Buy to try model of gun ownership?

[Fealix]

I am pretty novice when it comes to firearms and don't have many friends with many guns. For my first any only firearm I bought a full sized Sig p250 .45. I had to send it back twice and the cycling issue it had was never resolved costing me shipping each time. In any case I have fired a few other ubiquitous rental guns since and really don't care for mine. I really want to fire and get a feel for a few choice pistols before I buy something new and sell my p250 so I don't make the same mistake of getting a gun that I don't really care for. There are no ranges around me that have the guns I want to try out for rent and I was surprised to find in my searching that a gun rental superstore where you can shoot and compare a plethora of models doesn't exist anywhere in the US. What can I do?

 

[Jim Watson]

Socialize.
Make friends with shooters who will let you try out their stuff.

 

[rcmodel]

Only advice I can think of is join a club or range, and make friends.

Rental ranges are prevalent in some parts of the country.

But a local well known one in Kansas City KS has had two or three instances in the last few years of folks walking in, renting a gun, and buying ammo for it.

Then proceed to the range and blow their brains out while committing suicide with the rented gun.

That tends to put a damper on affordable range insurance after a while!
(Not to mention the bio-hazard clean-up in the shooting range.)

rc

 

[lxd55]

welcome to the forum. I do not know where you live but I would call Sig. not there rep but the regional office and get as high as you can with the company. push them to make the problem right and pay shipping costs as they have worked on the handgun more than once. another thought is are the mags sig and what ammo are you using?
did you buy the handgun new?

 

[Ed Ames]

I have never rented a gun and as a US legal resident I am not sure why I would. Between rental fees, range fees, and so on it seems to add up to $40-50 for an hour of use in a controlled environment. Where I live I could buy a gun, shoot it, do any amount of disassembly and fiddling, and resell it for a total loss of $50 or less.

Rentals make perfect sense for people visiting the US from countries that restrict private gun ownership. They make sense in the US where our own laws have messed things up for people (machine guns, people living in states with restrictive purchase permit rules). They maybe even make sense for someone who isn't sure they are going to buy a gun at all. They don't make a lot of sense beyond that. It is very popular to recommend new shooters rent a bunch of guns but honestly it isn't advice I would follow myself, and I even doubt most people who give that advice would follow it when it was their money.

 

[rtz]

Browse this list:

http://www.hhshootingsports.com/firearms-rental-list

 

[Gtscotty]

Surely there is some kind of rental range near you, it doesn't have to be a big super store, many smaller indoor ranges have a decent selection of pistols. I've done both the buy to try and rental methods of gun test driving and I would encourage anyone where possible to rent a bunch of pistols before they buy. At the ranges I've been to, range time and ammo are the major expenses, rental of the pistol itself is usually only $5 or $10. If you pick up a couple boxes of a common caliber and get an hour of range time, you can go ahead and try several different pistols all for maybe $50 - $70. I think that is a bargain to be able to weed out several options and save yourself the wasted time and depreciation on guns you don't really like.

You can also ask to try different people's guns when you're at the range, most gun folks are pretty friendly and will let you put a few rounds down range, but you won't be able to conduct as methodical and thorough an evaluation.

 

[Wisco]

When there's something I think I want, but am not sure, I buy used after shopping around. If I don't like it, I'll sell it. Depending on the condition of the gun, I'll either keep it and use it or sell it to buy a new in box model.

A used $400 G19 or $250 LCP or whatever else is still worth the same amount after you run a mag or 10 through it... And you can always try to sell it for more than you paid!

 

[buck460XVR]

You can still handle just about every handgun there is at a LGS. Find one that feels good in your hand, that fits your other criteria. Go home and Google reviews of it or ask about it here or on other gun forums. If the replies/reviews are positive, and it feels good in your hand, odds are it will also shoot good for you.

 

[jmr40]

Buy used. If you are smart you'll get most of your money back if you don't like it. Sometimes even a small profit, but usually will lose any tax you paid unless you buy from an individual.

 

[Willie Sutton]

^ This. It's a zero cost way to figure out what works. The only downside is having your capital tied up. But when you're talking sub-$1000 numbers, that shouldn't be a barrier to anyone with a sincere interest in this hobby. I usually have 2-3 "trial" handguns around that I buy, shoot, and sell after evaluation unless I end up really liking them. It's part of the hobby. Anything you can buy, you can sell. If you buy right and sell right, your cost to own is zero. Just don't think you can buy even used from a dealer and then resell back to the dealer and not lose the profit margin that they build into their sales model. Private buy/sell always works better.


Willie

.

 

[hso]

a gun rental superstore where you can shoot and compare a plethora of models doesn't exist anywhere in the US

You mean that you haven't found one. Most rental ranges have at least a Glock, 1911, Sig, Ruger, CZ, and some additional make/models. You should not think of needing 5 models of each to try, just one of each in 9mm, because these handguns define the major "families" that allow you to determine what fits your hand/grip angle/reach to trigger. Once you find what fits you and points naturally you can work within that family to refine the caliber and features you want without wandering in the wilderness of random make/model rental.

Guncraft/CCA/TAC in Knoxville has a wide enough selection of rental handguns that you can try something from all the major "families", Frontier Firearms in Kingston, and Bud's Gun Shop in Severville do as well. I'm confident that if there are 3 within an hour of each other here there are others elsewhere you're not aware of.

 

[Nom de Forum]

Socialize.
Make friends with shooters who will let you try out their stuff.

Many times complete strangers shooting in the lane next to me at the range have let me try their guns after I made a polite inquiry or complement about what they were shooting. Jim Watson's advice will quickly make it possible for you to try different firearms at little or no cost. I find most people into shooting as a hobby eager to share.

There are no ranges around me that have the guns I want to try out for rent and I was surprised to find in my searching that a gun rental superstore where you can shoot and compare a plethora of models doesn't exist anywhere in the US. What can I do?

Where are you located? In the Phoenix area I know of at least 5 indoor ranges that have many models available for rental, including full auto weapons.

 

[Fealix]

Thanks everyone for the advice! Those are definitely some avenues I had not thought of.

 

[CWL]

What state and city do live in?

Itd be easier to offer suggestions if we knew where you are. Also, It's not unheard of for members here to offer to meet and take people out shooting.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

...I was surprised to find in my searching that a gun rental superstore where you can shoot and compare a plethora of models doesn't exist anywhere in the US.

I guess we're just lucky in having a couple or more in the greater Phoenix area. I went to "Shooter's World" for the first time a couple weeks back and was blown away by their rental/test drive policies and the selection as well.

 

[Fealix]

push them to make the problem right and pay shipping costs as they have worked on the handgun more than once. another thought is are the mags sig and what ammo are you using?
did you buy the handgun new?

It has been around 7 years I think since I bought it new and I was extremely slow to take the gun to the range to find out it had a problem along with each time I had it sent back to me. I only use Sig mags directly from them and Federal ammo.

Where I live I could buy a gun, shoot it, do any amount of disassembly and fiddling, and resell it for a total loss of $50 or less.

Is there a transfer fee where you live? I know in PA it costs somewhere in the realm on 40-50$ to transfer. Where do you primarily sell through?

Browse this list:

http://www.hhshootingsports.com/firearms-rental-list

That is a pretty nice list and I would prob check that place out if it was close to me. No Steyr C-A1 or HK p2000sk which are on the top of my list of try though. Guns like those seem to be very uncommon among rentals.

A used $400 G19 or $250 LCP or whatever else is still worth the same amount after you run a mag or 10 through it

I never thought of buying it used just to test. Do you have to pay a transfer fee where you live?

You should not think of needing 5 models of each to try, just one of each in 9mm, because these handguns define the major "families" that allow you to determine what fits your hand/grip angle/reach to trigger. Once you find what fits you and points naturally you can work within that family to refine the caliber and features you want without wandering in the wilderness of random make/model rental.

I have fired a H&K 45 and loved how it fired compared to anything else I fired but in H&K I would likely go for a p2000sk .40. I was under the assumption they could feel/fire entirely different thus I wanted to try that exact model caliber before making any final decision. Am I wrong?

What state and city do live in?

I am in PA around the Philadelphia area.

 

[Ed Ames]

No transfer fees on private face-to-face sales where I live. I think PA requires handguns to go through an FFL so I'd expect there is a fee on handguns.

The folks at Http://forum.pafoa.org/ might have more insight into PA rules...and it might be a good place to start building a social network with local shooters.

... I was under the assumption they could feel/fire entirely different thus I wanted to try that exact model caliber before making any final decision. Am I wrong?

Models can feel very different. I suspect most experienced shooters can form an 80% impression without shooting a gun. They will know if they like it based on feel in hand, sight acquisition ease, trigger feel, and similar factors. The final 20% is more about discovering things you may not realize without hundreds of rounds fired, like take-down issues when dirty, hammer bite, and so on. If you have fired a .45 it will take hundreds of rounds to see if you really like (vs. aren't used to) the .40.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Fealix

Do you have any private shooting clubs or ranges anywhere near you?

Maybe look into some standards:

Straight 1911 clone like Ruger
Police buy-back revolvers
Surplus imports

They'd all keep your initial output down and provide you with something easily sold or traded in the case of dissatisfaction.

I think most of us have a trail of mistaken purchases behind us - no magic wands here in firearms land as there are so many variables in the case of the product and the consumer.

Look to the standards.

 

[Onward Allusion]

You're kidding, right? You're in PA near Philly and you can't find a place that have rentals? PA, outside of Philly and Pittsburgh is one of the more gun friendly States! It took me 15 minutes to get my CCW there!

http://www.delawarevalleysportscenter.com/rentals.html

http://www.firinglineinc.com/

BTW, your P250 is prone to limp-wristing, especially in 45 ACP full-size. I know. I have 2 of 'em. The combination of 45 being a low pressure round and the huge slide on a light frame makes for lot's of failures if you don't grip it tight.

 

[Fealix]

You're kidding, right? You're in PA near Philly and you can't find a place that have rentals?

I know there are ranges around they just don't have guns I want to fire before I buy like Steyr 40C-A1, H&K p2000sk or Wather CCP

BTW, your P250 is prone to limp-wristing, especially in 45 ACP full-size. I know. I have 2 of 'em. The combination of 45 being a low pressure round and the huge slide on a light frame makes for lot's of failures if you don't grip it tight.

Thanks for the info! Honestly that could be my issue.

 

[sauer1911]

I wouldnt give up on the Sig just yet. You say your a novice at shooting. I think more practice with you .45 and you'll find great improvement. The limp wrist or using your arm as a shock absorber to the recoil, is a BIG beginners problem.

When you have a good strong stiff shooting arm, you allow the gun to do its job. if you soften up your arms you take away the job of the recoil spring in the gun and problems come up. From failures in the action, to shots off target, etc.

Give her a couple more mags at the range. See if there is someone there who can watch you and help you out. I know the Range Safety Officers at my range are more than willing to help out.

be safe.

 

[orionengnr]

Yep, I've been using that model for 25 years or so. I bet I have bought and sold nearly 100 handguns in that time. I think I have lost money on 3 or 4 of them.

Learn a little bit about what you are looking at, buy at the right price and you can't hardly go wrong.

Put your location in your profile, and people who live within 15 minutes of you will probably contact you and ask you to go shooting.

I have 2-3 ranges within shouting distance that rent tons of pistols for between $5-10 each. Yes, you have to buy the range's ammo, which is somewhat pricy, so add that on. But if you are going shooting anyway, the hourly fee is not figured in.

I cannot count the number of times that I have let someone else shoot one of my handguns at the range. All they have to do is express a mild interest.

That is often reciprocated.

 

[Plan2Live]

The OP said:

I am pretty novice when it comes to firearms and don't have many friends with many guns.

If that is the case then maybe you need to start with some very basic education on action types. The P250 has a DAO or Double Action Only firing system. There are Single Action, Double Action and Double Action/Single action systems and variations of each. Each system has its advantages and disadvantages. Most people find one action type preferable over the other. So having a knowledgeable and patient gun store clerk or owner walk you through the different actions and explain how they work and what their advantages and disadvantages are (in a non-biased presentation) might be a great place to start.

Now a jab, sometimes anonymotiy and secrecy is great but it doesn't help us know where "here" is to see if we know of any shops near "here".

 

[Wisco]

I never thought of buying it used just to test. Do you have to pay a transfer fee where you live?

Wisconsin is pretty low hassle when it comes to face-to-face transfers. Just cash or trade between two non-felons.

From an FFL there would be the sales tax and $10 (or maybe $13) for the state handgun check. (edit: plus a 48 hour waiting period for handguns, but not rifles.)