Colt SAA 2nd gen questions/opinions

[silicosys4]

I went into a local gunshop today pick up some powder that I had bought yesterday but hadn't been able to leave with.
While I was there I saw a lovely .357mag Colt SAA, in a beautiful box listed for what I thought was a reasonable price...$1650.



I gave it a once over, saw it was pretty clean and well taken care of, and left. Well, I ended up going to the bank and coming back for a closer look at it. The bore is exceptional, clean and mirror bright. The only blemishes are a turn ring and a small section of wear through the nickel on the top of the barrel, about 8mm in diameter. The original grips also fit pretty poorly. Other than that the gun looks pretty pristine. The gun is listed as a second gen, serial number 495xxSA.
My gut instincts told me that it was listed at a decent price and with a little haggling I ended up paying $1600 out the door,

I kicked my heels at the poorly fitted grips and managed to get the owner to throw in a second set of Colt 2nd gen grips that fit better, though still not perfectly.




Soo...I guess my question to those who are more knowledgeable about SAA's than me...
What kind of production numbers did the nickel plated 2nd gen SAA's have in .357, and did I get a decent deal?

 

[StrawHat]

If you are happy, I am happy.

Your deal is done, no buyers remorse, no returns. At best, you have a good deal. At worst, you bought it too early. Bottom line is you now own a genuine Colt SAA. It doesn’t get much better thab and hat!

Kevin

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

I cannot give you any numbers on 2nd Gens produced in 357 Magnum, nor can I give you any numbers on nickel plated 2nd Gens.

I can tell you that you did reasonably well on the price.

I have four 2nd Gens, all blued and all chambered for 45 Colt. The best price I got was $680 out the door about 20 years ago for a 2nd Gen that had had all of its finish removed by an idiot who was trying to make it look old, and a few parts were replacement parts. I was happy to get it and today it is my favorite revolver, I shoot it with Black Powder loads all the time. I paid about what you paid a couple of years ago for one in pristine condition. Paid a bit more for another one in pristine condition. Can't find what I paid for the 4th about 20 years ago.

Nice that you go the original box, although that really does not add any value, despite what many think.

This one came with the box too. The box is a little bit worse for wear, it has been taped up. This one left the factory in 1973.

 

[bannockburn]

silicosys4

Well your serial number places your Colt SAA as having been built in early 1969. Other than that there's nothing else in the records to indicate how many were chambered in .357 and nickel plated. For more detailed information I believe you can get a Letter of Authenticity from Colt that will give you most of the particulars about your gun.

 

[Gordon]

A 4 3/4" .357 2nd Gen SAA in nickel was my Grail gun for years, never found one in person. I would have paid up to $2000 a couple years back for one in that shape. SAA prices are depressed do to peoples $ going elsewhere in firearms for the last year.

 

[silicosys4]

When I was young one of my favorite movies was 1981's "the legend of the lone ranger". Seeing this SAA brought back a lot of memories of the many times I watched that show and other westerns. The fact that its a .357 instead of the iconic .45 actually works for me since I am already heavily invested in .38's and .357 reloading components. Over all I'm pretty excited that this one fell into my lap so to speak, and its the box with that 60's vibe that really made my mind up.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Can't wean myself off .45 Colt in hoglegs, but the .38/.357 makes more sense.
Kid at the range had a brand new example in .45, and he paid $2k.
Nice catch, and enjoy.
Moon