v8stang289
Member
I'm in the market for a Single Action Army and dont really want to drop the money on a Colt.
What other reputable manufacturers are making SAA models?
Thanks!
What other reputable manufacturers are making SAA models?
Thanks!
Single action army clones
- Thread starter v8stang289
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dfariswheel
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Uberti makes nice clones, although the color case hardening is seldom up to Colt standards.
Uberti guns are imported by Cimarron Arms, Navy Arms, Dixie Gun Works, and by Uberti under their own name.
Uberti will "flex" the quality of finish according to what price point the importer wants to sell at.
You have to compare the two quality levels side by side to detect the slight differences.
As example. Cimarron sells the top of the line versions, Dixie usually sells the slightly lesser versions.
Companies like Early Modern Firearms (EMF) sell guns by another Italian maker, but these are not up to Uberti standards.
USFA Unites States Fire Arms makes nice replicas, but their top of the line models are near Colt in price. They do make lesser finished versions.
Uberti guns are imported by Cimarron Arms, Navy Arms, Dixie Gun Works, and by Uberti under their own name.
Uberti will "flex" the quality of finish according to what price point the importer wants to sell at.
You have to compare the two quality levels side by side to detect the slight differences.
As example. Cimarron sells the top of the line versions, Dixie usually sells the slightly lesser versions.
Companies like Early Modern Firearms (EMF) sell guns by another Italian maker, but these are not up to Uberti standards.
USFA Unites States Fire Arms makes nice replicas, but their top of the line models are near Colt in price. They do make lesser finished versions.
BCCL
Member
USFA is probably the flat out closest to a real Colt.
Uberti makes good guns, with Taylor Firearms and Cimarron Arms being on the better end of Uberti made guns, but plain Uberti ones are fine. (Uberti is now owned by Berreta and makes the Stampede for them, but it has a modern transfer bar like Rugers)
Pietta of Italy makes guns imported by Heritage Arms and EMF, the Heritage Arms ones have a transfer bar like a modern Ruger single action as well, and are somewhat "bargain" guns, but mine is well made and very accurate, while the EMF ones are a nearly perfect replica of a 2nd generation Colt and are very high quality.
Uberti makes good guns, with Taylor Firearms and Cimarron Arms being on the better end of Uberti made guns, but plain Uberti ones are fine. (Uberti is now owned by Berreta and makes the Stampede for them, but it has a modern transfer bar like Rugers)
Pietta of Italy makes guns imported by Heritage Arms and EMF, the Heritage Arms ones have a transfer bar like a modern Ruger single action as well, and are somewhat "bargain" guns, but mine is well made and very accurate, while the EMF ones are a nearly perfect replica of a 2nd generation Colt and are very high quality.
dashootist
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- Feb 8, 2010
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I notice cylinder end shake, after putting over 1000 rounds of full power black powder load as well as smokeless bowling pin busting load thru my Uberti/Cimaroon. The trigger still feels gritty. I had to replace the main spring with a genuine Colt because Uberti spring was too weak. But it still shoot straight. I don't know how other's Uberti are, but this is my experience.
I would say either a USFA Rodeo or a Ruger New Vaquero. The Vaquero will be more trouble free and you can carry six in the cylinder safely. Very sturdy revolver.
The Rodeo will be more authentic but...The leaf springs they come with are prone to breakage, just inherent in the design of the old Colts they are a copy of. You need to take care you don't let the hammer down on a cylinder with a loaded round in it or you risk an unintentional discharge. Load one chamber, skip one, load four next, bring hammer back to full cock and gently lower it while you have your finger on the trigger. ( Keep pointing muzzel in safe direction ) You need to always bring the hammer back to full cock when ever it is in quarter cock or half cock so you won't mess up the lockwork of scour a ring around the cylinder.
Whichever floats your boat.
The Rodeo will be more authentic but...The leaf springs they come with are prone to breakage, just inherent in the design of the old Colts they are a copy of. You need to take care you don't let the hammer down on a cylinder with a loaded round in it or you risk an unintentional discharge. Load one chamber, skip one, load four next, bring hammer back to full cock and gently lower it while you have your finger on the trigger. ( Keep pointing muzzel in safe direction ) You need to always bring the hammer back to full cock when ever it is in quarter cock or half cock so you won't mess up the lockwork of scour a ring around the cylinder.
Whichever floats your boat.
Sadly, Ruger is the only one making a 44 magnum, and only periodically. if you want a 357 or 45 your choices are infinite. Taurus and Beretta both made runs of SAA type revolvers that can be found at CDNN for cheap.
Kentucky-roughrider
Member
http://www.eaacorp.com/handguns-witness-revolvers-casecolor-description.html This company has makes a 44 mag and I have owned one since 2001 and I have not had any real problems that I could not fix.
Unless you want a true Colt, you best value is a Ruger New Vaquero. If you want a .44 M, you can get a Ruger Super Blackhawk.The nice things about Ruger's are you can carry 6 safely, not so with most clones, even Colts, because of the transfer bar and you can get them in stainless. All in all, a good value for the dollar spent.
Red Cent
Member
In 1973 Ruger incorporated the infamous (my opinion) transfer bar into the construction of their single actions. Single actions prior to this date work like a Colt and should be carried hammer down on an empty chamber.
keyboard commando
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- Oct 12, 2007
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- 213
Beretta
I recently bought a Beretta Stampede Bisley. I was impressed with the fit and finish when I first saw it. Upon handling and inspection I decided it was a well made revolver. So far I've had 2 range sessions and fired 150 rds. of .38 special and 100 rds. of .357 magnum. It's function is smooth and flawless and it is very accurate. I am very pleased with it and looking forward to shooting it again soon.
A used Colt would cost twice what I paid for this.For a revolver I plan to shoot a lot and use for woods/field excursions,I can't justify the price of a Colt.
I recently bought a Beretta Stampede Bisley. I was impressed with the fit and finish when I first saw it. Upon handling and inspection I decided it was a well made revolver. So far I've had 2 range sessions and fired 150 rds. of .38 special and 100 rds. of .357 magnum. It's function is smooth and flawless and it is very accurate. I am very pleased with it and looking forward to shooting it again soon.
A used Colt would cost twice what I paid for this.For a revolver I plan to shoot a lot and use for woods/field excursions,I can't justify the price of a Colt.
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I have put about 5000 rounds through this USFA Rodeo. Ninety nine percent of the rounds are a 250/255L with 8.0 to 8.5 grains Unique. This is just at 850 fps.
This is an early Rodeo, not only first year production but one of the first 500 built. It has an Uberti 4135 steel frame. Later Rodeos were all American parts, but even so, it locks up tight, shoots to point of aim, and is a great pistol.
The internals are original Colt SAA. No firing pin blocks, no hammer drop devices. You carry five with the hammer down on an empty.
If you want to spend a Kilobuck or two, try one of these USFA revolvers:
This is an early Rodeo, not only first year production but one of the first 500 built. It has an Uberti 4135 steel frame. Later Rodeos were all American parts, but even so, it locks up tight, shoots to point of aim, and is a great pistol.
The internals are original Colt SAA. No firing pin blocks, no hammer drop devices. You carry five with the hammer down on an empty.
If you want to spend a Kilobuck or two, try one of these USFA revolvers:
OP
OP
v8stang289
Member
Thanks for all the replies guys. These give me a few options to weigh and decide exactly what i want. Right now i'm leaning towards 357 for the caliber, i just have to decide the manufacturer.
Bought a matching set (with consecutive serial numbers) of Armi San Marcos SAA clones in 45 Colt about 15 years ago. Haven't shot them much but they seem nicely finished and shoot fine.
Got out of the Cowboy shooting a long time ago. PM me if you might be interested in these. They have professionally fitted faux ivory stocks and I have the original wood along with the boxes and docs.
Got out of the Cowboy shooting a long time ago. PM me if you might be interested in these. They have professionally fitted faux ivory stocks and I have the original wood along with the boxes and docs.
BCCL
Member
Saxon, that's a fine looking pair of sixguns!
I own a 1873 revolver by Uberti through Taylor &Co
http://www.taylorsfirearms.com/index.tpl
Mine is Stainless in .45 Colt with a 4 3/4 barrel
Shoots great and I love it. Best of all Taylor is in Winchestor Va, I live close to them and they have a full time gun smith (I stop in to see all their collection and met him)
Right after buying it I got into the idea I NEED a Birdshead so I bought an older birdshead Vaquero
The older Vaquero is a big frame gun. I was thinking I needed the stronger frame for +p rounds. But only shoot for fun. So any of the others would have worked.
Uberti
Cimmaron Doc Holliday
I want a Schofield, Top Break Revolver. In 3:10 to Yuma Charlie Prince carried two
watch the video
http://www.uberti.com/video/index.php
http://www.taylorsfirearms.com/index.tpl
Mine is Stainless in .45 Colt with a 4 3/4 barrel
Shoots great and I love it. Best of all Taylor is in Winchestor Va, I live close to them and they have a full time gun smith (I stop in to see all their collection and met him)
Right after buying it I got into the idea I NEED a Birdshead so I bought an older birdshead Vaquero
The older Vaquero is a big frame gun. I was thinking I needed the stronger frame for +p rounds. But only shoot for fun. So any of the others would have worked.
Uberti
Cimmaron Doc Holliday
I want a Schofield, Top Break Revolver. In 3:10 to Yuma Charlie Prince carried two
watch the video
http://www.uberti.com/video/index.php
The Vaquero is in an El Paso Holster. I like it for carry, under a long shirt it conceals easily.
My primary Conceal Carry gun is a 1911.
But, Uberti makes a great gun, is used for competitions so it can hold up to a lot of shooting.
The reason i bought it was I was deciding between the Uberti and a ruger. I called a friend who had the Ruger. When I said it has "Patent 1873" on the side just like the origional, he said that added to the coolness. So I bought it.
the ruger is a great gun, but it is a Blackhawk that looks like an 1873 revolver. Now that only means that its a modern solid gun that looks like a 1873. But great solid gun.
My primary Conceal Carry gun is a 1911.
But, Uberti makes a great gun, is used for competitions so it can hold up to a lot of shooting.
The reason i bought it was I was deciding between the Uberti and a ruger. I called a friend who had the Ruger. When I said it has "Patent 1873" on the side just like the origional, he said that added to the coolness. So I bought it.
the ruger is a great gun, but it is a Blackhawk that looks like an 1873 revolver. Now that only means that its a modern solid gun that looks like a 1873. But great solid gun.
DocCasualty
Member
I have a Cimarron Thunderer in .44Spl and consider it a quality revolver.
Also the "old" Ruger Vaquero in .44Mag. It's a great revolver but as noted previously, a little larger than a Peacemaker.
It's a little tight in a Colt SAA holster but will break in with use. I just got this Texas Jack Uvalde rig for it a couple of months ago.
Also the "old" Ruger Vaquero in .44Mag. It's a great revolver but as noted previously, a little larger than a Peacemaker.
It's a little tight in a Colt SAA holster but will break in with use. I just got this Texas Jack Uvalde rig for it a couple of months ago.
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dogspit
Member
Vaquero 44 Magnum
FLOATS LIKE A BUTTERFLY BUT STINGS LIKE A BEE!
FLOATS LIKE A BUTTERFLY BUT STINGS LIKE A BEE!
Red Cent
Member
USFA makes nice guns but watch out for quality problems lately. Also they make changes to guns that are not noted and updated on their web site. For example, go look at the pictures of the Custer Battlefield model and notice the rustic metal finish -- except they've changed production to a smooth gray "antique" finish that's nothing like the pictures on the web site. Just beware.
If you want .357 I would go with the Ruger New Vaquero in 4 5/8".
Very handy gun, impressively well built with exacting dimensions based on the two I had. Not a true "clone" but externally similar. It has a light, crisp trigger and frankly I could find no compelling reasons to want to make any alterations/improvements to the gun. Sights were excellent, actually.
I did a poll here a few months back on favorite barrel length and the hands-down winner was 4 3/4" (or 5/8" of the Ruger). I agree from my experience. A 5.5" would dampen magnum recoil a little better, but the 4 5/8" will carry more easily and point/handle better.
Very handy gun, impressively well built with exacting dimensions based on the two I had. Not a true "clone" but externally similar. It has a light, crisp trigger and frankly I could find no compelling reasons to want to make any alterations/improvements to the gun. Sights were excellent, actually.
I did a poll here a few months back on favorite barrel length and the hands-down winner was 4 3/4" (or 5/8" of the Ruger). I agree from my experience. A 5.5" would dampen magnum recoil a little better, but the 4 5/8" will carry more easily and point/handle better.
Buck Snort
Member
I'm gett'n the hots for a USFA 45 Colt with the patina finish. As a matter if fact, I'll just go down next week and order one, it ain't like I can't afford it.
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