Outdoor Range near Chicago?

[TerryM]

I'm NW of Chicago. New to shooting. Looking at an M&P 9 but also considering some rifles. I don't hunt and the rifles seem like they would be more fun at an outdoor range.

No public ones near NW burbs of Chicago that I can find.

Are there private clubs you can join or something?

 

[vytoland]

I'm NW of Chicago. New to shooting. Looking at an M&P 9 but also considering some rifles. I don't hunt and the rifles seem like they would be more fun at an outdoor range.

No public ones near NW burbs of Chicago that I can find.

Are there private clubs you can join or something?

the only outdoor range i know of that is in the chicagoland area is buffalo rock in Ottawa, IL.......ive been there a few times...there are different areas for skeet, pistol, rifle and the "PIT"..........the pit is a lot of fun.....

 

[TerryM]

I think that is the same one I found online. I was hoping for something closer but I guess there likely aren't any.

They aren't exactly 2a friendly around these parts.

 

[Bugkiller99]

I think that is the same one I found online. I was hoping for something closer but I guess there likely aren't any.

They aren't exactly 2a friendly around these parts.

I would suggest you join a gun rights organization. Or two. Local one and a national one.

Don't ask my opinion which one. Ask the guys at the range. Ask them why they suggest what they suggest.

Kudos to you for becoming a new shooter. Sadly, you have joined a hobby that you have to help protect so it will be around to enjoy.

 

[italiansport]

I lived there, in Illinois years ago and I used to shoot at the St Charles Club which is located in Elburn. I suspect this may be the closest place for you. Click on the home link below:
Jim
Home

 

[UncleEd]

Also check to see if a couple of ranges in southern
Wisconsin still exist. Do a general search.

 

[M1A]

For indoor look at Maxon. Real nice.
Outdoor you are outta luck for close. Even a club.
Buffalo rock for rifle has only 100yds target, and the plinking pit.
The clubs are west of the city and your best bet in IL.
As mentioned, across the cheddar border is worth a look.

 

[TerryM]

For indoor look at Maxon. Real nice.
Outdoor you are outta luck for close. Even a club.
Buffalo rock for rifle has only 100yds target, and the plinking pit.
The clubs are west of the city and your best bet in IL.
As mentioned, across the cheddar border is worth a look.

When you say to the West are you saying burbs or further out like Ottawa? Ottawa is 1:45 each way for me.

 

[M1A]

I think there is one in Aurora and I belong to Tri County near Polo.
I drive just under 2hrs. 200 and 100 yd and various pistol.
I think Aurora has a 600, but not sure.
It's been some years since I did a lot of looking.
Decades back I went to Buffalo Rock before it blew up.
BTW you need your FOID and probably an NRA membership.

 

[hsguy]

The Sycamore Sportsman's Club in Sycamore has an outdoor range. Open to the public on first and third Tuesday from 9am till noon and Saturday and Sundays noon till four. $10 dollars range fee. If you need more info PM me.

 

[billwill]

Unfortunately some individuals think that its the south side of the city. Very very unfortunate situation.

 

[venomballistics]

Unfortunately some individuals think that its the south side of the city. Very very unfortunate situation.

If you listen to the scanner feed online, and keep track with a map, by the south side, they really mean the whole city.

while it might seem a cheap shot at Chicago, it's a real issue, and likely will play a profound role in range access and availability

 

[TerryM]

I'm originally from the SW side just North of Midway Airport. The gun violence has really spread across the city and is in the closer in burbs. Some places are safer than others but random acts happen everywhere. Recent stabbing in the Gold Coast, so . . .

Thanks everyone for the insight here.

 

[venomballistics]

I'm originally from the SW side just North of Midway Airport. The gun violence has really spread across the city and is in the closer in burbs. Some places are safer than others but random acts happen everywhere. Recent stabbing in the Gold Coast, so . . .

Thanks everyone for the insight here.

Just a stabbing?
I listened to the police scanner feed for about two months.
first night this officer radios in, voice dead pan flat like it happens every 20 minutes with, "At the vehicle bombing. Its not burning anymore".
few hours later, two other cops radio in on a found body, suicide or murder, unknown ... same dead pan flat ... "we've located the deceased" " Do you want us to get him down?'
I probably would have found something else to listen to after the first night, but Chicago also has a most beautiful soul at the other end of the waves in dispatch. She probably is the reason many on the force can continue on the job