Okay so FA's are rare as mothballs in South Africa
.
Couple of 454's, quite a few silhouette models in .357 and .44, but that's about it. I've got a 6" .357 (353) and it's the only non-silhouette .357 I know of.
A while ago I almost managed to pick-up a .454, but the price was wrong and there were some other issues. So I ran an ad and actually got a call! The seller's got a .44 too and a few other "special" handguns (an RPM, plenty TC's etc.), so I figure he likes and looks after his guns.
So I traded - expensive, but with lots of extras and about the US cost new, but without all the taxes and duties I would have to pay if I bought new.
Needless to say, I'm overjoyed.
7.5" Premier Grade. No other fitted extras. Lock-up really tight (like the other FA's I've handled). Condition generally great, but cylinder is a bit scored. Some (most) screw heads a bit messed-up.
I've always viewed that as a bad sign, but gunsmithing screwdrivers aren't that available here and there's usually some guy on a hunt tightening screws with what he can find in the PH's toolbox, or a Leatherman or something. (I've specially bought parallell cut screwdriver bits, but than I'm anal about my guns). FA also sells screw kits for $12-15, so that's easy enough to fix.
anyway, did I say I'm overjoyed?
Problem is it may be more than a year before I get a licence under our new system. I've had to submit licence renewals and that was around 5 months ago and I'veheard nothing.
But I'm overjoyed, nonetheless.
Expect a few questions in due course about the .475!
sorry to go on and on, but I wanted to share with guys who'll understand!
Wim
