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Check your local laws regarding carry. As much as I despite having to get a permission slip to exercise a right, I do it anyway, because I am one of the good guys.
You also need to take into consideration your own physical and mental issues that would impact your ability to make appropriate judgments under pressure.
Also, there are entirely different considerations for selecting a carry gun over a home defense gun. Decide what you want, and buy for that application.
As much as I love shopping for guns at guns shows, I do not buy there. Although there are local dealers that come to my favorite show, I don't like that particular atmosphere for buying, and many of the vendors come from more than three hours away. I do not typically make impulse purchases for items over $500. But it's a great place to look at guns, talk guns, and hold them to find out if they are comfortable for you. Forming a relationship with your local gunshop owner is a great idea, and often leads to pricing much better than the "show special". You can also special order AND will have someone who is typically willing to stand behind what they sell and help you to resolve any problems, even if that means that they yell at the manufacturer on your behalf. There are people who wander around with guns for sale who are not licensed dealers ... at least in PA those are mostly long guns because you have to do transfer paperwork on any pistols.
Guys at gunshows LOVE to talk to chicks about guns. The ratio is usually about 10:1, higher if you factor out girlfriends/wives who are along just to keep hubby from spending the mortgage payment on a new shotgun.
You should also look to see if there are target ranges that either are connected with gunshops or have weapons you can rent. When you don't have friends with lots of guns this is the best way to try out different pistols until you find something that really fits you.
I have bought sight-unfired, and luckily have been very happy, but this would be the exception that proves that particular rule.
And one more thing ... shotgun v. bear is probably not the best of ideas. Slug ... maybe.
Sig=yummy although I do love the simplicity and reliability of my Glock. I keep going back and forth over whether I want a Sig or an H&K next, especially since I held the new Beretta Compact .40 at the last show I went to and found it to be terribly uncomfortable.
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