I will join Craig in claiming the late production USFAs assembled with all USA sourced parts are the best "copies" of first generation Colt SAAs. They are not exact copies as all the USFA cylinders are slightly larger in diameter than the original Colts. If you can stand the variance it does give you a slightly stronger cylinder in 45 Colt chamberings.
Long ago in another life I had acquired a small collection of 1st Gen Colts. They were mostly finish challenged, thus not collectible back in the 1980s, and so I could afford them. Two were near basket cases but I had a secret. I knew an old gunsmith who liked the old stuff, like SAA Colts and lever action Winchesters. He checked out, repaired, or restored to shooting condition every 19th Century firearm I owned. I surely do miss him and I miss all those guns I sold off to finance a start up business. Now the business is gone along with the original guns, but I get a little of the feel and thrill of them when I shoot black powder 45 Colt rounds through my small collection of USFA single actions.
Dave
PS: I'd post pictures but I'm either too old or not smart enough to be able to do that on this forum. Anybody wants to help on old Boomer figure out how to, let me know.
Long ago in another life I had acquired a small collection of 1st Gen Colts. They were mostly finish challenged, thus not collectible back in the 1980s, and so I could afford them. Two were near basket cases but I had a secret. I knew an old gunsmith who liked the old stuff, like SAA Colts and lever action Winchesters. He checked out, repaired, or restored to shooting condition every 19th Century firearm I owned. I surely do miss him and I miss all those guns I sold off to finance a start up business. Now the business is gone along with the original guns, but I get a little of the feel and thrill of them when I shoot black powder 45 Colt rounds through my small collection of USFA single actions.
Dave
PS: I'd post pictures but I'm either too old or not smart enough to be able to do that on this forum. Anybody wants to help on old Boomer figure out how to, let me know.
