I first started buying from Second Amendment Sports in McHenry when I used to live in the local…read morearea. I live in Texas now and I travel north once a year for business and family and I always make a point to stop there. The owner, Bert, is the most knowledgeable person about firearms, ammunition, and optics I've ever known. I always call ahead of time if I need something, and I'll present different options of what I'm looking, what I need it for, and Bert will help me decide not only what the best firearm and optic is, but also the best value. The rest of the sales and administrative staff are awesome as well.

I had transferred all my guns (6-7) to AZ and they arrived in shit shape due to their inconsiderate…read morepacking of them. While I provided cases for some, 2A sports never said one word to me how they would package the other items of pistols, rifles or how I should make sure they would be transfered safely without damage. Walnut stocks ruined and finishes destroyed beyond repair. The service I received was incompetent.

Great class, excellent instructor. I took the conceal carry class for Illinois. Chris our…read moreinstructor; was very patient with us and answered every question clearly and succinctly. I have been shooting for over twenty years and he was able to correct some of my bad habits and teach us new safety techniques. All the course work is taught in a very professional yet accessible manner. Chris was very respectful regarding various levels of familiarity with firearms and shared his informed opinion with us in bite size pieces of information. I was impressed at how quickly he could spot deficiencies in technique and the ease with which he was able to correct them on the spot. The theoretical part of the course was less exciting, but Chris made it very clear how it relates to every day use and gave several examples each time a clarifying question was asked. This was by far the best experience I have had with a firearms instructor and I have sent my friends to the course who all had the identical perfect experience.

From the owner: Dedicated to the Education and Training for the Right to…read moreCarry a Firearm. Our goal is to educate and train individuals and businesses about the right to carry a firearm. We give you a foundation that you can build upon to defend your life or the life of a loved one. We also educate businesses how defend themselves from open end liability from not understanding the laws that govern responsible law abiding citizens. Part of that foundation is understanding the liability you incur should you carry a firearm for self defense. How to defend yourself legally regardless if you are an individual or a business.

CY Armory was an awesome find for my wife and I! Didn't realize it was there until I happened to be…read morelooking for a different business in the same area on RTE 120. I've been shopping at larger stores and shooting at different ranges before finding CY Armory where asking finding help and asking could be a bit of a challenge. Not here! Brian and Dan were awesome! Very knowledgeable and patient with everything I tossed their way! Brian took his time and helped narrow down an overwhelming selection to what will fit my needs. Thanks for that! I typically plan on "only looking" whenever I stop in but often fail. (Thank God for an understanding wife). That said, I'm very pleased with my purchases and will definitely continue to give my business with CY! As for the range, it's what Brian classifies as "old-school". Nothing fancy but, come on... what do you need other than a safe lane and a target to practice? This checks the box! My wife even likes the hand-crank to send the target out and back rather than the electronic controls. There's always been at least 1 lane ready and waiting whenever I've been there. As a guy, I don't put much emphasis in the bathrooms at a business but my wife really does appreciate a clean and stocked facility which CY has! It was just totally re-done! Husbands all know that it's a drag when you have to leave somewhere that you are having fun only to find your wife a bathroom that's up to her standards. Ugh... Now I can stay as long as I want! (Ha-Ha!) Overall, I'd highly recommend CY Armory to anyone that's new to the sport to the advanced shooter.

Brian's been awesome at helping me decide on what firearms are best for me. Being a "Lefty", ifs…read moregreat to have someone who points out why I might not lile a certain firearm. His knowlege is quite impressive! Then there is their training! Wow! Steve and Brian are 2 of the best trainers I have ever experienced. You owe it to yourself to take one course, it will be the best money you ever spent!

The store and range itself are small, it is a no thrills place, yet down to earth and you can get…read morehere just about anything you need. The service here is outstanding... perhaps the best out there as they don't come across as I know everything and your just a newbe. The place can be a bit hard to find as it's in this very tiny strip mall and you figure a gun range has to be somewhat big to accommodate the ranges. Right? Well, here the entire store and range is underground, so the entrance is literally nothing but a door which leads directly to a set of steps going down. The store and range certainly show their age and have been well used. But, from a business perspective this apparently keeps the overhead low as I find the prices here very reasonable! As for the range, the check in process here is perhaps the easiest of all ranges in the area. These guys are very accommodating and I like that fact that they encourage openly on bringing your kids along. The range itself is cramped and very loud. Okay, yea I know we are shooting off guns here and things just get loud, but here, the sounds really reverberate and I can really feel the shock wave at times when a .357 or higher is being used. I don't get this feeling at other ranges. The range can also get a little smokey at times. Despite these conditions, I really do like coming here as I get the feeling of being welcomed and I just feel very comfortable at these ranges. Some of my tightest patterns have been shot here and I think it has to do that I'm very relaxed when coming to this range. If you can, it seems that during the week days, just at opening time, the ranges is generally not as packed and I find it a great time to come.

Dirty, dingy, no stock on anything. God forbid you ask them to order something. It will literally…read more be full retail price or they will refuse to order it. Shooting range SUCKS!!! you need a gas mask to use as the ventilation is just horrible. Along with it being the most dimly lit range you will ever shoot at. Wish Bill still owned the place. Avoid at all cost.

My husband is a very experienced shooter and I am very new. We both found the training to be…read moreinformative and educational. I appreciate the focus on safety and good firearm habits. If you are in need of firearms training I recommend the classes at Badge 553 without hesitation.

From the owner: We educate responsible Americans on firearm safety. We currently have 6 different curriculums to…read moreoffer the public including the required training for those who want to conceal carry. Our instructor is an ex-military Staff Sgt. from the Alaskan Air Command, a retired Police Officer and he is a certified NRA Pistol Instructor, an affiliated USCCA firearms instructor and he is certified by the Illinois State Police to teach the Illinois Concealed Carry Class. We firmly believe that our classes offer the best training available in convenient and comfortable environments. All of our classes consist of interesting Power Point presentations and a lot of hands on firearm exercises. We also accommodate those with disabilities with easy access in both the classroom and the indoor range. We offer discounts for veterans, law enforcement and for couples. We keep our class size small for a better learning experience.

I took the concealed carry renewal course. My most important goal was to learn changes to Illinois…read morelaws. Tony provided information on both Illinois and national laws including state reciprocity laws. He gave us information about carrying guns across state lines and what to do before crossing the state line. That was great information. I was not prepared for the USCCA sales pitch.

Stopped in recently and had a great experience They have a really nice selection of rentals to…read morechoose from Everyone I interacted with was friendly and welcoming The range was very clean and well maintained and the retail area looked great too The staff was accommodating helpful and made the whole visit enjoyable Thanks again

Red Dot Training Academy of Lake Villa, IL. I would give them 10 stars if I could! ofay was the…read morefirst part of the two day Conceal Carry Class. I was very excited pressed with the detail of the lesson and how the instructor, Steven, was able to convey all of the information necessary in such a clear and kind way. He is a wealth of knowledge and made everyone feel comfortable. He loves what he does and he is very good at it. We were able to either rent a gun or bring your own for this course. It is very reasonable in price as well as the cost of ammunition. Our range time was ample and again, carefully, slowly and without pressure taught to all participants. There was no rush on guided target practice. There were five Range officers within arms distance offering advice and of course vigilant on safety. No one was uncomfortable. Michael was in instrumental on improving our gun-hand position, stance. His expertise really improved my feel and my results! Thank you Red Dot Training Academy! I cannot wait for the second class!

From the owner: With a wide variety of firearm safety and shotgun classes to choose from, Red Dot Arms Training…read moreAcademy has the classes that you are looking for. Whether you are interested in a obtaining a license to conceal carry a handgun in your home state or other states, we have the training class or course for you.

I recently completed my CCL course at Lightning Defense Academy, and I can say without hesitation…read morethat this is the best firearms training academy in Northern Illinois. From start to finish, the experience was exceptional, educational, and deeply meaningful to me. My instructor, Erin, is nothing short of outstanding. Her intelligence, professionalism, patience, and strong character set the tone for the entire class. She created a supportive, welcoming classroom environment where every question was encouraged and answered with clear, precise instruction. Erin truly takes the time to ensure her students understand not only how to safely handle a firearm, but also the laws, responsibilities, and mindset required of a concealed carry license holder. Her trust in me as a student, the time she invested, and her belief in my ability to succeed meant more to me than words can fully express. She is an incredible female instructor who absolutely rocks this class and blew it out of the park on every level. The class itself was fun, informative, and well-paced, with a great group size that allowed for individual attention. The agility test and range qualification were run smoothly and professionally, and the written test at the end of the course was extremely helpful in reinforcing everything we learned. I walked away feeling confident, informed, and prepared. The owner, John, is an amazing instructor and an even better human being. Despite running a busy family business and teaching instructor-level classes, he took time to step into our classroom and share invaluable, real-world knowledge that every CCL holder should hear. His guidance on the range is something you truly need to experience firsthand. He is patient, highly knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in the success and safety of every student. Lightning Defense Academy is also home to an incredible pro shop located in the same building. It is a family-run business, with John and his son working behind the counter and going above and beyond to help. They patiently answered my questions, guided me toward the proper holster for my needs, and made the purchasing process comfortable and educational. The selection of firearms and accessories is outstanding, with one of the largest selections of new and used firearms I've seen, along with hands-down the best-priced ammunition in McHenry County. What truly sets Lightning Defense Academy apart is their commitment to the community. They offer free classes for women taught by Erin, free CPR and first aid classes, and many additional opportunities to continue learning and growing as a responsible firearm owner. Passing this class meant the world to me. Being trusted, taught, and guided by such a knowledgeable and caring team opened my eyes to the seriousness, responsibility, and legal understanding required of a CCL holder. Lightning Defense Academy doesn't just teach you how to pass a class--they teach you how to carry with confidence, responsibility, and respect for the law. Located off Route 14 in Crystal Lake, Lightning Defense Academy is a true platinum gem. If you are considering obtaining your CCL or furthering your firearms education, do not miss the opportunity to train with John, Erin, and their outstanding team. I recommend Lightning Defense Academy without hesitation as the absolute best in Northern Illinois.

My wife and I took class with Erin she did an awesome job and made us feel very comfortable and…read moresafe!

Very informative location. Loved the easy process, and extra perks you get for joining the class…read more Instructors were great, and very easy to talk to. Just wished they were not biased to USCCA. They also had people that helped with finger printing/application for ccw carry. Made it very easy and convenient.

From the owner: We are a firearm training school doing business since 2013. We specialize in Concealed Carry…read moreClasses. We have 2 locations, Arlington Heights & Crystal Lake. 847-341-5711