For years, I had been your average recreational shooter. I caught a class once in a while but most of my range time consisted of make-shift target stands in the woods or an ammo (money) dump at an indoor range. That was a perfectly enjoyable way to pass the time but a lack of structure and feedback inhibited growth.

In spring 2017, I challenged myself to find (1) sequential, (2) formal instruction with a (3) quality institution.  The only place that seemed appropriate at the time was Sig Sauer Academy in Epping NH, which had a great reputation, stellar facilities, and numerous beginner-to-advanced classes. While the distance from Illinois to New Hampshire is significant , I optimized my time through use of weekends and bundling two, to three, classes during each trip.  It took no small amount of coordination but I made significant improvements and had a blast whenever I attended a class at Sig. The only downer would be the wind-down time on the way home, as I left a community with the resources and legislation to fully participate in shooting sports.

By late 2017, I bought into the idea that shooting is similar to other pastimes that thrive on local investment and that personal liberties survive by exercising them regularly, so I made it a point to support more local shops, find more training in-state, and invite more people to the range.  

Throughout 2018, I doubled my training and range time but I spent less time traveling, fewer nights in hotels, and fewer vacation days, while spending more time with my family.  During the same period, I brought twelve people to the range, helped four people buy new guns (one of whom bought their first gun), and had dozens of conversations with people interested in learning more.

This web-page is an attempt to maintain that momentum and contribute to more resilient communities and a more well-informed public.

Respectfully,

Joshua R.

P.S. I’m neither military nor law enforcement but I am a father, a partner, and a friend.  While I hope this resource benefits everyone, it’s geared more toward the average person that does not have access to the departmental budgets and training facilities that are available to police and military, or shooters from out of state that want to know what Illinois has to offer in terms of products and services.