"Best" SAA mfg?

[Vmathes]

A year or so ago I ordered a USFA SAA because I wanted what I'd read for years was the "Colt" that was better than the real Colts … unfortunately, my order didn't get placed, and a year later I was told USFA had ceased production.
So what, in the board's opinion, is the heir apparent as the manufacturer of the best SAA on the market today? I'm pleased Colt is back in production, though I haven't read anything about their current quality, and ideally I'd like a black powder frame and case-colored hammer. I used to own a Cimmaron, which I liked really well.
What's the best made, most nicely finished SAA on the market today??

 

[QuarkMartial]

I have heard really good things about the Evil Roy line being very well made revolvers for the price.

 

[mdThanatos]

I think either the Cimarron or possibly the Taylor's models would be the best bet.

 

[CraigC]

There ain't one. If you want the best, keep your eyes peeled on the used market for a domestic USFA.

 

[Jim Watson]

You need to understand that if it isn't a Colt, then it was made in Italy.
Uberti and Pietta are the main sources.
All the US importers say they get first choice, theirs are better, theirs are hand tuned, blah, blah.
The best thing about the Cimarron Evil Roy and Taylor Smoke Wagon is that they have square sights instead of the frontier era Vee and thumbnail.

 

[DPris]

And the only true Single Action Army is made by Colt.
Denis

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Well, if you could afford a USFA you can probably afford a Colt. Although quality was spotty a number of years ago, the current 3rd Generation Colts are just as good as ever. I know a few shooters that own them and I have shot them and examined them very closely. Quality is excellent, almost as good as my 2nd Gens. Head and shoulders above anything produced in Italy.

As I have mentioned in other posts, all the guns coming out of Italy have rough surfaces and burrs on the internal parts, because the Italians run their CNC equipment at such high speeds, to crank out as many parts as possible every day. If they did not do this, the guns would cost more. Not that the Italian guns can't be smoothed up with a little bit of care, but that is how they all leave the factory.

Jim Watson is correct. They are all made by either Pietta or Uberti. All the importers claim theirs are the best, but they are really all the same inside. Pistols like Taylor's Smokewagons and the Evil Roy pistols have had additional work done on them to smooth them out and make them more shootable.

 

[BSA1]

Hummm, No one has mentioned Freedom Arms.

 

[CraigC]

.....

 

[silicosys4]

You can't buy anything from Colt that looks like this:

And before anybody whines about the case colors being "gaudy", it's much more subdued in person and Turnbull is also doing Colt's coloring these days anyway.

Ahh, lovely...a classy version of that "rainbow titanium" finish you see on some sig sauers, and on knives.

Out of curiousity, it was my understanding that Colt will make you pretty much whatever you want in a SAA out of their custom shop...including case hardening and your choice of engraving...?

http://www.coltsmfg.com/CustomerServices/ColtCustom/DesignYourOwn.aspx

"The Colt Custom Shop can assist you in designing and creating your one-of-a-kind heirloom, providing an array of options. Select the amount and style of scroll engraving, your personal design, figure and inscription, the material you want to use for inlays, and your choice of finishes. These finishes include Colt Royal Blue, Color Case Hardened, Charcoal Blue, Nickel, Hard Chrome, Gold and Nickel. Grip materials available are Walnut, Ivory, Mother of Pearl, Imitation Ivory, Sambar Stag and Buffalo Horn. Specialty materials, carving, checkering and scrimshaw quoted upon request."

 

[CraigC]

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[silicosys4]

Not really.

That's my opinion, and I'm sticking with it.

 

[CraigC]

.....

 

[Vmathes]

Hummm, No one has mentioned Freedom Arms.

Actually, I used to have a FA 1997 in 45 Colt. It was a sweet, sweet gun, but it and I never quite understood each other. The grip always felt weird and it never "indexed" in my hand for me the way my old Cimarron SAA repro did. <sigh>

 

[Vmathes]

You need to understand that if it isn't a Colt, then it was made in Italy.
Uberti and Pietta are the main sources.
All the US importers say they get first choice, theirs are better, theirs are hand tuned, blah, blah.
The best thing about the Cimarron Evil Roy and Taylor Smoke Wagon is that they have square sights instead of the frontier era Vee and thumbnail.

My understanding was the USFA was made here, but I know everything else comes from Italy. I've owned a number of cap-n-ball revolvers before from various Italian mfgs, and I think they're generally good guns, depending on how nice you're willing to pay for. I think Cimarron tunes their guns before sale, and the one I had (a 5.5" "Teddy" repro) was well done.
Damn. I ordered exactly the SAA I wanted from USFA, but the shop didn't send in my deposit, so when my order came up in the queue, they didn't make it, then shut down. That's what I get for living in a backwater little town. :-(

 

[Dframe]

The current production Colts are Excellent. Colts will also hold their value FAR better than any competitors guns. The USFA guns were supposed to be very fine pistols but are now gone. Colt like every other manufacturer has had some problems over the years but is producing some of the finest guns of that pattern ever, as we speak. And yes they'll make pretty much whatever your heart desires or your wallet can support. They are NOT cheap.

 

[silicosys4]

delete

 

[Jim Watson]

Me: You need to understand that if it isn't a Colt, then it was made in Italy.

Him: Unless it's a USFA or a Great Western.


I should have been more precise and said that if a NEW single action isn't a Colt, then it was made in Italy.

USFA has gone to making plastic plinkers and Great Western is as far gone as Matt Dillon.

And if you want to get that far out, how about the STI Texican? If they ever sold any, it was but very few but they were good solid looking guns except for the ugly coarse checkered grips.

 

[CraigC]

Colts will also hold their value FAR better than any competitors guns.

This is an oft-repeated myth. Colt's guns depreciate like any other. A 20yr old 3rd generation gun is not worth any more than a new one. If anything, it's worth less because the new guns are much better. Shoot it and put some wear on it and it will depreciate like anything else. Your statement only holds true for well cared-for 1st and 2nd generation guns.

 

[silicosys4]

Delete

 

[CraigC]

.....

 

[silicosys4]

delete

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Ruger?

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

I think Cimarron tunes their guns before sale, and the one I had (a 5.5" "Teddy" repro) was well done.

Howdy Again

That is incorrect. Cimarron might like you to believe that, but they pretty much open up the boxes, make sure they function, then close the box again and put them on the shelf. Just like all of the other importers do. If they took the time to tune their guns individually, they would cost a lot more than they do. As I said, some of the imported guns get some special attention, but you are going to pay for it, it ain't free.

I had a Cimarron Cattleman a bunch of years ago that had the worst trigger pull of any revolver I had ever owned, and in addition the barrel was not screwed in properly, the front sight was canted to one side.

I got rid of it.

By the way, just today I picked up 44 caliber Open Top and I was dismayed at how miserable the cocking action was. When first trying to pull the hammer back there was a major hang up before it would break free and go to full cock. Definitely needs some work before it functions properly. This is a raffle gun at a big match this weekend. I will check tomorrow to see who made it and who imported it.

 

[rcmodel]

I bought a new Cimarron 7 1/2" Custer model a few years ago.

And it was by far the worst SA I have ever had the sad experience of owning or working on.

Terrible trigger, soft parts, out of spec firing pin hitting the frame, and piercing primers, etc.

I spent a lot of hours making it right, and it is still the worst SA I have ever owned.

To make it right, I would have had to spend more money on parts then the gun cost new.

rc