Nakihunter,

There is no easy answer to how to select a gun and what price to pay for it. The latest Blue Book or the Standard Catalog of Firearms (available from Amazon) would give you an indicative price for buying from the US though dealing through a known dealer or getting the help of an experienced friend who is willing to come along with you would be the best option.

If a 5 hour drive is a problem, then it might be easier to fly to the town where the gunsmith is located? Surely that can't be all that expensive considering that a gun is going to cost a good amount of money?