My opinion is to seek out a older pre-war. They were assembled one piece at a time. Excellent quality and will be premium priced. A later 50s model is a great revolver, they are fine and well tuned machines, I simply think pre-war Colt revolvers are the best. I would look for a 22 simply because they are not plentiful and are overbuilt for their purpose. My own choice would be to have a McGivern brass dot sight mounted on a undercut Partridge blade. I recently held an original conversion. It had scallops in the backstrap, drilled trigger/hammer for lightening, a Kings top rib mounted and smooth sanded target grips. It was magnificent except for some blue/black and purple finish mismatch patina. I like the 38 Specials also. I would prefer a 22 myself and a Kings conversion if I were to buy one.