Just buy it, stick it in the safe, and when the wife sees it you say "That old thing? I've had that for a long time...."
Yup, that's what I usually say. And will say - look to the end of my list.
Favorites - like others, I have what I like. In no particular order . . .
CZ40P - my favorite little mutant gun
Sig P220 - what Glocks and Steyrs should be, comfortable, good looking and accurate
Sig 556 - big, heavy, brutal looking
AR 6.8 - under construction
Navy Arms 45 Colt Schofield - sold it but fun gun esp. once I had the barrel mouth chamfered and it stopped spraying hot lead back on my hand - Schofields get high marks on the cool-o-meter, though
Ruger 10/22 - classic, accurate, fun, saved me at my first Appleseed
Elsie Pea - goes everywhere with me
Marlin 336 RC - I must really like these as I sold one, had seller's remorse, immediately went on a scavenger hunt, found and bought a pawn shop special made in 1948 - first year for that model
Para TAC-S - not mine yet, but before the end of this month it will be, my first 1911 (Commander size)
PS: Philw, it ain't us that sucks. Look to your gummint for the huge suck factor.