I'm looking to get a new colt saa in .357 or .38 special with a 5.5" barrel. I shoot everything I have quite a lot, and have heard in a video (hickock45 on YouTube) that the colts may not be suited for good amounts of rounds going through them. He suggested the ruger new vaquero if that's the intention, saying that the mechanism inside is more geared for heavy use. Anyone have experience with the colts wearing out? Secondly, if one gets the colt in .357, can I use .38 special rounds in it? Thanks.
Colt SAA .357 question
- Thread starter hoodfu
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jdomin
Member
I would put up a colt against any ruger or usfa firearm.If you want a colt copy look at the AWA american west arms, colt had them shut down due to copyright violation. the are selling in the $625. range NIB
springfield30-06
Member
Yes, a gun chambered for .357 Mag will be able to shoot any .38 Spl safely. As for the Colt vs. Ruger... Ruger us usually more heavily built, but I will let the more knowledgeable members of this forum get into the specifics.
wheelgunslinger
Member
It's both true and untrue.
The Colt products are still firearms. They still function and hold up to firing.
The Rugers are just machines like the Colt and many of them still malfunction and break under hard usage.
If you're going to be doing a LOT of shooting, like 300+ rounds a month or what have you, and/or shooting standard power or heavier reloads, then the Ruger may be the better choice.
Rugers are one of the best choices, for the money, in the single action world if you're buying off the shelf and want a tough wheelgun.
I've seen Ruger old model Vaqueros (stronger still than the new Vaquero) at amusement parks used daily that broke nearly every component that could break and some that weren't supposed to break. And they were shooting blanks.
I like Ruger and Colt. I especially like the Bisley-Vaquero and authentic SAA. Not trashing Ruger at all. Just go into it with a realistic mindset.
You'll need to beef up either choice for regular and sustained shooting with better basepins and other parts.
The short answer is: Yes, buy the Ruger.
The Colt products are still firearms. They still function and hold up to firing.
The Rugers are just machines like the Colt and many of them still malfunction and break under hard usage.
If you're going to be doing a LOT of shooting, like 300+ rounds a month or what have you, and/or shooting standard power or heavier reloads, then the Ruger may be the better choice.
Rugers are one of the best choices, for the money, in the single action world if you're buying off the shelf and want a tough wheelgun.
I've seen Ruger old model Vaqueros (stronger still than the new Vaquero) at amusement parks used daily that broke nearly every component that could break and some that weren't supposed to break. And they were shooting blanks.
I like Ruger and Colt. I especially like the Bisley-Vaquero and authentic SAA. Not trashing Ruger at all. Just go into it with a realistic mindset.
You'll need to beef up either choice for regular and sustained shooting with better basepins and other parts.
The short answer is: Yes, buy the Ruger.
The Bushmaster
Member
Let's see here...I purchased my Colt 4 3/4" .357 magnum in 1966. I've carried it as a backup when hunting. I've put several thousand rounds down range with it. Have taken deer with it. And will carry it a whole lot more [God willing] before I'm done with it. Other then looking like it is 45 years old and used a lot. It still shoots fine. I have broken one cylinder bolt, but that was a factory defective part and it broke in the first year.
As far as shooting .38 Specials...Yes. Have a ball.
Forgot...Broke or chipped both grip panels. Damned horse got spooked on a mountain trail and dumped me and I landed on my Colt.
As far as shooting .38 Specials...Yes. Have a ball.
Forgot...Broke or chipped both grip panels. Damned horse got spooked on a mountain trail and dumped me and I landed on my Colt.
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PRM
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Colt Quality
I have owned a Colt SAA in 45LC for close to 30 years. It's a mid-1960s vintage gun and has been fired extensively over the time I have owned it. Back in 2000, I sent it to the Colt Custom Shop to be fitted with a 45 ACP cylinder so I could shoot it more cost effectively and still have the 45LC capability. The Custom Shop also re-finished the gun while they had it. I've had the normal maintenance and replacement of springs. But, my SAA is as tight, functional, and nice as the day I brought it home. I strongly suspect my son, and possibly one of grandsons will be banging away with it long after I am gone.
Take care of the firearm, and it will outlast you. You will have some maintenance on any of them. Springs break, hands will need to be replaced. That goes with any SAA style revolver. Other manufactures of single actions have some great guns ~ but, when I want a single action, I want a Colt.
I have owned a Colt SAA in 45LC for close to 30 years. It's a mid-1960s vintage gun and has been fired extensively over the time I have owned it. Back in 2000, I sent it to the Colt Custom Shop to be fitted with a 45 ACP cylinder so I could shoot it more cost effectively and still have the 45LC capability. The Custom Shop also re-finished the gun while they had it. I've had the normal maintenance and replacement of springs. But, my SAA is as tight, functional, and nice as the day I brought it home. I strongly suspect my son, and possibly one of grandsons will be banging away with it long after I am gone.
Take care of the firearm, and it will outlast you. You will have some maintenance on any of them. Springs break, hands will need to be replaced. That goes with any SAA style revolver. Other manufactures of single actions have some great guns ~ but, when I want a single action, I want a Colt.
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wheelgunslinger
Member
there you have it.
MCgunner
Member
I wanted a single action, got THREE Rugers, no Colts. You simply get more for less with a Ruger. But, some folks are authenticity freaks. I'm not. I prefer function and Rugers perform.
If I shot CAS, I'd want an authentic revolver. But, I don't.
If I shot CAS, I'd want an authentic revolver. But, I don't.
Vern Humphrey
Member
I have a Colt SAA in .357, and have had it for about 43 years. Although I shoot mostly .38 Special through it, I can say I've wrung it out pretty thoroughly in that time, and had virtually no problems with it.
W.E.G.
Member
If you wear out a Colt revolver, you will have something good to show for your effort by the time you are done.
The Colt is a fine revolver, and so is the Ruger.
If you want the Colt, get the Colt, and shoot it like there is no tomorrow.
I don't understand this talk on the internet where people are afraid of "wearing out" their guns.
I've been trying to "wear out" various guns for decades now.
While a part or two has broken, I'm nowhere near wearing one out.
Actually, I take that back.
I did wear out a Crosman CO2 pistol one time.
Or maybe it just GAVE out. I'd like to think I wore it out.
The Colt is a fine revolver, and so is the Ruger.
If you want the Colt, get the Colt, and shoot it like there is no tomorrow.
I don't understand this talk on the internet where people are afraid of "wearing out" their guns.
I've been trying to "wear out" various guns for decades now.
While a part or two has broken, I'm nowhere near wearing one out.
Actually, I take that back.
I did wear out a Crosman CO2 pistol one time.
Or maybe it just GAVE out. I'd like to think I wore it out.
We have a big Cowboy Action group at my club and they all pretty much shoot Rugers. They say the Rugers hold up better to all the shooting they do and there is less of a chance of a broken spring during competition.
But bring out a nice Colt SAA, and they all pine over it...
But bring out a nice Colt SAA, and they all pine over it...
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