Colt SAA, 357

[CajunBass]

I've said I don't care much for single-action revolvers and would probably never buy another one. But I've always had it in the back of my head that I would like to own a Colt Single Action Army. A real Colt, not an imitation, or a copy, but one with the prancing pony on it. Never thought I'd get one though, when I'd see one they were priced higher than I was willing to pay...until the other day.

I saw this one, a, I'm told, 1982, third generation Single Action Army, with what I think of as the classic 4 5/8" barrel, in 357 Magnum. The 357 part was important to me. I don't want to start reloading for a new cartridge, plus I already have coffee cans full of 38/357 brass scrounged over the years, and couple of boxes of Berry's plated bullets for 38/357. That and the price tag of $1200.00 were enough to make me just give up and put it on layaway. I talked them into a few bucks off, but not a lot. After all, if I didn't buy it, the next guy would.

A couple of crappy cell phone pictures before it got hauled off to wherever layaway guns go until I can get them out of hock.





No box or papers and I can't tell that it's ever been fired. I probably will...but maybe not.

 

[rondog]

Beautiful! I say shoot it, that's what it's made for, and you have the ammo. You wouldn't marry a beauty queen and not sleep with her would you?

 

[bannockburn]

CajunBass

Congrats on a most excellent future purchase! You made the right call putting it in layaway as I doubt it would have stayed in the display case too much longer! Looks to be in great shape too!

 

[1KPerDay]

You got a deal. Shoot it.

 

[Dog Soldier]

There are no copies that can be as nice as a real Colt. That is a beauty. The first .357 Mag. I fired was a Colt SAA . There is just something about holding a Colt with 150 years of American history.

 

[CraigC]

Congratulations! I have to warn you though, they do tend to multiply.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

At $1,200, ya done good! If you talked them down a little, ya done GREAT!

Have fun with it when you finally pick it up! I say shoot it, unless the intent was strictly as a collectors item.

That's what I did with mine, and no regrets about it!

 

[Bullseye]

I bet that's easily the "THR Gun of the Day" Beautiful.
You did well. Bully for you!

 

[mavracer]

Without a box there isn't any collector value to be hurt by shooting it, have at it.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Nice piece, I hope you enjoy it.

Sorry, but I can't help myself. 4 5/8" is a standard Ruger barrel length. 4 3/4" is standard for Colts.

 

[CajunBass]

Which is why I thought in terms of 4 5/8. I've always owned Rugers.

 

[v8stang289]

Nice!! That's a beautiful gun, I've wanted one just like that for a long time.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Beautiful.
Of course I'm a huge fan of single action revolvers.

At that price, you did very well.
And I also would shoot the snot out of it.

 

[red rick]

Nice Colt , let me know if you get tired of it , I am local .

 

[owlhoot]

Everybody should have at least one. You got a beauty.

 

[Dframe]

I've been a big fan of the prancing pony for a long time. There is just something to the feel. NOT putting any of the others down but I Love shooting my Colt. Mine are in 44 special and 45 Colt though. Interestingly one of mine is a factory 4 inch barrel with ejector.

 

[Barry the Bear]

Id love to have an authentic Colt SAA in .44-40 or .45 colt someday, for now Ill have to be content with my Rugers and soon to be Cimmaron.

 

[Malamute]

Should be a great fun shooter.

At a cowboy shoot ages ago, a woman had a nicely tuned up Colt 357. I asked to look at it, felt the action, very slick....she handed me a 100 rd box of shells and said go ahead and shoot it, all of them. It was very hugely fun. I'm normally a 44 or 45 fan, but a 357 Colt would tickle me, and be much cheaper to shoot and easier on old bodies.

 

[Jim K]

Those who have owned and shot a lot of early Colt SAA's will probably find that the late ones not only look different but feel different. To my mind, the guns that handled and felt the best and the most like the old Colts were the USFA revolvers with the standard finish. They looked and felt more like the old Colts than the new Colts do.. The new guns are over-polished and look like the "don't touch it" collector items they are, rather than the using guns they were.

Jim

 

[Armybrat]

You done good! And your Colt is mighty nice lookin'.

Here's my 1979 Colt .357 (still unfired since the factory). Guess it's time to shoot it:

 

[bannockburn]

Armybrat

Here's my 1979 Colt .357 (still unfired since the factory). Guess it's time to shoot it:

Yes, I completely agree!

 

[CajunBass]

Well, I couldn't let it set too long in layaway, so I went ahead and bought it home. The pictures aren't much better than the ones in the store.





Close examination leads me to believe that it indeed unfired since leaving the factory. Rather it will remain that way, will be a game day decision.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Man, I am so jealous.

Now go get that thing dirty and give us a range report.

 

[CraigC]

I disagree, those are much better pics.

 

[Dog Soldier]

Yes, When you cock the hammer listen to the SAA .357. It will say. C,O,L,T, as you slowly battery the original 6 shooter.