Best advice is, walk in  and browse the store within ear shot of the clerk. When ask if you need help tell him your just lookin. But in the mean time listen to his interaction with other customers, listen to his "expert" advice to others, then decide wether to buy or fly   Usually I just rely on my own knowledge and let their info pass over my head and decide on my own

I have heard alot of BS passed across gun shop counters. I have also been in a couple that gave good advice. You do need to remember that they are trying to sell the products in the store, so they will be slightly biased because of that. There is a small store fairly close to me that I check out from time to time. I was in there looking for scopes when I was shopping for scopes. Talking to one particular clerk, he highly recommended the Nikon scopes for the price, he was impressed by them and had one himself (I know, 75% of the clerks either already own one or want to get one) , this I know is true, he brought his rifle out of the back that had a nikon on it. I might of even bought a scope there, prices where not  to bad, considering the do have a store to pay for.....but they did not have the power (6.5x20) that I wanted.  This same store also refuses to stock Wolf ammo in 223, and does not recommend it in that caliber to there customers, I over heard that conversation.  I will listen to clerks, and either have already done my research or will then go and do my one research.