Places to shoot N. Illinois?

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I'll keep it simple.
1. Don't give any money to this state that you don't have to. Not gun friendly, corruption, high tax...etc the list could go on.
2. If you do shoot there are not many options. ..
---GAT Guns in Dundee. 24 position indoor pistol. $20
http://www.gatguns.com/
---JR Sports in Aurora. Like 20 positions. Around $20. Picky on ammo if you bring your own.
http://www.jrshootingsports.com/
---I went to Buffalo Range in Ottawa. A long drive but is pretty much the only rifle range where you don't have to join some club. Have a variety of area..pistol..trap..rifle and a plinking pit. $25. I would being a lot off ammo and make it a day trip with a picnic.
http://www.buffalorangeshootingpark.com/Home_Page.php
There are others but not a bunch. Good luck
 
You may want to take a look at Willow Slough, a DNR just across the Indiana border. They have 25, 50, 75, and 100 yard ranges for pistols and rifles. They also have a shotgun range for clays.

I have been taking the trip out there a few times a year since 1998. I've always found the range to be well maintained, and my fellow shooters to be friendly and courteous. Plus it's FREE.

It's a 2 hour drive for me so I pack a lunch and make an afternoon of it.

http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3080.htm
 
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I am from N IL and this state sucks!

I have the same dilemma I am thinking about just driving to IN.
 
Driving out to Indiana is a big hassle, but at least it's a comfortable place to shoot.

Maybe Rahm will get ranges into Chicago before I die?

Imagine a rifle a range downtown. How amazing would it be to take the Red Line into the Loop with an M1 Garand slung over my shoulder?

It's probably more realistic to imagine my house turning into gold.
 
Actually, I've always thought that the Florshiem factory on the North Side would be a great location for a range. damned sure is big enough. :)

Really, there are a few former Heavy Industry locations that if the buldings were removed and a range put up would be a great benifit to the local area. I wish something like that had been done in Villa Park instead of the insanely expensive Ovaltine development.
 
Just curious what it is you have against clubs.

A fair number of them allow non-members to shoot, although usually in some limited way, and many of the club ranges are much nicer than the commercial ones.
 
Just curious what it is you have against clubs.

A fair number of them allow non-members to shoot, although usually in some limited way, and many of the club ranges are much nicer than the commercial ones.
Click to expand...

For me, that would be cost. I live on the southwest side of Chicago, in the suburbs, and there's no nice place to shoot (not many allow rifles either.) Sure a club would be great but most of the time one needs member recommendation just to get in, not counting the membership dues, and the travel times(club closest to me would be in Brookfield nearly 45 minutes.)
 
Completely understand. I would love to have some extra money to buy a range and let you fellas shoot. I own some acreage that gives me that advantage but you shooters that are in the city are some of our best "right protectors". I say it all the time to buddies that don't understand why someone loves to go to the range and shoot paper. Not only are most of you on top of the gun laws, but you also know quite a bit more that some folks who just hunt..and thats it.
 
One of our retirement plans is to get land in McHenry or Will and have a hobby farm. It also would have a 100m range with a 10'x10'x50' sandy berm as a backstop.

Otherwise it will be in Clark County, Missouri if for no other reason than the gun laws (or lack there of) here in MO. :)
 
ilbob said:
Just curious what it is you have against clubs.

A fair number of them allow non-members to shoot, although usually in some limited way, and many of the club ranges are much nicer than the commercial ones.
Click to expand...
I don't have anything against clubs. The clubs around here are very limited though. I'm trying to get into one, but they only allow members to join once a year, and that's very far away from now.
 
IN License required for drive to range?

Onward Allusion
Um, if you're bringing pistols to IN, you better have a LCHP. Really.
Click to expand...

I may be missing something. I'm certainly not an attorney, but I do try and stay on top of any firearm laws that apply to me. It's my understanding that you can legally drive through Indiana with a pistol as long as the handgun is unloaded, not easily accessible, and secured in a case.

I pulled the information below off of in.gov. I don't believe that web sites are always the best source of current and accurate information, but they are a starting point. If this information is incorrect it would be really helpful to us Illinois border dwellers to know what the law is.

Thanks


IC 35-47-2-1
Carrying a handgun without a license or by a person convicted of domestic battery; exceptions
Sec. 1. (a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c) and section 2 of this chapter, a person shall not carry a handgun in any vehicle or on or about the person's body without being licensed under this chapter to carry a handgun.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (c), a person may carry a handgun without being licensed under this chapter to carry a handgun if:
(1) the person carries the handgun on or about the person's body in or on property that is owned, leased, rented, or otherwise legally controlled by the person;
(2) the person carries the handgun on or about the person's body while lawfully present in or on property that is owned, leased, rented, or otherwise legally controlled by another person, if the person:
(A) has the consent of the owner, renter, lessor, or person who legally controls the property to have the handgun on the premises;
(B) is attending a firearms related event on the property, including a gun show, firearms expo, gun owner's club or convention, hunting club, shooting club, or training course; or
(C) the person is on the property to receive firearms related services, including the repair, maintenance, or modification of a firearm;
(3) the person carries the handgun in a vehicle that is owned, leased, rented, or otherwise legally controlled by the person, if the handgun is:
(A) unloaded;
(B) not readily accessible; and
(C) secured in a case;
(4) the person carries the handgun while lawfully present in a vehicle that is owned, leased, rented, or otherwise legally controlled by another person, if the handgun is:
(A) unloaded;
(B) not readily accessible; and
(C) secured in a case; or
(5) the person carries the handgun:
(A) at a shooting range (as defined in IC 14-22-31.5-3);
(B) while attending a firearms instructional course; or
(C) while engaged in a legal hunting activity.
 
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