What Pistols would you most enjoy shooting at a indoor Range?

[Dthunter]

Hello fellow shooters! I am here today to do some simple research on the pulse of you shooters.

I hope this is allowed for me to inquire in this way to canvas your opinions of what you would like to see or try. I apologize if this isn't allowed.

I have been given a unique opportunity to equip an indoor shooting facility with various fire arms! Talk about a fun project!

The top rated pistols that I see here and at a few other sites will help me choose the handguns we will include in the facility to rent to customers to shoot on our range. I won't advertise the name of the business, but just want to see what you guys think would be the best to have a chance to shoot.

I am curious of what the top 10 hand gun picks would be.
What make/models, calibers etc.

Thank you in advance guys, and I look forward to your input!

 

[C0untZer0]

The guns that I have the most fun with are my Glock 17L and my S&W 929, but that's just me...

 

[VoodooMountain]

Glock 19
M&P 2.0
XDM 3.8
PPQ
Cz75
SR22
MkIV
Sig 320
226
P30
Shield
G43

I know that's more than 10

 

[Telekinesis]

If there's a gun shop attached to the range, whatever they want to sell

This may not be the best list but here are my thoughts. First identify the market. If you're looking for the first time/occasional shooter go with the basics. If you're looking for something that "gun guys" (most of us on this forum) would rent, look into the exotic-ish stuff like pistols with red dots and magnum revolvers (because we already own the normal stuff).


For the basics I'd have a couple of Glocks, your pick but I'd try to span the different sized frames and calibers. You don't need them all, but something like a 17, 19, and 26, then maybe something in .40 and .45. If you have some extra room or cash, maybe add in something more exotic like a 10mm or .357 Sig (though I doubt they'd see much use beyond being a novelty). If you're going to be starting this soon, try to be one of the first ranges with the new gen 5 Glocks (unless the whole gen 5 thing is a farce, In which case forget I said anything)

I'd also get something in the M&P line. I don't usually rent guns (have too many of my own) but I would rent a M&P with a red dot. Also add in a Sig 320, though you may want to wait until they figure out the drop safety issues. A 1911 of some sort is probably a good idea too.

After those, I would look at some of the more carry related guns. Include something like a 9mm S&W Shield - it's a really popular and inexpensive weapon while still being highly reliable.

Revolvers should also be available. A good 4" .357 is a great option since it can shoot .38s for the budget conscious and full .357 for those wanting some fun.

After that, the world is your oyster. Having some exotic guns might be fun and would set you apart from other ranges. Some guns like the M&P CORE or Glock MOE with red dots would be really interesting. Maybe a .44 Mag or something like a freedom arms .454 revolver/hand cannon could be fun.

I'm not sure how much traffic it would see, but I might also throw in a snub nosed .38 like a S&W 642 or 442. I know when I was looking for a good NPE/hideaway gun I would have loved to try one and compare it to the Shield when buying.

If the range does NFA stuff, maybe a suppressed .22, 9mm, and maybe .45 would be interesting as a rental. As would machine guns. If possible, add in a post sample Glock 18! (Probably the worst option for inexperienced shooters to rent, but it would be fun!)

Anyway, hope some of this helped!

 

[The_Next_Generation]

A lot of people who are renting guns at an indoor range are just out to have fun and may not necessarily be looking to be come serious shooters. Like mentioned above, NFA stuff would fit that "fun" bill. I'd add in a big-bore wheelgun too. Something in 454, 460, 500 would be a hoot to shoot inside if for nothing more than the "artillery" effect.

But that's just me.

 

[Klint Beastwood]

I've seen some people use rentals to see if they like that gun before buying one new. I like gun rentals ranges, though i dont go to public ranges myself anymore.
1911's are always popular. Maybe the Springfield TRS might be a good one, or a rock island with some novaks on the cheaper side.
Glock 18's are all the rage recently. Shield's are very commonly bought these days as well.

 

[tarosean]

If there's a gun shop attached to the range, whatever they want to sell

this...
Get in any new gun, new version, new whatever.
People want to test-drive the latest and greatest before dropping their coin.

I would say fill it with your run of the mill popular stuff. -Glock-Ruger-S&W-CZ-HK-Sig-SA-Colt yada yada yada
Then some high end stuff - NHC-WC-LB-EB-GC-Zev-Salient-Agencey-Hammerli-Pardini, etc. You know the stuff, a lot of people cannot buy, but will sure rent for a few bucks more.

 

[ritepath]

CZ P-01
CZ SP-01
CZ 75
M&P 9
M&P Shield 9, 40, 45
Ruger LCP II
Sig P320 Compact 9
Sig P220 45
Glock G20 & 40
Canik TP9SFX TP9SF/SA

 

[usp9]

A sampling of the popular duty size guns.
A sampling of the more popular concealed carry guns.
Several .22lr pistols.
A few unusual pistols such as a large caliber hunting pistol, HK P7.
A few for teaching or first timers.

 

[drband]

Colt 1911

 

[red rick]

S&W Shield 9mm & 45
XDs 9mm & 45
Walther PPS M2 9mm
Ruger LCPs 9mm
S&W 642
Ruger LCR 38
Glock 19
Glock 17
Sig 320 9mm
CZ P10c

 

[Jack B.]

22 LR semi auto & revolver
45ACP
9mm semi auto
380 semi auto
357-38 revolver
44 Magnum -44Special revolver
You select brands. most popular in your area.

 

[goldpelican]

The most popular rental gun at a new range in town here is a Desert Eagle 50AE. It's not a gun most people would buy, but jump at the chance to rent one. The profits from rental fees plus ammo sales each day would outweigh the margins they would be making in selling the same model once a day.

Next most popular would be the Model 29 44 Magnum - everyone wants to play Dirty Harry.

Is there a popular hunting revolver in Alberta? Add a revolver with an optic.

Basically get some big bore stuff that is fun to rent, and if suppressors are legal where you are (unfamiliar with Canadian suppressor laws), a couple of suppressed guns - a 22 and a centre fire like a 9mm or 45ACP.

After that, the dealer really should be talking to their distributors to see what the top selling guns are. Then the rental line is aligned with sales for "try before you buy" marketing.

 

[huntsman]

As someone who has never been to an indoor range I find the response interesting. I just assumed most would want to rent something they considered buying (I would) and the rest of the time used to be proficient with what they already own, never thought about "fun" gun rental.

 

[Jack B.]

The fun gun at the indoor range I go to is the H&K MP5. People seem to really enjoy renting it but soon discover how fast it chews through ammo and they don't stay very long passing up the chance to shoot some really fine guns. They have about 26 different guns to rent.

 

[Zendude]

For a fun gun, indoor ranges where I live have a fully automatic AR that can be rented.
Another fun gun that is popular is a 44 magnum with, say, a 6 inch barrel.
The rest are more practical 380, 9mm, 40, 45, and 38/357 guns. Make sure to have a couple of 22 rimfire pistols for beginners or teaching young shooters.

 

[ATLDave]

I'm going to depart from most of the posts so far.

I think it depends on your competition. If you've already got other indoor/rental ranges in the area, you may want to consider offering something "different." A glass case full of black plastic guns when 3 other ranges nearby also offer black plastic guns may not be optimal. You may want to think outside the box a little bit with some nicer or more "tricked-out" firearms that your customers can't rent across the street. Consider things like double-stacked 2011's or big-bore revolvers with compensators or .22's with red-dots mounted on them, etc. If it's a Glock, get one that is somehow "customized."

Another important consideration for a rental range is pushing people into buying range ammo (which, as I understand it, is where a lot of the real money is made). Nothing beats full-auto for inducing people to churn through $200 worth of 9mm or .223.

All that said, people often want to shoot what they see in movies. Look at what is showing up in movies, and get some of those.

 

[reddog81]

It depends on if you're renting guns to increase gun sales or renting guns for fun. Most people who frequent a range and are familiar with guns will want something exotic or powerful like a S&W 500. People looking to buy a gun will want something plain like a S&W 642 or Glock 19.

The indoor range I go to has about 20 guns for rent and half are full auto because those are unattainable for average folks and I imagine the extra ammo sales are a bonus. I have no idea if this would be possible in Canada.

From what I understand people want to rent guns they have heard of from video games or the military. People aren't interested in shooting guns they've never heard of.

 

[Jack B.]

I think I would go to a local gun store that has a lot of guns in inventory and ask them what people locally want to look at when they come in.

 

[JDR]

Here's 11 & I own all of them:
Gen3 Glock 17
Gen3 Glock 19
Gen4 Glock 21
CZ 75B 9mm
Sig M11-A1
Sig P225 9mm
HK P30 9mm
HK45
Dan Wesson Valor .45ACP
S&W 686 6" bbl.
S&W 617 6" bbl.

 

[sigarms228]

I think it is a matter of what most people want to try and not just what is fun to shoot. With so many looking to CCW I would suggest having a good selection of single stack poly frame pistols too including M&P Shield, Walther PPS, Springfield XD-S, SIG P938, and Ruger LCP. The Glock 26 is also HUGELY popular as a double stack subcompact 9MM..

Here is what one of the ranges not too far from me rents.

https://www.gatguns.com/pistol-rifle-gun-ranges/gun-rentals

A few more.

http://www.midwestguns.com/gun-rental/

https://www.ontargetsite.com/range-rates/

http://article2range.com/rental-firearms-and-fees/

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

9mm all the things!

Glock 19
Glock 34
Sig P226
Sig 2022
HK USP
HK P2000
CZ 75
Springfield 1911 9mm
Smith and Wesson Model 686
Smith and Wesson 500 Magnum (or some such cannon)

If you can have 12:
Smith and Wesson Shield
Glock 43

 

[Zerodefect]

Colt GI 1911
Dan Wesson Valor
Glock 41, 40, 34, 35, 19, 23 (Add Warren Sevigny Comp sights to all of the Glocks)
Springfield XDS
S&W .357 magnum (any not a J frame)
S&W .44 magnum (any)
S&W M&P J Frame, or 442.
Ruger LCR
S&W M&P 9mm and .45
Beretta M9
Les Baer Monolith
Guncrafter No Name
Single action Colt revolver

CZ Tactical Sport Orange. Heck yeah, a gamer gun for sure.
STI 2011. Same thing.

I recommend pushing competition guns and larger calibers for sure. "I want to try a 9mm!"....said no Momo ever.

The ranges in Vegas don't draw crowds of people looking for practical stuff. They just want to have fun. So weight that a bit. Some CCW stuff, some fun stuff, and some louder stuff.

Charge extra for the 1911's and especially the 2011's. That may even make people want to try those more.

 

[grampajack]

S&W 500
Desert Eagle
Ruger Mk series 22
1911
.38 or .357 snub nose S&W
Glock 17
Glock 43
Keltec P3AT
Beretta M9
Sig P320

Your insurance will likely never let you do it, but a G18 would certainly get some attention.

A race gun might get some attention. Basically people rent guns for two reasons, because they're cool, or because they're in the market for a gun and they're trying to get an idea of what they want. Having a good overview of the different carry options will help sales. You want a micro .380 and a compact .38 revolver at a minimum. You have to have a G17 and a 1911. The Beretta M9 is iconic, and the Sig P320 should prove popular in the long run as it becomes more recognizable. And of course you have to have a .22lr pistol for the kids and new shooters.

Historical guns would be neat, as well. A German Luger, while pricey, would prove popular. A milspec 1911, Makarov, Taokarev, etc. would do well. What some rental ranges do is have rental packages, so you could do a sidearms of WWII package or something like that.

Suppressors would be bound to be popular, and for pistols are very economical.

 

[1KPerDay]

Get one of each popular striker pistol and pocket gun du jour.

However for flavor plus historical interest you should have:
Chiappa Rhino
Coonan .357
Colt SAA .45
Colt 1911
Smith M29
Walther PPK
Desert Eagle .50
Luger(right)
CZ75
Beretta M9
SIG P226
HK P7M8