am looking to correct a past mistake

Was in a local shop today and I think what I saw were two Army Specials, both fixer uppers. One in .41 Long Colt for $375 with super tight action, but with a patina finish (likely a police gun stamped with officers name and "Denver" under bbl -very small stampings) and a .38 in better looking condition for $400. Give em a call and see if these are what you're looking for.

Green Mt. Guns Lakewood, CO 303-985-7240. They will sell over the phone and ship to your FFL. Guns have been there for awhile (consignment) and the owner/s may take an offer lower than the marked price. hope this helps.

I bought a 'trotline sinker grade' Army Special several years ago for $79. It was a six inch .32-20 with a badly pitted bore with two (yes, two) bulges in it. I managed to find a like-new OEM barrel (5"), and sent the mess off to a gunsmith.

He called me a while later and asked if I realized that the frame was bent when I sent it to him. No, actually I didn't. He straightened it and rebarreled it, and finished it in a matte blue. I really enjoy that old gun, but I would never buy another one in that condition. By the time I got it back, I had enough invested in it that I could have bought a much, much nicer condition gun to begin with.

Here's a .41 project gun for $250.

http://glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1101125