Ok. It's a nice place, I will give them that. But the prices. Wow. Just wow. Of course, being Lake…read moreForest, they have no problem finding customers that will pay whatever. But $75 for an FFL transfer is just wild. I understand it's not a main part of their business, but that's ridiculous. They do have access to a lot of firearms for rental, even full-auto (just for fun) which is a plus if you're shopping (but buy elsewhere and use the guy in Arlington Heights on Central for your FFL transfer for half the price).

Took a new shooter class with Clint. He was fantastic. Easy to follow teaching style and made us…read morefeel very comfortable. Will return for some additional training.

I took my first pistol class here in 2024, took a few private lessons, purchased my first pistol…read morefrom them, and have used them for FFL services twice. These folks are wonderful to do business with, and very welcoming to new shooters. I highly recommend them!

If you're reading this, you've found what you're looking for. This is a truly special place. The…read morestaff are friendly and knowledgeable. Their focus is defensive training & their selection of firearm's reflect it. Their pricing is extremely fair which is what originally brought me in. FFL transfers are done with care. Concealed carry training was so thorough and i'm very happy for this as it's a tremendous responsibility and they covered more than i bargained for. Ownership & management is top notch. Love this place.

I use these guys for my CCL, and have for all my renewals. Really great instructors, they make the…read moreclass "fun" but very informative. They answer every question you have, unless it might be "case specific" they'll give you THEIR opinion but tell you to contact a lawyer to get the proper "by law" answer. - Which I love this, no wrong steering. I was recognized as the Top Shot of my class each time I've gone, which is cool to be recognized as such. I'll continue to go here for as long as I live in Illinois, in this area. 5stars gentleman. 5 stars.

A brief explanation on how I came to Top Shot Academy when I decided to take the CCL class…read more I began this journey by looking in Google maps for a CCL instructor/class that was near where I lived. I found one eight blocks from me. Problem: they closed their business and told no one. Next, I looked again for a close proximity instructor/class. Found one who was an "attorney" (that's what I was told). Made the date for the class, we agreed that I would take the Metra out to his location and he would pick me. Got on the train in the city and went out to his Metra stop. He was a no-show - got stood up. SOOOO, having finally learning my lesson, I looked on Yelp for a reputable 5-star rating CCL instructor. Top Shot Academy and instructor Chip Eberhart. Taking Chip's class was unbelievably thorough and so complete with regard to every detail, well, I'll say I plan to never loose touch with this remarkable guy and Top Shot Academy ! His experience and continuing ongoing firearm education (including and great wit and sense of humor - can I say that ?) makes him a paragon of his profession ! Alan

Carl an extremely knowledgeable instructor, this was an amazing learning experience. The only…read morelocation I'm going to moving forward.

Mr. Carl is a great instructor who is easy to understand and ask questions. Also, I enjoyed the…read morepace of the class.

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.

This was my first Conceal Carry training and what a great class!…read more Joe really knows his stuff! He was very informative, knowledgeable and a great instructor. He kept everyone interested helping us to actually understanding the Illinois gun law material, and there is a lot! but never a boring moment. The shooting range qualification training was awesome! Joe puts safety, education and training in a dynamic that we understand which produce better shooters. I left with an absolute ton of knowledge and confidence. We The People I give five stars! Thank you Joe.

Training was engaging and informative. I will return for additional classes. Joe was very…read moreknowledgeable, straight forward and had slot of passion for his subject.

I had an outstanding experience at GAT Guns and can't say enough good things about Kris, Chris, and…read morethe entire sales team. From start to finish, the experience was professional, welcoming, and genuinely customer-focused. I came in very excited to purchase a SIG Sauer P226 X-Carry Legion, and the experience absolutely lived up to that excitement. I also had a lot of questions--not only about the P226 X-Carry Legion itself, which I'm in love with, but also about several other firearms I was considering. Kris and Chris were both incredibly knowledgeable and patient, taking the time to walk through differences, answer questions in detail, and provide honest, thoughtful insight. What really stood out was how attentive and unrushed the entire experience felt. I never felt pressured or pushed toward a decision. Instead, I felt comfortable, well informed, and confident throughout the process, which made the purchase even more enjoyable. This wasn't my first experience with GAT Guns either. I've purchased items from them in the past unrelated to firearms, and those experiences were just as positive. In addition, several of my family members purchased gifts for me from GAT Guns for Christmas 2025, and they all had great experiences as well, which says a lot about the consistency of the team and the way they treat customers. GAT Guns is clearly a well-run, professional operation with a knowledgeable staff that takes pride in doing things the right way. Between my own experiences and those of my family, they've earned my trust and my repeat business. I highly recommend GAT Guns to anyone looking for a top-tier buying experience.

The range is outdated. Old toggle switch/cable target carriers with no distance readouts. You just…read morehave to guess by the red lines on the floor. Stalls are dark. Had to call the guys at the desk to sweep up the brass. One of the cheaper ranges for a reason. But I want to discuss their sales. As we know, IL has a 15rd magazine limit for pistols. In spite of this, and regardless of your feelings, they completely ignore it and have a ton of handguns with 18+ magazines for sale. Now we all know all the cops that frequent this place off-duty, and GAT feels like they can just skirt the rules. The problem is, if you're caught, they won't be held responsible at all. I pitty the poor new owner that is unaware of this restriction and suffers consequences. Used firearms appraisals? Forget it. Their offers are straight up insulting. Even Cabela's does better. They offered me 2x what GAT did without hesitation. Their ammo shelves are pretty bare too.

A real PRO, brilliant nice guy. This is the only place I would send anyone. I have referred many…read moreand always good words

I want to thank TC for understanding my unique situation and getting me into a class on short…read morenotice. Also kudos to Don for making the class interesting, relevant as well as organized. Our class consisted of people from ALL backgrounds and ages...from novice to experienced and everything in between. Myself being older, highly skilled and experienced, I liked how no question was ever overlooked or undervalued by our instructors vast knowledge from those with less knowledge. The highlight of the 2 day CCL class for me was range qualification. It was relaxed, yet structured and everyone was at ease and safe. As is most things in life, the more you put in...the more you'll get out of the overall experience. Although instructor Don could have droned on and on doing ALL the reading, he wisely chose all the class members to read aloud. This was helpful to the entire class and especially the shy students who would've just sat back letting their classmates carry the class. My experience was quite satisfying and highly productive. Instructors Don and TC are dedicated to teaching students well and it shows in their actions.

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

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.

Terrance (TK) was patient and thorough. Very professional and safety conscious!read more

I've had the pleasure to be certified for CCW Illinois by Terreance Holley and his crew at T.K…read moreDefense Training just recently. Terreance's knowledge for the pistol instruction, law education and range safety is very strong and I would highly recommend utilizing T.K Defense for your pistol qualification / certification needs.