Cap't Bligh,
When I was shopping around for grips, one of the local ranges let me try out the different grips that were in stock in the store. I wasn't allowed to fire the gun with each grip since that would have made them dirty, but I was allowed to install each on my gun and try each for comfort/feel. I tried the Uncle Mike, Hogue and the Pachmayr and decided on the Pachmayrs.
I had the same experience with holsters at yet another store/range. I was allowed to try as many as I wanted, but once I left the store with one it was mine!
I like it when a shop will work with you (and thereby make a happy customer). A shop like that will have customers for life, rather than having you buy everything in the store first to finally decide what you wanted to get in the first place. It just makes good business sense!