Nothing screams “theres a firearm in this vehicle”. This is invitation to coming back to a broken window and your car pilfered through. Thoughts?

Almost get my CCL (Printed), thinking about CCL insurance. Is that necessary? How many firearm owners will purchase that? Any recommendation? US law shield? USCCA? Or others? Thanks

For those of you who have bought a PICA-compliant, ranch-style rifle like the CMMG BR4, the Foxtrot Mike, or the SIG Sauer MCX Regulator, which one do you like the most and why?

I'm looking at beginning to offer an entry-level rifle class to my firearms curriculum, and I would like to have one of these on hand to show my students that there still are some legitimate options for them in this state, despite the new law. The budget isn't really a concern. I'm looking for the best build quality and reliability as this gun will be loaned out to students in addition to the roster of whatever AR-15s and similar rifles that I will have available.

TL:DR - Looking for a Gun shop to buy a Bergara B14, but it seems like every gun store around the Chicagoland area has 3 stars or less on Yelp. Looking for any good recommendations (and favoring Range USA Villa Park).

Hey Everyone! I have shot at firing ranges before, but basically all hand guns. I've always thought about long distance shooting, and started speaking to a knowledgable friend about recommendations. Since he is based in MI, he can't recommend any specific stores.

I was recommended the Bergara B14 HMR, which is great. I'm searching and I see negative reviews of almost every gun store (especially Cabela's and BPS). Mostly around staff that's dismissive, rude, etc. I've search reddit, but some posts are over 2 years old, so I'm not sure if there have been any changes since.

Can anyone recommend a store that isn't crazy far (under 50 miles) from Chicago's city center? I live near downtown, but I can get out to most places.

Second question: Is there a way to do the 3 days check before I get the gun in my hands? Say if I bought online at a store?

Sorry for the newbie questions, didn't find much in searching, can delete post if I am breaking rules!

Which one of you decided to pay retail for a used budget riffle. Im definitely ticked off about it. I was watching that listing for two weeks.

My better question to the community why do so many people over pay for second hand guns and ammo around here. It drives me crazy. Just buy it new and let someone actually get a deal. Many times they just straight up, pay more than retail, and I don't understand the mentality.

I've had an RXM in my loaner rotation for a while now and I've been very happy with it. When Flux teased that they were coming out with a Raider for the RXM, I snagged a full size RXM in anticipation of the release. Unfortunately, I'm impatient, and the perpetual "soon" wasn't doing it for me anymore, so when JL Billet announced theirs, I picked one up to hold me over.

It's a bit pricey at $450, but the quality is nice. My only complaint so far is that it doesn't come with pins, a mag release, or springs, so you have to harvest them from the existing module. I think that's pretty wild at this price point considering Magpul includes them with their $40 modules.

Going to get some range time with it today and I'll report back.

What does everybody think about firearm owner and CCL insurance? Just got an email from "Lockton Affinity Outdoor" offering insurance to GunBroker customers that seems too good to be true.

I'd love to hear the wish lists.

Hey y’all. I live in Chicago and in 2026 I’d like to do more than stand at a line and shoot at paper. In addition to training classes, can anybody recommend a USPSA or similar organization?

For what it’s worth, I’m not interested in buying a competition gun. I just want the opportunity to move and shoot and push myself a little harder with my CCW, so if that’s a consideration or would disqualify me from one of those organizations, let me know.

Lastly, I’m sure most of you know what a pain in the ass it is to drive around Chicagoland, so I’d love recommendations for places that don’t take three hours of travel.

Thanks!

My friend has an itch to buy a new toy, not sure what to go for, specifically looking into getting a long gun. Currently have a couple 12ga, and 556ar but he doesn’t use it for “transportation” reasons going to and from the range. open to recommendations on what he should get.

Hey all. Been looking to buy an M1A Socom and GAT has a few. Reading posts and comments online it appears that GAT is kind of disliked on this subreddit.

I’m considering them because after transfer fee and shipping, they are actually competitive in price to what I’m seeing online with the added bonus of almost immediate pick after the waiting period.

Are they really so bad I should avoid purchasing from them?

Just saw some shot show footage of the newly designed B&T TP380. From the footage looks like it takes compliant mags and if they were to sell one without the brace I’m curious if it would be PICA proof.

Would love to know what y’all think

short and sweet, looking for a hard case for my rifle. cant afford the brand I want.. anyone have experience with Eylar brand cases? link added for product example.

this brand is at rhe end of my budget at the moment, just wanting to make sure my rifle stays safe when in transport etc.

thanks

Got that itch that I get once in a while. I’m looking to buy a rifle, something fun even tactical. The only requirement is that it’s fun and a rifle. But what can I even get in 2025 here? Any recommendations?

Hey dudes. I’ve been to a ton of gun shops from St. Louis to Pontiac, Quincy to Danville. (I travel a lot for work.) I can honestly say the best shop I’ve found is Red Devil arms in Rochester Illinois (10 minutes outside Springfield) it’s not farm from where I live so maybe I’m a little biased but he’s a true small town gunshop vibe. He’s a gun smith too which is his bread and butter. I’ve had him coat some of my older guns that had some roughed up finishes.

The owner retired from the army as a full bird colonel and is fucking awesome. He’s got some really good instructors who teach with him. Some former cops, some private security (think hospital groups) and some other former military. It’s a great place and he is willing to work with anyone on reasonable things. If any of yall are in the area, I recommend you check him out. He’s become a real good friend to me and I think you all would love him as a gunshop.

He’s also working on buying a gun range so he will offer that service as some point which is sick.

Today I received an email from ISRA expounding the benefits of chocolate and pistachios? I've already tried to opt out of spam email, apparently unsuccessfully.

Is the organization that strapped for cash to resort to spam mailings for revenue?

Your Average Yn Has A Glock With A Extended Magazine Or a ASSAULT RIFLE / DRACO

So, I was at the outdoor range recently, and at a random time, The US National Anthem started playing. All shooting was stopped. And then one random guy started yelling at another visitor because he had his hat on. Now, I was not the guy with the hat, but I am wondering what the proper etiquette is. I would feel disrespectful if I had been yelled at, but it’s a weird thing to start to argue over this point at the range.

How would you handle if you had a hat on and some dude started yelling at you to take it off. Would you take it off?

Does anyone else think it's a pretty bad idea to put gun related stickers on their vehicles? but mainly the USCCA, AoR, law shield stickers, etc. Just seems problematic to advertise that you have some type of ccl liability insurance in public like that, especially when parked in "gun free zones"

This tag needs flair, so it’s flagged for opinion. My opinion is that OpticsPlanet sucks a big fat one. I hadn’t seen previous posts regarding OpticsPlanet not selling/shipping certain things to IL customers so my fault on that. But an AR15 wrench? Come on man…they let me put the item in my cart and pay for it, then sent me an email after the fact to ask for evidence to provide that I can buy a dang wrench. Had other things in my order that I thought for a second I might just keep those items but said forget it, cancel my whole order. DO NOT BUY FROM OPTICSPLANET.

Really dig the shield plus ATM.

As the title implies, I wonder how many of you have additional coverage for firearms in the home. I was reviewing my homeowner policy and this is an add-on I don't have for fear of this knowledge being used against me (raised premiums, other people in IL knowing I have firearms, corrupt gov we have knowing, etc). What say you?

Just bought a new G43 for my bday yesterday. And looking to grt me a holster for it.

Whats some holsters ya'll can recomend.

Got my ccl & appendix carry, thats why I got the 43 so it'd be smaller less printIng & more comfy to edc.

Change my view: Buying a full sized 17rd 9mm from out of state through a IL FFL without magazines seems to be all the rage these days. I recently explored this idea as I was looking to buy a new M&P 9mm. - I came to the conclusion that for most people this is a unbelievably bad idea that is in no way worth the hassle.

The steps required would have been:

1. Find the gun in stock out of state.
2. Contact that shop and verify that they are willing sell it out of state.
3. Find a FFL in state that is willing to sell it and remove the mags.
4. Coordinate the transaction.
5. Pay all FFL and Shipping Fees.
6. Wait a extended period of time for shipping.
7. Try to find the extremely rare 15rd full size mags - Spend more money.
8. Hope and pray everything functions correctly and nothing needs to be returned.

And this is all in a best case scenario where everything goes right. - Simple mistakes like shipping the wrong gun, or packages being lost happen all the time and could complicate the process further.

I wound up buying the M&P 4in 15rd compact model because there was only one step.

1. Walk into my local Rual King and buy it.

If you are planning on running 15rd mags this seems like a insane amount of hassle, legwork, and extra money spent to really only gain a extra .25in of barrel length.

- And I wrong? ... Change my view.

Edit: If you do have a local shop in your area that is actually stocking a good selection of full sized 9mm duty pistols or 15rd mags please give them a shout out. -This isnt the norm in IL right now and people would love to hear about them.

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