I’ll ask this here because there is no corresponding Regional Training Group subforum for our area.
Are there any existing drill or practice events similar to what is run by rob_s and/or his club down in FL? I’d like to start getting more structured practical carbine drill and practice in and have always found it works best when done with like-minded people.
If nothing like this exists around here, is anyone interested in discussing forming a group?
I’m from Chicago. Training groups are basically nonexistent around here. The only one I know of has cut waaaaaay back on courses and seems to be focusing on training instructors.
I’d be very interested in trying to get a group going if you don’t mind a guy new to rifles. There’s only one public range within driving distance and I’ve heard bad things, so I’m willing to travel.
OK, that makes two of us! I’m all for an all-skill-level kind of deal.
I’ll start researching venues for a monthly drill. Any ideas?
Im in, and I will contribute whatever I can to the cause.
The biggest hurdle I foresee is finding a suitable/accessible range within a reasonable driving distance. I think N/W Indiana might be the best bet as far as a range goes.
Stay safe,
Nick (Chicago, IL.)
Three prospects? We are getting deep. LOL.
I agree that NW Indiana will probably offer more venues. I once heard of an old quarry that was being used as a rifle range. I’ll try to get in touch with the guy who told me about it if only to check out the acoustics.
Anyone heard of Buffalo Rock Range in Ottawa? Just looked them up. They allegedly have a 100yd rifle range open to public.
My department occasionally gets guest instructors passing through. CSAT taught a class last year. I’ll ask around to see who sets them up. They might have good information.
Yeah, they only allow bench shooting on the 100yd range at Buffalo.
You work at Lake County? I was at the CSAT rifle class last June at the LCSPD range.
Have you researched the Aurora Sportsman Club?? I was at an RO class two weekends ago and there was a guy from ASC that organized their monthly practical rifle matches. He referred to them as ‘drills’ and said they utilized the Viking Tactics barrier a fair amount. Good luck in your search!!
Im from NE Indiana, and I too have been curious about any “Range days” with fellow board members. What are Illinois laws on SBR’s? Id prefer to do training with my SBR. I know Michigan is a no go for SBR’s.
Ill do some checking on ranges in NW Indiana, seems like the halfway point for most. Id say check out ingunowners.com but that place drives me crazy. Not the smartest group of ppl there.
I believe IL is no go for any SBRs - I know we can’t have them as residents. (Which is probably why I want a Kino so badly - forbidden fruit.) I’m all for an IN site for this reason if nothing else.
I have a friend who’s a member at Aurora, I’ll approach him. In the past Aurora had a strict members-only policy,. but their expenses are much higher now and maybe they’ve liberalized it a bit. I’ll also look into whether they would consider a class lease of facilities.
Before I contact him, what characteristics do we need in a facility? It might help us all look for a suitable home if we had pre-defined requirements.
How far are we each willing to drive? I’m thinking up to two or three hours, much more than that is too much for a drive-shoot-drive day.
No SBR’s in IL.
Let me clarify: A group in my department got some people into that class. I only went to Howe’s seminar which was through my dept. There’s a women’s tactical group run by and consisting of many women from my department. They get a lot of opportunities for training offered to them, so I’m going to talk to their president and see if she can hook me up with some info like locations, phone numbers and such.
A three hour drive is acceptable. I’ve considered the trips to OH, TN, and other long hauls just to get learn and practice drills.
I myself have also thought of going a long haul just to get some good drills in. Hopefully we can find some a range that will let us pay a range fee and have a good day of practice
That would be the ideal; what I’d like to see is something with some structure - preplanned courses of fire and drills, not just group shooting.
I have a feeling IN is going to be our best bet. But where?
if ya’ll find or set up anything I’d sure like a reason to visit home alot more. Im from Lake County IL, but currently live with the us army
i’ll be following this one
Ill be checking into Ranges in Northwest Indiana over this week and let you fella’s know. would be nice to put some faces to the names on here
Great! Please keep us posted.
Ive found some ranges, going to give them a call later today. They are DNR ranges I believe, some sound promising but never know.
Ok, called a couple places. Only 1 really has potential.
Jasper-Pulaski FWA Indiana DNR
Ranges:
25-50-100-200,shotgun
Range Rules:
No Full Autos
No Range Fee
Sign-in at HQ building
7-4 Central time
Wednesday - Sunday
Its a first come first serve range, and since its a DNR range its probably gonna be busy.
The other ranges I couldn’t find a number or any other info to call and see if we could do anything like what we want too.
I hope to make it to the Aurora Sportsman Club for this months Practical Carbine Drill session. It sounds like it is still in it’s infancy, and the facility sounds to be slightly restrictive, but hopefully the more popular it gets, the better things will develop there.
Looking forward to seeing where this goes. I’m in Saint Charles, IL and have been (passively) looking for something along these lines for some time with no luck. Demands on my time and resources are such presently that, were something to come together, I would only be able to offer by participation, but I would do so enthusiastically.
Thanks you all for looking into this!