RandyC

That is one amazing firearm! My jaw dropped on that one.

Either way I think you have 99% of your bases covered. I'd pick what I shoot the best. If I were to shop for a gun for that one specific purpose I'd probably look for a Ruger in .45 Colt and load 'em hot. But I'm old and the report of a .357 is really painful to my ears.

Newcomer? Hard to imagine you as a newcomer to anything gun related. I'm sure this forum will welcome your wealth of knowledge. Glad to see you here as well as your darned handsome collection of Colts.

Something tells me if I could save up enough for the gun I wouldn't have enough money to feed it. I'm betting that ammo is gonna be expensive. It sounds interesting but probably a little rich for my pocketbook.

I think the only gun I would not shoot would be an antique of some historical importance.  Otherwise, I'd use it for what it was built for.  But it's your gun, your choice and your money.  Enjoy it however you wish.  By the way, you have a great looking firearm.

I got a card.  A nice card.   Um, but gun wise … I would suggest not getting in a hurry.  You can be adding to the fund while you 1) are deciding the gun you really, really want or 2) are waiting on a super deal to come along.  I know, easy for me to say.

Congratulations!!  I think you made a really good choice and am confident you'll be pleased.  "Entry level"?  I don't know what that's supposed to mean.  I suppose it means someone else spent more money on theirs and got more bells and whistles.  The armed forces used their entry level 1911s a lot of years.   Hope you, your kids, and your grandkids enjoy that gun.

"Used Cars", Seez52!!??   I haven't heard of that movie in years.  I was with Ray Stevens in Houston, an afternoon to kill before the show, and we both ended up watching the same TV channel airing "Used Cars".  We can still laugh about it.  Probably the longest, most hilarious dieing scene on film.   Can't believe you listed it.  I thought Ray and I were the only two people who ever even saw it.    Er … I guess my favorite is, ummm, "Fargo".

If they throw in a couple of original Geronimo playing cards I might go for it.

Time for a wheel gun.  Maybe an SAA for starters.   Sensational collection!

There are tubes of paint specifically for sights you can find at larger gun shops (can't remember the name).  As someone mentioned before, use white as a base coat and add color as a second coat.  It makes it pop.   I never messed with the rear sights, just painted the front and was pleased with the results.  This was a few years ago and the guns have been through dozens of aggressive cleanings.  The sights still look good. 

First off, the only gun on the list I own is a  Colt XSE.  The others may be wonderful firearms and I've heard good things about each.   My carry is a Kimber Pro Carry, an old one, but the one I shoot the most is my XSE.  It's my work horse.  I've put more rounds downrange with my XSE than any of my others and I trust it to do it's job.  So, you'll understand if I lean toward the Colt.

In the price range you're talking about there's a bunch of good ones.  Most have been mentioned.   I'd probably lean toward the Colt but people love their Springfields, Smiths, Kimbers, etc..  My workhorse is a Colt XSE and it's lefty friendly.

Yeah, I'm kinda leaning that way.  Jeff's always done good work for me.  Darn that's a long drive for me though.   G&L needs to open a shop out this way with a range.  Or I need to make friends with someone who owns some timberland out this direction.   Thanks for the responses.  I wasn't expecting a miracle but I thought I'd ask.

I have a relatively simple job for a gunsmith ( install a firing pin in a SAA).   Trouble is, I'm in Bellevue and, near as I can tell, a competent gunsmith is pretty far away.  I can go to the  Franklin Gun Shop where I've experienced mixed results.  Or I can drive all the way to Ridgetop to G&L.   Anybody know of a better alternative?