I just got back this afternoon from my Waikiki family vacation. It was my second visit to the area. Very touristy, liberal area, but a great (to me)vacation destination. Anyway, before this visit, I discovered the Waikiki Indoor Range online and planned to stop in for a visit. I had researched the place a little and had heard from more than one source that it was basically a Japanese tourist trap. I had read on their website, though, that you can rent an mp5, so I had to take the chance.
I went a little after 10 am (I was the only customer there) on Thursday, July 17. The way it works is you pay first and then you are cleared to go back to the range to shoot. So, you don't actually get to see the gun you are renting until you have paid for it. There are posters behind the counter which are supposed to represent the gun in question (I assumed anyway). A few of the weapons they list are: m16, AK47 and, my interest, the mp5. I asked the Asian woman behind the counter if Hawaii allowed Class III dealers (ie full auto) and she stated that all of the weapons were semi-auto. That should have been a big red flag. After all, how can you rent an m16 if everything is semi-auto? Anyway, the picture for the mp5 looked great (HK, mp5 barrel length, etc). Even if it was semi-auto only, I was excited about shooting this weapon. I filled out the paperwork, showed my drivers license and paid the outrageous sum of $45 plus tax for 20 rounds of 9mm.
Next, I walked through the door to the range and was given protective glasses and a list of safety rules. I did not want to be one of those "know it all guys" about shooting or safety, so I kept my mouth shut and followed all instructions as they were presented to me. I was led over to the range where I learned that my mp5 was actually an HK94 clone with a fake suppressor barrel shroud. Rather than argue, ask for a refund or anything like that, I accepted the loss, shot my 20 rounds and then left. I had to ask for hearing protection prior to shooting (range guy had ears, but forgot to get them for me). Range guy then had the gall to ask me for a tip before I left. Oh yeah, they wouldn't accept my 30% off internet coupon (from their website) because I didn't purchase a gun rental package (even though there is nothing on the coupon about having to rent any type of package). All in all, a pretty lousy experience.
My main complaint is not shooting what is advertised. If you say m16, provide an m16. If you say mp5 and show a picture of an mp5, then provide an mp5. Otherwise, state what you are getting (well-worn hk94 clone). Thanks for letting me vent.
I went a little after 10 am (I was the only customer there) on Thursday, July 17. The way it works is you pay first and then you are cleared to go back to the range to shoot. So, you don't actually get to see the gun you are renting until you have paid for it. There are posters behind the counter which are supposed to represent the gun in question (I assumed anyway). A few of the weapons they list are: m16, AK47 and, my interest, the mp5. I asked the Asian woman behind the counter if Hawaii allowed Class III dealers (ie full auto) and she stated that all of the weapons were semi-auto. That should have been a big red flag. After all, how can you rent an m16 if everything is semi-auto? Anyway, the picture for the mp5 looked great (HK, mp5 barrel length, etc). Even if it was semi-auto only, I was excited about shooting this weapon. I filled out the paperwork, showed my drivers license and paid the outrageous sum of $45 plus tax for 20 rounds of 9mm.
Next, I walked through the door to the range and was given protective glasses and a list of safety rules. I did not want to be one of those "know it all guys" about shooting or safety, so I kept my mouth shut and followed all instructions as they were presented to me. I was led over to the range where I learned that my mp5 was actually an HK94 clone with a fake suppressor barrel shroud. Rather than argue, ask for a refund or anything like that, I accepted the loss, shot my 20 rounds and then left. I had to ask for hearing protection prior to shooting (range guy had ears, but forgot to get them for me). Range guy then had the gall to ask me for a tip before I left. Oh yeah, they wouldn't accept my 30% off internet coupon (from their website) because I didn't purchase a gun rental package (even though there is nothing on the coupon about having to rent any type of package). All in all, a pretty lousy experience.
My main complaint is not shooting what is advertised. If you say m16, provide an m16. If you say mp5 and show a picture of an mp5, then provide an mp5. Otherwise, state what you are getting (well-worn hk94 clone). Thanks for letting me vent.
