How to try a bunch of guns w/o breaking the bank

[love4god]

I'm a fairly new shooter, living in N. Caronlina. I took a CCP class (although I don't plan on carrying until I'm a little more comfortable/proficient) and I'm shopping for my first handgun.

I've been to the range a few times but it's getting expensive. There are a lot of guns I'd like to try and the few I've tried I can really see a difference.

Glock 17 - I really liked this but the grip angle seemed slightly weird. My wife liked it a lot, said she liked how easily she could chamber the 1st round
Sig P226 - The trigger was too easy to pull for me, I want it to be harder to pull and the gun felt a little light.
H&K VP9 - I liked this gun but it jammed a bunch of times on my wife. The guy at the range explained (and demonstrated) that it was too light of a grip. But this is the only gun that this happened to her with and in a stressful situation I don't want her holding something that is going to jam if she isn't holding it just right.
Spfld XDM - I really liked this gun, probably my favorite so far. My wife liked it too but she liked the Glock better

So I'm seeing a huge difference shooting these different guns but there is a problem, cost. I want to purchase something so I can stop paying rental fees and range ammo fees, but I want to buy the right gun so I'm trying to follow the advice of firing as many different guns as I can. However, although I'm feeling difference I can't compare side by side. I'm renting a different gun each time but I think I would notice differences more if I could fire a magazine through one gun, then pick another up and fire a magazine through it. I did this once with the XDm and H&K and it made a huge difference. I still want to try an M&P and then I also would like to try a compact and sub compact version of some of these guns to see how they feel, I've never shop .40 or .45, only 9mm, and I haven't even tried a revolver or 1911 type gun (except for a few shots qualifying for my CCP).

Basically, is there a cheaper way of doing this? I know there are gun shows (which I haven't been to yet) but I don't think they let you fire the weapons there. Is there any kind of manufacturer gatherings or a place where you can try a dozen different guns at a single price point? We're pretty new to the area and I haven't really met anyone to go shooting with yet. Maybe if I go to a gun shop and tell the guy I'm really serious about buying a gun from him that day he would let me shoot a bunch of rentals and see what I like before buying something, is that sound possible/reasonable?

 

[jrdolall]

A public range or friends is about the only way. Renting is great but can get expensive.

There is nothing wrong with 9mm for all purposes. It is more affordable than other SD/HD ammo in general and will do the job of plinking as well as defense. I have just about all calibers but pretty much home in on 9mm since I also have two carbines in that caliber. I like shooting 45, I have a carbine in it as well, but it gets expensive if you shoot a lot and use factory ammo.

I promise you won't buy just one gun. For EDC I like a Shield but plenty like a Glock. If you want pocket sized guns then the field gets much wider. Sig generally makes great guns as does CZ. You pretty much will not go wrong with any of these guns.

 

[Stormin.40]

There are a few ranges in my area that rent guns by the hour. While you do have to purchase their ammo they will let you trade in the gun for another without paying additional fees, just bring 1 back and grab another, essentially you are paying for the hour.

Even if the range you have been using doesn't have this policy if you were serious about buying they would probably allow you to do this.

I did this almost 8 years ago when I purchased my first handgun and still have and carry that pistol as one of my favorite. I also didn't like the glock grip angle but like the XDM, I ended up with a Beretta PX4 Storm.

 

[love4god]

I was sticking with 9mm so far because I thought for a first gun the cheaper the ammo the better. It would allow me (and my wife) to get a lot of practice in without breaking the bank. I also though that less recoil is probably better for my wife as well when it comes to something for home protection. As jrdolall said, I'm sure this wont be my only gun but it may be for a while and want to make a good decision.

I have a range right around the corner from me actually. I've been travelling to a copule ranges a little bit away (in SC) because they've had some really good groupons but I would like to get familiar with the place right in my backyard. I'm probably going to try them out next. Maybe they'll have a similar policy to what Stormin.40 is talking about.

 

[oneounceload]

Is this gun for you or your wife? One gun typically is not comfortable and easily shot by both folks.

The trigger was too easy to pull for me, I want it to be harder to pull

HUH? Folks spend a lot of time and money dry firing or sending their guns to a smith to get that light smooth trigger pull - it makes shooting accurately a lot easier.

Maybe if I go to a gun shop and tell the guy I'm really serious about buying a gun from him that day he would let me shoot a bunch of rentals and see what I like before buying something, is that sound possible/reasonable?

No, it isn't reasonable. Go to a restaurant and ask to sample everything on the menu to see what you want to order for dinner for the price of one item.

Make friends, see if you can borrow their gun (YOU buy the ammo to shoot and some for them) but then you are right back at cost.

Make a decision, let your wife make her own decision. Give the gun a reasonable amount of time to get accustomed to it. If after that you do not like it, then sell it and move on. Wait until you need to buy a holster for whatever gun you buy so you can carry. THAT will run you some money as you buy and try.

 

[Furncliff]

I was lucky when I was shopping for my first centerfire handgun. I walked into a shop and was waited on by a knowledgable person. He said " Let's try this... you face sideways to the counter, I'll put a pistol on the counter and you pick it up, point it at the floor and just grip it. If it doesn't feel quite right put it back on the counter and I'll put another one on the counter. Don't try to see what it is just feel the grip. This process probably took less than two minutes. I stopped at two pistols. The first was a Browning High Power. He said "rack the slide"

.. Wow that's stiff, next. The next one I stopped at was a 1911. When you try a bunch of pistol this way, in quick succession, you'll be surprised at how much difference there is in the fit between makes and models.

I probably tried about a dozen different pistols in this fashion. Not really looking, just trying to find a comfortable fit. When I finally bought something it was a 1911, now I own 4. I have other types for sure but years after this first experiment I still shoot the 1911 with greater accuracy.

If you try narrowing your search this way you might save some money in trying out those pistols that you decide to shoot.

 

[Wisco]

Maybe if I go to a gun shop and tell the guy I'm really serious about buying a gun from him that day he would let me shoot a bunch of rentals and see what I like before buying something, is that sound possible/reasonable?

Reasonable if you have the cash in hand and give it to him as a deposit and perhaps agree to pay all the rental fees if you decline to purchase something. I don't own a shop, but I'd make that deal if I was selling a gun.

 

[maxxhavoc]

Last time I checked, ATP Guns in Goose Creek, SC allowed gun rentals on a rotation basis. Pay the rental fee and you can switch back and forth as many times as you want. Last time I did this, range fees were $5 for the day, gun rental was $5 for the day for as many as swaps as you want.

Only catch was that you have to use their ammo. If you want to drive down, confirm pricing and terms and that your NC Drivers license will let you shoot there.

 

[old lady new shooter]

Two unrelated thoughts:

All the ranges around here that rent guns have a policy that you pay the range fee, you pay the rental fee, you have to use their ammunition, but you can try as many of their rental guns as you want during your visit for just the one rental fee. Most of them have a regular rental fee and also a higher one for "premium" guns, don't know which ones fall into that category, but even the premium rate is like $20.

OP, your initial post looks like you are trying to find one gun that both you and your wife will be happy with. I think unless you guys are about the same size and strength and with the same size and shape hands, this is not going to be so simple... but I'm still gonna be following your experience with interest, I hope you will keep posting along the way.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Talk to some of the ranges near you that both rent and sell firearms. You might be able to find one who for a flat fee will let you try a bunch of different pistols in one session using their ammo. That way your wife and you can shoot a mag or two through many different ones. If that doesn't work, you can make the first cut by simply finding the ones that don't feel good in your or your wife's hand. I have found that those that feel good in my hand generally feel good when I shoot them.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

I'm a fairly new shooter, living in N. Caronlina. I took a CCP class (although I don't plan on carrying until I'm a little more comfortable/proficient) and I'm shopping for my first handgun.

You are in the right place! there are a lot of really experience shooters here.

I've been to the range a few times but it's getting expensive. There are a lot of guns I'd like to try and the few I've tried I can really see a difference.

You might try looking at reviews of different pistols and then narrowing down you options to one or two, they go and compare them side by side.

Glock 17 - I really liked this but the grip angle seemed slightly weird. My wife liked it a lot, said she liked how easily she could chamber the 1st round
Sig P226 - The trigger was too easy to pull for me, I want it to be harder to pull and the gun felt a little light.

Something is amiss here. A stock Sig P226 is a Double action/Single Action gun. That means that the first shot is long and heavy (10lbs stock, if I recal). It is actually one of my prefered ways of carrying because the first shot is long and heavy. Every shot after the first is light and short.

H&K VP9 - I liked this gun but it jammed a bunch of times on my wife. The guy at the range explained (and demonstrated) that it was too light of a grip. But this is the only gun that this happened to her with and in a stressful situation I don't want her holding something that is going to jam if she isn't holding it just right.

Yep. Its sometimes referred to as "limp wristing". It is a common problem with Glocks too (no hate, they are fine guns. but I have seen this lots on the range).

Spfld XDM - I really liked this gun, probably my favorite so far. My wife liked it too but she liked the Glock better

Those two are more alike than they are different. Functionally, the glock has that grip angle going on, and the springfield has one extra safety feature. Some like it, some don't.

Honestly the only real way to try the guns cheaper is to have a friend or two that owns them already and is willing to let you shoot them.

I don't really recommend revolvers for people that are not dedicated to learning them for two reasons: Capacity and double action trigger pull.

1911's are great: very accurate and hard hitting, but if you buy a 1911, I recommend you buy a good one. Les Baer, Dan Wesson, Kimber (from the custom shop) something like that.

If I could go back and do it all over (I started with a Sig P226) I would have picked up a CZ 75B in 9mm, put night sights on it and been done with it.
CZ's are relatively cheap and they are really, really easy shooters. You can carry them hammer down, safety off (like the sig DA/SA), or cocked and locked (like a 1911). Lots of options there.

As best I can tell, you are on the right track. Ask around. Find out why people carry what they carry and find out with strategy works for you best.

Oh! and stick with 9mm. I always tell new shooters that if they shot me with a 9, a 40, and a 45, I would not be able to tell them which was which. I just know that I got shot!
Seriously, my 9's get shot the most because of ammo costs. If you want something later (I doubt that this will be your last gun) then you can branch out.

The company I work for is going to be putting out a video soon on the different action types and styles. I will probably post that vid when it is done editing.

 

[gbran]

Don't do it my way.

I've shot and had guns since I less than 10 y/o (63 now), but I didn't get my ccw license until about the year 2,000. So I ended up buying/selling many different handguns (5-7 of them) until I finally settled on a Glock G26 for everyday carry.
I have about 14 other handguns out of which I occasionally carry. I usually carry the Glock in the warmer months and a 1911 in the colder months.

 

[oneounceload]

1911's are great: very accurate and hard hitting, but if you buy a 1911, I recommend you buy a good one. Les Baer, Dan Wesson, Kimber (from the custom shop) something like that.

Sorry, but if the OP is having a hard time renting due to cost, buying Les Baer or a custom-shop Kimber is NOT in his or his wife's immediate future.

He and his wife will like different guns for different reasons; if one of them compromises for the other, that person will be less likely to want to practice/use the gun. I prefer my G-17; my wife loves my G-26 (and my P-7 which she gave me as a present). We aren't too dissimilar as some couples here seem to be size-wise, so that is a plus. That does not sound like the case with the OP.

Perhaps his wife should also take a class/lesson where she can try several guns and get some great instruction (as in a female instructor) so she can make up her mind as to what will work best for her.

I don't really recommend revolvers for people that are not dedicated to learning them for two reasons: Capacity and double action trigger pull.

Absolutely agree - especially when talking about getting the wife a light-weight snub

 

[zb338]

If you liked the Glock 17 let your wife and yourself shoot
a Glock 19. It is the best of all the Glocks as far as
a compromise for shooting and carrying.

Zeke

 

[tarosean]

Its not likely you two will agree on the same gun. Buy yourself what you want and her what she wants to alleviate any issues. If either of you dislike it, your more than likely not going to use it.

I personally cannot stand my wifes carry gun, but its reliable and she shoots it. So that is really all that matters....

 

[pymi]

Check out other shops, some will let you just pay for ammo and they will let you try the used inventory with no range fee. Also like said before find a pistol that fits your hand good first don't worry about gadgets looks etc.

 

[HGM22]

The range by me apparently allows as many different guns as you want in your hour of rental time. Whether this is standard policy or because my friend was very serious about buying his first gun I'm not sure.

 

[ku4hx]

Well ... buy, rent or beg are about the only choices you have. The first is probably out of the question, the second can get a little costly so the only really cheap way is to befriend other shooters and ask them may you try their gun.

But be prepared; some will let you, some might even offer before you ask and some will say no.

 

[Sav .250]

Gun Shows, if you have any local . You can handle all you want. Get prices as well.

Best place to feel a weapon.

 

[JTQ]

love4god wrote,
Sig P226 - The trigger was too easy to pull for me, I want it to be harder to pull and the gun felt a little light.

I suspect you didn't decock the gun after you chambered the round. The double action (DA) trigger pull of the SIG should be around twice the weight of a Glock trigger pull. In addition, the SIG is several ounces heavier than the Glock 17.

 

[Tallball]

"felt

I own a couple of dozen semi-automatics, but I still prefer revolvers. If you never even try one it is like choosing between a lot of different vanilla ice creams and you have never even tried chocolate.

If it is larger and heavier and fits your hand well it will have less "felt recoil" and will generally be easier to shoot. If it is smaller and/or lighter and/or fits your hand poorly it will probably be harder to shoot well and will probably be less accurate for you. It is possible to find a "happy medium", but generally a gun that is small/light enough to be convenient to carry concealed is not an ideal home defense gun, and vice versa. It might be best to purchase a HD/range gun first, then get a CC gun later when you decide to get your license.

If it feels good in your hand and you like the sights and trigger can rack it easily, it will probably work for just fine for you. There is no handgun that I have found that is excellent for both me and my wife, but there are lots that are pretty good for both of us. There is a saying "Perfect is the enemy of good enough".

In my experience a handgun from a reputable manufacturer will be durable enough to last tens of thousands of rounds and still function reliably. That being said, as I have gotten older I have purchased most of my firearms used and have had problems with very few of them - no problems at all, in fact, with such high-quality pistols as you have named. If you can purchase used handguns from a reputable dealer who will at least guarantee that it will go bang when you pull the trigger, you could probably purchase two used ones (one for you and one for your wife) for roughly the cost of one brand-new one.

9mm is a good caliber. I enjoy shooting it at the range and feel comfortable using it for SD purposes.

 

[love4god]

The gun is mostly for me but I want something she is comfortable shooting. She is not carrying it around and will go to the range with me sometimes but we're both novices. So once she is comfortable and shoots some more guns she'll eventually get her own. Until that time I'd like something we both feel comfortable shooting although I'll do more shooting with it.

She is also going to take a class after the summer.

 

[love4god]

Goose Creek sounds like a possibility, I'll call and see if they still run like that. It's 3 hours but it's also near the beach, maybe we'll head up that way for an overnight and head to the beach or into Charleston.

 

[love4god]

I'll take a look at the CZ's also as someone suggested.

As for the light pull on the Sig, i read a lot about people wanting a lighter trigger or modifying for that. Honestly, it scared me a little bit. I don't remember if the first pull was harder than the subsequent ones I just know as I was shooting through a clip it seemed like the trigger was just too easy for me to pull. Maybe as I get more experience that would be something I liked and help w/ accuracy. I was just worried that it would be too easy to accidentally fire. I guess the initial long pull stops that.

 

[love4god]

I do plan on eventually getting my wife her own gun but it will be a little while so I was trying to find something that I really like and that she is comfortable shooting. Not the perfect gun for her but something she at least feels comfortable using. Then after her class and some shooting I'll probably get her something for Christmas or her birthday in the winter.