Ruger Blackhawk .45 Colt with 7-1/2" barrel.
I bought it in 1988, when I was still serving on active duty in the Navy, somewhere not far north of $200 at the time.
As many people know, the Blackhawk .45 Colt can handle some pretty impressive handloads, and I often make my ammo that way, especially for hunting.
About a year after I got this Blackhawk, I was shooting some powerful 200 grain lead semi-wadcutters, when suddenly the gun recoiled upward without returning to horizontal.
As it turned out, the aluminum grip frame had snapped above and below the coil hammer spring!
I called Ruger to explain what had happened, and they told me they could replace the grip frame with a steel version that should be more durable.
The price for the repair was somewhere just above $90, so I agreed and sent it back to them.
It returned about a month later with the new steel grip frame, plus they reblued the incidental little nicks out of the barrel and cylinder, and even replaced the hammer with the lower and wider Super Blackhawk style spur, which is noticeable if you know that the standard Blackhawk spur is the same width as the rest of the sides of the hammer.
I still have it, presently with a Leapers red dot sight, although I'll probably put the iron sights back on.
Herters 22 SA revolver / made of pot metal / used some 40+ year old CCIs, that had turned hot primers / blew the pot metal apart around the firing pin..... go figure, I was 16
Lionheart LH9, just picked it up from FFL on Friday. Only had a short range session with it, but pleased so far. High quality materials and fit, outstanding trigger.
My brother gave me a Ruger Single Six for Christmas when I was 18 years old. Young and foolish, I traded it a couple years later for a nice Browning Challenger, but now reflecting back after 30+ years, I wish I had held on to it. I have a nice Ruger Single Six again, but it is just not quite the same. He returned the favor as I bought him a nice Winchester 12ga single shot which he hunted with one time and then kept out in his garage. He gave the gun back to me a few years ago, rusted and neglected. For now it is my garage gun, but I hope to restore it one day.
I bought my first handgun the day I turned 21, a Springfield 1911. That gun was my favorite... Too bad someone broke into my house a few years back and decided they wanted it more
S&W 3913, then on to S&W 4013...(still miss that one) now after finally selling my colt double eagle. I am the now proud and more comfortable owner of the XDS 45 3.3 and LOVE IT !!!
My first was a brand new SW 5903 9mm. 1993 I think.
I sold it years ago, but nostalgia has caught up to me and I recently bought another. It pairs well with the 3913 I picked up from INGO last year.
My first hand gun was a Colt Police Positive in 38 special. Wish I still had it. It was sold for to good a price to keep it. Picked up a Colt Trooper for what I got out of the Police Positive. Still have it but don't shoot it much. It has turned into a safe queen. For use I replaced it with a 629 4" barrel. I like my 44s big time.