The wife got a new purse for Christmas. It is a concealed carry purse with an easily accessible holster. Try as she might, her .38 revolver just wouldn't fit as discreetly as she would have liked, so began her journey to find a new gun. We traveled to a local gun store with a range, and she tried a few, including my little .380. Not happy with what she was able to try from the rental case, she ended up buying a Smith and Wesson M&P Shield .380 EZ. Since they didn't have a rental of model, she bought it without ever firing one. While she and our son had it in the range trying it out, the guy behind the counter asked if I was interested in anything. I told him if she didn't like the gun she'd bought, it would become mine and she would still be looking. When she looked at me through the window, she gave me a thumbs up. Low and behold, she liked the new S&W.
At that point I started shopping for me. We discussed various calibers, and that is when the cost of ammo came into play. Me being a tight ass, started looking at 9mm guns due to the lower cost of the very common/popular round. I then ran 50/rounds through a Glock, but wasn't impressed. Tried a Springfield, but stopped after 20 rounds due an unsatisfactory feeling grip. So at that point I tried a S&W M&P Shield in 9mm. After 20/rounds through it, I was happy. Back to the counter where I purchased one for myself..
Since that time we have both been back to the store for some one on one training and range time. Going to a privately owned shop with a range, our purchasing experience was far and away better than buying from a large retail chain.
I concur surrounding the privately owned shops verses retail. I have two I frequent for my purchases of firearms, and typically I shop retail for toys the two shops I patronize don't handle. And bulk ammo purchases for personal use not at their range.
I've looked at the SW Sheild series but have not fired one yet. I recently purchased a Springfield in .45 at one of those shops, and love it. A lot of my handguns are 9mm though, including a brace of Browning Hi Powers, my personal favorite. I use a Ruger LC9s as my daily carry though, also in 9mm.
One of the owners of the shops I frequent owns property in Wabash and he and I frequently run up there to take our handguns and long arms out for a stroll. I had him build me an AR 15 awhile back, and it always comes along on those trips! :biggrin: