sixgun MAK
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Which finish do you like best?
I guess I'm partial to nickel, myself.
I guess I'm partial to nickel, myself.
Colt SAA....nickel or blue?
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The Colt SAA is one of the few guns that I actually prefer in nickel--just looks right.
I remember looking at some new ones in the case as a kid and thinking I had never seen anything so classy.
I have an 1882 vintage Colt in that persuasion, and recently picked up a new SSG New Vaquero that is indistinguishable from it from a couple of feet away.
Goes to show that even kids who flunk algebra know what's important and what's trivial.
I remember looking at some new ones in the case as a kid and thinking I had never seen anything so classy.
I have an 1882 vintage Colt in that persuasion, and recently picked up a new SSG New Vaquero that is indistinguishable from it from a couple of feet away.
Goes to show that even kids who flunk algebra know what's important and what's trivial.
Bullet Bob
Member
Depends on if you're crazy, like me, and actually shoot these things. I like the look of nickel, but can't see the front sight well in bright light. I keep buying S&W's in nickel, and then selling them when I remember this fact. Not only crazy, I guess, also not too bright. It took me four Ruger 10/22's to get over those things, and I'm on the verge of yet another Browning take-down .22.
Like second marriages, a triumph of hope over experience.
Like second marriages, a triumph of hope over experience.
I'm with bob on this one; Are you buying a display piece or an active use plinker/range weapon?
I've always preferred blackened finishes myself, Nickel seems to just reflect an awful lot and can make sighting down the barrel in direct sunlight a bit distracting.
I've always preferred blackened finishes myself, Nickel seems to just reflect an awful lot and can make sighting down the barrel in direct sunlight a bit distracting.
sixgun MAK
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Yeah, I'm not a big fan of that white hammer. I really wish it was case colored like the frame.
All of my Colts are blue. I really want a nickle but am having a difficult time convincing myself in the extra cost. It seems it averages an extra $400.
All of my Colts are blue. I really want a nickle but am having a difficult time convincing myself in the extra cost. It seems it averages an extra $400.
bannockburn
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sixgun MAK
I remember that one of the first, well, actually two, Colt Single Actions I ever saw in person, was in 1973. They were the Colt Centennial Commeroratives, with one called the Peacemaker, done as an original Model 1873 Cavalry model; and the other, the Frontier Six Shooter, in .44-40, finished in bright nickel. The Peacemaker looked nice with it's color-cased hardening, Royal Blue finish, and one piece walnut stocks, complete with period inspector's mark on them. But the Frontier Six Shooter was the one that caught my eye. Sporting a 7 1/2" barrel, that polished nickel finish has remained locked in my memory, as one of the nicest looking handguns I have ever seen.
I remember that one of the first, well, actually two, Colt Single Actions I ever saw in person, was in 1973. They were the Colt Centennial Commeroratives, with one called the Peacemaker, done as an original Model 1873 Cavalry model; and the other, the Frontier Six Shooter, in .44-40, finished in bright nickel. The Peacemaker looked nice with it's color-cased hardening, Royal Blue finish, and one piece walnut stocks, complete with period inspector's mark on them. But the Frontier Six Shooter was the one that caught my eye. Sporting a 7 1/2" barrel, that polished nickel finish has remained locked in my memory, as one of the nicest looking handguns I have ever seen.
Tom C.
Member.
Of the SAAs I have seen, the color casehardened finish looks so elegant to me and the nickel finish looks like it is painted on.
Now while I like the look of the color casehardened Colts, I actually shoot stainless Rugers.
Now while I like the look of the color casehardened Colts, I actually shoot stainless Rugers.
scrat
Member
buy one of each
sixgun MAK
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I thought there would be more Colt SAA fans out there???????
Hawk
Member
You might want to try SASSWire.
I'm gathering that reports of nickel peeling on Colt SAAs are very rare but not non-existant.
Also, I've read that Colt doesn't offer a case color hammer as an option - this was specific to the 44-40 but I'd presume it'd apply across the range if true. Don't take my word for it though.
If one is stuck with a non-CCH hammer, this might impact one's decision as one might feel the white hammer doesn't "belong" on a CCH frame thus making the nickel more period correct. I tend to prefer CCH with blue and doubt I'd be much troubled by a non-CCH hammer - it could always be mailed to Turnbull if it proved an irritation.
It's been my impression that CCH only looks good to other gunnies. Many "lay people" will think it's corrosion that somehow escaped pitting or an oil slick that solidified in place - this will happen with SAAs and Silver Pigeon 5s equally. One needn't "explain" nickel as being intentional.
I'm gathering that reports of nickel peeling on Colt SAAs are very rare but not non-existant.
Also, I've read that Colt doesn't offer a case color hammer as an option - this was specific to the 44-40 but I'd presume it'd apply across the range if true. Don't take my word for it though.
If one is stuck with a non-CCH hammer, this might impact one's decision as one might feel the white hammer doesn't "belong" on a CCH frame thus making the nickel more period correct. I tend to prefer CCH with blue and doubt I'd be much troubled by a non-CCH hammer - it could always be mailed to Turnbull if it proved an irritation.
It's been my impression that CCH only looks good to other gunnies. Many "lay people" will think it's corrosion that somehow escaped pitting or an oil slick that solidified in place - this will happen with SAAs and Silver Pigeon 5s equally. One needn't "explain" nickel as being intentional.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Blue & CCH for me please.
As has been said, if it's for looking at, and you like shiny guns, get the nickel.
But if you want to be able to see the sights, and actually do some good shooting, the blue is far and away the better choice.
I also think that some of Colts more recent guns have been polished in all the wrong places by cheap un-skilled labor.
A few of the nickel guns I have looked at look like crap due to the wavy polishing and uneven surfaces from too much buffing under the nickel.
rcmodel
As has been said, if it's for looking at, and you like shiny guns, get the nickel.
But if you want to be able to see the sights, and actually do some good shooting, the blue is far and away the better choice.
I also think that some of Colts more recent guns have been polished in all the wrong places by cheap un-skilled labor.
A few of the nickel guns I have looked at look like crap due to the wavy polishing and uneven surfaces from too much buffing under the nickel.
rcmodel
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