Yeah, if it is still available when I get back, I’ll buy it.
My post gave the available 5906 as an example of my list and my perpetual conundrum.
Bigger question is how do you go about collecting or deciding what guns to buy for a collection and when? I think if you have all the guns you need, after that, any more guns lean towards the category of collecting.
For me, I’ve created a prioritized list of guns that interest me and set a budget. I save for the next one on the list, and then, BAM, a gun lower on the buying priority shows up for a good deal before I have the money for priority gun number one. Then my gun money is back to zero, and I never get to gun number one on the list. I am in the category of having poor buying discipline. Maybe “poor” is the operative word. It never fails how the good deals on lower priorities show up when you have higher priorities.
I enjoy the process, and somewhat lament the missed opportunities in jest. It is what it is; I have what I need. Something else always comes along.
Your going about it the smart way. Have your list and wait for a nice deal to pop up. I dont really "need" anything but I have lots of wants. Biggest problem for me is I like low end stuff just as much as high end stuff. Never got the brand snob stuff. There are a whole lot of great innexpensive firearms out there these days. Its always nice to pick up something high end once in a while though if I find it really interesting.
Buying used is always nice. Its very rare that a firearm is shot out. The only new firearms I will buy are American manufacturers. I try to keep as much money as possible in country and in our manufacturing industry.
Something like a 5906 at a good price is an easy decision. Even if its a little scratched up you can just bead blast it back to look great as there is no finish. Cant really do that with the aluminum frame pistols unless you want to slap some paint on it...which is kinda Meh to me.
Go buy it, clean it up, and throw some new grips on it. I stippled a set of old worn grips on my carry 915 and didnt have any problems with warpage. Smith and Wesson DA/SA design was in the military trials (failed the salt test I think) so the design is sound. The steel frames are more durable. LE all over carried these before Glocks and its extremely rare to hear anything bad about them. Parts are out there if you look around. Mecgars are cheap and have better stronger springs than the factory OEM magazines. They are classic, American, well designed, and quality pistols with great history.