13 replies to this topic

[Patriots & Tyrants]

I am going to be out in DeKalb and Batavia for Business on Monday, with a few hours to kill in between apointments after my mid day sales call canceled on me. Any of you guys know of good gun shops or ranges in the DeKalb or Batavia area?

Edited by Patriots & Tyrants, 23 March 2012 - 02:14 PM.

[Bud]

Patriots & Tyrants, on 23 March 2012 - 02:13 PM, said:

I am going to be out in DeKalb and Batavia for Business on Monday, with a few hours to kill in between apointments after my mid day sales call canceled on me. Any of you guys know of good gun shops or ranges in the DeKalb or Batavia area?

There is Carter's guns in Shabbona, about 10 miles south of Dekalb. Dusty, dank cavern like place with little or no selection. There is the Gander Mountain with outrageous firearm prices on Randall Road. There is a Cop Shop with limited guns on Rt 64 in Sycamore.

One of the disadvantages of living in the far sticks is there ain't much around.

As it turns out, that is also a major advantage

[pyre400]

You're almost near Kenny at that point. How far is "Loves" from DeKalb? 35-40 minutes?

[Chris]

I do enjoy going to the Gander Mountain in Batavia on my lunch hour, however that's because I like to look at the camping gear that they have at that one.

I will suggest that you get a Garlic Cheesey Beef at the Beef Shack on Randall and 64 in St Charles.

If you're also looking to kill time and want to stuff your face some more, I am a fan of Kernal Fabyan's in downtown Geneva.

[Chris]

pyre400, on 23 March 2012 - 02:22 PM, said:

You're almost near Kenny at that point. How far is "Loves" from DeKalb? 35-40 minutes?

He's further south of my work but back when gas was cheaper and I'd cruise out there a fair amount it usually took exactly an hour to get from work to Kenny's doorstep.

[pyre400]

Chris, on 23 March 2012 - 02:25 PM, said:

pyre400, on 23 March 2012 - 02:22 PM, said:

You're almost near Kenny at that point. How far is "Loves" from DeKalb? 35-40 minutes?

He's further south of my work but back when gas was cheaper and I'd cruise out there a fair amount it usually took exactly an hour to get from work to Kenny's doorstep.

Yea, I was thinking more of DeKalb. He's a little N/W of there, but I have no idea where the new place is. I may end up stopping by one of these days, myself.

[Patriots & Tyrants]

wow that was fast, looks like I have a lot of places to check out. Are any of those ranges? Most of the time I am out on sales calls I know I am going to end up going to a school, federal building, college campus or some other area where even having my range bag in the trunk puts me in legal danger. Finally got a DeKalb call that isin't at NIU so I think its time to broaden my range horizons. Ontop of that I need to find a CW9 for my wifes Birthday and no one in the Chicago area(where I live) seems to have one.

[Jeckler]

I live there and it's true, there isn't much selection.  
Gander Mountain will have the best selection, but as Bud indicated it can be expensive.

http://www.riverside...sports.com/  It would be worth calling first,  I don't know if he really does much "retail."  I walked in once and it took him by surprise.  Very small store, literally underneath the staircase of another shop.  I only went the one time over the last 6 years.

There are a couple of guys in Dekalb that both sell out of their flooring-carpet store.  You can find them on gunbroker.  They mostly do mail order but will take appointments.

[Bud]

Patriots & Tyrants, on 23 March 2012 - 02:29 PM, said:

wow that was fast, looks like I have a lot of places to check out. Are any of those ranges? Most of the time I am out on sales calls I know I am going to end up going to a school, federal building, college campus or some other area where even having my range bag in the trunk puts me in legal danger. Finally got a DeKalb call that isin't at NIU so I think its time to broaden my range horizons. Ontop of that I need to find a CW9 for my wifes Birthday and no one in the Chicago area(where I live) seems to have one.

I have gotten to the poiunt where I no longer shop at gun stores and use the internet just about exclusively.

JRs Gun Shop in Aurora has a decent automated range, vast inventory with inflated prices, surly arrogant sales personnel and a very snotty range attendent.

The Aurora Sportsmans Club at Waterman has got okay outdoor ranges but you have to be a member.

I think there is a club in Sycamore but they don't have a webpage (that I can find)

[lee n. field]

pyre400, on 23 March 2012 - 02:22 PM, said:

You're almost near Kenny at that point. How far is "Loves" from DeKalb? 35-40 minutes?

Eh, longer than that.  I'd say a good half hour to get to Rockford, then you have to get through Rockford.

[Bud]

lee n. field, on 23 March 2012 - 06:54 PM, said:

pyre400, on 23 March 2012 - 02:22 PM, said:

You're almost near Kenny at that point. How far is "Loves" from DeKalb? 35-40 minutes?

Eh, longer than that.  I'd say a good half hour to get to Rockford, then you have to get through Rockford.

I am 20 m iles south of Dekalb and Kenny's is 70 miles north of me. Straight up I-39 to where it joins I-90 and then north to Loves Park. Call it an hour and fifteen minutes from me depending on the State troopers on I-39 (you rarely see any unless there's an accident)

[Jeckler]

BudMan5, on 23 March 2012 - 02:45 PM, said:

Patriots & Tyrants, on 23 March 2012 - 02:29 PM, said:

wow that was fast, looks like I have a lot of places to check out. Are any of those ranges? Most of the time I am out on sales calls I know I am going to end up going to a school, federal building, college campus or some other area where even having my range bag in the trunk puts me in legal danger. Finally got a DeKalb call that isin't at NIU so I think its time to broaden my range horizons. Ontop of that I need to find a CW9 for my wifes Birthday and no one in the Chicago area(where I live) seems to have one.

I have gotten to the poiunt where I no longer shop at gun stores and use the internet just about exclusively.

JRs Gun Shop in Aurora has a decent automated range, vast inventory with inflated prices, surly arrogant sales personnel and a very snotty range attendent.

The Aurora Sportsmans Club at Waterman has got okay outdoor ranges but you have to be a member.

I think there is a club in Sycamore but they don't have a webpage (that I can find)

JR has a very nice store with a great assortment.  However, he and his wife are arrogant ***holes.  Do business at your own risk.  You've been warned.

The Saint Charles Sportsman Club is also close.  Technically it's in Elburn.  www.scsconline.org  It's open to public with memberships available.  I recently joined and love it.  I'd be happy to bring a guest anytime.  Trap, Sporting Clays, Skeet, Rifle, Pistol, Archery, Fishing Pond, Club House, Picnic area, Grills, it's a great set up.

[Tompo]

Gander Mountain has a big selection--but IMO, their prices are way out of line.  It's a good place to LOOK and get ideas about guns, but I wouldn't buy there.

J.R. Shooting in Aurora has a nice range, great selection, but their prices are even worse than Gander Mountain.  I wouldn't buy at either place.  Now that Article II is open in Lombard, I don't use JR's range, either anymore.

[Patriots & Tyrants]

Decided to drop by Gander Mountain this morning about 5 mins after they opened.
They have a pretty small selection of non "hunting" type firearms. Lots of wood-furniture bolt actions, shotguns etc not many "tactical" type guns or even handguns.

Overpriced used 3rd gen S&W's, a used P228 that had too much rail wear for what they were asking.
The couple of AR's they had were a bit expensive but on the level with places like Cabelas and only maybe 10% higher than places like GAT or Maxson.


and then the problem.....I fell in love with this Commander Length S&W 1911PD they had with Crimson Trace Laser Grips. Was on "Clearance" for $1,099...I might be going back tomorrow.



Have to go back to Batavia sometime next week, will have to check out some of the other stores you guys listed.

Edited by Patriots & Tyrants, 26 March 2012 - 06:36 PM.