As many people do, I began my collection by stating all I wanted was one semi-auto, one revolver, one rifle, and one shotgun. Let's face it, a good number of people reading this remember saying that at one time, or are currently swearing on their soul that this will be the case, no doubt about it.
Well, I was adamant about that, too. I figured with the purchase of my Smith & Wesson 686 I was half way done with my collection! Boy, was I wrong!
At this point, my knowledge of guns was limited at best. I hadn't shot many calibers, and the only revolver I'd bothered with was the Ruger I had been issued. That Ruger was chambered in 357 magnum, but would not actually accept one, so I was itching to shoot a 357 magnum for real.
As you will soon notice, I have a thing for large framed guns. I don't know why, but they always held a special place in my heart. So the day I went to the gun show with my second purchase permit in hand, I was out there looking for a revolver with a good bit of size to it.
This handsome revolver jumped off the table at me... not literally, but you get my point. It was sitting on a box at one of the first tables I came across when entering the show. This was also my first gun show, so I didn't know how to work a gun show, either. LOL! Knowing how to work a gun show is a skill learned quickly, believe me.
I remember the day well because it took me 45 minutes to decide to buy this guy. Right next to it was another gorgeous revolver. I haven't got a clue anymore what it was, but it looked very similar to this one but with a light colored wood grip. It was also a 44 magnum. It's amazing what goes on in your mind when you fall in love with two guns sitting next to each other, both in calibers you've never shot and really don't know much about. As time has proven, my love for large frames has also given way to my love of large calibers. But something may have told me the future would be bleak at best with that 44 magnum... it would be only a few years later that I'd break my wrist (thanks to a large caliber handgun in a small frame) and be unable to shoot it.
Somehow, common sense won out over beauty. That 44 magnum was, by far, the better looking gun. High polished with stunning grips, it had the same price tag as the blander looking one I chose. But I chose the the 686 and never looked back. Much. I will admit I still think about that 44 magnum, but this revolver has never let me down.
I kept the price tag, too. I don't know why, but it is still in the box. $373, NIB. A smile point, since the current listed price at galleryofguns.com is $715.90.
I'll discuss gun show shopping tactics sometime in the future, probably on the main page. I've learned a lot since then, and with a little practice, you actually CAN get a deal at a gun show.
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