Does anyone know of a place where I could shop for, be educated on, and try out different pistols?

Go to Sharp Shooter at Slide and 50th. It's behind some stuff on the NE corner.

I don't know if you can try them out there but they can get you started in the right direction.

In Lubbock, Patriot used to rent guns at their indoor range.

Gander Mountain doesn't have a place you can try out the pistols, but they have a large selection and are a good place to look for something with the right feel, fit, and finish.

Same for Sharp Shooters. Their prices are on the high side for some guns, though.

Since exraider's profile says he's in Amarillo, how about suggestions for the north end of the Panhandle?

And exraider, remember this is the Panhandle/South Plains board, it might help to tell folks where you are.

I've heard good things about River Fields, but I've never tried to do what you suggest, so I can't give you a personal recommendation.

Panhandle gunslingers on Georgia will let you do that. They don't have a great variety of weapons though.