Well, I won't attempt to answer the firearm question as I am way too much of a novice but I will say Hello and welcome to a fellow Orange County dweller who has a wife without any plastic ( except what is in her purse ) and only spends time at a mall when she needs something. And like yourself, REI is a favorite of hers.
So, stick around and you will learn alot from a bunch of interesting and friendly folks on this forum. I know I have.
:Kenn