I have made circuits with thousands of transistors and not one burned.
2Nxxxx means the transistor is American or European. 2SCxxxx means the transistor is Japanese, Korean or Chinese.
You must look on the datasheet of the transistor to see what type it is and see its spec's. A 2n3906 is a PNP, not an NPN.
We use soldering irons and rosin-cored solder. Many of us use temperature controlled soldering irons that never get too hot.
A soldering gun is used to burn things.
I think Radio Shack sells manufacturers rejects at inflated prices.