RE: buying guns
Gander mountain, Dick's gun shows, firearms dealers, local and near my college. I also read 5 differnt hunting/gun mags for reviews, check out gunammerica.com and ww.gunbroker.com and check manufacture sites and this forum and the fireing line forum for user tips and opinions.
I don't buy before much research and I also I also love "Tales of the Gun on the History channel". If you ever ned advice on brands let me know I will give you a history lesson.