Handgun range and lessons in Quad Cities?

[Shinken]

Besides "Shooting Sports" in Moline (they seem to be swamped silly these days), can anyone recommend a good range/instruction (especially if NRA certified) in the Quad Cities area? I am interested in private, one-on-one lessons if possible. While at it... best place to buy handguns in the QC?

Thanks folks

CC

 

[Mad Chemist]

Where is "Quad Cities Area"?

 

[Shinken]

It is in the boarder between Iowa and Illinois, containing the towns Davenport, Rock Island, Moline, and Bettendorf.

CC

 

[Nickotym]

Sorry, can't help with ranges, I was in Quad cities for chiropractic college before I was interested in guns at all.

 

[Kingcreek]

Don't know about indoor ranges other than Shooting Sports but I always thought those guys were pretty decent folks. Also check out Milan Rifle and Pistol Club- used to be a nice outdoor range. BiState in Cologna has a nice shotgun range, ie trap, skeet and sporting clays.
On the Iowa side B&B Shooting is good and also K&K Hardware.

 

[Shinken]

Great! Thanks Kingcreek.

CC

 

[Dr. Feelgood]

Davenport here, just moved in about six months ago from New Mexico. I'm going to try out Shooting Sports on Monday. I asked a similar question @ Iowacarry.org in November and got a few recommendations. The consensus was to stay away from Princeton. Oak Hill Gun Club near Blue Grass is supposed to be good, but I haven't had a chance to meet with those guys, yet.

Buying Handguns: if in IA you need an annual Permit to Acquire, from your county sherrif. I don't know the rules in IL. You can only buy handguns in your state of residence--in Iowa try L&R Arms Exchange in Durant (about 20 minutes west on I-80) and K&K True Value in Bettendorf. There's also Gander Mountain if you're feeling particularly masochistic.

I'm not qualified to give lessons, but I'll happily shoot with you sometime...

 

[Shinken]

Awesome Dr. Feelgood, and welcome to the forum! Yeah, so far the only promising place I found is Shooting Sports in Moline, but unfortunately they seem to be swamped. I went to Gander Mou. this morning, ouch.... the hunting dept. was swamped too and I got tired of waiting so I just left. Their (Gand. Mou.) prices on handguns are not very competitive either. B&B does not carry the Sig.s I am looking for so I am trying to comapre prices online instead. Then will order through a local store. I will keep you updated on my progress

CC

 

[BucksDC]

Hello

I lived in the Quad Cities for a couple of years.
Don't know about private lessons but try calling Robert and Krista (rbprecision.com). Good people and Robert knows all the shooting spots and people to know.
Square shooters is a pretty decent shop in Davenport.
So are some of the pawn shops in Davenport.
Iowa city has some gun stores also.

Most days after class would be spent shooting at the public range or driving all over Iowa/Il. to different gun shops.

Good luck, have fun. I really miss the Quad Cities.

 

[Shinken]

Thanks BucksDC. Just emailed them

CC

 

[BucksDC]

Shinken,
You might want to call them sometime. They are not the quickest with email. I know they get tons of it. Call on a weekday, you'll likely get Krista. I think Robert works during the days. I used to work with Robert and Krista at a short lived shop called SableCo., owned by another guy, across the river outside Moline. Now he and Krista opened their own shop- RBprecision. Call, get the hours, then drop by.
They are good people to know and do business with!
BTW are you out there for school?
Take care,
Dylan

 

[Shinken]

Thanks Dylan, will be calling them on Monday. Yeah, I moved here for school (Palmer) but decided against it. After working for 10+ years, I am now in the process of taking classes at St. Ambrose with the goal being to go for the Physical Therapy section.

Dylan, do you happen to know if:

1. I can purchase handguns through them?
2. They provide private handgun lessons?

Oh well, I will be calling them soon enough, just wanted to know what to expect

CC

 

[Halo is for Kids]

Every Iowa gun owner should be a member anyway...

...so go here: http://www.iowacarry.org/

http://www.iowacarry.org/forums/

There's a wealth of info and connections for shooters in Iowa.

 

[Shinken]

Thanks Halo, added to bookmarks and checking it right now.

CC

 

[Blackbeard]

Hello, fellow QCitians. Moline here. FYI, Shooting Sports has a mini-pin competition today (Sunday Feb 24th) starting at noon, if you're interested. $6 per round. I'm going. .22LR only, you can use their guns if you buy their ammo.

 

[BucksDC]

Shinken,
Yes you can buy handguns from them, but you have to get it transfered from Illinois to Iowa(if you live on the IA side?). You can buy rifles without the transfer.
If you are an IA resident, you need to go to the courthouse and get a pistol purchasing permit. After you have that you can buy pistols in IA.
If you live in Il. you need a FOID card for all firearm purchases.

Robert doesn't give handgun classes, but he can get you to someone who will. Also, check with some private ranges out there to see if they give intro to pistol courses. Usually through an NRA certified instructor.

Check some of the Ia pawn shops. My buddy bought a Sig 232 for $250. I got a Pheonix HP-22 for $20 + a tasco scope I had lying around. Best to go pawn shopping on Fri.

 

[dance varmint]

Public range near Princeton

This may or may not be the range you've heard of.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=...354,-90.353451&spn=0.005637,0.009098&t=h&z=17

It's in the wildlife preserve north Princeton, on 286th St. just east of US 67. It certainly was one of the more rustic and unregulated public ranges I've seen. At least it's good to know there were 4 vehicles when this photo was taken and it's 1000 feet from help. If I were shooting magnums I'd rather do it outdoors, than in the unique basement range at Shooting Sports in Moline.

I read Les Baer is now setting up shop in LeClaire, so maybe there's also some retail or training around there.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1837832/posts