Scott:

I own a Taurus Model 85 Stainless Steel 5-shot revolver with a 3" barrel because I felt the 2" was too small and 4" a little bigger than I wanted at the time. Taurus is a superb manufacturer of high quality firearms and they stand behind their products. They are cutting edge in new semi-automatic pistols and revolvers, yet still appreciate beauty of the ages by making Winchester Mdl. 62A and Mdl. 52 copies in .22 and the new .17 calibers. They are a Brazilian manufacturer.

I own a genuine Winchester Mdl. 62A that I bought more than 40 years ago in a pawn shop in Milwaukee, WI for $19.00. It is my pride and joy and I consider it my most beautiful gun in my small collection. Its current value is in excess of $750.00, and due to financial considerations, I currently have it up for sale at $650.00 (Milwaukeeians are very tight with their money). If I sell it, I can buy a used Rossi or Taurus copy of the Mdl. 62A for $100.00 to $150.00 dollars and I will do so because even though I can not afford the real thing any more, it will be nice to have something similar.

My friend wanted the "Real McCoy" of US manufactur not because of quality concerns as Springfield has an excellant reputation and I am sure they will maintain it no matter where their guns are made, but simply because it is something no longer available and he wants the history that goes with it. You may wonder why I do not sell the pistol instead of the rifle as the money is actually more and the reason is because I can get a very close and excellant copy of the rifle for less money than the original, but I can not do the same with my Springfield .45.

Bountyhunter