If you've never handled a FA, you owe it to yourself to at least do that before you toss the idea. They are bank vault solid/tight and opening the loading gate and feeling the action work is just a thing of beauty. They will shoot amazing groups but if you are looking for a 44, they just don't pop up used in that caliber very often. A nice used 454 for $1000-1200 would be my way to go if you get in the market for a 45 of some type down the road. You can load that one from mild to wild and its a tackdriver through all velocity ranges. Have fun with it!

GS