I know the Colts are still being made, but I'm told that the quality isn't what it once was. I've also heard that the US Firearms SAAs, made in the old Colt factory, are higher quality. Then there are the Italian reproductions, and others. Any opinions? I once had a 4-3/4" Colt SAA in .44 Special, nickeled, that was the only firearm I could ever "point-shoot" with, without aiming, and hit my target every time. I traded it for a car (1980 Triumph Spitfire that I drove for 10 years), but I still think it was a bad trade.
What's the best SAA repro?
cnorman18
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Look at the late model Colts for yourself. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the quality. I have two 3rd generations and they are the full equal of the 2nd generation that I bought in 1968.
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I remember while attending the Phila NRA show, I stopped by the Colt custom shop kiosk and handled their SAA's. Not really impressed. I then stopped by Cimarron Arms, and tried theirs. I couldn't believe how much better those actions felt. If i were in the market for another SAA, no question what I'd be looking at. I now own a 1952 Hy Hunter in 357 and a 1968 BH in 41 mag, my favorite.
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Back to the OP's question: The USFA product line is the absolute finest, bar none. If you would argue that point, you obviously have never held one let alone cocked the hammer and pulled the trigger on one.
Hey, you get what you pay for, and in the case of USFA that's precisely the deal.
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Hey, you get what you pay for, and in the case of USFA that's precisely the deal.
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the thing that sold me on the ruger new vaquero is the ease of getting 45acp cylinders for the 45 colt chamberings.
just got a pair of new vaquero 45Colt/45ACP 4 5/8 stainless sequential serials. you cant use the "ruger only" loadings in these guns. got em for right at 600 each way below the cass cost of 1600$
as for the 5 loaded and hammer on a empty chamber thats not actually how it was done in the old west. the correct way that the old west guys and gals who carried the original colts in the 1800's was all 6 loaded with the hammer cocked on the first click. the purpose of the first click was to allow safe carry of a fully loaded 6 round cylinder.
if colt designed it to be carried 5 and 1 empty they wouldnt have included a 6th chamber nor the first click cocked notch.
thats why there is no halfcock on the ruger vaqueros but it has a transfer bar instead.
my babies
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just got a pair of new vaquero 45Colt/45ACP 4 5/8 stainless sequential serials. you cant use the "ruger only" loadings in these guns. got em for right at 600 each way below the cass cost of 1600$
as for the 5 loaded and hammer on a empty chamber thats not actually how it was done in the old west. the correct way that the old west guys and gals who carried the original colts in the 1800's was all 6 loaded with the hammer cocked on the first click. the purpose of the first click was to allow safe carry of a fully loaded 6 round cylinder.
if colt designed it to be carried 5 and 1 empty they wouldnt have included a 6th chamber nor the first click cocked notch.
thats why there is no halfcock on the ruger vaqueros but it has a transfer bar instead.
my babies
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A word of caution about "Ruger Only Loads".
This applies to the New Model Blackhawks and Super Blackhawks, and the original Vaqueros.
The new Flat Top Blackhawks and New Vaqueros are built on smaller frames (the original MR frames) intended for the .357 Magnum guns. They may, or may not, handle "Ruger Only Loads."
Bob Wright
This applies to the New Model Blackhawks and Super Blackhawks, and the original Vaqueros.
The new Flat Top Blackhawks and New Vaqueros are built on smaller frames (the original MR frames) intended for the .357 Magnum guns. They may, or may not, handle "Ruger Only Loads."
Bob Wright
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As to Ubertis, I have three of them, all of which I am pretty impressed with. Their fit and finish may be a mite less than a Colt or USFA, but when it comes to bullets on target, they mighty well hold their own.
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And this coming from a die-hard Ruger man.
And this coming from a die-hard Ruger man.
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Nope; wrong. The USFA SAA revolver will out shoot (POI) any Ubertis on any day of any year within anyone's lifetime.
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Nope; wrong. The USFA SAA revolver will out shoot (POI) any Ubertis on any day of any year within anyone's lifetime.
Show me.
Bob Wright
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usfa sources parts from uberti when they get behind and want to catch up. early usfa revolvers were gussied up uberti's...
the funny thing is that "cowboy culture" we have today stems heavily from the italian westerns with clint eastwood heh. so uberti is prolly closer to cass than anything
the funny thing is that "cowboy culture" we have today stems heavily from the italian westerns with clint eastwood heh. so uberti is prolly closer to cass than anything
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I've been collecting Colt SAA's for over 40 years. I believe the 2nd generations were the finest ever made. Sorry to say the 3rds, except for some exceptions, I would not own. Parts for example weren't interchangeable for the first time. Just like the US cars from the mid 70's on up their quality control was deplorable, which is pitiful for such a fine company.
In the early 70's Colt came out with a line of percussions. They were beautiful and I even bought a '51 Navy that was cased with all accessories. I eventually traded it for a Colt Thunderer. Those guns were considered originals, but modern and even starting off their serial #'s where they had left off in the 1800's. Those were manufactured by Uberti and finished off here by Colt. All their models were excellent. Forgeries to make them look antique fooled many people.
Just for an example of performance, my friend bought a 3rd gen from the Colt custom shop around 12 years ago. At the time I was becoming weak and almost got one myself. The first time he shot it while attempting to eject his empties he was sliding the ejector rod along the channel and sliced his finger wide open. I've never seen that happen before. After he was bandaged he started to shoot again and after a couple of shots the cylinder jammed while he attempted to cock it. Turned out the loading gate loosened up and moved forward. When looking at that gun I noticed the poor quality of his wood grips and how bad the Colt medallion was counter sunk into them, which made them look like a cheap Chinese copy. That gun was sent to Colt for repairs. My other friend's ca. 1962 2nd gen Buntline had gorgeous walnut factory grips and had thousands of rounds put through it for 40 years without any problems.
I then purchased the only copy I ever had, which was a Colt Flat Top Target Bisley 44-40 from Cimarron(Uberti). I just didn't want to spend thousands on an original. It is surprisingly accurate and has a sweet action that's better than the newer Colts I've shot. It's been great shooting it for over 10 years.
If I were to buy another SAA that is the closet to the original I'd have to go for the USFA, but they are pricier and yet worth it. Everyone seems to love Rugers, which indeed is an excellent gun. Only problem is they don't feel like a Colt to me and without those 4 clicks as well I personally don't wish to own one. I know Ruger owners do get upset easily, therefore let me please apologize in advance. I do love all guns. But that's just me personally,though Gary Reeder's custom Rugers are very tempting and I think he can do something about those clicks. Guess I'm just too old to change.
Colt is now manufacturing their SA's again, as well as their New Frontiers. I hope they don't turn out like their cheap cowboy models. If they do then they should just close up shop and call it a day. Damn it I miss the old colts.
Here's a few Colts and a Cimarron. First is an only example of a factory converted Colt Bisley 32-20 mfg 1906, that was converted to a SAA. Sorry for picture quality.
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Colt 1st gen 45LC mfg 1891 used by extra in Streets of Larado
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Colt 2nd gen 45LC mfg 1969 Abercrombie & Fitch customized.
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Cimarron Colt Bisley FlatTop Target 44-40
![Image]()
In the early 70's Colt came out with a line of percussions. They were beautiful and I even bought a '51 Navy that was cased with all accessories. I eventually traded it for a Colt Thunderer. Those guns were considered originals, but modern and even starting off their serial #'s where they had left off in the 1800's. Those were manufactured by Uberti and finished off here by Colt. All their models were excellent. Forgeries to make them look antique fooled many people.
Just for an example of performance, my friend bought a 3rd gen from the Colt custom shop around 12 years ago. At the time I was becoming weak and almost got one myself. The first time he shot it while attempting to eject his empties he was sliding the ejector rod along the channel and sliced his finger wide open. I've never seen that happen before. After he was bandaged he started to shoot again and after a couple of shots the cylinder jammed while he attempted to cock it. Turned out the loading gate loosened up and moved forward. When looking at that gun I noticed the poor quality of his wood grips and how bad the Colt medallion was counter sunk into them, which made them look like a cheap Chinese copy. That gun was sent to Colt for repairs. My other friend's ca. 1962 2nd gen Buntline had gorgeous walnut factory grips and had thousands of rounds put through it for 40 years without any problems.
I then purchased the only copy I ever had, which was a Colt Flat Top Target Bisley 44-40 from Cimarron(Uberti). I just didn't want to spend thousands on an original. It is surprisingly accurate and has a sweet action that's better than the newer Colts I've shot. It's been great shooting it for over 10 years.
If I were to buy another SAA that is the closet to the original I'd have to go for the USFA, but they are pricier and yet worth it. Everyone seems to love Rugers, which indeed is an excellent gun. Only problem is they don't feel like a Colt to me and without those 4 clicks as well I personally don't wish to own one. I know Ruger owners do get upset easily, therefore let me please apologize in advance. I do love all guns. But that's just me personally,though Gary Reeder's custom Rugers are very tempting and I think he can do something about those clicks. Guess I'm just too old to change.
Colt is now manufacturing their SA's again, as well as their New Frontiers. I hope they don't turn out like their cheap cowboy models. If they do then they should just close up shop and call it a day. Damn it I miss the old colts.
Here's a few Colts and a Cimarron. First is an only example of a factory converted Colt Bisley 32-20 mfg 1906, that was converted to a SAA. Sorry for picture quality.
Colt 1st gen 45LC mfg 1891 used by extra in Streets of Larado
Colt 2nd gen 45LC mfg 1969 Abercrombie & Fitch customized.
Cimarron Colt Bisley FlatTop Target 44-40
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