When it comes to guns, I've always favored cosmetic appeal over any other characteristic.
That being said, I've always liked the look of a Colt Trooper Mk III/V... blued, of course! That's what I'd like to cone home with for 1K.
Alas, I'm only 20, so I'll probably end up getting a Uberti replica of a Winchester M1873. I've been working all summer towards one. I've dropped a lot of money on milsurps. I'd like a new gun I can really play with this time around.