Only one new Colt was added to the stable but it was significant, looming large in my own mind. Was the product of several years' negotiations with some few delays thrown in. A first-year-of-production 3 5 7.
Was it worth it? Yessss!!! In spades!
http://www.coltforum.com/forums/colt-revolvers/67362-colt-3-5-7-discussion-thread.html
Very gratifying to own and shoot, it is.
Several guns happened along this year, somewhat more than a normal year. I have to say that each and every other one gathered in was an "accidental" find or opportunity. The 3 5 7 was well planned.
Never saw this mid-1950s Smith & Wesson Heavy Duty coming. Was doing gun show security one weekend and it just came off that exhibitor's table and hit me up side the head. Getting hit up side the head with a Smith & Wesson Heavy Duty is startling to say the least.
One of those items that's resided on the extended version of the "want list" for many years, this intriguing Remington Model 51 was offered by a forum-land friend. Didn't know a Remington Model 51 was going to happen along in 2013 but was so grateful for the opportunity. This design is even better than it's cracked up to be in various narratives to be found in an internet search. Wow, what a cool design, and how well made, and how well-handling this .380 is!
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A Smith & Wesson Model 18 K-22 Masterpiece was percolating near the top of the "want list" and has been for some time. It was one of those useful handguns that I knew I needed, would like, and would use. I just needed to find the right one. What I wasn't expecting was to find a quite decent K-22 made in 1953, before the assigning of the Model 18 designation, while doing security at a later gun show in the same venue as found the Heavy Duty. Priced right in with garden variety Model 18s, the 1950s vintage appearance and quality won me over.
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Additionally, a cheapo Winchester Model 190 .22 automatic called to me from the most recent gun show security detail a few weeks back. This one was picked up for chump change and had a perfectly serviceable Weaver K-3 scope mounted on it. Sort of a two-for-one deal to my way of thinking. While it's no Ruger 10/22 or high-grade .22 automatic rifle, it addresses a "return to my youth" as I purchased my very first firearm, a Winchester Model 190, in 1971 and it served for much plinking and hunting fun for some 35 years. Wore out two trigger assemblies so sold it some years ago, just to get it out of the way. Wished I'd instead ordered and installed yet another trigger assembly from Numrich and just kept the original going.
Our son who is in the Marine Corps has already ordered us matching Colt 1991s with commemorative features that honer his company and regiment. I'm excited about that. And, I'm saving my pennies for an upcoming Smith & Wesson Triple Lock, another long-time resident of the top of the "want list," that a good Smith & Wesson bud is offering to me. That'll hopefully wrap up 2014 pretty early.
Unless another "accident" happens.
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