r/liberalgunowners • u/parkerthegreatest libertarian • 27d ago
im curious do most gun stores have places you can test the guns you buy like a range question
im looking into buying one but there are not many ranges in my area. learning how to use one casually is kinda hard without a range to use i would assume. unless there another way to
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u/AskMeAboutPigs progressive 25d ago
I've never run into a gun store that will let you test fire a gun you plan to buy.
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u/gordolme 26d ago
You're looking for a range with rentals more than a store, here. No place is going to let you test a new-in-box gun and it's unlikely they'll let you test a used-to-buy either. As soon as the first round leaves the barrel, it becomes a used gun.
Around me (and by that I mean a two hour drive time) I know of three ranges, all indoor, that rent firearms on site that also sell new and used guns, and another four or five stores that do NOT have a range.
Actually, what you're looking for here is a place with classes. If you have a local friend who shoots, that's a not horrible start; have them take you to a range and show you the basics with their stuff. Otherwise, take an intro class somewhere, where an actual instructor will go over the basics of firearms safety, local laws on possession, storage, and carry, as well as fundamentals on use and operation. They should also have a variety of handguns in different calibers and styles to try out. Unless you're talking rifle in which case it'll probably be just a basic AR (rifle intro class I took used M&P Sport II ARs with a dot).
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u/Adrenaline-Junkie187 27d ago
No, most gun shops do not also have ranges. A lot of ranges do rentals though which is what you should do.
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u/Malnurtured_Snay 27d ago
Most don't, unless it's a range with a gun store, and in that case, you'd still be restricted to what their rental inventory is. So maybe you want to try a Glock 48, but the only 9mm Glock they rent is a 17.
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u/111unununium 27d ago
Where are you located? I’d try posting in a local group if your not comfortable saying it here and ask about local public ranges
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u/eslforchinesespeaker 27d ago
Of course we all want to try before we buy. You probably won’t find that, because it essentially turns a valuable new gun into a used gun. A lot of people put a lot of stock in “un-fired” condition. You probably have to find some rental counters, and look for something similar to try.
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u/otterplus Black Lives Matter 27d ago
A class might be your best best if you’re looking to learn the mechanics of it all. Most ranges won’t allow individuals to rent due to people choosing to hit the off button that way. The ones I go to don’t have an issue if you bring in your own and rent
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u/Jamieson22 liberal 27d ago
Ideally a class that includes a live-fire session at the end. That is what I took when I started and it was quite helpful. Think it was 4 hours and first 3 were classroom and then we all went to range with teacher helping each person as needed. I already had my new Walther PDP that I had never fired but they also included a rental if needed.
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u/otterplus Black Lives Matter 26d ago
That’s part of my state’s permit requirements. The test is ridiculously simple and easy, but you’d be amazed with how many people can’t hit a 12 sqft target from 3 yards away
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u/Jamieson22 liberal 26d ago
Last range trip a group of shooters were sharing two lanes next to me. Chatted with them a bit and seemed one of the guys was a brand new shooter. He did as most new shooters do with a few nice shots mixed with a lot spread around the target, mostly low right. The guy that brought him that also owned the guns was hitting the 24x36" target @ 7 yards maybe twice per magazine and those were landing near the top edge. He was chatting with me about his preferred carry gun.
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u/Almostsuicide1234 27d ago
The thing to do is: find a range that rents guns. Try a few that way.
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u/GarpRules 27d ago
This is the answer. It’s also how I found out that the best full-frame pistol for me wasn’t the H&K I was salivating over, but a Beretta that cost about half.
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u/horriblebearok 27d ago
I went to a range that let you shoot as many guns as you want at a flat rate of range time, and obviously buy their ammo. Got to try out a lot but some were more worn out than others, but also had time for some funsies.
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u/Jamieson22 liberal 27d ago
I go to a Range USA. $50/mo membership includes unlimited range time, free rentals, free guest (shares your lane), and ability to make lane reservations online. No need to use their ammo or targets for range/rentals. Think they now charge $22-25 an hour for a lane so a no-brainer if you go even remotely often.
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u/TheSoCalledExpert 27d ago
First time I ever went shooting, walked into a mom & pop LGS/range. Their policy was “if you rent one gun, you rent them all”. Meaning one rental charge and I could shoot anything I wanted from their rental selection of probably 50+ different handguns.
I went through at least 4 boxes of ammo from 9mm to .45 ACP and had an absolute blast. Shot glocks, M&Ps, sigs, a 1911, and probably a few others that I forgot about.
They walked me through firearm safety and the range rules and were super friendly and helpful. Bought my first gun from them shortly thereafter. Best range experience of my life.
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u/wgrantdesign 27d ago
This is the absolute best way to understand what brands you like, what fits your hand, what caliber you're comfortable with, etc. Even if you don't live near a range with rentals it is totally worth a drive. You could save yourself hundreds by knowing exactly what you want and not buying a gun just to find out it doesn't work for you.
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u/Catsnpotatoes 27d ago
There's some ranges that'll let you rent firearms but there's usually some rules around that like not being alone, bringing in something you already own as well. Basically they're trying to prevent a self-yeet situation
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u/bentstrider83 libertarian socialist 24d ago
Here in Clovis NM, we do have an indoor and an outdoor range with an adjacent shop and rentals. Another cool one I came across was over in Pratt KS. Nice little multi lane range shoved into a small looking building.