Hi. I basically have 0 experience in firearms. I’m looking for advices on where/which is the best place to learn/take classes near Elgin IL without burning a lot of money/wasting time. Thank you.

Screw on the left is completely stripped. I don’t trust myself not damaging the optic or weapon if i try to do it myself

Hey guys good afternoon, I just wanted to come on here and ask what’s a good solid first firearm? Rifle wise I guess like is the mini 14 ranch a good option? Bc at the moment I’m 19 and my only options are rifles, shotguns and hunting rifles like you guys know. But if you guys have any good recommendations I’d appreciate thanks! :))

Hi. I am wanting to purchase a firearm from a family member and want to make sure everything is done legally.
Both current FOID holders and both IL residents.

I tried to thoroughly search Google and the ISP website prior to posting. I cannot seem to find a clear concise answer on what is required.

The best I can tell, it seems like the family member selling to me needs to get a transfer approval number online and we need to keep a bill of sale. Do I still have to go to an FFL even if I keep the bill of sale record myself? Is there anything beyond this needed?

Picking up my first bolt gun this weekend. Looking for recommendations for a smith who could cut/rethread my barrel and install bottom metal. Located within western suburbs but willing to make a drive really anywhere. PFA

basically what the title says. theres no multiclass option online and you cant select more than one class. all my other info is correct, so the class has to be the reason i cant proceed.

any advice?

Hey guys, I just wanted to bring up Anderson v. Raoul, which is coming up again on October 28, 2026.
I’ve already gone ahead and joined the American Suppressor Association, and I encourage you all to consider joining as well to show your support for suppressor rights and the Second Amendment.
Especially with everything happening right now regarding the NFA and the ATF, I think there’s potential for some significant positive changes. If things continue moving in the right direction, it could be a big step forward for gun rights, especially here in Illinois.
Let me know your thoughts and opinions! I’d like to hear what you guys think about the case and what the future might hold.
Thank you!

So I had a protection order put on me falsely i had my evidence did my court date it got dropped but in the process it caused my ccl and foid to be suspended i turned in my guns it’s been about since sept 2nd since it’s been dropped I’ve been calling daily trying to get it reinstated I’ve sent the emails needed also, the most reply I’ve gotten is them confirming they received my email saying they’re still busy but they got it which they sent about 2 weeks ago when i sent my original email 9/2 and got that email 10/5 any tips ??

I want to have a beat-up Smith Model 64 converted from square butt to round butt, not wanting to Bubba that myself. Cannot find any shops near me that have a smith that does revolvers. Anyone have leads?

Hi everyone, I have a savage arms 64 rifle in 22lr with 10 mags. Love gun but I want something better so I thinking of selling it or have exchanged for Ruger 10/22.

what are laws of selling or exchange a gun here in Illinois?

Today's Pistol and Rifle Clinic marks one of the last classes of our 2026 training season!

Today, students worked through a variety of drills involving pistols, rifles, and both platforms together, revisiting the skills and concepts we've covered throughout the year. These included firearm transitions, strong and weak side manipulations, emergency reloads, target transitions, the use of cover and concealment, and more.

We appreciate everyone who helped make our 2026 training season a successful one!

We still have our Women's-Only Vehicle Defense Course on October 31st and our Concealed Carry Course on November 14th, and then we'll be wrapping things up until 2027.

The end of the season isn't all bad, though! While we're regrouping and planning for next year, now is your chance to tell us what classes you'd like to see during our 2027 training season.

Vehicle Defense was extremely popular this year, as were all of our defensive courses, but we're always willing to try something new!

Whether you attended one of our classes this year or are planning to train with us for the first time in 2027, shoot us a message or an email with any classes or training topics you'd like to see offered. We'll do our best to work them into next year's schedule!

Thank you all for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing everyone back on the range next year!

I just recently purchased my first long range precision rifle. I’m a complete newbie and I would like to see if there are classes in northern Illinois. I have all the gear necessary, I was just wondering if anyone knew of some good classes in the area. Any help is appreciated .

Sharing my friend’s defensive pistol class.

Highly recommend this level 1 and level 2 class.
Great opportunity to work on concealment, drawing from the holster, and moving and shooting.

I absolutely loved taking this class as a student.

If you’ve taken anything from us at Titan, we highly recommend this course from Guardian. It is everything a concealment and defensive pistol class should be.

https://facebook.com/events/s/guardian-tactics-level-1/2164458661096325/

Anybody have an FFL who starts the 72 hour wait period from time of purchase rather than when they receive it? Northern illinois area

Has anyone been to Second Amendment Sports in McHenry recently? I’m curious about their selection of Illinois-compliant rifles and what the general price ranges look like.
Do they have a decent variety of options, or is the selection pretty limited? Also, how are their prices compared to other gun shops in Illinois?
Just trying to get an idea before making the trip. Any recent experiences or information would be appreciated!

Hey everyone,
I’m looking to buy a firearm online from Gat Guns, but I want to clarify how they handle the Illinois 72-hour waiting period for online purchases.
When I buy online from Range USA, the 72-hour clock starts the moment I pay online. By the time the gun is ready for pickup a few days later, the wait time is already over. I just walk in, fill out the Form 4473, wait for the background check to clear, and take it home the same day.
Does Gat Guns operate the same way for online orders? Or do they force you to come into the store twice—once just to fill out the paperwork to start their clock, and a second time 72 hours later to actually pick it up?

Appreciate any insight from anyone who has bought from Gat Guns online recently!

So my FOID was suspended almost two years ago because of a nonsense criminal charge (passenger had drugs, I got a urinalysis and follicle test after getting out of jail because I’ve never used drugs).

I never surrendered my card or did an FDR. The police took both of my firearms at the scene.

The court stuff is finally over, and I should be able to get my card back.

What can/should I do?

For Halloween, my family is doing a Spartan theme, which includes helmets, armor, prop swords for the kids and real (not sharpened but definitely real) swords for my wife and I. My question: is it legal to carry a sword (in a sheath on my waist) while trick or treating? My wife (a life time Illinois resident) says it’s legal as long as you don’t carry it with the intent to use it unlawfully (720 ICLS 5/24-1). However, according to 720 ICLS 5/24-6, the law states that it is misdemeanor to “carry or possess a knife with a blade exceeding 3 inches on any land supported in part or whole by public funds,” which to me, would include public sidewalks. However, my wife says that “lands supported by public funds” does not apply to sidewalks that are not adjacent to government buildings or within 1000 feet of a school, government building or public park because if it did, people with valid CCL’s would not be allowed to carry guns on public sidewalks just as they’re not allowed to carry in public parks and government buildings, which we know is not the case.

Another thing is that the law specifically says “dangerous weapons or any instrument with a likeness thereof” which to me would include plastic prop swords as well but my wife argues that does not apply to plastic props.

What do you guys think? I would encourage any lawyers or LEO personnel to weigh in, but all responses and interpretations are welcome.

Thanks!

Edit: I’m not sure why everyone is so upset and down voting my question… I was just asking how my fellow gun-enthusiasts interpreted the law. Sorry if I triggered you…

Could someone explain what this means for Illinois gun owners? There isn’t a lot of solid information out there.

Question of the day I was hoping to get thoughts on. Firstly, with SBR's not being regulated now, why haven't you gotten your 03 FFL to get one?

We know PICA restricts pistols with threaded barrels, anything protruding behind pistol grip, and pistols accepting magazines outside of the grip. The one benefit of pistols over rifles (for magazines anyway) is 15 rounds vs 10 rounds. However, once you convert that pistol into an SBR, shouldn't all those restrictions go away? So I could purchase an H&K SP5 pistol, for example, add a fixed stock and finned grip prior to transfer and be perfectly legal, right? But then do I have to use a 10 rd mag or is a 15 rd mag okay?

Then there's the thought that SBR's aren't TRULY rifles and therefore should be completely exempt from PICA anyway as there is no mention of them. Any legal opinions or hearsay on any of these matters?