StrikeEagle: you are NOT the first one to say things like that about recent-production 3rd-gen Colt SAAs having..."issues".
Now, the good news is that according to the various gunsmiths, the underlying metalurgy on a Colt is top-notch, so a fairly minor tuning session will ALWAYS get you something better than the Italians. The better Italian specimens can often be tuned to feel nice, but long term, it ain't the same.
The USFA *is* really as good "at the core" as a Colt, AND they seem to be able to sort out "minor issues".
The ONLY complaint I've ever heard on these boards re: a USFA is that every once in a while, Turnbull will do a turkey cosmetic-wise. Case coloring just..."fails" every so often. We've had one report to that effect, anyhow.
Well all that means is I want to see it first, and if I order one I'll turn back if it ain't right (at these prices!!!).
But the *internals* are almost always spot-on, and that's what's harder to spot (which is why I came up with the "checklist" in the first place - spotting wheelgun glitches is a pain unless you're systematic about it).
With the Colts, at prices up past $1,500, most dealers will NOT let you handle one. A fair percentage are kept by purchasers in display boxes in "unturned" condition, which means it's possible NOBODY will ever realize this specimen might have a trigger that feels like it's got dried cheerios powder filling the grip frame
.
Well if you're buying a shooter, that's...sorry, MADNESS. Considering the reports of glitches both in print and online.
Now, a dealer might not want you "turning" his display-model Turnbull-prepped USFA either (worth $1,100 - $1,300 street price range ballpark?). But your odds it will pass a "checkout" in flying colors appears to be much higher than with a real brand new Colt SAA
so to me, it's an acceptable risk.
If I wanted to eliminate even that risk, I'd buy the $500-range Rodeo, test it fully, buy it, send it to Turnbull or similar for a fancy "paint job"
.
From everything I've seen so far, there's only two wheelguns I'd buy brand new sight-unseen on order: a Freedom Arms (83 or 97 frame, not minis) or a USFA. Well OK, yes, a Korth
, not that I'd buy one.
ANYthing else, I want to handle, fondle, do a checkout.