Hello,

I would like to get my concealed carry permit and purchase a handgun. I am no stranger to guns as I have been a hunter since I was 14 years old, but I have never owned a handgun. It is nearly impossible to know if a gun is right for you without firing it first. Are there any gun shops that let you actually fire a gun before you buy it?

Generally no, unless the gun shop also happens to run a range. That said, most (indoor) public gun ranges have handguns you can rent. That way you can try out several of them to see what works best for you. Check your area for indoor ranges and call them up.

It is a very good idea to shoot before you buy.

Recently I went to a gun range to check out the different hand guns. They had a variety of 45's and 9mm's. I paid to rent one gun but was able to switch it out. I knew absolutely NOTHING about guns when I went. I liked the gun that had an easier trigger to pull so it didn't move when I fired. The glock worked best for me, but nobody else that was with me felt the same way. When I went to take my ccw class I used my brother's handgun and was very frustrated with the trigger action. I would never buy a gun without trying it out first.

I used to deal with a shop that had a lot of used stuff. They would give you back what you paid for a used gun if you didn't like it and wanted to trade it on something else (trading up helps). You had to do it pretty quick and of course the gun had to be in the same condition. If there's a shop like that around, you can talk to them about it.

Yep, like Tjack said.
Alot of ranges will allow you you to rent their pistols and some will even sell their used ones.
I reccomend new as unless you are a gunsmith you won't know the condition of the gun, and even at that you still cannot see some things.
But get a feel for what model you like best, caliber, brand, size, Etc.
Do not be swayed by the 45, 40, 9mm war.
All calibers kill just fine, and all come with pros and cons.
If we knew a general area that you are, S.Kalifornia, New York, Montana Etc.
Lol oops we know you cant be the first 2 areas, you said concealed!
Then some of us may be able to point you at a helpful shop.
Ooh btw there are also gun forums that will give range info and even some helpful words to help you piece together your ideas.
Hope it helps

Yea just look around. Most likely you will not find this at a big box store, actually I am 99% sure no big box allows this, so just look for non-chain stores. As was said ammo will be the killer for trying out guns so I'd go the sales floor as opposed to the range to test out hand guns for your hand. The salesmen are trying to get you to buy the range staff may not be so helpful. Also alot of gun stores no have dummy displays of certain brands so you can get a feel for the pistol. Even if you have to go to bass pro or something for more variety it will let you narrow the choices down. Then when you have it down hit the range. But like I said they will charge you a lot for the ammo. I shot two weekends ago. I bought a box of cheap .357 for my colt python and a box of cheap .45 for a Les Baer Custom....rung me up a total of 98 dollars. So 20 for the range pass and 12 to rent the pistol left me with some real expensive CCI blazer ammo.

I believe every dollar you spend is a vote for the place you spent it at. Because of this I won't buy from a big box store that doesn't let you rent and shoot something before you buy it. Just remember if you show up somewhere and they act like they don't have time to help you, Or if they act like your questions are stupid, take your money elsewhere! This economy is hard on everyone and there's no reason for you to get treated bad or have a bad experience!

Also like others have said be prepared to spend a sizable sum on test firing (ranges gouge you on the ammo nothing to be done about that)

On a side note I will say that you shouldn't feel like you need to drop four digits worth of cash to get something "tacticool". While lasers and rails and lights are good for people that carry for a living, I personally think they are overkill for those of us who carry in our daily lives.

My carry gun is a cz 82 I spent less than 300 dollars on after transfer and background check costs, and I love it.

try several makes models and cal's auto as well as six shooters barl lengths too 4 or 6, 8 or 3 1/2 know a buddy that has a hand gun buy the ammo ask to try his out.

The "Shooter Shop" in West Allis rents handguns, but as mentioned before it ain't cheap. Be prepared to spend $100 and be happy if you have money left over