Which single action is closest to the original Colt?

USFA would be my choice, if I could actually get one in my rediculous State.

http://www.usfirearms.com/

Besides Colt you mean?
+1 on the USFA.

The USFA Rodeos sell for about the same as the Vaquero.

Uberti is the most common, sold here by several importers. Cimarron says theirs are special selection. But so does everybody else.
http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/ModelP/MP668-ModelPStdFin.htm

The Great Western II series from EMF made by Pietta is also a pretty close copy.
http://www.emf-company.com/store/pc/Standard-Grips-c136.htm

Rugers are not close copies of Colt. They are larger and mechanically entirely different.

Not even the new Colts feel like the old ones, nor do the Italian copies. The Rugers are good guns, but really aren't Colt copies, just modern single actions.

I go with the others - USFA guns are the only ones that really feel and handle like the pre-WWII Colts.

Jim

Gryffydd said:

Besides Colt you mean?
+1 on the USFA.

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Even including newly manufactured third-generation SAAs from Colt if "original" means first-generation. USFA seems to be the only manufacturer that is making a deliberate, concentrated effort to reproduce the first-generation SAA. Unless they've utterly failed with their Old Armory Original series, the only thing closer is, obviously, an actual first-generation Colt manufactured back in the day.

Lightsped said:

Which model is closest to the pic above? Thanks

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Wherever you eventually buy your SAA from, you'll want a 4¾" barrel, a cross-pin (or "Pre-War" for the Cimarron) frame design, a color case-hardened (CCH) frame, a CCH hammer, and probably a hard rubber grip. And unless the movie states otherwise or you prefer another caliber, obviously the most common, emblematic caliber would be .45 LC (AKA .45 Colt).

If price is a major consideration and you're mainly after reproducing a movie gun rather than an authentic Old West SAA, then either of the Italian-made SAAs should suffice. Fortunately they both appear to have CCH hammers (not all original Colt SAAs did), which helps in matching the movie gun. Unfortunately, however, their CCH coloration is somewhat lacking throughout, in my opinion, and the walnut grips are not as good of a match. You could get a superior finish for the Cimarron Model "P" for $250 if it's important enough to you:

http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/ModelP/U.S.Finish-Front6Shtr.htm

But hey, it's only money , and for about $333 on top of that you could buy a superb Single Action from USFA with a similar look but undoubtedly better fit and finish. They also sell models that are extremely authentic to the original, real Colt SAAs of the Old West, such as the US Pre-War (it would cost you, though) and the even more authentic Old Armory Original mentioned earlier (it would cost you very dearly! ).

people who have handled and shot first generation colts agree that usfa makes the real deal. theyve pretty much copied originals to the utmost detail. even to getting the same radius on the frame.

uberti and the other italians make good copies, some details may not be 100% dead on to a particular original in a museum but they are good.

the Bounty hunter is a modern adaptation of the saa. it has a beefier frame and cylinder. its how it can survive alot of use of 44 magnum ammo in that particular model.

The USFA are the closest replica of First and Second Generation Colts, even CLOSER than today's Colts. 3rd-gen Colts have a different barrel thread pitch, and several other differences.

For you perfectionists, though, USFA cylinders are just a bit larger in diameter than any generation Colt cylinders.

Rexster said:

For you perfectionists, though, USFA cylinders are just a bit larger in diameter than any generation Colt cylinders.

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Is this still true for the following?

http://www.usfirearms.com/cat/1stGeneration.asp

I don't have the two grand to be able see for myself, at this time.

EDIT: Their site does say "true scale cylinder."

If you don't have lots of disposable income (like most of us) look at the Italian copies. They are good shooters and won't break the bank.

I thoroughly enjoy my USFA - got the extra 45 acp cylinder so I can shoot that as well.

I recently got a used Pietta in .357. I was pleasently surprised to find that it had the Colt like 4 clicks when cocking the hammer.

I don't consider myself an expert on single actions but I have and shoot a good many Colts from each generation. And I work on single actions a little, and I've been inside of all of the clones. That doesn't make my opinion any better than anybody else's. But here is how I see it. The USFA is a nice copy. The Rodeo models are the same on the inside as the premier models. But the finish on the Rodeo jars my sensibilities. The higher priced USFA guns are very handsome but they are so close to the Colt in price that I would just go ahead and buy the Colt. Among the clones I think the EMF GWII Pietta would probably be my first choice. The case hardening is superior to the Uberti guns that I have seen. I find that a great many parts in both guns are interchangeable with Colt parts. Both guns have gone to a coil hand spring which isn't authentic, but it is mighty practical as the original hand spring is prone to breakage with sufficient use and time. I have also found that the EMF service department is more responsive that Cimarron's. Taylor's also carries Uberti revolvers and their Smoke Wagon revolvers come very well tuned indeed. But again, the case colors leave much to be desired.

The crucifix grips are available from Western and Wildlife Wonders but they are a mite pricy. And without hand fitting it is nigh impossible to get a good fit. Of course it is not that difficult to inlay the crucifix yourself.

Another vote for USFA because they do it right. They also brought back an old American ammo company name, The United States Cartridge Company. They are producing the old pistol calibers and some .22 LR ammo too.