SAA questions

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Lightsped

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Originally I was considering a USFA SAA in 45LC. But now, I am considering a Uberti 1873 in 45LC. I realize Uberti firearms are lower priced compared to USFA.

The USFA I am looking at is roughly $1200. I think I can get a similarly styled Uberti 1873 for $400. I am having a difficult time justifying the extra money for the USFA. I am sure its smoother, and all that, but not sure its $800 smoother.

Also, on the Ubertis. How exactly does one go about changing the grips? I have been told the Uberti uses a "one piece grip". Is swapping grips a difficult process with the Uberti?
 
Look at the USFA Rodeo. You give up the shine and the case colors but the mechanics are the same.

But the Uberti will be ok.

The one piece grips are installed by assembling the grip frame around them.
To change them out you need to know where all the trigger guard and grip strap screws are, and have a screwdriver(s) that fit the slots to get it apart without boogering them up. Which takes care, a lot of Italian guns have notably soft screws.
 
I looked at the Rodeo, but what I am needing is a 4 3/4 inch barrel and the case hardened finish. The Rodeo doesn't come with this finish as an option.

I looked at Youtube hoping to find a Uberti grip swap video but have been unsuccessful so far. Any write up or video of this process would be a big help.

Thanks
 
You might also consider the Gaucho if you can find one. I know there's not a lot of love for Taurus on this forum, and I know that there may be exceptions to every rule, but mine's been perfect from day one.

That said, my Uberti Remington's are great shooters, though they won't win any prizes for the smoothness (or lack thereof) of their actions.

Other options, which I haven't played with so can't tell if they're good or not from personal experience: Pietta, Cimarron.
 
If you choose the USFA you will have a gun of much higher quality and one that will retain it's value much better than an Italian clone. Also, it may be hard to find a USFA Rodeo now as they have been temporarily discontinued and are no longer listed on the USFA website. I recently emailed Gary Granger at USFA about this and this was his reply:

"The Rodeo and Rodeo II will return sometime next year but not until we catch up on the higher end products.
USFA"
 
The Italian revolvers have softer steel in the lockwork, and the fit, finishing and case-colors are not as good as what you get in a USFA.

Personally I get along fine with a Uberti, but I'm not an active SASS competitor. Were I to use a revolver extensively I would pay for the USFA and save money down the road.

As an example: Uberti uses an investment cast hammer, and the cam/stud that operates the cylinder bolt is part of the casting, and soft. The tail of the cylinder bolt is much harder and will soon wear the stud so that the bolt goes out of time and scars the cylinder where the notches are. Repair will require a new hammer and possible refinishing the cylinder. You can (up to a point) prevent the problem by case hardening the lower part of the original hammer while it's still new - but I'm sure you see what I'm getting at.

Last but not least, if you want a rugged but economically priced six-shooter get a Ruger.
 
Once you have a Uberti in hand, Jim Watson's instructions for removing/changing the grips will be readily apparent. It's not rocket science. Also, one piece grips can be replaced with two piece grips if you're so inclined. However, there is no guarantee that other grips will fit well unless you send the frame to a grip maker for a custom job. Which I did with my USFA single action. I endorse what others have said already. If you want a top quality classic styled single action, USFA is worth saving for. If you want a range or woods gun, the Uberti will be fine. I own one of those as well. And if you want a stout reliable shooter, the Ruger New Vaquero (fixed sights) or the Blackhawk (adjustable sights) will serve you well. However, the Vaquero isn't really color case hardened, just looks that way. And the Blackhawk is all blue, I think.
 
Howdy

Here is a link to a company that sells parts for Uberti and other guns. This page shows the schematic of how the parts all relate to each other. It should make it pretty plain how you replace the one piece grips. Remove two screws at the top of the backstrap and one screw underneath. Pull the backstrap straight back to remove it. Then pull the one piece grip straight back to remove it.

http://www.vtigunparts.com/store/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=23&cat=Uberti+1873+Cattleman+SAA+and+Target

It should be noted, the normal way these guns are assembled, the wooden grips are sanded down with the grip assembly. That means the fit will be perfect, the wood will line up with the metal perfectly. This is a hand done operation, so each grip frame and wooden grip will vary slightly. If you decide to change grips, the fit of the new grips may be less than perfect.

I will agree that the USFA product stands head and shoulders above the Uberti product. Not so obvious when you look at them separately, but much more obvious when you compare them side by side. The quality of the USFA product, as well as a Colt is much better than a Uberti. This is particularly true if you tear them apart and compare the fit and finish of the parts inside.

Nothing wrong with an Uberti, I have several. But they do not match the quality of a Colt or a USFA.

You pays your money, you takes your choice.
 
Basically I just want a SAA because it is something I don't have. I have plastic semi-autos, 1911s, snub noses, different types of shotguns, ARs, etc... I suppose if I bought a Uberti and liked it alot, I would choose a USFA as my second SAA. I am not a cowboy action competitor or anything like that. I just want to try something different. Nothing more, nothing less.

My main reason with possibly going with the Uberti over the USFA is that I am somewhat paranoid as far as the economy and all that is concerned. I am kind of playing it safe with my purchases right now.

Oh, and that Uberti diagram is helpful. Thanks
 
I am kind of playing it safe with my purchases right now.
Click to expand...
Even in a bad economy, the USFA will retain it's value to a far greater degree then a Uberti if you have to start selling guns to eat.

rc
 
A used Uberti, Pietta or Vaquero will soon tell you if you enjoy this style of gun or not. If you buy used and find you don't really like the style of the SAA you can then sell it and be out of pocket very little. On the other hand if this style of gun "clicks" with you and you like the idea of a premium piece then you can start saving up for a USFA knowing that you'll be getting an SAA clone which is arguably the finest version around. By all accounts they are even better than the originals or any subsequent Colt versions.

Or you may well find that a cheaper clone or one of the Rugers supplies you with all the shooting you need.

I would not pass up on a Pietta clone either. I bought one used for cheap and found it to be of good quality both inside and out and have a nice enough trigger that I bought a second new one for my CAS cartridge pair. In the two years of matches, practice and plinking the guns have likely shot someting like 1500 to 1800 rounds each so far and they are as tight as new. I've enen shot around a dozen or so .357Magnum rounds from them for giggles with no failure or wear that I can detect.

Italian clone or Ruger for your first cheapie? Well, that's a good question. The Ruger Vaquero is certainly a nicer made gun all around. But it isn't the classic original action. If you want the original style where you go to half cock to load just like the old Colt guns then the Italian clones are the way to go for a cheap introduction. Or if this isn't a big deal for you the Ruger system with the transfer bar allows you to safely carry with all 6 chambers loaded.

One aspect of fixed sights is that you have to tailor the cartridge load to the gun instead of the other way around. This means picking a standard load and, if needed, filing down the front sight to allow you to hit to the POA. From there you'll find that altering the bullet weight and load will work but only with one particular recipe for each bullet weight. Otherwise the bullets will hit high or low.

If you want to shoot a wide variety of ammo from mild to wild then the clear choice for an SAA style gun shifts to a Ruger Blackhawk or Super Blackhawk. They are the "Do It All" guns of this style. But there's no doubt that the sights intrude and ruin the smooth top lines found on a more traditional fixed sights SAA.

That's about it for the options in the cheaper introductory choices. But keep in mind that such a gun does not have to be merely and introductory gun unless you're the sort that lusts after the best of everything. A lot of us are just fine with shooting our Italian guns. From the way my Pietta cartridge guns and my 7 or 8 black powder replicas are holding up I don't expect to wear them out any time within the next ten years.

Oh, the Italian gun triggers can be a little gritty at first. But they either smoothen up nicely with a bit of use or it's pretty easy to get inside and stone the faces to smoothen and lighten the pull. Or if you don't trust yourself to do such work it's a relatively cheap charge from a smith that specializes in cowboy gun tuning.
 
Uberti builds a very good sixgun for the money. I have several of them and enjoy them all. IMHO, if you like these guns in hand, it is hard to go wrong with one. USFA builds a much better sixgun but it also costs significantly more. If you're looking at a $1200 USFA, it's probably the Pre-War model and it is something to behold indeed. A true 1st generation SAA replica, right down to the authentic carbona blue finish unavailable from Colt since WWII. If you're spending this much on a SAA, I'd highly recommend it over a new Colt. USFA's standard SAA, which is finished comparably to a current Colt, should run around $950 street price.
 
Those are Pre-War models with engraved cylinders. Ten Ring is charging full retail on all their guns. Ordered from any other dealer, expect to pay around 80% of those prices. Problem right now is finding one, USFA is backlogged 9-12months.
 
If you are considering spending $1200, why not consider a real Colt SAA? The ones made in the past 7-8 years are excellent quality, IMO the equal of 2nd generation examples. However, if what you want is an inexpensive, fun, reliable shooter, the Italian examples oughta satisfy.

Me? I say Colt. All the ones I've acquired recently are extremely well made and accurate, and I haven't paid more than $1200 for any of them, except my engraved one:)

HTH,

vanfunk
 
I have an 1873 Uberti, and love it. Good shooter, lots of fun. Get yorself one, if ya later decide ya want a USFA or colt, go for it.
 
If you are considering spending $1200, why not consider a real Colt SAA?
Click to expand...
Because for $1200 USFA gives you a lot more gun for your money. I would seriously have to question the sanity of anyone who handled both at the same time but still bought the Colt. Colt's of the last 2-3yrs are much improved but I would not buy one older than that.
 
IMHO, the USFA feels closer to the pre-WWII Colts than the modern Colts do. The newer Colts are fine, as guns, and I have nothing bad to say about them, but they just don't have that darned feel.

Jim
 
I have competed in local SASS matches and started off with a brace of 1875 Remington clones from Uberti. Being on a budget I thought they were fun and would hold up but I ended up switching to Blackhawks, due to the budget and needing a stronger set of revolvers( wore out the Uberti clones and needed something to compete with while getting those repaired). If I had the money I would have picked up some of the USFAs. Considering that I got two Blackhawks for less than half of one USFA it was the logical choice for me.

I will say this about the Uberti clones. If you don't try to quickdraw/fan the hammer/shoot as fast as you can and shoot moderate loads, no hot rods they should work just fine, in stock configuration. If you want to start shooting faster/fanning the hammer I'd recommend having it tuned.
 
Well, I've seen Colts and UFSAs side-by-side, and I'd still choose a Colt everytime. But then again, I have my sanity questioned all the time. I'm comfortable with both outcomes:)
 
I'd love to respond with some answers, but help us out a bit. Why are you wanting a SA? Is it for hunting, CAS, fast draw, plinking, etc? It makes a big difference on what I recommend!

LD
 
Don't discount the Pietta. It has a coil hand spring, square rear sight notch, and looks great.
 
The reason I want a SA wheelgun is that I saw a movie and wanted to have a similar gun that was used in the movie. I have bought several guns based on movies I have seen..... The gun won't be used a whole lot.
 
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