There’s two gun stores near me, and sports authority. One shop looks like a mom and pop business. The other gun store is very large and has a wide selection. Sports authority always makes me laugh…should i get an air gun for $200, or a real gun for $20 more?
What should i be looking for in a good gun store?
Quality of service. Will they stand behind their product if something is not right. Do they have a range. Can they provide gunsmithing i.e. a trigger job or adjusting sights.
As for what I look for in a gun is ease of lefthanded use. Fit of hand. Weight and size.
US-made, hand-fitted and finished if possible.
What kind of gun are you looking to buy? Handgun? Rifle? Shotgun?
Something for a massacre?
No production gun will be hand fitted. Maybe a few high priced specials from a manufacturer’s custom shop.
Make sure you compare ammunition prices.
For plinking or target shooting, it is hard to beat a .22LR pistol or rifle. They are a lot of fun and cheap to feed. They don’t beat you up, they aren’t as loud as almost every centerfire caliber, and they can be amazingly accurate. It is my favorite caliber. Find an affordable brand of ammunition that your particular gun likes and you are good to go.
For gun stores, consider supporting your local gun shop rather than a national sporting goods chain. That is assuming one of your local gun shops has a good reputation.
When the market returns to reality, purchase your ammunition online or at places like Wal-Mart.
If you decide on an air rifle, do not get a Gamo. Do not be fooled by their 1,300fps bullshit advertising. There are much better choices at similar price points. Read reviews on airgun forums.
If you are looking for a .22 rifle, I really like my Ruger 10/22. It’s a pretty basic rifle. Decent right out of the box. Easily customizable, lots of aftermarket stuff if that’s what you like.
I have only purchased guns and ammo at smaller, locally owned shops. I like that they tend to be more knowledgeable about guns, ammo and the local laws. I also appreciated that both the shops I go to treat me like a customer, not like a “girl”, but that’s probably not a concern for you.
If you want to start a debate about pro or anti-gun views, feel free, but take posts like this out of this thread.
A+ & +1! 
A+ on the post, in general.
+1 on the 10/22. 
I’d like to get a shotgun for home protection and a small caliber rifle for target practice and vermin.
In my state, the laws are pretty severe for handguns but very lax for rifles.
I’d recommend a 12 ga Remmington 870 pump for your home. Dependable and inexpensive.
What kind of vermin are we talking about and what distance are you anticipating taking your shots at?
For vermin, im thinking pigeons, rats, and mongooses at 20-100 feet.
For target practice, I’d like to become fairly accurate at 300 feet.
What toofs said, a 22LR. Cheap, very accurate and with vermin as small as you mention you don’t want a larger bullet continuing on after its passed through the kill.
If i wanted to become accurate at larger distances, would a higher caliber be necessary?
Yes, generally speaking 300 feet, 100 yards is about the practical extent and 150 yards is pushing it. A conversation on calibers going up will be much more extensive.