Can anyone ID this cowboy gun?
- Thread starter PhilA
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TheVirginian
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I'd say that it's too dark of a photo to make a good guess. That and the plain handle eliminate any real clues, so I'd just call it a Colt Frontier style gun. On most of the clones, you practically need them in hand to see what makes them different. The Frontiers that I have seen photos of generally had longish barrels like this one.
-Bill
-Bill
Deer Hunter
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Didn't Beretta just pledge a cool million to the NRA?
My guess is a Beretta SAA clone.
My guess is a Beretta SAA clone.
TheVirginian
Member
That outta buy a few cover spots...
-Bill
Harve Curry
Member
I right clicked on it to save then quick edit. It's a 19th century Colt SAA with well worn ivory.
Thanks for all the replies. Obviously I can't afford a real historic Colt right now, but that helps me narrow down my choices for a decent clone.
Never owned a cowboy gun, so right now I'm looking at either a Taurus Gaucho (most affordable right now) or a Uberti 1873 Cattleman Old West model with 7.5" barrels.
Never owned a cowboy gun, so right now I'm looking at either a Taurus Gaucho (most affordable right now) or a Uberti 1873 Cattleman Old West model with 7.5" barrels.
Deer Hunter
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those sound like good options! What caliber are you looking at?
Dark Skies
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Colt 1873 SAA in .45 would be my guess.
TheVirginian
Member
For a budget gun, I'd get a Ruger. The cheaper Italian jobs are just that...
-Bill
-Bill
I've looked at the Rugers. They're nice, but I like the more accurate historic stylings of the Ubertis better. Not a huge Taurus fan, though I own one of their semis and have never had a problem with it, but for a "starter" revolver I figured I'd consider it. The money I'd save would go a long way toward getting a nice leather holster and a few boxes of ammo.
Caliber you ask? .45LC of course--It's an old west gun after all.
Caliber you ask? .45LC of course--It's an old west gun after all.
Deer Hunter
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Awesome! If you reload, the price really isn't much. Plus reloading for a revolver is much more forgiving than an automatic.
I have a fetish for two old-style Ruger Vaqueros in .45 Colt. Iron wood handles...
I have a fetish for two old-style Ruger Vaqueros in .45 Colt. Iron wood handles...
The Uberti Cattleman Old West looks almost exactly like the Colt Darkskies posted up there in #11. REALLY sweet looking, IMO.
The Gaucho I'm thinking of is the blued version. Not too keen on the plain black grips on that one...anyone have a good aftermarket grips dealer they like for Colt SAA clones? Something in a walnut or a lighter stained wood?
The Gaucho I'm thinking of is the blued version. Not too keen on the plain black grips on that one...anyone have a good aftermarket grips dealer they like for Colt SAA clones? Something in a walnut or a lighter stained wood?
Virginian
Member
From that picture about all you can tell is, it is not a Ruger. You can buy brand new "old" ivory grips.
TheVirginian
Member
Hi Phil,
If you want a budget shooter, you really can't beat a Ruger New Vaquero. It's the most accurate reproduction of a real Colt SAA out there in terms of how it feels.
Try holding a real Colt and then hold any of the others and work the actions. You'll find that none of the cheaper Italian guns feel anywhere near as smooth as the Colt. Only the Ruger has the tight tolerances and a near exact copy of the grip, which really makes the whole package sweet IMO.
The Ruger doesn't have quite the same action as the Colt as it's their own style but it is very well machined and feels good, which is more than I can say for the cheaper jobs. I have been nothing short of disgusted with the feel of the U...is and C...ns. They are junk AFAIAC. They do look the part on the computer monitor, but you really need to handle a few to understand what they are made of.
I have owned an old Ruger "Flat Top", Single Six revolver years ago and it was both reliable and exceptionally accurate. The New Vaquero was on my short list for budget SAA style revolvers. I went a bit over budget but guns are not getting cheaper. I really like the black plastic grips on the New Vaquero, it's very near the exact same feel as a real Colt with factory grips.
If you really fancy a wooden grip, then you might prefer the old Vaquero. It's a little bit larger and heavier but still has the same basic look. It's also available in .44 Mag if you're wanting something that hurts... Too much gun for anyone other than Dirty Harry IMO. I would really dig a .44 special though and if you can get over the slightly larger Old Vaquero feel, then you can chamber the .44 Special in the .44 Mag spec'd gun and get a more authentic feel from it when fired. The .45 LC was perhaps the most famous and common round moving forward after the turn of the century, but the real cowboy load was more often the .44-40 as that was the most popular round for the Winchester rifle when paired with the Colt revolver. They made for a dynamic duo when riding the range and having both chambered in the same round made carrying ammo both much lighter and faster to sort out.
-Bill
If you want a budget shooter, you really can't beat a Ruger New Vaquero. It's the most accurate reproduction of a real Colt SAA out there in terms of how it feels.
Try holding a real Colt and then hold any of the others and work the actions. You'll find that none of the cheaper Italian guns feel anywhere near as smooth as the Colt. Only the Ruger has the tight tolerances and a near exact copy of the grip, which really makes the whole package sweet IMO.
The Ruger doesn't have quite the same action as the Colt as it's their own style but it is very well machined and feels good, which is more than I can say for the cheaper jobs. I have been nothing short of disgusted with the feel of the U...is and C...ns. They are junk AFAIAC. They do look the part on the computer monitor, but you really need to handle a few to understand what they are made of.
I have owned an old Ruger "Flat Top", Single Six revolver years ago and it was both reliable and exceptionally accurate. The New Vaquero was on my short list for budget SAA style revolvers. I went a bit over budget but guns are not getting cheaper. I really like the black plastic grips on the New Vaquero, it's very near the exact same feel as a real Colt with factory grips.
If you really fancy a wooden grip, then you might prefer the old Vaquero. It's a little bit larger and heavier but still has the same basic look. It's also available in .44 Mag if you're wanting something that hurts... Too much gun for anyone other than Dirty Harry IMO. I would really dig a .44 special though and if you can get over the slightly larger Old Vaquero feel, then you can chamber the .44 Special in the .44 Mag spec'd gun and get a more authentic feel from it when fired. The .45 LC was perhaps the most famous and common round moving forward after the turn of the century, but the real cowboy load was more often the .44-40 as that was the most popular round for the Winchester rifle when paired with the Colt revolver. They made for a dynamic duo when riding the range and having both chambered in the same round made carrying ammo both much lighter and faster to sort out.
-Bill
Dravur
Member
Bullhockies....
As someone who owns an original SAA Colt made in 1901, and several American Western Arms guns, I can tell you that my AWA guns are smoother and have better actions than my original colt.
The Colt is nice, but all of my AWA guns are smoother.
That being said, I would never part with my Colt SAA, no mater what.
As someone who owns an original SAA Colt made in 1901, and several American Western Arms guns, I can tell you that my AWA guns are smoother and have better actions than my original colt.
The Colt is nice, but all of my AWA guns are smoother.
That being said, I would never part with my Colt SAA, no mater what.
Virginian
Member
I love Rugers. But, no way does a Ruger Vaquero or New Vaquero come anywhere near as close as a good clone like a USFA or a Cimarron to duplicating the feel of a Colt SAA. The Ruger is not a clone with it's modern coil spring transfer bar lockwork.
I would take exception to the comment made about Uberti products being cheap. I have a pair of consecutively numbered 45s that have served me well for over a decade.
I also have an Armi San Marcos in 45 that I like a lot.
The genuine Colt has by far the best fit and finish but you have to ask whether it's worth 3x the price. I like the one I have but for general use the clones are a better value.
I also have an Armi San Marcos in 45 that I like a lot.
The genuine Colt has by far the best fit and finish but you have to ask whether it's worth 3x the price. I like the one I have but for general use the clones are a better value.
TheVirginian
Member
Hi Dravur,
I wasn't referring to the AWA. It's not a cheap Italian gun IMO. I actually selected one for my own use and I agree with your sentiments. It is a very faithful copy of a 1st gen Colt SAA and the action on the one that I tried was excellent. The AWA is made in the USA, Florida to be specific. They have parts cast in Italy but they are assembled, fitted, and finished in FL. They bear no resemblance in quality to the other, lesser "copies".
Virginian,
We meet again. I'll agree that the action of the Ruger feels different as it is a completely different set-up. It's the grip and size of the New Vaquero that is near identical to the Colt. Pick 'em up and feel for yourself. How they fit in the hand is all that I was talking about. Now as far as quality of fit and finish, they are way better than the cheapo imitations. True, they are not Colt clones and they do not pretend to be. They only made the grips so similar so that CAS's would feel at home.
While we might have different opinions about what constitutes a cheap copy and a faithful copy or even the quality of an original, it's just opinion. No disrespect to those that chose whatever gun for whatever reason is intended as we all have different reasons for our decisions. I'm just relaying my findings from hands-on inspection of all of them which led to my buying experience. I'll say that while some of the cheaper Italian jobs may look the part in some respects (they definitely have an antique vibe), none of the actions or triggers felt good to me. Not even acceptable. I'm not even so picky that it would have to feel just like a Colt either; I just insist that it feels well fitted and polished so as to have a smooth and reliable action. I did not feel that with any of the cheaper Italian imports and I checked out a lot of models and makes. I got to where that I rejected a few within seconds of handling them as I got the same old "been here, done that" feel as I drew back the hammer and squeezed the trigger. I did not dry fire any dealer's weapons, rather I caught the hammers with my other thumb to protect them. I had no preconceived notions about who made what quality revolver as I had not held any of them until I went shopping.
Perhaps some of these companies have a couple or even several levels of quality throughout their range or perhaps they just have spotty QC. All that I can say with certainty is that based upon the actual guns placed in my hands, in new condition, at various firearms dealers that these were my findings. It's just my experience and my opinion, no less, no more, so you are of course welcome to take it with a grain of salt or a load of peter. It's all fine with me as I've made my choices based upon my first hand experience. I am not trying to justify old purchases as I literally just got back from the shops and would have bought whatever felt right and that I felt reflected the best quality in its price range without any idea of which makers that would end up being. I don't accept advertising dollars from any of these companies, so I should be able to be taken as a reliable and unbiased source of info here. Now, if you just think I'm nuts and have crap for taste as well, then so be it.
SaxonPig,
Maybe the older runs were of better quality? I can't say as I only tried new stuff. That is one beautiful Colt.
-Bill
I wasn't referring to the AWA. It's not a cheap Italian gun IMO. I actually selected one for my own use and I agree with your sentiments. It is a very faithful copy of a 1st gen Colt SAA and the action on the one that I tried was excellent. The AWA is made in the USA, Florida to be specific. They have parts cast in Italy but they are assembled, fitted, and finished in FL. They bear no resemblance in quality to the other, lesser "copies".
Virginian,
We meet again.
I'll agree that the action of the Ruger feels different as it is a completely different set-up. It's the grip and size of the New Vaquero that is near identical to the Colt. Pick 'em up and feel for yourself. How they fit in the hand is all that I was talking about. Now as far as quality of fit and finish, they are way better than the cheapo imitations. True, they are not Colt clones and they do not pretend to be. They only made the grips so similar so that CAS's would feel at home. While we might have different opinions about what constitutes a cheap copy and a faithful copy or even the quality of an original, it's just opinion. No disrespect to those that chose whatever gun for whatever reason is intended as we all have different reasons for our decisions. I'm just relaying my findings from hands-on inspection of all of them which led to my buying experience. I'll say that while some of the cheaper Italian jobs may look the part in some respects (they definitely have an antique vibe), none of the actions or triggers felt good to me. Not even acceptable. I'm not even so picky that it would have to feel just like a Colt either; I just insist that it feels well fitted and polished so as to have a smooth and reliable action. I did not feel that with any of the cheaper Italian imports and I checked out a lot of models and makes. I got to where that I rejected a few within seconds of handling them as I got the same old "been here, done that" feel as I drew back the hammer and squeezed the trigger. I did not dry fire any dealer's weapons, rather I caught the hammers with my other thumb to protect them. I had no preconceived notions about who made what quality revolver as I had not held any of them until I went shopping.
Perhaps some of these companies have a couple or even several levels of quality throughout their range or perhaps they just have spotty QC. All that I can say with certainty is that based upon the actual guns placed in my hands, in new condition, at various firearms dealers that these were my findings. It's just my experience and my opinion, no less, no more, so you are of course welcome to take it with a grain of salt or a load of peter. It's all fine with me as I've made my choices based upon my first hand experience. I am not trying to justify old purchases as I literally just got back from the shops and would have bought whatever felt right and that I felt reflected the best quality in its price range without any idea of which makers that would end up being. I don't accept advertising dollars from any of these companies, so I should be able to be taken as a reliable and unbiased source of info here. Now, if you just think I'm nuts and have crap for taste as well, then so be it.
SaxonPig,
Maybe the older runs were of better quality? I can't say as I only tried new stuff. That is one beautiful Colt.
-Bill
Cimarron
So I finally, um, pulled the trigger. My local gun shop couldn't find the Uberti model I wanted, but found the Cimarron Model P, original finish (no engraving), in 45LC, with a 7.5" barrel. What a cool-looking pistol.
http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/ModelP/ModelPO-F.htm
For my first revolver, I'm very pleased. One day I'll own a real Colt.
Thanks for the input everyone.
So I finally, um, pulled the trigger. My local gun shop couldn't find the Uberti model I wanted, but found the Cimarron Model P, original finish (no engraving), in 45LC, with a 7.5" barrel. What a cool-looking pistol.
http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/ModelP/ModelPO-F.htm
For my first revolver, I'm very pleased. One day I'll own a real Colt.
Thanks for the input everyone.
TheVirginian
Member
Very original look for sure. I hope it proves to perform as well as its ancestor for you.
-Bill
-Bill
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Sorry I got to this thread too late to suggest a USFA Rodeo revolver. It is a very close replica of the Colt SSA and it's all hand fitted here in the USA by American workers using American made parts. The Original Rodeo in Blue has a List price of $550 and the New Rodeo II in Nickel Lists for $605. The final Cowboy Action revolver the make is more expensive. The Gunslinger has a list price of $1145 which is a little too much for me but it's a beautiful revolver. It's finish looks like the revolver is a real antique well over 100 years old. Of course the have some really nice revolvers and options that will push the prices up near $2000 or more.
It's my opinion there is no better Colt replica than the revolvers made by USFA, especially since they are made in Connecticut by the same labor who used to make Colts. Their corporate offices are even in the old Colt building. (not that it really means anything, I just think that's cool)
It's my opinion there is no better Colt replica than the revolvers made by USFA, especially since they are made in Connecticut by the same labor who used to make Colts. Their corporate offices are even in the old Colt building. (not that it really means anything, I just think that's cool)
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