My Typical Buying Process
With any hobby, there’s that initial spark of interest when we think we need one of everything or several versions of the same thing – whether it be watches, guns, knives, or cars. My firearms journey started with guns that I believed could fill different roles. I foolishly thought I could solve all my needs with three guns, avoid the collecting bug, and be set for life. (I was wrong.)
Those first three guns were a Springfield XDM9 Compact, an Armalite AR-10, and a Benelli Nova. Granted, it’s not the worst do-it-all list, but they weren’t the best fit for me, and I am a firm believer in the right tool for the job.
I now operate a spreadsheet to keep track of what I own and potential future purchases. This helps me avoid spontaneous purchases that don’t bring me lasting joy and to plan out what might fit best in the collection. As my tastes have evolved, it’s helpful for me to have a focused thought process around a new gun. Part of the fun in this journey is the process of narrowing down a list of potential options until I land on exactly what I want.
Of course, the drawback of this process is it tends to keep me asking, “What’s next?” Initially, I focused on filling each role or gap I perceived in my collection. I am an avid hunter, so I needed options for standing versus driving in the woods, and a bird gun. I also love training with pistols and having carry options for both cold and hot/humid weather here in Wisconsin. There’s no end to creating roles to fill (shower gun, anyone?). Two is one, after all.
This system works for me. I believe I have what I need in terms of real-world use, but the most excitement comes from developing prospective purchases, researching, and scouring the internet to find models that I think are in great shape and will last in my lineup. It’s a much more methodical approach that keeps things interesting while minimizing, if not eliminating, the heartache of a bad buy.
The Emotional Buying Process
Turning 40 has been on my mind for years. I still recall my father’s 40th birthday party – the fat jokes, the geriatric greeting cards, and the “Over the Hill” playing card set that we used as a family for years. It’s not a fun milestone overall, but 40 is the new 30, or something like that.
Recently, I snagged two of my most sought-after watches, so there was no sense in adding another to the mix. A gun is a meaningful and long-lasting heirloom that I can use and show off, but it needed to be worthy of the occasion.
Buying something meaningful takes me down a couple of paths. One is something that can be heavily used, like a watch or a vehicle that I can use daily. I am totally content with my carry gun rotation, though, so I considered the other path: getting something that has always been on my mind, but practicality has gotten in the way.
I am as pragmatic as it gets. I am highly analytical and make choices based on what is practical, useful, and fits within a budget – most of the time. Events such as this that beg for an emotional decision. It needs to be highly personal and simply something that will make me happy.
Lately, I’ve found that historical guns get my blood pumping. While modern options are fun and exciting, they tend to be more sensible. In my eyes, there is nothing longstanding or timeless about polymer or even aluminum, in some regards. Steel and wood are much more classic.
The Possibilities
With the scope narrowed to retro and vintage steel guns, I reviewed my list. A 1911 is always on any list involving heirloom-type guns, but I currently have five. Three are custom built, and one is a WWII twice-rebuilt relic. A 10mm Delta Elite or 1960-1980s blued and engraved model certainly would fit the bill. A birth year gun has been on my list as well. Favorite models from 1985 include a SIG P226, S&W 624, and a special edition Lew Horton Colt LT Commander.
Related Review: Colt Delta Elite 10mm 1911 – Timeless Design Meets Raw Power
One of the first rifles I can ever remember wanting was an M1A, so it’s held steady on the list, along with a Ruger Gunsite Scout in .308, which is perfect for hunting. A gun that could tally experiences along with me is a major draw.
A Colt 1903 or Beretta Ghost Inox in impeccable shape were other thoughts, because they are different versions of models I already have and love. I also thought about customizing something with engraving, or a special finish like hard chrome.
Related: Back in Action – Why the Beretta 92 is Making a Big Comeback
Alas, I am impatient and would rather scour the available options to find something special that I could get into my hands by the June deadline. Atop this short list was a revolver that’s been on my mind since I was a little kid.
A Model for a Milestone
It quickly became apparent that the Colt Single Action Army revolver was the perfect choice. Not only does it have historical significance, but it is a beautiful combination of blued and case-hardened steel. I have a few double-action revolvers but needed to fill the Colt Single Action slot. Growing up, I had tons of cap guns and different toys modeled on the classic SAA. We played cowboys and Indians, built Wild West Lego sets, and I simply love Western movies and culture.
While I am usually particular, I wasn’t dead set on anything specific. I am more into the models and the stories they tell. The iconic American Colt Single Action Army family dates back over 150 years. Each model has its own charm and history.
Ideally, I would be looking at 4.5 or 5.5-inch gunslinger models from the time period of the “gun that won the West.” The 8 to 12.5-inch Buntline models are neat, but I marked them off the list as they just aren’t as classic.
Related: The (Hand) Gun that Won the West – Colt Single Action Army
A first-generation Colt was my first thought, but as I am nearly 40 and have a family with three young kids, the price range for these in respectable shape is a bit outside my pay grade. So, my goal was to find a specimen with bright case hardening and minimal finish loss from at least 40 years ago. I also wanted something with a bigger bore – .40 caliber, just because.
I stumbled across two nearly identical models from 1978 on Guns.com and was able to get both in my hands to decide. Both were 7.5-inch Cavalry models. They checked all the boxes and just spoke to me. Originally, I had written off this size, but the more I looked at them, the substantial size felt right, especially as a talking piece. Larger and less common, chambered in .44 Special, both were in excellent, lightly used shape.
Choosing the Gun
Once in hand, I took both wheel guns through the Rock Island Armory inspection as best I could. While one was in almost perfect physical shape, it had just a touch more end shake than the other. “End shake” is the amount the cylinder moves back and forth between the barrel and hammer. Some degree of this is acceptable and necessary, but there would be nothing worse than having your cylinder fail to rotate while you’re fighting for your life at the OK Corral.
Overall, both were in excellent shape. I weighed the pros and cons while admiring the craftsmanship of a bygone era. Bright case colors nearly 50 years later. A bluing that looks like wet ink. Silky smooth actions and the classic four-click hammer. A nick here, a blemish there, a little tiny rattle – yet overall, they were “like new.”
In the end, I chose the model with less shake, though it was not a huge difference. It has just enough wear to show that it was well cared for and has been used, but little enough that it still feels like a bit of a time capsule. The audible clicks, classic firing pin on the hammer, gorgeous looks, and timeless craftsmanship fill me with pride.
The best I can tell, this model is a 1978, manufactured during a transition period where Colt moved the “SA” at the end of the serial number to the beginning.
Not only is it a classic showpiece, but this Colt SAA also has a bit of its own story now. I have every intention of taking it to the range and displaying it in my home office.
Conclusion
I have a method to my madness. While it can be a little stressful, the journey of choosing a new firearm is fun – nearly as fun as enjoying the final decision. As I learn a ton about these guns, the research and history enrich the experience.
Regardless of how many rounds go through it, this old Colt already has its own story. Forty years from now, I might be handing this down as an heirloom to my son or daughter, perhaps with some additional bumps, bruises, and cherished legacy. Nothing is cooler than that.
