[sgtdevildog]

I have finally ordered my first SAA clone. I've been trying to find one locally and had pretty much given up. Today I find on the USFA website that if you order on the web in 45lc they will throw in a 45 acp cylinder for free! I am not affiliated in any way with USFA. So, since they dropped the price of the SAA $100 and threw in the 45 acp cylinder (I already shoot 45 acp) I decided what the heck. I'll report back as to time frame, fit, etc. Now the wait begins.

[absolute0]

So, since they dropped the price of the SAA $100 and threw in the 45 acp cylinder

Man, that's some sweet action!

[cpirtle]

You'll be happy I'm sure - USFA's are fine guns! (typing as I head to their web site to check out this deal..)

[sgtdevildog]

When I was looking locally this weekend one shop had a used rodeo for over $700 - so I figured this was a great deal. With the money saved I may have to slap some ivories on it.

[ImARugerFan]

What's an SAA?

[sgtdevildog]

Single Action Army

[JohnBT]

I'd been looking at the PreWar model off and on for a few months, but this is an interesting deal.

"that if you order on the web in 45lc "

Okay, maybe I'm dense - or more dense than usual - but their site says something about ordering from what they have in stock. Where do I see what's in stock?

Do I have to call the gun shop and have them check the distributor's site?

And what about options like grip upgrades, etc?

Yeah, I know I could call USFA, but this is more fun.

And one more question, or two, for anyone who has an opinion - Is there a practical difference between the one-piece walnut and the two-piece walnut stocks? Blued hammer - yes or no?

John

[Hawk]

Yeah, I know I could call USFA, but this is more fun.

Both I and my dealer had a bear of a time getting USFA to come to the phone. I believe this may have changed with Acusport taking on the line. Also, I don't believe they had "stock on hand" when I was poking about.

I wound up calling Turnbull. The SAA-alike went out that day and I had it the following day. Instant gratification at the cost of paying the tariff on what I believe is the equivalent of the pre-war. And it's still a USFA although I was mildly surprised to note that Turnbull has his own serial numbers.

Still, it's nice to see USFA actually trying to sell product for a change - and that promotion looks like a very nice deal indeed.

[JohnBT]

Now I remember why I never ordered a USFA revolver - somebody mentioned Turnbull and I started looking at his guns.
____

Digression...

Oh right, and then I had to spend 4 weeks learning a lot of new tax code and redoing my parents' taxes because of unexpected reportable income from a trust that had been paying for my mother's nursing home care. They sent the info to us in March!!!! All of a sudden deductable medical (3 surgeries), nursing home and assisted living expenses became very important. And then there was the blasted Alternative Minimum Tax, refiguring the estimated quarterly payments, qualified vs. non-qualified dividends...nevermind...I know I deserve a gun from Mr. Turnbull.
_____

Thanks for putting me back on track.

John

[Pilot]

When I was looking locally this weekend one shop had a used rodeo for over $700

That's way too mcuh. You can get a new USFA Rodeo for less than $700. Check the on-line gun sources.

[sgtdevildog]

I sent an e-mail to customer support asking if changes to grips, etc. could be made with the order, or if the special only applied to stock pistols "as is" - I'll report back when I hear something. Yes, the local used $700 was way out of line and I imagine it will be there a while, especially with USFA dropping prices.

[JohnBT]

Thanks, I'm still thinking about them all. I haven't even decided on a caliber, although I'm leaning towards a medium caliber with a 7.5" barrel. Just a plinker, but nothing with target sights.

John

[Glockman17366]

I'm kind of interesting in the Rodeo or SAA.
Can you get bird's head grips on them?

[owlhoot]

The USFA single action is a nice gun. The Rodeo though lower priced is the same gun internally as the pre-war. With the pre-war you're paying the extra bucks for a superior finish. One will be just as accurate as the other. Do a Google on "Longhunter." He is offering some very attractive prices on fully tuned Rodeo models.

[sgtdevildog]

I had a voice mail from USFA - they said they couldn't upgrade the grips because of the fitting/possible rebluing of the back strap and trigger guard and that they could change the hammer if I wanted. They also said if I didn't change anything it would probably ship out today! Order Monday - shipped Wednesday - not bad at all I wish everything happened that fast. Now to wait for a deal on their .22 and I'll be set for a while. If it ships this week I'll try and get some pics posted on Monday or so. My first single action - woohoo.

[JohnBT]

Great, thanks for the update. I'm going to be too busy today to figure out what I want.

I know, I'll retire and then I'll have time to buy guns and shoot them. I feel better now. :)

John

[sgtdevildog]

Spoke with Gary at USFA - am switching the hammer for one that's CCH and he said it should ship late this week or early next week. Says they are selling a bunch of .45's on this sale. I just noticed the dealer I'm using locally has a used USAF (looks like a SAA) for $2,000! I'm sure the dealers won't be happy with on-hand stock when they drop the prices like this.

[LAH]

Here it is: http://www.usfirearms.com/

[Hawk]

I know I deserve a gun from Mr. Turnbull.

The USFA is a fine product.

But, I'm here to distract you as before. "Eye on the prize" and all that.
Turnbull
http://www.turnbullrestoration.com/client_images/catalog19872/pages/files/CowboyClassic_Rdetail.jpg

Or, you could get both, I suppose.
Hard to argue with USFA's pricing on their offering.

..mmmm... Carbona

[JohnBT]

Oh yeah. I like it, I like it. Too many choices. Honestly, I could get both and I really like the USFA PreWar for some unknown reason. .45 LC and .45 ACP wouldn't be too bad.

Skip to the end, I have questions that might end up being a new thread, but we're having fun here so I'll bump the thread with questions.
____________

First off...

So I did a search on Longhunter as suggested and liked what I saw. Anybody who promises me a nice trigger gets my attention. I've been spoiled I guess. (Somehow, in 1972, I managed to buy a 5.5" Single-Six with an honest 2-pound 1-ounce factory trigger.)

www.longhunt.com/firearms/usfa-sa.shtml

He/they rework some of the USFA's and for $900 you get a USFA SAA plus:

Special Features:

1. Premium Action Job
2. Rear sights widened from .108 inch to .140 inch
2. Forcing cone cut to 11 degrees
4. Comes with a crisp, no creep trigger pull
5. Replace factory flat “hand” spring. The frame is drilled and a Ruger style coil spring is installed for reliability.
6. Factory main spring is replaced with a Lee's Gunslinger flat spring for a smooth, reliable cocking motion while maintaining a quick hammer drop
7. Factory flat “trigger/bolt” spring is replaced with a wire spring for added strength.
8. Hammer is relieved .007 inch on each side through hammer slot to eliminate drag marks. For that special custom look, the hammer is then jeweled (plain finish on request)

Barrel lengths: 4 ¾", 5 ½", 7 ½"

Calibers: 32 WCF, 38 Special, 38 WCF, 44 Special, 44 WCF, 45 Colt
_____________

Given that I simply want a plinker - no SASS shooting planned, no handgun hunting, just plinking - here are the questions. USFA has a great deal going with their sale, but I'm trying to decide what I really want.

1. I'm thinking 5.5" or 7.5" and leaning in the direction of 7.5". Any real reason to go one way or the other, or just preference?

2. Which caliber? I'm 57 and not getting any younger, but I'm still 6' and 205. I enjoy shooting .45 ACP, but shoot a lot of .38 Sp. wadcutters too. I even shoot some 9mm, but like .45 better. I don't reload, I'm lazy. If I did it would be 28 ga. :) Should I go ahead and get a .38 Sp. and be done with it or get something a little louder?

I think I have money burning holes in a couple of pockets.

John

[Hawk]

I'm no expert on SAA-alikes but if the question involves the best function rather than aesthetics, one might look at the STI. "Race ready" out of box, no 'smithing required and shoots great. Two pound trigger with minimal creep.

'Course you're back to hot salt bluing but Turnbull still handles the color. It was within a nickel or dime of the Turnbull offering. One pays one's money and takes one's choice.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=67223&d=1195005869

I'm guessing you're looking at a Turnbull, a USFA and an STI.

Might as well throw in a Colt while you're at it.

Mine, which actually are only 4 (Turnbull, STI, Uberti and Ruger) are all in .45 Colt.
Good excuse to get into reloading.

I still don't shoot CAS and haven't decided which I'll buy to make up a pair but I'm leaning toward a second STI. STI has proven to me that forcing cones cut to 11 degrees are neither needed nor desirable. Three degrees and equal to line-bored beats sloppy every day of the week. Somebody on SASSWire ran the equivalent of 22 stages with Goex with the .003 cylinder/barrel gap and 3 degree forcing cone and the thing still was running while the "wallered out" alternatives would have seized up. There's something to be said for precision although it certainly wasn't intuitively obvious it would actually perform better with black powder.

[JohnBT]

STI makes revolvers too? Oh boy.

(runs off to look...)

:)

[JohnBT]

So far so good. From the Gunblast review...

"The trigger pull on my sample Texican measured an average of just under two pounds; 1 lb., 15.2 ounces, to be exact. Also, it was extremely consistent from pull to pull, not varying by more than an ounce either way. "

(runs off again to read some more)

[Hawk]

(runs off again to read some more)
You're toast.
:)

Too bad SASS took the review down that Lou Graham wrote - it was the best of the lot.

Be prepared to be picked on - it costs more than a base model Colt. This will puzzle many, astonish some and offend a few. A few of us will understand and cheer you on.

[sgtdevildog]

I went with the 5 1/2 since I don't need clearing leather speed or long distance shooting. Since I already shoot a lot of .45acp the dual chambering will be fun. The STI's are getting good reports, I think USFA has been at it a bit longer and there wasn't much of a wait to get one. Since it's a fun gun I doubt it will ever get to a smith for tuning unless the trigger is just horrible.

[Stainz]

If heritage counts, I believe the USFAs are made under the old Colt 'blue dome' in Hartford. Okay, not the way they once were - now with modern CNC equipment for high uniformity. I'd love one of those old SAA .45s... even if I find the Ruger BHG more 'fun' to shoot in .45. Still, what a nice revolver - and beautiful, too - you will be elated! Congartulations.

Stainz

[LAH]

If you don't load, get the 38.

If you want to load, skip the gun & use the cash to get started. You could get a very nice set up for 800.00 that will last the rest of your life. Just my 2........Creeker

[JohnBT]

They really are all fine guns, at least the examples I've seen up close.

I'm overthinking things. I've always been better off when I found a gun I liked at a shop and bought it. That's how I ended up with a Colt WWI Repro - I saw one - I didn't even know they were making them.

OTOH, with the price of these things being what they are, I feel like I should get my money's worth out of the shopping experience. :)

I'll hit the big gun store over in the Valley tomorrow on the way back from visiting my parents; the gun show this weekend; the gun shop that caters to cowboy shooters; and then the big store up the road. Maybe I can decide something by Monday - unless I run across a well put together specimen first in my travels.

John

[sgtdevildog]

Oooorrrrrrr - get the gun and with the $310 in savings start buying your reloading gear - then you have both.

[sgtdevildog]

I've got a WWI repro and love it. Despite the small sights I can do fairly well and enjoy the nostalgia factor. Other than SASS and CAS does anyone know of any specific sights for more info on SAA's? Also, check out www.tenring.com - it looks like he has a large number of USFA SA available. Shopping is part of the fun.

[Hawk]

If heritage counts, I believe the USFAs are made under the old Colt 'blue dome' in Hartford.
I believe they moved out. Not certain about that though. Wiki doesen't always get it right but I think I heard it from some other place as well.
The company purchased a new site in late 2001 (a 4 acre campus estimated at over 40 million in todays dollars) to expand operations in Hartford and from 1993 maintained both the Historic Armory and New facility for the production of Lightning Magazine Rifles, New Model 1910 Automatics and of course the Legendary Single Action Army revolvers.

The Historic Colt Armory was sold to investors represented by B. F. Goodrich in 1997 and was divested in about 2001 to Homes for America, Robert & Rebecca McFarlane.

The Last Revolvers made "Under the Blue Dome " by U. S. Fire Arms in 2003 were a series of special runs of the Single Action Army Model, Mixed finishes including Old Armory Color Case and Dome Blue, 7 1/2 inch, 5 1/2 & 4 3/4 barrels, chambered in .45 Colt bearing special serial numbers and several different grips styles. The first in the series remains in the Company's Archive today.

@OP. The Turnbull/USFA trigger isn't in the least bit horrid. I'm betting you'll like it just fine. FWIW I would've never set off down that STI path if I knew how long it was going to take - I'd be happy if they bought out their CT supplier and moved the whole works to Texas.

[sgtdevildog]

Well, looks like the CC has been hit and it should be on it's way. I think they ship ground so I may not have it until next week but here's hoping. Are there any manuals on disassembly, etc that folks recommend? How about a good source for .45lc ammo? If this works out I may have to start reloading. Oh well.

[Hawk]

The Kuhnhausen manual is pretty good - I got mine from Brownell's. Haven't had occasion to open one up yet. The basic "field strip" will be in the USFA manual.

The .45 Colt inspired me to buy my first progressive press. Welcome to the club!

[Rexster]

USFA has moved the production machinery out of the old domed building; vibrations were a bit much for the old structure, according to one source. USFA does make some very, very good stuff; I have one of their older models made in the mid-1990's of Uberti parts, through three China Camp models, to my most recent, a 7.5" Single Action. These are the "good old days" in regard to single action sixguns, for sure, with Colt once again delivering a good product, the high-quality replicas, Freedom Arms and Ruger filling their market niches; life is good. :)

[JohnBT]

Good old days indeed. I did a little window shopping on the way back to the office after lunch. Well, it was 2:30 and I hadn't had lunch, but what the heck.

They had a half dozen or so Colts in .45 LC and .357, and one I really liked in .38. The barrel lengths were all 4-5/8ths or 5.5", except for one .45 that was 7.5". They also had 2 USFA Sheriff's models, so at least I got to compare the workmanship. My conclusion, they all looked good.

The Colt's ran between $1299 and $1399. No, this isn't a cut-rate dealer, it's a big hunting and fishing store with a sign on the front that says GUNS.

The USFA guns are looking even better. Would they make me one with a little pony on it? :)

John

[sgtdevildog]

You can always get different grips with the pony medallion on them. ;-}

[Hawk]

The USFA guns are looking even better. Would they make me one with a little pony on it?
You blaspheme!

The Colt prices don't suck. I believe Ken at Wild West was getting 1135.00 for a base Colt but a little bump for local isn't bad especially if he hasn't wire-tied the things. Buying a chastity-belted revolver isn't any different than buying one sight unseen off the internet IMHO.

I don't place any value on pictures of horses, the Colt brand or history so the tariff on a Turnbull or STI made sense to me. However, I believe I'm a minority of one in that regard. If you're going to have lingering longings for renderings of horses eating sticks, best get it out of your system early on IMHO.

I'm one of those that routinely spent more money on an STI 1911 than a Colt and this simply seemed the natural order of things. When it came to revolvers I was rather surprised to see STI actually getting down into Colt's price range - they generally don't do that with the race guns - which the Texican is supposed to be.

Nothing wrong with Colt but they just never did anything for me. Be warned though: buy a Turnbull or STI (or worse, both) and you'll have no shortage of people pointing out that "you could have gotten a Colt for that amount of money". If this troubles you, get the Colt first.

[Gordon]

I bought a Turnbull USFA 32-20 7 1/2" last fall and it shoots extremely well, my handloads go into 1.5" at 25 yards from the bags!.

[JohnBT]

I know, I know, too many choices and I can't decide. Certainly not tonight anyway. While I'm kicking it around in my head, I have a question.

Has anyone measured the trigger pulls on any of the guns being discussed? I'd prefer something light, but crisp and 3 pounds or so would be okay for plinking.

I've been spoiled by the 2# factory trigger on the Single-Six i bought in '72.

John

[sgtdevildog]

Well I got the call last night - my USFA is at my dealer. Can't get to it for a day or two, then I will take some photos and post. So from the time I ordered on the website to arrival was one week. Not bad at all.

[Pilot]

The USFA guns are looking even better. Would they make me one with a little pony on it?

I have a USFA Rodeo in .45 Colt. I love it. It was $450 NIB about a year ago, so more than half the price of a Colt. I know prices are more like $600 now, but still a good value.

Maybe Colt should outsource their production to USFA so you'd get the best of both worlds.

[JohnBT]

Take your time with the photos, we're having a good time. One week is great, it would come real close to satisfying my need for off-the-shelf instant gratification.

John

[sgtdevildog]

Sorry I'm not a better photographer - but I hope you get the idea. I picked up the SAA last night. Fit and finish are very nice the CCH is very well done IMO. A better photographer would be helpful. The trigger pull on it is very nice - no noticeable creep, probably around 3 pounds or so. Here they are - I hope you like.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/sgtdevildog/SAA002.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/sgtdevildog/SAA003.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/sgtdevildog/SAA006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/sgtdevildog/SAA011.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/sgtdevildog/SAA13.jpg

[JohnBT]

Oh yeah. That's a fine looking gun and the trigger sounds good to me. Good pics too.

<sigh> Now I really want to go shopping, but I'm already at the office and have to work until 5:45. (Yes, I'm working, I'm answering e-mails on the other monitor.)

Congratulations.

John

[steveracer]

Ever wonder why Connecticut is making so many amazing guns, and their guns laws suck?
Just wondering.
Your SAA is really very nice, and you can all see my USFA 1911 when I get home.