[axeman_g]

All,

I just purchased my first SA revolver. After some extensive research and handling I decided against the Uberti, Cimmarons and Ruger Vaquero. I wanted a .357 caliber with a 5.5 barrel.

I found exactly what I wanted at a gunshow on Sunday. A AWA Longhorn, .357/.38 spcl with a 5.5 barrel and walnut grips. $350 out the door.

Anybody have any experience or suggestions???

I will give a range report ASAP.

Axe

[Kentucky Rifle]

I hope they hold up well because I went over to Kiesler's and tried an AWA and it was the smoothest working revolver I've ever tried. (And I've got some old Smith & Wessons with which to compare!)
I'd have to change out those ugly grips though. The AWA's I looked at all had some kind of hard rubber with sharp edges. No walnut in sight.

KR

[axeman_g]

I want to put some white/black stag handle grips on this handgun. My questions will be "will COLT SAA grips fit without any speacialty hand fitting???"

[Standing Wolf]

I'd appreciate pictures if you could post them.

[MrAcheson]

They will probably require some fitting. Try the SASS Wire over at www.sassnet.com and they should know better than any of us.

[capnrik]

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=76285&perpage=25&pagenumber=6


My post is on page six of that thread, and reads like this:

Most recent was an American Western Arms Peacemaker. This gun was written up in several magazines as a perfect copy of a 1st Generation Colt's SAA.

In the gun store, the finish was fair, but the action was slick as owl...well, it was pretty slick.

The gun was a single-shot. It pierced every primer, thereby locking up the cylinder. I had to disassemble the gun after every shot.

Which gave me time to notice that point of impact was about 15 inches low at 50 feet.

My favorite gun store, AJC in Clute, TX took it back, no questions asked, and I bought a Colt's Model P 2nd Gen (Stagecoach Box) for three times the price.

Shoots good.

[Kentucky Rifle]

Did you (of course you did!) notice how sharp the point of the hammer mounted firing pin was? I wonder if some "slight" filing might keep those primers intact? Probably would void the warranty though.)

KR

[Standing Wolf]

The gun was a single-shot. It pierced every primer, thereby locking up the cylinder. I had to disassemble the gun after every shot.
Which gave me time to notice that point of impact was about 15 inches low at 50 feet.

Thanks, eh? I'll bet that's not what the reviewers in the gun magazines had to say, but it's the kind of fact real world firearms buyers need to know.

[capnrik]

Did you (of course you did!) notice how sharp the point of the hammer mounted firing pin was? I wonder if some "slight" filing might keep those primers intact? Probably would void the warranty though.)

Yes, it could obviously been fixed in five minutes with a Dremel Tool. But I couldn't figure anyway to adjust for 15 inches low, short of grinding off the front sight. Darn shame, because the action was amazing, and the trigger was excellent as well. AND, the price was good enough for me to overlook the blueing and case colors, as opposed to the Colt's. :(

[Kentucky Rifle]

The action is everything I've always wanted. I wonder if it will stay that smooth?

KR

[capnrik]

I'll bet that AWA would stand behind them. I certainly got excellent service from their dealer. I returned the gun, along with sample cases of three different brands of ammo, and there were absolutely no questions asked.

How you fix a fixed sight gun shooting fifteen inches low, I just don't know, short of re-barrelling.
:confused:

[axeman_g]

Ok, took this little beauty to the range on Sat.

Darnit !!!

I started with .38s, and it shoot everything 4 inches right of POA. I am allowing for vertical differences right now till I get used to the sights, but 4 inches right is way wrong in my opinion. Same with .357 loads.

I had two others shoot the gun with instructions to center the sights on target. They were also 4 inches right.

Any ideas??

The trigger is so nice, and it is such a nice looking gun. I dont want to dump it for a GP100, but I think I might have to.

Axe

[Kentucky Rifle]

Take it back to the dealer and see if he'll send it back for you. Give AWA a chance to make it right. I'd like to see IF they do and HOW QUICKLY they do it.
Real shame if you're disappointed with their service too. I can't understand how a company can put out something with an action you dream about, and then the SOB won't shoot straight!:fire:

KR :mad:

[capnrik]

What was the final verdict here?

[Josey]

OOPS! I see people are still finding and buying AWAs. They are overpriced Armi San Marcos. ASM went bankrupt and there are NO parts. AWA is a question for the future. How ggod is a warranty when there are NO part and the company is shaky? I tried to turn a barrel on a AWA once, red loctite was the only thing holding the barrel on. Good luck, you'll need it.

[capnrik]

I'll bump it one more time, and then I'll leave it alone. How did it wind up Axe? :confused:

[Brad Johnson]

How you fix a fixed sight gun shooting fifteen inches low, I just don't know, short of re-barrelling.

Low POI is common with SAA clones, as well as many fixed sight pistols. It's done that way intentionally so the owner can regulate the POI by carefully (an incrementally) filing down the front blade. If the POI was too high, the only way to regulate it down would be to completely replace the front blade.

As for shooting to one side or the other, you can have the barrel repositioned, or do it the old-fashioned way by bending the front blade ever so slightly.

Welcome to the world of fixed sights. :D

Brad

[capnrik]

Brad,
I bought my first Colt's SAA from a pawnshop in Plainview, TX in 1976. I was newly married and working there in Lubbock as a machinist for Simmons Machine & Tool, on Ave. H. Is the company still in business? :)

[Brad Johnson]

Not only is Simmons gone now, Ave. H is, too! Ave H, along with a big swath of land on both sides, is now Interstate 27. No more traffic circle, either.

If you lived here in 76, you wouldn't recognize the place now. The pop is over 205,000, and still growing rapidly. Just for reference, I live at 103rd & Memphis (just west of Indiana), and I am in the middle of a neighborhood which didn't even exist when you were here.

Brad

[capnrik]

Wow! Sounds like you're right. I lived at 1910 Ave N, Apt C as a bachelor, (rent was $67.50 per month, furnished, bills paid)and then moved to 4117B 35th street after getting married.

In those days, my revolver of choice varied....I could only afford one at a time. I started with a Colt's Trooper .357, which I soon traded for a Python. Sold the Python and bought my first SAA...a 2nd Gen .44 Special, new unfired in the stagecoach box. Price was $375 as I remember.

The Fair Cafe was on Ave A, and Alex's Drive In on Ave Q had the best burger in town.:D

[Lone Star]

That rent sounds pretty good! I was paying $130 for my first apartment in Dallas, back in 1972!

Is the Beretta Stampede any better than these AWA guns?

Lone Star

[axeman_g]

I sent the gun to AWA. They returned it in ten days. They picked up shipping both ways. They said the barrel was turned.

Took it to the range to shoot and it was great. Accuracy was just a touch low of POA. A file down of the fron sight would fix that. Performance was outstanding. I know have about 500 round through it wothout issue.

I would recomend this gun and AWA. By the way I am keeping the grip standard, they are wearing into a really nice natural finish from sweat and grip.

Axe