St. Louis Gun Shops

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IL may not be terrible compared to, say, California or New York, but compared to Missouri, it's downright hostile.
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That was my feeling too.

When I was told it had to be cased to walk outdoors, the thought that crossed my mind was, why I'm not ashamed of it, but apparently people in Illinois need to be protected from the sight of a firearm.

Perhaps someone from Illinois could shed some light on the reasoning behind this law.
 
Stupid question - if I buy something in Belleville or Edwardsville, and there's a Missouri dealer at the show, can they do the transfer there?
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As I understand the insane rules, the actual transfer to you has to take place in your state of residence by an FFL whose place of business is in your state.
 
As I understand the insane rules, the actual transfer to you has to take place in your state of residence by an FFL whose place of business is in your state.
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Correct... although good luck in finding a gun show in Edwardsville. :) You just missed one in B-ville. Bob Terry, the guy that always had a table near the front of the show (near the front door, just to the left) is from Kentucky, but is generally the guy who does many of the transfers. He and the guy (another Bob) who host the show are always the 2 guys you'll meet when you return 3 days later to pick up your newly-purchased pieces. They're both very good guys... easy to work with, know their stuff and can steer you in the right direction with your questions on transfers without error.
 
An important thing: C&S is a class III last I knew, which means they can sell you any goody but silencers, which are the only thing banned by MO law. I suppose that'll be the next thing we need to work on here.
 
Soybomb and all,

Thanks for the info. Now since I'm a resident of Minnesota, the way the FOID law seems to read is that it doesn't apply to non-residents so it seems that I'm able to still buy firearms and ammo. Am I reading the law correctly? I believe I am but I just want to double check.

You're right about Illinois not being the worst about the laws but it still doesn't make their practices right. :) Thanks again fellas.
 
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An important thing: C&S is a class III last I knew, which means they can sell you any goody but silencers, which are the only thing banned by MO law. I suppose that'll be the next thing we need to work on here.
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They'll be legal on August 28, which is when the new law takes effect. They will be legal to manufacture, sell, and possess (by a licensed collector, so get your C&R). The change was snuck on to the range protection act.
 
They'll be legal on August 28, which is when the new law takes effect. They will be legal to manufacture, sell, and possess (by a licensed collector, so get your C&R). The change was snuck on to the range protection act.
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Wow, that got my attention.

I have a C&R, so what else will I need to buy a silencer on Aug. 28th?
 
since I'm a resident of Minnesota, the way the FOID law seems to read is that it doesn't apply to non-residents so it seems that I'm able to still buy firearms and ammo
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Gryphon,
If you're referring to the IL FOID card, my experience was that it means that nobody out of state can buy anything. I was in IL visiting in-laws and tried to buy some .223 at a Bass Pro/Gander Mt. or something, I can't remember the store. Anyway, I was told that the only way I could get ammo was to have an FOID and then could buy ammo for whatever was in season. That didn't make sense, but I decided that I don't really want my money going to IL anyway, and will avoid it in the future. (Kind of like Norm Stewart refusing to let any UMC dollars go to the state of KS. :D)

I could have just gotten a ignorant employee, but it was in a Chicago suburb. Downstate could be different.
RT
 
I have a C&R, so what else will I need to buy a silencer on Aug. 28th?
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AFAIK (I am no expert on this), but the standard NFA rules will apply. That is, you'll need the appropriate ATF form (I don't know which one it is), and you'll either need an LLC to "own" the thing or you'll need your local CLEO signoff on the form.

Unfortunately, I am not a good source for reliable info on NFA procedure.
 
Thanks for the info. Now since I'm a resident of Minnesota, the way the FOID law seems to read is that it doesn't apply to non-residents so it seems that I'm able to still buy firearms and ammo. Am I reading the law correctly? I believe I am but I just want to double check.
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Federal law states you can only buy handguns in your state of residence. You should be able to buy long guns here as federal law allows that, but I suspect most stores would want to do a transfer to your home state anyway. Illinois law only requires that residents have a foid to buy ammo but again, good luck finding a vendor that both knows and feels comfortable enough with the law to sell it to you. I suspect it will be harder at chains than gun dealers.
 
Soybomb and Red Tornado,

Thanks guys. It seems like shooting sports here in IL will be more hassle than it's worth as I'm not so keen on the FOID concept. :banghead: The trap club on base has an advertisement that they'll help the troops get one if they want but I think I'll keep my Minnesota residency. :D Again thanks for the info gentlemen.

v/r

Gryphon1410
 
Thanks guys. It seems like shooting sports here in IL will be more hassle than it's worth as I'm not so keen on the FOID concept. The trap club on base has an advertisement that they'll help the troops get one if they want but I think I'll keep my Minnesota residency. Again thanks for the info gentlemen.
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I imagine the locally owned shops will know the law a lot better than the counter jockey at walmart who was told "foid card no matter what." Mail order should largely avoid the foid issue.
 
Having moved back to Missouri from Illinois awhile back, maybe I can shed some light on this. The FOID is for Illinois residents, and is required to purchase ammunition. But if I present an out-of-state photo-ID, I can buy ammo. The idiocy of this law is that when I was living in Illinois, my girlfriend wanted to by me some ammo for my birthday, but didn't have a FOID yet. She was a state resident, couldn't even buy a box of 22's, but I had a Missouri DL, so I could.

Even Moe, Larry and Curly couldn't come up with anything goofier than that!

And why did I move back to Missouri? They passed Concealed Carry! And that will NEVER happen in Illinausea, unless there is a MAJOR regime change.

Papajohn
 
Recent experiences at St. Charles' Big 2

I've been going to Mike's and Nassau about once a week for two years now. I've bought two rifles from Mike's, and sold him two pistols to pay unexpected expenses. Prices were more than fair both ways. Great guy, but gets harried with too many customers and questions.
Bought almost all of my ammo (7.62 X 54, .40, and 7.62 X 39) at Nassau, until recently. They are now selling Romanian Hotshot AK ammo for 5.99 for 20. The sign was marked down from 6.99 for 20! Now, I realize as we all do, that prices have gone up in the last year, but this same ammo was 4.59 a box in March/April. Have vendor prices gone up this much in the meantime? Or, are they just one more on the bandwagon of "November is almost here, the sky is falling! Guns will be outlawed. They won't take your guns, they'll just make ammo too expensive!" Profit is great, profiteering is not. Nassau is great for the peripherals, like reference books and gun cases, but neither shop could point me to where I could purchase a sturdy gunbelt, or find a holster for a Steyr. So I guess my contribution to this is that no one gunshop is perfect, but the main two in my little corner of the area each have a little of what I need.
 
i know this post is old but people are still threading

hey i think mikes guns is as good as it gets around here, i personally would never buy a gun from nassau because i think the guy in the handgun room is a smartass prick. i bought my first handgun from denny dennis in fenton got a great deal on it. also i was wondering if anyone knew where indoor and outdoor ranges are in the st.charles area. email me at [email protected] if you know of any
 
There's a gun show in Belleville in January, and the week following, there's one in Highland. Some of us from IL and MO will remember the great shows that Highland used to have years ago... they're trying to resurrect it. If you're interested in dates, shout and I'll call the Belleville fairgrounds and get them.

At the Collinsville show in November, it was a regular feeding frenzy. AR lowers were all gone and the parts kits were going fast. I highly recommend M&R for your parts if you're assembling one (while you still can). Tell Pam (at M&R) that "the novelist sent me" and you might get a break on prices... no guarantees though. :)

If you want the dates of the shows, shout.

Happy New Year to you all !! Take care, watch out on the roads on the Eve, and buy ammo while it's still affordable. :)
 
I havent seen a gun shop in St Louis that was decent yet, but then again i dont know of many other then C&S and i cant stand them guys, had couple bad experiences with them. I will never buy from them again and every MG i bought from them had issues, just not worth it.

As for ranges, im 1hr 30 mins west and i have 1/2 mile (1,000 yrd) range for sniper events i hold.

Have a 600 yrd range for everything except MG's

Have 365 yrd range for setting off explosives, shooting MG's and anything else

Also have a large clay pit (Lake) we throw stuff in and shoot the hell out of with MG's and everything else, everyone loves shooting in the water.
 
St. Louis Gun Ranges

I asked just over a year ago about good gun shops in St. Louis and have since made my purchase from Mike's Guns in St. Charles. Kind of a gruff fella, but his prices really can't be beat.

Anywho, now I'm shooting regularly out at Henges range off antire road, but was curious to get some thoughts and pricing for other handgun ranges in the St. Louis area.

I've also shot across the river over at the Winchester Handgun Facility in East Alton and really enjoyed it.

Let me know your favorite place to shoot and approximate costs if you know them.

Thanks,
mark
 
Benchrest Club of St. Louis has some great pistol ranges. You might really want to start a new thread on this issue - a seven year old thread might not get much new attention especially since the information requested has changed substantially.
 
You might really want to start a new thread on this issue - a seven year old thread might not get much new attention especially since the information requested has changed substantially.
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Oh no. This thread is becoming a classic. Don't go ruining it by adding requirements.

a seven year old thread might not get much new attention
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Oh, it gets attention. I check it every single time it pops up just to see what's changed. I don't think I'm the only one. (At least I hope not)

Just for everyone's info, (since this perfectly good thread is alive once more):

Gun show at St. Charles Convention Center on Saturday March 28th.

See you all here again in a few months!
 
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