+1 on the SCSW; for the best photos, make sure you get the 3rd edition, the one currently in print. Supposedly one of the main changes in comparison to the previous editions is an increased number of color photos. There are several color photos on almost every page.
Regarding using at as a buyer's guide, the only problem is that the book is SO comprehensive that it can cause information overload. It's also a little too big to lug to the gun store or gun show. Maybe Supica and Nahas could produce an abridged pocket edition.
