Gunshows in IL

[no dash]

I moved to the Chicagoland area of IL about 6 years ago. I moved from Mobile, AL. No, I did not know I was moving to a third world country when I moved. Since moving up here, I have not gone to any gunshows. I miss going to these as the Mobile area has several good ones each year.

So my question to all you out there from IL is, what gunshows do you go to? Which are the best? And finally, where do you find info on them? I have looked at the IL state police website, but there seems to be the same one listed over again for different dates. I do not mind driving a moderate distance to get to a good one/big one.

Thanks for your help.

 

[smitty_bs]

Welcome to Illinois and the FOID card.

I've only attended one, and it's the McHenry one at the Holiday Inn in Crystal Lake. There are decent dealers there and a bunch of other non-gun stuff. It's not a big show though.

However, I have many friends and my FFL agent that attend the Kane County show. That one is a rather large show as I understand and I hear is very good, I just happen to have conflicts on the dates it is run.

Here's a link to shows in IL so you can pick one:
Illinois Gun Shows & ISRA Events Calendar

 

[Badkarma 1]

In my next of the woods there's the ones in Belleville, Il. and Collinsville, Il. But that's almost 300 miles from Chicago, maybe one of the members further north than me can point you to a good on closer to you.
But if your ever down this way, check with some of the local shops they'll know when they're going on! Dale

 

[max]

There are numerous shows downstate. Princeton, Bloomington, Peoria, Decatur and Springfield come to mind.

 

[no dash]

Thanks for all the info. I had not thought of looking at the ISRA site.

 

[JcMack]

I was in a gunshop in the Chain o lakes area about a year ago. THE NICEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD. They sponser a show around there. I'm sorry to be so unimformed, but if you do a yellow pages search on gun shops in Mchenry (I think) county you may pull them up.

 

[smitty_bs]

JcMack - That was likely DJ Guns in Lakemoor. Their show has since moved from Lakemoor to the Holiday Inn in Crystal Lake.

 

[JcMack]

JcMack - That was likely DJ Guns in Lakemoor. Their show has since moved from Lakemoor to the Holiday Inn in Crystal Lake.

I don't know for sure. Guy and his wife on a road adjacent to a lake. I was working and took some time to stop by. I got used to the mindless GPS mode of travel. Job demanded it.

Thanks, Jim

I Google d boogled it. That's got to be the place.

 

[P&R Fan]

Do they still have shows in Aledo? When I was a kid, probably in the late '70s I went there with my Dad a few times. If I remember correctly it was always a big show, with lots of older stuff.

 

[H Richard]

Here's a link to the IL State Rifle Assoc. On the home page they list all gun shows and dates. There are quite a few listed north of I80.
Illinois State Rifle Association

 

[8th SPS USAF]

GS IL

If you live in NE IL you could try Crown Point In, Valparaiso In

Valpo twice a year, CP about every 3 months Next is end of May.

 

[Blacksmith58]

Welcome to the Socialist Republic of Illinois. You should check out this website for all things about Concealed Carry Efforts in Illinois:

IllinoisCarry.com

Tons of helpful information and places and things, etc...

 

[bigolddave]

There are a number of shows within 100 miles of Chicago:

Rockford, twice a year at the Winnebago County
Fairgrounds, free parking, plenty of room to move around, not a great show, but not bad. Two day show.

Rockford, twice a year at Forest Hills Lodge, again free parking, more crowded, decent selection of stuff, one day show.

Princeton, just off of I80, past LaSalle-Peru. Four times a year (unfortunately last one for this year was this past weekend). Very good for a local show; it is my favorite. Saturday I saw a number of newer Smiths, plus a transition HD, a Second Model HE, which the vendor said he thought was an original .45 Colt, but not marked, and a nice 1950 Target .44 which had been nicely shortened to 4 inch.

Kane County in St Charles at the Fairgrounds

Wheaton at the DuPage County Fairgrounds

Peoria at the Northmoor Gardens--haven't been, but hear it is pretty good.

A number of others, but the biggest, in terms of great stuff, the CADA shows at the Lake County Fairgrounds. The next one is in May, then August, and either October or November. Good, good stuff, of every kind, but pricey.

 

[JcMack]

Most of the Indiana shows are listed here

The Big List of ALL Indiana Gun Shows

 

[Bekeart]

Fine GUN Shows

Try this web page: gunshows-usa.com
Gun Show List covering United States

Select your state. (IL)

I use it and find it to be accurate.

Well at least as accurate as the promoters paper handouts.

Bekeart

Gun Show List covering United States

Gun Show List covering United States

 

[AR_Black]

no dash - Hi from southernmost Illinois. I'm 400 miles south of you, but grew up in McHenry County. Unfortunately, I'm stuck here in the peoples republic. We do have it better than California and ????

Belleville, IL in near St. Louis... that's about the farthest north I travel much anymore. But I do know D&J guns in Lakemoor, they seem to be pretty decent. I've sent a few guns to them for transfers.

John