Range Rentals: Trying Before You Buy

I remember standing in front of the rental case at my local range four years ago, completely frozen. The employee asked what I wanted to try, and I just stared at all those pistols like they were speaking a foreign language. I ended up renting something way too big for my hands because I was too embarrassed to admit I had no idea what I was looking for.

Don't worry if that sounds familiar. It's totally normal to feel overwhelmed when you're trying to figure out what firearm might work for you. I wish I'd known back then that renting guns at the range isn't just okay, it's actually the smartest move you can make before dropping several hundred dollars on something you might hate shooting.

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Buying your first gun without trying a few options first is like buying hiking boots online without knowing your size. Sure, you might get lucky. But you'll probably end up with blisters and regret. Different firearms have completely different feels, and what works great for your buddy or what looks cool in videos might be absolutely wrong for your hands, your strength, or your shooting goals.

The good news? Colorado has some fantastic ranges where you can test drive different options without any pressure. I've spent time at places like Weld County Range in Eaton and Centennial Gun Club, and I've learned that a good rental program can save you from expensive mistakes. Some ranges even let you apply rental fees toward a purchase if you fall in love with something.

What I'm going to walk you through is how to make the most of range rentals at four different Colorado facilities. We'll cover what to expect when you ask about rentals, how to pick which guns to try, and what you should actually be paying attention to when you're shooting. I'll also share the questions I ask now that I didn't know to ask when I started. Because honestly, the difference between a frustrating range day and a productive one often comes down to knowing what you're looking for.

I remember my second trip to a range after my first awkward experience. I wanted somewhere that felt more structured, where I wouldn't worry about making a mistake that everyone would notice. That's when I discovered Weld County Range in Eaton, Colorado, and honestly, it changed how I thought about what a professional shooting facility should feel like.

The place operates on a membership basis, which I'll admit seemed intimidating at first. Why would I pay for a membership before I even knew if shooting was my thing? But talking to the staff there, I realized this setup actually creates something really valuable for newcomers. Everyone around you has gone through an orientation process. They understand the rules. Nobody's doing anything unpredictable.

You'll find both rifle and pistol ranges, so if you're still figuring out which platform feels more comfortable, you can try both without driving somewhere else. I've brought three different friends there over the past couple years, and each time the atmosphere just felt calm. Controlled. The kind of environment where you can actually focus on learning instead of constantly looking over your shoulder wondering if the person in the next lane knows what they're doing.

The facility also hosts military and law enforcement training, which tells you something about how seriously they take safety protocols. You're not going to find loose standards or casual attitudes about range commands. For someone who's never handled a firearm before, that structure isn't restrictive. It's actually freeing. You can relax into the experience knowing the environment is managed by people who've seen it all and won't let anything slide.

If you're in northern Colorado and considering whether you want to invest in your own firearm, starting with a membership here gives you time to experiment without the pressure of an immediate purchase.

Heading south from Eaton takes you into a completely different environment. The metro area brings its own set of advantages, especially if you're looking for something closer to Denver's southern suburbs. Centennial Gun Club sits right in that sweet spot where accessibility meets solid facilities, and the drive from most parts of the metro won't eat up your whole afternoon.

I remember walking into Centennial Gun Club about two years ago with my cousin who'd never touched a firearm before. She was shaking. Literally trembling as we filled out the paperwork, and I got it because I'd been there myself not long before.

The place runs tight on safety protocols, which honestly made her relax once she saw how seriously everyone took it. They've got Range Safety Officers constantly present, and these aren't just people watching from a desk. They're actively engaged, checking in without being overbearing. My cousin needed someone to walk her through loading her first magazine, and the RSO spent a solid ten minutes making sure she understood every step before we even approached the firing line.

What really helped was their rental program. She'd been agonizing over whether to buy a Glock or a Smith & Wesson M&P, reading endless forum debates and watching YouTube reviews until she was more confused than when she started. Being able to actually shoot both models back to back? That settled it immediately. She knew within twenty rounds which one felt right in her hands.

The facility itself sits in Centennial, easy to find off I-25 if you're coming from Denver or the south suburbs. They offer training classes too, though we didn't do one that day since I was there to guide her through everything. Looking back, maybe we should've signed up for their beginner course anyway. Sometimes having a professional instructor explain things carries more weight than hearing it from your know-it-all cousin.

One thing to know upfront is they operate on a membership model for regular access. We went as my guest that first time, but she ended up joining after her third visit. The professional atmosphere kept bringing her back.

If you're willing to make the drive south from Centennial, there's a military-affiliated option near Colorado Springs that's worth knowing about. The scenery changes pretty dramatically once you get past Monument, and the facilities down there reflect a different approach to range design altogether.

Fort Carson has something really special for people thinking about buying their first firearm. Cheyenne Mountain Shooting Complex sits right there on base, and yeah, they offer public access which surprises a lot of folks. You don't need a military ID to shoot there.

What makes this place perfect for the whole "try before you buy" approach is how seriously they take safety without making you feel like you're being lectured. The range safety officers actually seem to enjoy helping nervous shooters figure things out. I've watched them work with complete beginners who weren't sure which end of the gun was which, and they never made anyone feel stupid about asking questions.

They've got both indoor and outdoor ranges, which gives you options depending on what you're testing out. Want to try a few different pistols? The indoor range works great. Thinking about a rifle? Take it outside where you can really see what it does at distance. Having those rental options means you can spend an afternoon comparing a compact 9mm to a full-size before dropping several hundred dollars on something that doesn't feel right in your hands.

The military connection means everything runs tight. Clean facilities. Clear rules. Nobody's doing anything sketchy because there's always professional oversight. That might sound intimidating, but honestly? It's the opposite. Knowing someone's actively watching out for safety issues lets you focus on learning instead of worrying about the guy in the next lane.

Colorado Springs has plenty of ranges, but this one stands out for first-timers who need that extra layer of structure and guidance. You'll leave knowing whether that gun you've been eyeing is actually the right choice, or if you should keep looking. Better to figure that out for thirty bucks in rental fees than after you've already bought it.

Moving north from Fort Carson, you'll find the shooting scene shifts pretty dramatically once you hit Castle Rock. The drive takes maybe thirty minutes depending on traffic, but you're trading military precision for something more community-focused. DCF Guns sits right in that sweet spot where serious shooters and newer folks cross paths regularly, and the atmosphere reflects it.

Castle Rock's DCF Guns really gets what new shooters need when they're thinking about their first firearm purchase. I've brought a couple of friends there who weren't sure if they wanted a 9mm or something with less recoil, and the rental program let them actually feel the difference instead of just guessing based on internet forums.

The indoor range setup means you're not dealing with weather variables on your first few sessions, which honestly takes away one more thing to worry about. You've got enough on your mind without wondering if the wind's going to mess with your shots or if it's about to rain. Their Range Safety Officers stay pretty visible without hovering, and I noticed they're quick to offer tips if someone looks uncertain but they don't make you feel like you're being watched with judgment.

What surprised me most was how they handle the whole rental process for people who've never held a firearm before. They don't rush you through paperwork and shove you into a lane. Someone actually walks you through the basics of whatever you're renting, shows you how it operates, and makes sure you understand the fundamentals before you're on your own. That kind of attention matters when you're already nervous.

Their pro shop carries enough variety that you can compare what you just shot with similar models right there. I remember my friend Sarah rented a compact pistol, realized it felt too small in her hands, and we walked over to look at mid-size options immediately. She ended up buying something completely different than what she'd originally planned, and she's still happy with that choice two years later.

The military and law enforcement training programs they run tell you something about their standards too. Facilities that work with professionals tend to maintain stricter safety protocols, which benefits everyone who walks through the door.

Looking back on my first time at a range in Centennial four years ago, I wish I'd known that rentals were even an option. Would've saved me from almost buying a pistol that looked cool but felt terrible in my hands.

The ranges we covered today between Eaton and Castle Rock all share something important. They want you to find the right fit before you spend your money. Fort Carson's facility does this especially well for military families just getting started, while the options in Centennial give you tons of variety to test different platforms in one visit.

My advice? Pick two or three ranges from this list and actually visit them. Don't just call and ask questions over the phone. You need to feel the atmosphere, meet the range officers, and see how they handle safety protocols with new shooters. Rent at least three different firearms if your budget allows it. What feels perfect for your buddy might be completely wrong for your hand size or shooting style.

Bring a friend who shoots if you can, but don't let them pressure you into their preferences. I've seen too many people buy what their experienced friend recommended, only to realize they hate shooting it.

Start with something in 9mm or .22LR to build fundamentals without developing a flinch from heavy recoil. You can always move up later once you've got the basics down solid. And please, don't rush this decision just because there's a sale happening. The right gun will still be the right gun next month, and you'll actually enjoy practicing with it for years to come.