Shops are most useful when a customer turns up knowing how they will use the firearm and details of where they will store it. Having described the activities he intends to carry out with the firearm the customer can then compare like with like and find the best firearm for his needs. The salesman may also reveal many of the assumptions that would lead to an unsuitable choice.
Start with the job the firearm must do
Consider the intended use of the firearm, e.g. occasional use at a shooting range for fun. This different from hunting, collecting or other lawful activities? For each different activity consider the size, weight, controls and sighting to ensure the best firearm for that purpose.
Think about where you will be using the firearm and how you will be transporting it. Will it be kept at a range or will it be taken on lots of journeys? Will you be shooting from a bench or from a stand? Be as specific as you can about your intended use and the shop will be able to give you much better advice on which firearms to compare.
However, it is perfectly all right to say that you are not quite sure what you want the firearm for. After comparing a few firearms you will probably have a good idea of what you are looking for.
Treat fit as a hands-on question
When looking for a firearm to purchase, it is also important to look at the overall fit to your hands. How do the controls fall to your hands? Are you able to hold the firearm in such a way that you have a stable hold on it? Are your fingers in the correct position so that they are not in danger of being placed in a position where they could be accidentally triggered? These are all things to consider when looking for a new firearm.
Smaller hands struggle with wide grips and triggers that are too far apart to reach comfortably, whilst people with little hand strength find actions and controls that are stiff to operate tiring. Other factors that have to be taken into account are prior injuries, limited mobility, any vision problems that you may have and even what you normally wear.
It is very useful to try out an unloaded firearm in a shop for comfort and for reach to the controls. Remember to always keep the muzzle pointing in the safe direction as stipulated by the shop and keep your finger out of the trigger guard. Remember the shop demonstration is to test for comfort and reach and not to practice using a firearm.
Compare controls without chasing novelty
Controls that are understandable, reachable and consistant are important. Find out what each control does. Where are they? How do you find out what status the control is in? Some people prefer the same controls as their current firearms, whilst others are easily able to transfer to others. Some are even so simple that there is no doubt as to what status the control is in.
While extra features (such as trigger adjusts) may be good, in the long run they can be a problem if there are too many to remember to use safely and maintain. Their inclusion in a firearm should be a positive but not a deciding factor in itself.
Ask the consultant to explain the differences between the various firearms in simple language. If the consumer cannot outline the fundamental controls of a firearm chosen, then the consumer is not ready to make a purchase.
Bring the person who will actually use it
All members of a household must be able to safely and comfortably use a firearm intended for use by more than one person. All members should be involved in the selection process and receive appropriate instruction for the firearm(s) selected. The strong hand of the most experienced or strongest user should not be allowed to dictate the selection of a firearm for use by others in the user's household.
Other aspects also need to be taken into consideration (e.g. your age, height, hand strength, vision, confidence when handling firearms and whether you wear glasses, hearing protection, etc. while at the shooting range). Also, how do you intend to wear firearms and Range Equipment while at the shooting range. For example, a grip that feels fine when shooting without gloves, may become difficult to hold when wearing shooting gloves.
Let the new owner of the firearm test drive the same models and tell the dealer which one feels best for him or her. Don't pressure the person into purchasing a firearm that feels awkward or does not function correctly for him or her. Make sure he or she understands the safe use of the firearm and can operate it safely.
Check the responsibilities beyond the purchase
Note too that most handguns require routine cleaning. Check what the manufacturer recommends for regular inspection of parts and ask for indication of when to retire a firearm. Most maintenance must be done according to the manufacturer's instructions. Modifications or 'Improvements' that are not authorized by the manufacturer can compromise the safety of the firearm and its performance.
Think about storage for the firearm too. Who else might find the firearm and use it? Where would you store the firearm? How would you manage the ammunition? How would you take the firearm to shooting locations? All these considerations will vary depending on your location and circumstances. Check current laws for your location via official government or police websites rather than rely on articles from years ago or tales from other shooters with different circumstances.
Also find out what type of support the shop will give you to demonstrate safe use of firearms and practice shooting under supervision. And how will they deal with any problems or concerns you have after you have made a purchase from them. This is not your old gun shop, so don't assume it will work the same way.
Spot the common selection mistakes
Many customers mistake lightweight and small guns for convenience and are then puzzled when they can't manage the width of the grip or can't reach to the far controls of the firearm. The other error is to opt for the biggest and heaviest firearm thinking that it will be easier to control and then are surprised by the problems of transport, storage and safety that go with it.
Online gun reviews also fall down in the key area of 'personal fit'. Yes reviews can raise questions to ask the retailer but at the end of the day reviews can only reflect the writer's experience, therefore they cannot possibly give an adequate impression of the grip size or the location and ease of use of the controls. Buyer's are drawn in by sale prices, new innovative features and often by a manufacturer's good name.
It's also sensible to list all the factors of interest in relation to any guns under consideration and weight up the various 'pros' and 'cons' of each. For example the intended use, comfort to hold, controls, storage and maintenance – all these should be carefully noted and a balance of advantage scored between guns of roughly equal merit. It's obvious, but a model with the longest list of features isn't necessarily the best one of all.
Leave with questions answered, not pressure
Before you buy, ask for a description of any initial training you will receive, what safety equipment you will need at the range, and what your first supervised shooting session will be like. Make sure you are completely clear about safe storage and transportation, and what basic maintenance your new firearm will require. Ask for clarification of any of these points that are not immediately clear.
It is most important that a shop consultation helps you to arrive at a thought through decision. Having chosen a gun that is suitable for you, and which you enjoy using, is so much more important than choosing the biggest and best. You must remember that a gun that is suited for use by a person is of no use if its storage and maintenance requirements are not also suitable.