Test Drive

[LHRGunslinger]

This sounds terrible in my head but here goes.

I was thinking that it would be nice if you could "test drive" a firearm you were intrested in before shelling out the large chunk of cash to outright buy the gun. The idea came around partly because I've been oogling the CDNN Catalogs and there's alot of nice stuff in there I'd be intrested in purchasing but there is only so much you can learn from a book and general in store handling. The true test of how well a firearm fits only occurs when you actually fire the weapon.


Main reason I thought of this is I honestly don't have the time, energy, money or patience to outright purchase a gun, ammo, and range time just to find out that a gun I thought fit well in the store turned out to be a poor fit for me on the range.

 

[oldbear]

Many ranges offer a rental program. This can get a little pricey but as you suggested it's better than spending a lot of money on a firearm that is not right for you or your needs.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I was thinking that it would be nice if you could "test drive" a firearm you were intrested in before shelling out the large chunk of cash to outright buy the gun.

Especially with a new shooter I'll let them shoot different guns to see what they like before they buy one.

It's not unusual for someone to at first like or dislike a gun but later change their minds after shooting the gun a while.



On the other hand, you would be surprised how many people express an interest in buying a gun and learning to shoot, but than are too lazy to show up even when the gun use, range time and lessons are free.



.

 

[LordDunsany]

My LGS has just that service. The Bullet Trap in Plano has a large inventory of rental handguns and also has a special 'test drive' rental for reduced fee and a limited amount of ammo.

I used this service once before purchasing a firearm I had been looking at. Turns out I would NOT have been happy. Saved myself a lot of $$$ by spending the equivalent of a movie ticket for a test drive.

Ron in Texas

 

[LHRGunslinger]

I was thinking it'd be great if a big chain like say Cabellas or Gander Mountain would offer such a service; or a bunch of smaller shops. That way just about everyone would have access to it.

 

[brandon_mcg]

many gun shops have their own indoor ranges that let you test fire weapons but many have a limited selection. the owner of the place i shop says that it is too much of a liability for him to justify it though.

too many incidents like this i suppose:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2551959/posts