The Best Workaday SAA Clone under $500?

[Cosmoline]

I'm starting to think about getting back into SAA's, but have zero interest in a fancy Colt or a tricked up CAS piece. This would be for field use and would have to be able to cope with at least periodic shooting of +p loads. I had an Uberti long ago and loved it, though the main spring broke too often and I would have prefered a Ruger style coil spring or a tougher traditional bent spring.

I've seen AWA's products and they look nice. Other than that I'm in the dark. Is there an Italian job that's better than the others? Another AMerican outfit I should consider?

Thankee for all advice.

 

[FPrice]

Ruger

I have three Ruger SAA and like them. They are strong and more accurate than I am.

The only problem I have with them is with loading/unloading. If you turn the cylinder just a little too far in the loading or unloading process it locks and you cannot turn it backwards to load or unload that charge hole. But other than that I have no complaints.

 

[Jim March]

FPrice: what you complain about can be fixed for $35 via the Power Custom free-spin pawl, complete with decent (or so I've heard) instructions on installation.

Budget another $20 for good screwdrivers if you don't have same already.

 

[MrAcheson]

If you are going to shoot +P, you do not want a true SAA. You want a Ruger which is built bigger and stronger. Likewise the Ruger is more dependable for a field gun.

Shooting +P in an original or reproduction SAA is a good way to lose fingers. They aren't meant for it. Elmer Keith developed .44 special because he blew up too many guns with hot handloads of .45 colt. Keep that in mind.

 

[FPrice]

Jim March...

"FPrice: what you complain about can be fixed for $35 via the Power Custom free-spin pawl, complete with decent (or so I've heard) instructions on installation."

I have heard about it...just have not had time to order one (or more). I need to get moving and retire so I can have time for such things.

 

[Cosmoline]

Well I love the big Ruger Vaqueros, and I've owned one, but they are very far from being SAA clones. They're about twice the weight and have a very different feel, balance and design. Only the general outline and the fact that they're single action are the same.

I'm talking specifically about CLONES, as in those using something very close to the Colt patents. I want to get one as a knockaround truck/trail gun, but there's no way I'm lugging another Ruger Vaquero brick around.

Keith's loads were near .454 Casull levels. The man was truly out of control back in the '20's. Just pouring smokeless powder in there and seeing what would happen. So +P .45 Colts are not the same as Keith's explosive devices, thankfully. I recall that AWA clones were OK to take standard +p, but I'm not sure where I read it.

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

Heavy Hitters responding

It seems all the responders to this topic have been on the list a long time and if the original Colts are too expensive and the Rugers are not deemed suitable then fellows with a lot of experience tell us what the options are regarding acceptable SAA clones.

I really liked my 1950's Ruger .357 Blackhawk.

Paul
Fitz Pistol Grips
Retired and loving it

 

[Jim March]

The early Ruger 357s were indeed "pretty close to an SAA" in heft, although not a perfect clone. The earliest "XR3" grip frame up through about 1963(?) or so is almost identical to the Colt SAA grip size.

The USFAs are "true clones" with at least some parts intercompatibility. Sort of like how various 1911s are similar without being quite identical. Then there's the Italians. Search this Revolver forum for extensive discussions of the USFAs.

The Freedom Arms "97" size frame isn't an "SAA clone" but is closer at least in terms of size and heft than a moder Ruger. Grip is a bit different though.

Power Custom has a Colt SAA-size-and-shape grip frame for Rugers! It's $200. That and a "weight loss program", shaving some metal as is done by Gary Reeder on the "Backpacker":

http://www.reedercustomguns.com/revolvers/45backpacker.htm

That's a 28oz, 4" barrel custom Vaquero folks. Done with a Power Custom steel SAA-size frame you'll hit 32 - 33oz at the MOST, probably closer to 31. Puts you right into the SAA's size class. The mods Gary does do not reduce strength; he advises avoiding 44Mag-class loads only because the gun is so light, recoil is nuts; a steel SAA-size grip frame would help there.

Mind you, such a project of turning a Ruger "into a Colt SAA" in terms of feel would put you almost into the SAA's price range .

But WOW would you ever have a nice (stainless if you want!) gun.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

ive got a cimmeron arms thunderer and its a nice gun but the nicest clones are the usfa guns you should be able to pick up a nice used rodeo for that amount.

 

[ruger357]

Another vote for Ruger.

 

[George Tucker]

Loyd is correct, i have 2 Rodeos, like them both, George.

 

[J Miller]

If you were going to stick with pressures not exceeding the .45ACP level, I'd vote for a clone or a USFA.

Otherwise I'd recomend a Blackhawk with the aluminum grip frame.
To get around Rugers design defect of no half cock notch I'd install a Power Custom hammer and trigger kit. Yes it's more expensive than the freespin pawl, but it corrects a problem design instead of hiding it.

Joe

 

[tc300mag1]

Go for the ruger

 

[Stainz]

My dealer quoted me just less than your $500 for a USFA matte black finish .45 Colt Rodeo, actually made in the old Colt factory's 'blue dome' in Hartford. I don't care that much for the SAA, but I'd have a Rodeo first, as their fit and operation is far superior to their utilitarian finish.

I highly reccomend the Rugers for strength, etc. The limited production SS 5.5" Bisley Blackhawk in .45 Colt, an AccuSport dealer's special, is available again... my dealer just got in one for resale at $409. I have had mine for a couple of years now - it is super, albeit a tad heavy. You can launch spent U fuel pellets with it, too. Try that Bisley handle first... some prefer the standard Blackhawk - or, even the Bird's Head Grip.

If you like that rounded BHG, it does kind of just roll in your hand under recoil, I think CDNN still has the no-longer-catalogged 4.6" SS Vaquero .45 Colt BHG with black Micarta grips for ~$360 + S/H. I added a Bisley hammer, requiring a bit of grinding on non-bearing surfaces, and a free-spin pawl, both from Brownell's, to round out my BHG last fall. It is a great plinker anyone can shoot as it just rolls. It started a trend... I ordered a .357M twin from my dealer (~$439) - and even re-gripframed a new 4.6" SBH to match! Neat grip... addictive - but not for hot rounds. That Bisley - or SBH - hammer is a boon to one-handed operation.

Stainz

 

[Stainz]

My dealer quoted me just less than your $500 for a USFA matte black finish .45 Colt Rodeo, actually made in the old Colt factory's 'blue dome' in Hartford. I don't care that much for the SAA, but I'd have a Rodeo first, as their fit and operation is far superior to their utilitarian finish.

I highly reccomend the Rugers for strength, etc. The limited production SS 5.5" Bisley Blackhawk in .45 Colt, an AccuSport dealer's special, is available again... my dealer just got in one for resale at $409. I have had mine for a couple of years now - it is super, albeit a tad heavy. You can launch spent U fuel pellets with it, too. Try that Bisley handle first... some prefer the standard Blackhawk - or, even the Bird's Head Grip.

If you like that rounded BHG, it does kind of just roll in your hand under recoil, I think CDNN still has the no-longer-catalogged 4.6" SS Vaquero .45 Colt BHG with black Micarta grips for ~$360 + S/H. I added a Bisley hammer, requiring a bit of grinding on non-bearing surfaces, and a free-spin pawl, both from Brownell's, to round out my BHG last fall. It is a great plinker anyone can shoot as it just rolls. It started a trend... I ordered a .357M twin from my dealer (~$439) - and even re-gripframed a new 4.6" SBH to match! Neat grip... addictive - but not for hot rounds. That Bisley - or SBH - hammer is a boon to one-handed operation.

Stainz

 

[Stainz]

My dealer quoted me just less than your $500 for a USFA matte black finish .45 Colt Rodeo, actually made in the old Colt factory's 'blue dome' in Hartford. I don't care that much for the SAA, but I'd have a Rodeo first, as their fit and operation is far superior to their utilitarian finish.

I highly reccomend the Rugers for strength, etc. The limited production SS 5.5" Bisley Blackhawk in .45 Colt, an AccuSport dealer's special, is available again... my dealer just got in one for resale at $409. I have had mine for a couple of years now - it is super, albeit a tad heavy. You can launch spent U fuel pellets with it, too. Try that Bisley handle first... some prefer the standard Blackhawk - or, even the Bird's Head Grip.

If you like that rounded BHG, it does kind of just roll in your hand under recoil, I think CDNN still has the no-longer-catalogged 4.6" SS Vaquero .45 Colt BHG with black Micarta grips for ~$360 + S/H. I added a Bisley hammer, requiring a bit of grinding on non-bearing surfaces, and a free-spin pawl, both from Brownell's, to round out my BHG last fall. It is a great plinker anyone can shoot as it just rolls. It started a trend... I ordered a .357M twin from my dealer (~$439) - and even re-gripframed a new 4.6" SBH to match! Neat grip... addictive - but not for hot rounds. That Bisley - or SBH - hammer is a boon to one-handed operation.

Stainz