First Handgun - Iowa

JasperWolverine · March 12, 2009, 05:53 PM

I live in Iowa and plan to attend the Tulsa Arms Show next month to buy my first handgun. I am an avid hunter, but I've never ventured into the handgun arena. Before I head to Oklahoma, I'd like to rent and try several different handguns to better determine what I'd like to purchase. My question for those of you located in Iowa is whether you are aware of any Des Moines area dealers or ranges that will let me rent and fire different types/models/caliber handguns before I make a purchase? Any help is appreciated. I'd rather not buy my first handgun without trying some different options first. Thanks all!

vranasaurus · March 12, 2009, 06:00 PM

A handgun must be purchased in you state of residence. If you find one in OK it will have to be shipped to a dealer in Iowa.

You will also need to get your permit to purchase.

I am originally from CB and used to live in Ames. I am not familiar with any gun rental places near DM but I am sure there is at least one.

Rembrandt · March 12, 2009, 06:27 PM

Not aware of any indoor ranges in Iowa that rent. There was NLSI in Ankeny but it closed a couple years ago.

On the way to Tulsa stop at the Bullet Hole in Kansas City, they might be able to help. http://www.thebullethole.com/portal/...7/Default.aspx

skyflyer · March 13, 2009, 06:10 PM

Where in Iowa are you located?
I might have a few you could try out.

Tamara · March 13, 2009, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasperWolverine

I live in Iowa and plan to attend the Tulsa Arms Show next month to buy my first handgun.

You will need to have the handgun shipped back to an FFL in Iowa and do the actual transfer there.

tjhands · March 14, 2009, 09:22 AM

Surely you aren't traveling out there solely to buy a gun. There are many, many good gun shows here in Iowa. DSM and CR have them all the time.

To answer your question, though, I don't know of any ranges that rent handguns. Depending on what you are looking to buy and whether you're willing to travel an hour from DSM, I'd be happy to let you shoot my guns.

OnTheFly · March 14, 2009, 09:40 AM

Edit: IF you are in western Iowa.

I'm not sure what they have for variety, but The Bullet Hole - Omaha, NE lists handgun and rifle rental fees on their "Hours & Rates" page.

Fly

JasperWolverine · March 15, 2009, 09:23 AM

Thanks for all the good info guys. I haven't had very good luck with selection at the gun shops around Des Moines. I didn't think that selection would be a problem in Tulsa. I'll be visiting a friend there that weekend anyway so I plan to check out the show while I'm there. If I find something, I'll just have to have it sent back here.

Right now, I'm leaning towards a semi-auto (maybe an XD-M or a Glock 26, probably 9mm). I'd also like a revolver at some point, but that will have to be business for some other time. Thanks again for all of the help.

tjhands · March 15, 2009, 07:37 PM

Again, I think you're making this too hard. Doesn't Scheel's or Sportsman's Warehouse have any G26s or XDs? No, you won't be able to test fire them but neither will you be able to in Tulsa.

In OK, you'll have to spend another $25 to have the seller ship it plus another $20 for an FFL transfer here in IA. I just don't see how this is financially advantageous for you.

Go out there and figure out what gun you want, then come back home and buy it here.

BTW, I have a few 9mms including a G26 that you are welcome to shoot if you like.

skyflyer · March 16, 2009, 08:21 PM

Good luck on your search but i think tjhands is giving you some good advice by the time you add the cost of fuel,
high gun show price, shipping and transfer fee you have a pretty expensive pistol.

sportsman warehouse doesn't have much of a selection yet but scheels has a few guns, I think the scheels in cedar falls is better priced then the jordan creek mall.

If you do decide you need to transfer look up http://www.gunsandmore.info/
You could also check buds and see what they have in stock.
The only nines i have are a s/w mpc or a glock 17 but if you make it up to Marshall county your welcome to try a few rounds.

JasperWolverine · March 18, 2009, 10:22 PM

Thanks so much guys. I'll end up getting something in Iowa to avoid the hassle and extra expense. I'm still going to go browse in Tulsa (I'm going to visit a buddy anyway). I stopped by Scheels at Jordan Creek and they have the best selection of the area shops. I really appreciate the offers. I think I've got things pretty well narrowed down and it might be helpful to try out a few options.

March 12, 2009, 05:53 PM	#1
JasperWolverine Junior Member Join Date: March 12, 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 3	First Handgun - Iowa I live in Iowa and plan to attend the Tulsa Arms Show next month to buy my first handgun. I am an avid hunter, but I've never ventured into the handgun arena. Before I head to Oklahoma, I'd like to rent and try several different handguns to better determine what I'd like to purchase. My question for those of you located in Iowa is whether you are aware of any Des Moines area dealers or ranges that will let me rent and fire different types/models/caliber handguns before I make a purchase? Any help is appreciated. I'd rather not buy my first handgun without trying some different options first. Thanks all!

March 14, 2009, 09:22 AM	#6
tjhands Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2005 Posts: 1,718	Surely you aren't traveling out there solely to buy a gun. There are many, many good gun shows here in Iowa. DSM and CR have them all the time. To answer your question, though, I don't know of any ranges that rent handguns. Depending on what you are looking to buy and whether you're willing to travel an hour from DSM, I'd be happy to let you shoot my guns. __________________ "If the sole purpose of handguns is to kill people, then mine are all defective." - Uncle Ted Nugent

March 14, 2009, 09:40 AM	#7
OnTheFly Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2007 Location: SE Nebraska Posts: 859	Edit: IF you are in western Iowa. I'm not sure what they have for variety, but The Bullet Hole - Omaha, NE lists handgun and rifle rental fees on their "Hours & Rates" page. Fly __________________ I told my wife I was scheduling a mid-life crisis. It was either a Harley or guns. Secretly, I've already decided on guns. :-) Bang... Bang... Bang...

March 15, 2009, 07:37 PM	#9
tjhands Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2005 Posts: 1,718	Again, I think you're making this too hard. Doesn't Scheel's or Sportsman's Warehouse have any G26s or XDs? No, you won't be able to test fire them but neither will you be able to in Tulsa. In OK, you'll have to spend another $25 to have the seller ship it plus another $20 for an FFL transfer here in IA. I just don't see how this is financially advantageous for you. Go out there and figure out what gun you want, then come back home and buy it here. BTW, I have a few 9mms including a G26 that you are welcome to shoot if you like. __________________ "If the sole purpose of handguns is to kill people, then mine are all defective." - Uncle Ted Nugent

March 12, 2009, 06:00 PM	#2
vranasaurus Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2008 Posts: 1,184	A handgun must be purchased in you state of residence. If you find one in OK it will have to be shipped to a dealer in Iowa. You will also need to get your permit to purchase. I am originally from CB and used to live in Ames. I am not familiar with any gun rental places near DM but I am sure there is at least one.

March 12, 2009, 06:27 PM	#3
Rembrandt Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2002 Posts: 2,108	Not aware of any indoor ranges in Iowa that rent. There was NLSI in Ankeny but it closed a couple years ago. On the way to Tulsa stop at the Bullet Hole in Kansas City, they might be able to help. http://www.thebullethole.com/portal/...7/Default.aspx

March 13, 2009, 06:10 PM	#4
skyflyer Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: iowa Posts: 21	Where in Iowa are you located? I might have a few you could try out.

March 15, 2009, 09:23 AM	#8
JasperWolverine Junior Member Join Date: March 12, 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 3	Thanks for all the good info guys. I haven't had very good luck with selection at the gun shops around Des Moines. I didn't think that selection would be a problem in Tulsa. I'll be visiting a friend there that weekend anyway so I plan to check out the show while I'm there. If I find something, I'll just have to have it sent back here. Right now, I'm leaning towards a semi-auto (maybe an XD-M or a Glock 26, probably 9mm). I'd also like a revolver at some point, but that will have to be business for some other time. Thanks again for all of the help.

March 16, 2009, 08:21 PM	#10
skyflyer Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: iowa Posts: 21	Good luck on your search but i think tjhands is giving you some good advice by the time you add the cost of fuel, high gun show price, shipping and transfer fee you have a pretty expensive pistol. sportsman warehouse doesn't have much of a selection yet but scheels has a few guns, I think the scheels in cedar falls is better priced then the jordan creek mall. If you do decide you need to transfer look up http://www.gunsandmore.info/ You could also check buds and see what they have in stock. The only nines i have are a s/w mpc or a glock 17 but if you make it up to Marshall county your welcome to try a few rounds.

March 18, 2009, 10:22 PM	#11
JasperWolverine Junior Member Join Date: March 12, 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 3	Thanks so much guys. I'll end up getting something in Iowa to avoid the hassle and extra expense. I'm still going to go browse in Tulsa (I'm going to visit a buddy anyway). I stopped by Scheels at Jordan Creek and they have the best selection of the area shops. I really appreciate the offers. I think I've got things pretty well narrowed down and it might be helpful to try out a few options.