Wheelgun Wednesday: Revolvers To Buy For Collecting 

Welcome back to another edition of Wheelgun Wednesday. This week, I wanted to look at some of the options on the market that you should look at collecting now before prices continue to climb. The younger generations are starting to branch out from the polymer guns and as a result, the classic revolvers that may not be super expensive now will start to become more expensive over time as demand grows. Let's take a closer look at revolvers to buy for collecting.

Colt Single Action Army

The staple of any gun collector has to be a genuine Colt Single Action Army. The Colt SAA was one of the first collector pieces and younger shooters may not understand how important they are in terms of historical value, as well as how rare they are from Colt. Other companies like Talyor & Co or Uberti make fantastic, affordable alternatives, but if you want the real deal, you have to get a true, genuine Colt SAA. In terms of Colts, there are three generations to choose from, with the first generation being the original SAA that were in the Wild West up until around 1941. The second generation ranges from the mid-1950s to 1975 and the third generation is 1976 to the present day.

Different collectors want different generations for various reasons. If you want a true old school revolver, the first generation is the obvious choice, but if you want something you can actually shoot yet retain the value, you'll want to snag a second or third generation variant. You can also find them with a wide variety of engravings. Each gun will have a ranking from A to D in terms of how much engraving they have. Guns with an A level will have the least, while a gun with a D rating will have the most coverage. These may not be “high speed” guns as the younger kids like to say, but they are absolute works of art and can force you to slow down and enjoy the process of firing at the range. It should be at the top of anyone's list when they want to start collecting.

Smith & Wesson Model 29/27

In terms of a pop culture phenomenon, it's incredibly hard to beat the Smith & Wesson Model 29/27 with its presence and personality. This all stems from the first installment of Dirty Harry, where people loved the presence of the Model 29 and the future films solidified the reputation of these revolvers. Other films that contributed to the personality of the Model 29 and 27 are  Payback and Beverly Hills Cop 2, along with Sin City. The Model 27 is the little brother to the Model 29, while keeping the N frame chambered in 357 Magnum rather than the larger 44 Magnum caliber. While it may not be the “most powerful handgun in the world and blow your head clean off," the Model 27 is an incredibly comfortable revolver to shoot, especially in the 5” or 6 ½” models.

Colt Snake Guns

One of the most iconic handguns out there is the Colt Snake line of revolvers. Whether it's the King Cobra, Python or Anaconda, each one has a special place in the lineup, with the Python and Anacondas being most popular out of the three. The Python is the pinnacle of 1980s revolver culture, with its looks and reliability needed for the perfect revolver. These were known as the revolver to have in any collection. Most older collectors say you need at least one classic Python in your collection if you're serious.

For those of you who don't have the money, since these will be some of the most expensive revolvers out there to pick up, the King Cobra is certainly more affordable to get into than the other options from the lineup, but even these are starting to climb in value. If you want an entry-level, the King Cobra is a fantastic 357 Magnum option, but the Python is the real prize out of the lineup. They aren't known for the absolute toughest designs and will sometimes break under heavy use, but they are certainly known for being some of the best-looking revolvers ever created. Whether it's a classic blued revolver with wood grips or a flashier stainless finish with wood or synthetic grips, the original pythons will always be worth premium money. The reproductions are a good place to start if you want to shoot your revolver or want to run modern power 357 Magnum loads through it, but if you're looking for an investment, the original options are always better for retaining and appraising in value.

Overall Thoughts

I haven't even begun to break the surface when it comes to picking up revolvers for collecting. I will certainly be doing a part two next week to talk about some of the absolute classics that aren't on this list just yet. If you have some of your favorites you believe to be on this list, be sure to leave your suggestions down in the comments below. If you have questions about revolvers or firearms in general, feel free to shoot me a message on Instagram @fridgeoperator. Stay safe out there and we will see you next week for another edition of Wheelgun Wednesday.