Where can my wife try out some pistols?

[tshooter91]

I live on the Western Slope. Are there any places I can go in Colorado or Utah that have many different pistols available for my wife (and me) to test fire?

I've just about convinced her to learn to use a pistol appropriately, and I'm encouraging her to do her own research on what would be a good piece for her. She's thinking she'd have to try several to make a good decision, and I don't disagree.

Thanks.

[theGinsue]

I wish I could help you out with the "where to go", but I'm on the other side of the mtn's from you and don't know much about places over on your side of the state.

I can say that you are on the right track though. Back in '95, I took my wife with me to pick up my Beretta 92. The place that did the transfer for me had an indoor range and rented handguns. While my wife didn't like the feel of the Beretta, she felt very comfortable with a Glock 17. When I finally got around to getting her a handgun of her own, she settled on a Springsfield XD9 like I bought for my daughter (my daughter had shot one with her friends many times and knew this was the gun she wanted).

In my experience, women especially need a gun they feel offers the best feel in their hands - when just holding it and when firing. If they don't feel comfortable with it, they won't want to shoot it and might as well not even have the gun. (Unlike most men who will happily shoot anything you put in their hands.)

Good luck on the hunt. Let us know how things work out.

[tshooter91]

Thanks for your encouragement, Ginsue.

If there are places on the front range that are a good place to test fire some handguns, I'd like to know because there is nothing on this side of the state that I can find.

I've also found that Las Vegas has many ranges that rent guns, but I'd prefer not to have to go that far.

It looks like there is one in Aurora called the Firing Line. Any others?

[Batteriesnare]

Unfortunately, I know know any on your side of the state, but I can recommend a few on along I-25.

Rocky Mountain Shooter Supply (rmss.com) in Fort Collins is just of the highway. They offer rentals of several sizes, calibers, and models of handguns, and have an indoor range to try them out on. The range has the garage door style target holders, and is marked from 3 yards out to 25. I think they charge you per gun rentals, but I know they will let her handle as many as she likes so she can narrow it down. They have a great selection (revolvers and semis) and have been very helpful to me.

Family Shooting Center at Cherry Creek State Park. (http://www.familyshootingcenter.com) They do not have as large of a selection, but they do have handguns for rent, and they are right there on the range. (It is outside tho, and handguns have a range of 12 yards only.)

The third I know of is the Green Mountain Family Shooting Center. (http://www.gmfsc.org/) I have not visited here, but I've heard good reviews from my trusted peers. They have handgun rentals as well as an indoor range.

Good luck with your search!

[Troublco]

Thanks for your encouragement, Ginsue.

If there are places on the front range that are a good place to test fire some handguns, I'd like to know because there is nothing on this side of the state that I can find.

I've also found that Las Vegas has many ranges that rent guns, but I'd prefer not to have to go that far.

It looks like there is one in Aurora called the Firing Line. Any others?

The Firing Line does rent guns. I'm not immediately aware of any others around here that do.

Waikiki has a ton of them catering to the Japanese tourists. A little further than Vegas, but hey, if you're going to travel anyway....[Coffee]

[Irving]

Both the Shootist and Green Mountain Family Shooting Center rent guns, but I don't remember either of them having a real extensive collection. At the Firing Line in Aurora, you're not allowed to rent a gun by yourself, you have to have another consenting adult with you. They tell people that their insurance policy requires it, and I strongly suspect it is because of the people that have killed themselves there with rented guns. It shouldn't be an issue for you as you are going with your wife.

[theGinsue]

Hey! Why haven't any of our other Western Slope members chimed in on this thread? Surely one of you knows a place this gentleman can take his lady to shoot.

[rondog]

Better yet would be a meet & greet with some other members, to let her try a variety without the range BS. I'd offer several 1911's, a Bersa Thunder .380, a FEG PA-63, and a S&W Model 49 .38 Special, but I'm in Parker & a long ways from there.

[MichiganMilitia]

Rondog, you're in Parker? My fiance lives in Parker, right off Parker Road and 20 mile rd. Where do you shoot around Parker?

[rondog]

Rondog, you're in Parker? My fiance lives in Parker, right off Parker Road and 20 mile rd. Where do you shoot around Parker?

I'm a member at Ben Lomond.