How to test-fire and choose a new gun and/or rifle

15287 Views 26 Replies 12 Participants Last post by hhdorcy, Dec 6, 2009

hhdorcy

Discussion Starter · Nov 3, 2009 (Edited)

Hello all,

I'm a long-time reader, first-time poster, and a law student. I'm also a recent graduate of SwampRat's CCW course (I'm looking forward to taking some of his advanced courses). It's very nice to see so many members sharing friendly, constructive, and reliable advice!

I'm interested in buying my first handgun and first rifle. It's in my character to shop around A LOT before making a big buying decision like this. I have an idea of what I'm looking for:

- 9mm or .40 S&W semi-automatic, tending towards compact but not sub-compact (considering G17 or G19, some XD's, some Sigs, etc.)

- Small-caliber (but larger than .22LR) bolt-action rifle for use at the range (considering several .223 rifle/scope packages from Remington, Savage, etc.)

I've read many reviews and recommendations online (here, on other forums, and on manufacturer and retailer websites), but what I'd really like to do is get out and fire 8-10 different brands and models and find what feels best to me. What is the best way to accomplish this?

- Do gun shops allow you to test-fire 10 different handguns before you make a purchase?
- Is there anywhere you can 'rent' several different models and take them to the range?
- Are there shooting clubs that own/share a variety of guns that all members may use?
- Does the forum ever have group outings where several of you meet up and shoot together? Would a beginner be welcome?
- Is it inappropriate to see someone at the range, tell them I'm considering buying what they're shooting, and ask to try it out (paying for my own ammo, of course)?
- Is there any service or individual that comes out to the range and allows beginners to try out a variety of guns?
- I'm currently in Missouri, and I recall hearing about a gun show last year where you could buy bags of bullets for $5 each and test-fire any gun at the show. Is there anything like that in Florida (or Missouri, if there are any fellow Missourians reading)?

Thank you all very much! I'm learning a lot here!

hhdorcy

--

PS - Forum etiquette maintained. I did a search for "choosing OR selecting" before posting. 107 hits, but none seemed on-point for my question.

See less See more

1 - 20 of 27 Posts

airhead

· #2 · Nov 3, 2009

It depends.

Some shooting ranges offer rental guns. Keep in mind that these guns may have gone through more ammo than Brownie could put through them. And may have been cleaned or not.

I've not been to or heard of any gun show that lets you shoot. Most are at the local county fairgrounds and do not have shooting ranges.

I'm not aware of any gun clubs that 'own' loaner guns. Some of the high end hunting lodges may have a rifle or two in case a client has a problem.

****

Now, all that said; if you are on friendly terms with your local gun club guys, most of them will let you shoot a mag or two through their pistol or rifle. I often go to the range with a friend and we try out each other's weapons. Kinda fun to shoot something new. Or I may take a friend that has no guns just to let them shoot some.

See less See more

tphinney

· #3 · Nov 3, 2009

hhdorcy;

I don't know where you are located but, here in the tampa area you can go to shooting sports gun range (dale mabery, between waters & hillsborough)and rent a bunch a different handguns or rifles to use on the range.

your off to a good start by looking an tryng out different weapons. my only suggestion is on the rifle. If you are looking at a bolt action remminton or Savage (both have very good triggers) I would suggest (only a suggestion) that you look at at least a 308. this way you not only have a good range rifle that will shoot fairly flat, but also a hunting caliber that could come in handy in the future. just a suggestion.

Franklin

· #4 · Nov 3, 2009

Where are you?
If you're close to Jax., you are welcome to shoot my XD45, Sig 232, Kel Tec P3AT or Kel Tec PF9? I have buddies (here on the forum) who own other guns I am sure they'd let you try out (you bring the ammo).
Most members would probably let you try their guns.
Franklin

hhdorcy

Discussion Starter · #5 · Nov 4, 2009

@ tphinney:
That's a good suggestion. Thanks! When I was in the gun shop today, I took a look at both cartridges. I had looked at images online comparing calibers, but something got lost in the translation. I hadn't realized how much smaller the .223 was... I'll definitely start looking at some .308's as well.

@ Franklin:
Thanks, but I'm currently in St. Louis. My family is in Edgewater (Frosty King Creamery, anyone?), and I shoot at Strickland when I'm home. The next time I'm home will be around Thanksgiving, and I'm planning on making a trip or two to the range.

mcnee229

· #6 · Nov 4, 2009

Don' be afraid to buddy up with someone at Strickland, I have yet to turn down a request to shoot one of my guns, and have never seen someone who wasn't an asshat be denied that request.

I know that anytime I see anyone that looks interested in anything I'm shooting, or folks who are new to shooting standing around waiting turns, I'll offer something up, and many others do as well. Very few take me up on the AK, but everyone will shoot the AR.

If you want to try an AR in 5.56/.223 Rem, an AK in 7.62x39, a Mosin-Nagant in 7.62x54R, an Enfield in .303 Brit or a TT-33 Tokarev in 7.62x25, let me know and I'll meet you at Strickland, which is also my "home" range.

I asked on another board why no one wanted to shoot the AK, just look. The consensus was they were afraid the terrorist would jump out from under the shooting bench and demand his gun back. They were watching and waiting... :ak

Scott

See less See more

hhdorcy

Discussion Starter · #7 · Nov 4, 2009

Thanks, Scott!

mcnee229

· #8 · Nov 22, 2009

Bump

I'm going to Strickland Sunday, were you still planning on going out there? And if you want to try anything of mine out, is there anything in specific you want to try? They don't all normally go to the range at the same time, the world production of patches won't allow that :rolf

Scott

hhdorcy

Discussion Starter · #9 · Nov 22, 2009

I'll be down in Edgewater and able to shoot from Thursday (11/26) to Monday (11/30), and I would love to meet up with you (and anyone else) at Strickland!

I'd really like to try out the AR and/or the AK, as well as anything you'd recommend for an EDC (I'm still leaning toward a Glock 19, but very excited to consider alternatives).

Thanks!

mcnee229

· #10 · Nov 22, 2009

hhdorcy said:
I'll be down in Edgewater and able to shoot from Thursday (11/26) to Monday (11/30), and I would love to meet up with you (and anyone else) at Strickland!

I'd really like to try out the AR and/or the AK, as well as anything you'd recommend for an EDC (I'm still leaning toward a Glock 19, but very excited to consider alternatives).

Thanks!

I'm waiting to hear back from another friend about going again later this week, I'll let you know when I know something from him. I'll bring the AK and AR, and my EDC the Tokarev, and my newest toy, a Springfield GI 1911A1 (only two pistols I have).

Scott

hhdorcy

Discussion Starter · #11 · Nov 22, 2009

I'm looking forward to it! Thanks!

daytona

· #12 · Nov 22, 2009

If your in the Daytona area Shoot Straight Range on Nova road in Holly Hill lets you try out guns before you buy. I think it's $10 to try out different guns but i think you have to buy their ammo. You can call and check it out.

T.S.

· #13 · Nov 22, 2009

hhdorcy said:
@ tphinney:
That's a good suggestion. Thanks! When I was in the gun shop today, I took a look at both cartridges. I had looked at images online comparing calibers, but something got lost in the translation. I hadn't realized how much smaller the .223 was... I'll definitely start looking at some .308's as well.

If you are considering a rifle chambered in .308, may I recommend looking at an M1A.

They are by far the best .308 rifle on the market. It will out-shoot most any other semi-automatic rifle on the market today.

They are not cheap, but if you cannot afford a rifle made by Springfield, there are other models available, such as the Poly Technologies and the Norinco which are made in China, that are less expensive, but shoot well just the same.

See less See more

BobL

· #14 · Nov 22, 2009

The Springfield Armory M1A is really a beautiful weapon, pretty much a clone of the M14.

Another option that you might consider is that many of the AR-15 makers produce a version of the AR-10 in .308 Win or the NATO 7.62x51. The AR-10 is not as standardized as the AR-15, so some parts (magazines) are not as interchangeable, but you might find a good long range rifle in that price gap between the Chinese clones and an M1A.

DPMS AR-10s

Rock River Arms AR-10s

Ought to help get you started....

BobL

See less See more

MattB.

· #15 · Nov 22, 2009

daytona said:
If your in the Daytona area Shoot Straight Range on Nova road in Holly Hill lets you try out guns before you buy. I think it's $10 to try out different guns but i think you have to buy their ammo. You can call and check it out.

Shoot Straight no longer rents due to the last few unfortunate events that took place on their range with rented weapons.

T.S.

· #16 · Nov 22, 2009

Here is a link to a review on the M1A :

http://sites.google.com/site/m1areview/

wrote this review in part because I couldn't find any recent testimonials or unbiased information on Springfield's M1A rifle-- I heard good things about it, but I have to admit the purchase was something of a gamble. It worked out for me, but you may need more information before choosing a rifle for purchase, so hopefully the review will help you learn more about this popular product, and you can use this information to make an informed purchasing decision. Unexpectedly, the review has become fairly popular, if only due to the shortage of information about Springfield's most famous product. I live here in the Golden State so the review is written with California readers in mind-- but good luck to you all.

( Click link above to read more )

and here is a video from a different source as well:

Orange Boy

· #17 · Nov 22, 2009

I was thinking of a 308 for myself lately also...what do you all think of the Savage 10FP LE Series? The price sure fits my budget.

FLRon

· #18 · Nov 22, 2009

Winchester "Big Red" Stock

See less See more

2

T.S.

· #19 · Nov 22, 2009

FLRon said:
Winchester "Big Red" Stock

Ahhh, Gun Porn at its finest .... :thumsup

mcnee229

· #20 · Nov 24, 2009

The range in Holly Hill is Hot Shots. I don't know if they rent or not, but their website gives the impression they do. 15/hr for the range, 10 to rent, but you have to use ammo bought there.

Anyway, I'll be out at Strickland on Saturday, at 1:30 or there abouts, if that works for you hhdorcy.

Scott

1 - 20 of 27 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.