Troy, your story brings back a flood of memories, grew up looking at Gun Digest. Back in 75 I was into teaching just 4 years, making about 8k a year and had two kids. Not a lot of $$ around for the fun things.
But things got better every year and 7 years ago I finally found what I had wanted for a long time. I love Colts and have collected a number of SAA's dating from 1891 to 2012, back in 2014 I came across a Colt Peacemaker 22/22mag. Got a great deal on it, mf'g in 1977 for only $650.
When you showed your picture with that 1975 Guns Illustrated it got me to thinking I have an old one someplace, and found mine tucked away with a bunch of other old books. Mine is from 1977 and as you can see it cost me $2.99. I looked up what my Colt was selling for new back then and they had it listed for$106.98
Back in 77 that was about two weeks of groceries for us.
Thanks for the memories and have fun shooting your new toy, makes me want to take mine out again.003.JPG