I'm a Fallout 3 vet to point out but have recently got my hand on Fallout 1 via Gametap! an need some tips on how I should set my special stats up + what perks to use? I want to be a small guns fighter from distance. + feel free to give out any other tips as well thank you!

Just have fun with it find things out on your own. Having tips is good but then you will know what to do. Not knowing is half the fun

I would suggest you take a look at the perks, get an idea of which you think you want and then set up your attributes so that you can get those perks. You can use attribute altering drugs to temporarily raise a stat to qualify for a perk, so you don't have to be exact. Also pick your traits carefully; something like fast shot sounds good, but you lose the ability to target specific body parts. No shooting raiders in the eye or punching rats in the groin. One handed give you a bonus with pistols and SMGs, but a penalty for rifles. If you want to be a small gunner who uses only pistols this is great, if you want to be the sniper type and use only long gun the avoid this. You don't even have to pick any traits, but they are a lot of fun. Also be aware that the attributes mean much more in FO1. As a small gunner you don't want to skimp on Agility or Perception. But crippling another stat will prevent you from experiencing many parts of the game, however it is impossible to create a character who cannot finish the game. Though some characters are easier to play than others. I've played through the game with several dozens of different characters and it actually takes more planning to create a "bad" character than anything else. If you have specific questions on a trait or skill ask away, some on this board could write a thesis in S.P.E.C.I.A.L.

Remember the level cap is 21 (and you'll probably have to do some grinding to get that far)...so you only get 7 perks...for your first time, I'd focus on Intelligence, Agility, and Perception...and go the Diplo-sniper route...but anything will work...and it's a lot more fun if you figure it out for yourself! If you find yourself constantly restarting the game trying to have the right build, it's ok...it's normal!

check out no mutants allowed and get the fallout 2 restoration project it gives back all that was taken out of fallout 2

Four things:
1. Read the manual
2. Get the patches from NMA
3. Read the manual
4. Don't check this thread because people will soon start posting cheats and spoilers (unless that's what you want of course)

Also...
5. Read the manual

Read Per Jorner's: "The Nearly Ultimate Fallout Guide" also includes character design.

WARNING!!! SPOILERS!!!

Just click on link and then choose character design: minor *spoilers* regarding char design only. When reading further major spoilers!!! You've been warned!!!

FO1: http://user.tninet.se/~jyg699a/fallout.html

FO2: http://user.tninet.se/~jyg699a/fallout2.html

Mods/Patches/Editors look here: http://www.nma-fallout.com/forum/dload.php