What Revolvers would you most enjoy shooting at a indoor Range?

[Dthunter]

Hello fellow shooters! I am here today to do some simple research on the pulse of you shooters.

I hope this is allowed for me to inquire in this way to canvas your opinions of what you would like to see or try. I apologize if this isn't allowed.

I have been given a unique opportunity to equip an indoor shooting facility with various fire arms! Talk about a fun project!

The top rated revolvers that I see here and at a few other sites will help me choose the handguns we will include in the facility to rent to customers to shoot on our range. I won't advertise the name of the business, but just want to see what you guys think would be the best to have a chance to shoot.

I am curious of what the top 10 hand gun picks would be.
What make/models, calibers etc.

Thank you in advance guys, and I look forward to your input!

 

[Jim K]

The real issue is what type of guns can be used on an indoor range without problems, like cratering the backstop, having ricochets. or penetrating hearing protection. Unless you have very good ventilation, you probably want to ban black powder, (cartridge or muzzle loader) and loose powder (muzzle loaders) for safety reasons. Lead bullets present a problem in most indoor ranges; so that tissue will have to be addressed.

If the type or caliber of the guns themselves is the issue, you will probably want to avoid big and/or "hot" calibers (noise), metal penetrating bullets, hard core and hard jacket bullets, and high velocity loads (cratering). You don't indicate the users of the range, so these are just some general ideas. If the range will be used by military forces who will need to fire special ammo (tracer, incendiary, AP) then the range must accommodate that need.

And make sure you have posted range rules with inspections to ensure compliance and allow expulsion of violators..

I also advise you to contact the NRA, which has range designs and advice for ranges construction under nearly all conditions.

Jim

 

[JONWILL]

Mainly rent the ones you have on the shelves to sell.

You could throw attention getters like a Python or other high end that most people wouldn't normally shoot

Keep them in common calibers. 22, 38/357, 44. 500 S&W for a novelty shooters.

Ruger
Smith and Wesson
Taurus
Charter
Heritage
Etc....

 

[C0untZer0]

I'm going to put my love of 9mm revolvers aside for the moment.

This article says these are the top selling revolvers:

https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2017/7/17/top-selling-revolvers-for-june-2017/

Smith & Wesson 686 Plus
Kimber K6s Stainless
Ruger Vaquero
Smith & Wesson 629

You'd want to have these to test shoot since people will sometimes test fire a gun, like it and make a purchase based on their experience.



I'd throw in the S&W 500 if your range can handle it, because I've heard so many people ask about it at gun counters. I don't think those people buy the gu, but it is a way to draw people to the store.

 

[VoodooMountain]

686 with a 4" barrel
Model 60 - 3" barrel
Sp101 - 2.25" barrel
Gp100 - 6" barrel
44 mag Blackhawk - 6"
357 Blackhawk - 6"
Redhawk 44 mag - 5" barrel
Lcr -38 special
S&W airweight
S&W 500 magnum

 

[Jim K]

Again, I don't think what someone wants to shoot is the real issue. Unless the organization wants to spend a lot of money, it will be tough to build an indoor rage that will be good with the ..500 S&W and 357's. The brand name will be an issue only if the range is part is part of s gun store that allows customers to try out various guns. (If 9mm bullets crater the backstop, it doesn't matter if they are fired from a $150 Hi-Point or a $5000 Luger.)

Jim

 

[VoodooMountain]

Also food for thought. If you rent out Taurus a revolver and it goes down it may take between 3 - 18 months to get a part. That's a long time to be sitting on a $400 paperweight.

Being Brazilian based has its inherit issues.

 

[VoodooMountain]

Again, I don't think what someone wants to shoot is the real issue. Unless the organization wants to spend a lot of money, it will be tough to build an indoor rage that will be good with the ..500 S&W and 357's. The brand name will be an issue only if the range is part is part of s gun store that allows customers to try out various guns. (If 9mm bullets crater the backstop, it doesn't matter if they are fired from a $150 Hi-Point or a $5000 Luger.)

Jim

Maybe ranges around my area are the oddity but none of them have restrictions on caliber, just certain bullets.

 

[Dthunter]

The back stops are going to be very substantial. Enough for the 50 BMG. But that caliber will NOT be fired at this range. This is a public range that will have a retail outlet in the front, video scenario room with live fire capability, gun storage vault room, and executive lounge. This range will be in northern Alberta Canada.

 

[MidRoad]

I think voodoo hit the nail on the head. Maybe add a.45/410 based revolver ,and for those little .38's/.357s there should be atleast one DAO with the covered hammer.

 

[Blkhrt13]

Ruger sp101 in 3in
Ruger Red hawk
Ruger super single six
Smith and Wesson 686
Smith and Wesson model 10
Smith and Wesson model 29
Smith and Wesson 442
These are all hearty guns that can take the punishment of being range tools. Not to mention cover beginners and experienced shooters.

 

[bannockburn]

I also like VoodoMountain's recommendations. Maybe throw in a Ruger Vaquero in .45 Colt and I think you would have a pretty decent selection with your revolver rentals.

 

[ATLDave]

See if you can find an old PPC revolver - the ones with the big sight ribs and very worked-over DA triggers in .38 special. Those might be eye-catching.

Another thought: get at least one or two moon-clip fed revolvers, like a S&W 625 or 627 or 929.... then sell pre-loaded moonclips at a per-cylinder rate. Driving ammo purchases is a big part of the economics of firearm rentals, as I understand it.

 

[Varminterror]

I'll agree, inventory management is one of the biggest concerns you'll face - certain brands and models will break down earlier than others, and range guns get treated worse than village bicycles. A rental range needs to stock itself with firearms which have low operating costs - meaning relatively low purchase prices, then very high durability and low maintenance costs, balanced against anticipated customer interest. It behooves a range to have an ammunition premium structure for "elite" firearms, like 500S&W, to help offset the extra cost of those firearms. Same rental price, but additional compensation via the purchased ammo cost, purchased through the range - this allows "specialty" pieces to be showcased, without having a ton of working capital tied up as inventory cost. It also benefits a range to stock their small frame revolvers as 357mags, then provide 38spcl ammo for them by default, as the extra durability plus limited firing stress adds life to the revolver.

I've had multiple warranty repair/replace issues with Taurus over the years, for myself and for customers, that 3-18mos stuff above for parts is not at all consistent with my experience.

For small frame revolvers, a guy should stick with Rugers, followed by Smith's. Taurus Trackers & Raging Bulls can make an appearance, as they'll hold up as well as the Smiths. The 686, 442/642, 29, 19, & 60 from Smith, the LCR, LCRx, SP's in 22 and 357, GP, 44mag SRH, and a 357 Redhawk would be on my list from Ruger. A Kimber is kinda obligatory these days. For the Elite list, the 500 X-frame, 454C Alaskan, 480 SBH, Raging bull 454, maybe even drag the SRH & 29 over here too (might grab up a mean looking PC 29).

Of course, that is dependent upon your goals - the above list is really a "generic rental range" list. If you're focusing on selling concealed carry weapons, or defensive service firearms, then cut yourself off at K frame/GP100 and smaller, 357's and smaller.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Here is some food for thought. The Indoor Range at the club I belong to is pretty old. In the past we have had problems with members firing ammo too powerful that would damage the backstop.

So we put together a list of approved ammo. Here it is. Yeah, 32 is not very specific, I am probably the only member who has any revolvers chambered for 32 S&W Long and 32-20. Probably the only guy who has any 44 Specials too. But that is the list we came up with. Take it for what it's worth.






I don't shoot on our indoor range very often. When I do I am usually shooting 38 Special or 22LR.

As for what revolvers I would recommend having on hand:

S&W Model 10
S&W Model 14, if you can find one
S&W Model 17 or 617
Ruger Single Six - with just the 22 LR cylinder
Ruger Blackhawk 357 Mag, but only allow 38 Special to be fired from it
Ruger New Vaquero 45 Colt

Again, because of our ammo restrictions, that's what I would recommend at our range.

 

[Jonesy814]

Since this is for a range in Canada I assume you will be limited to barrels of a 4 inch or longer length. That right there eliminates the snubbies.
I would be sure to have a couple of 22 revolvers available, with the S&W 617 a top choice in both 4 and 6 inch length. I would also have the S&W 686 and Ruger GP100 available. A S&W 629 or Ruger Redhawk for those who want a Big Bang would be nice and also a 4 inch 66 for those interested in 38 special. For variety I would have some single actions like the Blackhawk available too

 

[If1HitU]

Taurus 65 & 66 .357 Magnums 4"
S&W 686-6 .357 Magnum 4'2"
S&W 69 .44 Magnum 4.25" haven't fired it yet.
Ruger Redhawk .44 Magnum 4" haven't fired it yet.
Ruger GP 100 .357 Magnum 4.2"
Ruger SP 101 .357 Magnum 3"
Charter Arms Bulldog .44 Special 2.5"
They are not in order.

 

[sequins]

Colt Single Action Army
Colt Python
Colt Cobra
S&W 686
S&W 60
Ruger GP100, match champion
Ruger SP101, match champion
Ruger Vaquero
Ruger Super Redhawk (scoped)

Because you are in Canada I assume you don't want to have any CCW guns, right? You guys can't carry is my understanding. I would have recommended a 642 and a LCR for the CCW crowd but you won't have one.

 

[Mn Fats]

Single Six is always a good range plinker. Can't go wrong there.

 

[koRn]

I personally enjoy my BFR at an indoor range. It's awfully fun to watch people break necks.

 

[Jack B.]

Go to a couple of local gun stores and ask them what local people are buying and what they want to look at when they come in. That should give you a good feel as to what guns local shooters are interested in and would like to try before they buy.

 

[Kendal Black]

Include some oddballs like the Chiappa Rhino, Mateba, and any old strange numbers you can find (and afford). I would like to shoot a Webley-Fosbery, for example, or a Merwin Hulbert.

Historically significant types. Colt Peacemakers, Schofields or their reproductions, various old Webleys, etc.

If you can get around the Canadian restrictions, snubnose revolvers. Shooting a snub is an experience everyone should have.

Round out the rest with the usual sorts of service and sporting revolvers, but salt the claim, so to speak, with some items that will pique interest among knowledgeable gun cranks.

 

[Jack B.]

I have never seen an established gun owner go to a range and rent a gun.

 

[Speedo66]

I just looked at the rental list of handguns my range offers. Interestingly, out of 34 choices, there is only one revolver, a Ruger SP101. Also of note, they removed an M1A from the rifle choices because no one was renting it due to the high cost of ammo.

You are required to use ammo purchased from the range in all their rentals. Makes sense because you never know what overload some wacko handloader might make up and decide to try in their gun.

 

[Kendal Black]

I have never seen an established gun owner go to a range and rent a gun.

I don't know how common it is. I've done it if a rental range had something I wanted to try out. I've recommended to others that they "try before they buy" if they are able to rent a gun similar to something they are considering and none of their buddies has one they can try.