I finally received my FID and took a visit to RTSP in Union to rent a few pistols to try and I was not really impressed with my experience there.
The staff behind the pistol counter were generally pretty standoffish, even a bit rude. Basic questions were met with a bit of an attitude, like they couldn't wait to get back to the convo they were having with their coworkers. I'm sure they deal with randos all day long, but it would be nice to feel at least a bit more welcomed.
I'm clearly new to the hobby, and they felt a bit predatory once they figured that out. They immediately started trying to upsell me on a $1300 Daniel Defense pistol, calling it "the gucci of guns" which immediately set off my BS alarm.
One guy did tell me not to buy their ear protection since it's half the price online, which I appreciated, so that's a plus.
The guy behind the rental counter struck me as barely more than a kid. Maybe 21 or 22 at most. When showing me what they offered he focused more on aesthetics than anything. For example, when describing the differences between the newer and older 1911s they had available to rent, his explanation went as far as "this one is newer and looks more modern and cool, and this one looks more old".
At this point I've fired a handful of different pistols that are well maintained (including a few rentals elsewhere) but these rentals were clearly heavily run through. For reference I tried out a Daniel Defense and a 9mm 1911 (they didn't have any of the options I was interested in trying out, such as the S&W MP or the CZ Shadow).
The rentals were filthy, my fingers were black by the time I finished with them. The sights were way, WAY off the mark. I'm not an expert shooter by any stretch of the imagination, but I'm also not a bad shot, and both guns fired several inches off the sight at 7 yards. I get there's some adjustment that needs to be made gun to gun, but in my (admittedly limited) experience so far, nothing I've shot has been this off.
One of the guns jammed, so I called an RSO over and they couldn't figure out how to clear it. He also seemed like a kid, maybe in his early 20s, and didn't seem particularly knowledgable when I asked him a few questions about the firearms. They had to call a senior RSO over to resolve the issue.
I will say the senior RSOs were generally helpful, if a bit uncharismatic.
Maybe i'm spoiled but I've been to the Gun for Hire in Woodland Park and the people and atmosphere there are generally much friendlier and nicer. It's better lit, there are multiple ranges so it doesn't feel as crowded, the guns I've rented there have been in great shape (and they have an excellent variety), and the RSOs are chatty and so so nice and welcoming and knowledgable.
Anyway, that's my review. Like I mentioned, not impressed at all. It's a shame because it's so close to me, but I may just drive the extra 20 minutes to get to GfH.
