pretty good price, but didn't find anything else that I would call a bargain. I showed up late on Sunday, so maybe I missed the good stuff...

The next one is October 6&7, and I'm sure all attend that one as well. I find the old military gear interesting, but I doubt that I'll walk out with much more than a few speedloaders or extra mags.

2TransAms, thanks for the Ron & Jo's tip. I'll always go the extra mile to support a good mom & pop shop. It beats selling your soul to the Red Chinese at Walmart.

 

[Canuck-IL]

As mentioned, GAT in Dundee (far west Chicago butbs) has a great new gun selection. Used is so-so but you can view those online. With the choices nearer your location, I'd say not worth the drive unless you want new. If you make the drive, hit Megasports on the same trip and compare prices between the two. Between them, you can find just about anything you'd want in a new gun.
http://www.gatguns.safeshopper.com/
/Bryan

 

[dmftoy1]

+1 on Pekin Guns for Central Illinois . .if they guy's got his daughter's working behind the counter it's fun to watch the guys buy guns anytime the daughters say anything "encouraging". (They are beautiful) At least I think they're his daughters.

Have a good one,
Dave

 

[dance varmint]

I don't know many in IL, but I liked this place in downtown Moline that surprisingly has a range in the basement!
http://www.shootingsportsmoline.com/

It's the closest shop to Rock Island Arsenal.

 

[bogie]

Well, Belleville USED to be good...

 

[NukemJim]

Two that I like are

Rinks, 14363 South Archer Lockport, 60441 815-8381371 they will not be undersold on firearms, small store, 25 yard range much less expensive than MegaSports.

And "The Gun Shop" 1/4 mile east of MegaSports across the street. Nice variety, good staff, No range but they frequently have interesting items in stock.

MegaSports has lots of stuff.

NukemJim

 

[normal]

Go see Dave at Pekin Gun. It is by far the best in the area and no, they are not his daughters. He has such a large turnover that his prices are excellent and he has thousands of guns to choose from. I have always bought my guns for well under suggested retail. They also will order just about anything that you can think of.

Pekin Gun & Sporting Goods
281 Derby St.
Pekin, IL 61554
(309)347-6060
M-F 9AM-7Pm
Sat. 9AM-5PM

 

[LoadedDrum]

Megasports has the best selection. If you need a specific handgun they probably have it. GAT would be my next choice in terms of selection. GAT has better sales people IMHO.

If you drive up to see GAT, stop at RGuns on RT31 just north of the mall too.