Where to get a FIRING replica of a Colt Peacemaker?
- Thread starter BLSBoy
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SharpsDressedMan
member
There must be at least 10 different brands of NON COlt Single Action Army revolvers.
Try 'Gunbroker' and use the term SAA for your search.
ASM, Jager, Uberti, and many others have made very good present day renditions of the Peacemaker which are of course for-real and earnest 'Guns' in every respect....as well as that Colt had resumed making them.
ASM, Jager, Uberti, and many others have made very good present day renditions of the Peacemaker which are of course for-real and earnest 'Guns' in every respect....as well as that Colt had resumed making them.
dfariswheel
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There are plenty of Single Actions available, limited only on how much you can spend.
At the top is the genuine Colt.
Colt still makes the Single Action Army in Hartford.
They offer a number of calibers, barrel lengths, and finishes. They will also custom build you a SAA to your specifications, limited only by how much money you have.
Colt's are expensive, but they're worth more than any other if you ever sell it.
http://www.coltsmfg.com/
Next on the quality list is USFA. They assemble very good quality guns but the top quality models cost almost as much as the Colt, and don't have the value of the Colt. The do sell several "budget" versions that have lesser grade finishes.
http://www.usfirearms.com/
Of the foreign made SAA's, the best are made in Italy by Uberti and imported into the US by Uberti themselves and a number of importers under their own names.
Uberti will "flex" the finish quality for an importer according to what price point they want to sell at.
You'd have to compare the slightly lesser quality finish gun to the top quality to see the difference.
The top quality versions are sold by Uberti, Cimarron, and Navy Arms:
http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/default.htm
http://www.navyarms.com/
http://www.uberti.com/
The lesser quality guns are sold by importers like EMF and Dixie Arms. These companies also sell Italian replicas made by other companies. These guns sell for much less and are of lesser quality:
http://www.emf-company.com/
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/
At the top is the genuine Colt.
Colt still makes the Single Action Army in Hartford.
They offer a number of calibers, barrel lengths, and finishes. They will also custom build you a SAA to your specifications, limited only by how much money you have.
Colt's are expensive, but they're worth more than any other if you ever sell it.
http://www.coltsmfg.com/
Next on the quality list is USFA. They assemble very good quality guns but the top quality models cost almost as much as the Colt, and don't have the value of the Colt. The do sell several "budget" versions that have lesser grade finishes.
http://www.usfirearms.com/
Of the foreign made SAA's, the best are made in Italy by Uberti and imported into the US by Uberti themselves and a number of importers under their own names.
Uberti will "flex" the finish quality for an importer according to what price point they want to sell at.
You'd have to compare the slightly lesser quality finish gun to the top quality to see the difference.
The top quality versions are sold by Uberti, Cimarron, and Navy Arms:
http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/default.htm
http://www.navyarms.com/
http://www.uberti.com/
The lesser quality guns are sold by importers like EMF and Dixie Arms. These companies also sell Italian replicas made by other companies. These guns sell for much less and are of lesser quality:
http://www.emf-company.com/
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/
black_powder_Rob
Member
don't forget about Taylor's firearms.
Buck Snort
Member
dfariswheel wrote: "At the top is the genuine Colt."
You might want to take a real close look at a USFA gun. Can you tell us specifically what makes the Colt a better gun than the USFA (except for the pony on the grip)?
You might want to take a real close look at a USFA gun. Can you tell us specifically what makes the Colt a better gun than the USFA (except for the pony on the grip)?
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I agree. USAF makes a better Colt than Colt does...
garyhan
Member
I can personally vouch for the Uberti Cattleman as a great gun, both durable and accurate at a great price. Purely anecdotal, but Cowboy competitors have told me curret Colts do not hold up well in heavy usage.
gary
gary
Lucky Derby
Member
If the name matters, Colt is still making them.
For the best made replica, better than the real Colt in fact, US Firearms.
For a more reasonbly priced, but still decent, replica any made by Uberti-They are sold under several different names but are the same gun with different levels of finish.
Ruger Vaguero is the stongest if hot loads are the order of the day, but it is not a true clone.
Ruger New Vaquero is not for the hot loads, but is closer to a real Colt in size and feel, however it does not function in the same manner as a Colt.
For the best made replica, better than the real Colt in fact, US Firearms.
For a more reasonbly priced, but still decent, replica any made by Uberti-They are sold under several different names but are the same gun with different levels of finish.
Ruger Vaguero is the stongest if hot loads are the order of the day, but it is not a true clone.
Ruger New Vaquero is not for the hot loads, but is closer to a real Colt in size and feel, however it does not function in the same manner as a Colt.
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CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I agree that the USFA is a better SAA than Colt has ever been. They are simply better made sixguns. Far superior fit & finish, tighter tolerances, proper dimensions (Colt still oversizes .45 chambers) and hands down more options. The USFA model that is closest in finish level, but still superior to Colt, is about $400 less at $750. The Pre-War is their top of the line model and equals the Colt in price but features a finish unavailable from Colt since WWII. USFA and Turnbull (who does USFA's finish work) is the only outlet for a factory sixgun with the carbona bluing of old. A vastly superior sixgun and a much better value. Beauty is not only skin-deep. USFA are as finely fitted and finished on the inside as they are on the outside. So precisely made that they almost put themselves back together, no fiddling with the screws to get the grip frame-to-receiver fit just right.
The resale value argument is oft-repeated myth. Shoot a gun, any gun and it will decrease in value. Whether it's USFA or Colt. A modern Colt that has been shot fares no better on the used market than a USFA.
Uberti also makes an excellent SAA copy at a fraction of the price. Not as nice as a Colt but we don't expect them to be at $400-$500. They are very good sixguns and are marketed through several different importers including Cimarron, Dixie Gun Works and Taylor's.
Colt has made major improvements to their SAA production in recent years. The new guns are much, much better than their previous 3rd generation counterparts.
The resale value argument is oft-repeated myth. Shoot a gun, any gun and it will decrease in value. Whether it's USFA or Colt. A modern Colt that has been shot fares no better on the used market than a USFA.
Uberti also makes an excellent SAA copy at a fraction of the price. Not as nice as a Colt but we don't expect them to be at $400-$500. They are very good sixguns and are marketed through several different importers including Cimarron, Dixie Gun Works and Taylor's.
Colt has made major improvements to their SAA production in recent years. The new guns are much, much better than their previous 3rd generation counterparts.
Hondo 60
Member
Ruger makes several very nice SA guns, Blackhawks & Vaqueros.
The Blackhawks are built like a tank - they can withstand pressures that Colts can only dream about.
Hodgdon (a powder mfg) even has 45 Colt data for "Ruger, Freedom Arms & T/C only"
Use of these rounds in any other gun is absolutely dangerous.
The Blackhawks are built like a tank - they can withstand pressures that Colts can only dream about.
Hodgdon (a powder mfg) even has 45 Colt data for "Ruger, Freedom Arms & T/C only"
Use of these rounds in any other gun is absolutely dangerous.
Lucky Derby
Member
When looking you will find that using the term SAA (for Single Action Army) will yield better results than the term "Peacemaker". SAA is the real name. Peacemaker is a nick name.
1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
If you want a single-action revolver that's almost like a genuine Colt, and you plan to put it to hard use...Look at Ruger's New Vaquero. Available in .357 Magnum and .45 Colt calibers. The NV is very close, albeit a couple ounces heavier, but is durable and strong.
Note that the .45 New Vaquero is not recommended for use with handloaded or commercial snot-knocker ammo. The .357 model is proofed for any SAAMI standard cartridge.
If you want a true clone that functions like the original right down to following the "Hammer down on an Empty Chamber" dictum...The USFA is as good as it gets. Many insiders consider it to be a better revolver than a Colt, and the Rodeo Model is at an attractive price. If you're a fan of the 1873 SAA, and you haven't handled a USFA...you don't know what you're missing.
Stepping down a rung or two gets you an Italian revolver. I have three Uberti/Cimarrons
and I like them a lot...but I don't shoot them as hard as I do the Rugers. With any 1st or 2nd Generation Colt or Uberti revolver...avoid fast/hard cocking unless the gun hammer stops at precisely the same instant that the cylinder stop bolt locks the cylinder into battery...or it's had a positive hammer stop installed. If the hammer continues to move after the cylinder locks, slamming it back forcefully will grind the hand and ratchet to gobbits fairly quickly. Be gentle with it, and you'll likely never have a problem.
If you do plan to use it hard and fast...as in CAS competition...the hammer stop is a fairly inexpensive modification that's well worth the money spent.
If you simply want a single-action revolver that handles pretty much like the originals and will take about anything you can throw at it...Ruger Blackhawk. Brute strong and enduring, with adjustable, Hi-Viz sights, and available in many calibers and barrel lengths, including two convertible models. .357/9mm and .45 Colt/.45 ACP. If I had to choose a single-action revolver to do me for the rest of my life...it would be a Blackhawk. 4.625 inch/.41 Magnum, please.
If you want the strength of a Blackhawk with more traditional looks...the original Vaquero is still around in decent numbers.
Note that the .45 New Vaquero is not recommended for use with handloaded or commercial snot-knocker ammo. The .357 model is proofed for any SAAMI standard cartridge.
If you want a true clone that functions like the original right down to following the "Hammer down on an Empty Chamber" dictum...The USFA is as good as it gets. Many insiders consider it to be a better revolver than a Colt, and the Rodeo Model is at an attractive price. If you're a fan of the 1873 SAA, and you haven't handled a USFA...you don't know what you're missing.
Stepping down a rung or two gets you an Italian revolver. I have three Uberti/Cimarrons
and I like them a lot...but I don't shoot them as hard as I do the Rugers. With any 1st or 2nd Generation Colt or Uberti revolver...avoid fast/hard cocking unless the gun hammer stops at precisely the same instant that the cylinder stop bolt locks the cylinder into battery...or it's had a positive hammer stop installed. If the hammer continues to move after the cylinder locks, slamming it back forcefully will grind the hand and ratchet to gobbits fairly quickly. Be gentle with it, and you'll likely never have a problem.
If you do plan to use it hard and fast...as in CAS competition...the hammer stop is a fairly inexpensive modification that's well worth the money spent.
If you simply want a single-action revolver that handles pretty much like the originals and will take about anything you can throw at it...Ruger Blackhawk. Brute strong and enduring, with adjustable, Hi-Viz sights, and available in many calibers and barrel lengths, including two convertible models. .357/9mm and .45 Colt/.45 ACP. If I had to choose a single-action revolver to do me for the rest of my life...it would be a Blackhawk. 4.625 inch/.41 Magnum, please.
If you want the strength of a Blackhawk with more traditional looks...the original Vaquero is still around in decent numbers.
Red Cent
Member
I need, for safety, to make sure of something.
The first center fire Ruger single actions were the (1st gen) Ruger Blackhawks built in a way that we call them flattops. They later made the "eared" Ruger Blackhawk and discontinued the flattops. Both are also referred to as "three screw" models. These pistols will not handle the "for Ruger only" loads.
Later, to ride the cowboy wave, Ruger produced the Vaquero (fixed sights, looks like a Colt) and the Blackhawk. These pistols are about 10% scaled up models of the first Ruger SAs and the Colt and its clones. They are tanks.These guns WILL handle Ruger only loads. These are the 2nd gen Blackhawks and 1st gen Vaqueros.
Again, to appeal to the cowboys and others, Ruger produced the NM Vaquero and NM Blackhawk. They went back to the size of the Colt on these two guns. These are 2nd gen Vaqueros and 3rd gen Blackhawks. These WILL NOT handle Ruger only loads.
The 1st gen Blackhawks function like a Colt. Four clicks, half cock, open the loading gate hammer down or on halfcock. The 1st gen Vaqueros has the transfer bar safety and no half cock. Nor any of the other same models and later models.
They are well made and lend themselves to being tricked out for competition or for the discerning pistolero.
The first center fire Ruger single actions were the (1st gen) Ruger Blackhawks built in a way that we call them flattops. They later made the "eared" Ruger Blackhawk and discontinued the flattops. Both are also referred to as "three screw" models. These pistols will not handle the "for Ruger only" loads.
Later, to ride the cowboy wave, Ruger produced the Vaquero (fixed sights, looks like a Colt) and the Blackhawk. These pistols are about 10% scaled up models of the first Ruger SAs and the Colt and its clones. They are tanks.These guns WILL handle Ruger only loads. These are the 2nd gen Blackhawks and 1st gen Vaqueros.
Again, to appeal to the cowboys and others, Ruger produced the NM Vaquero and NM Blackhawk. They went back to the size of the Colt on these two guns. These are 2nd gen Vaqueros and 3rd gen Blackhawks. These WILL NOT handle Ruger only loads.
The 1st gen Blackhawks function like a Colt. Four clicks, half cock, open the loading gate hammer down or on halfcock. The 1st gen Vaqueros has the transfer bar safety and no half cock. Nor any of the other same models and later models.
They are well made and lend themselves to being tricked out for competition or for the discerning pistolero.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Some misinformation there. Nobody refers to Ruger single action production changes as "generations" so it would be best not to include this terminology to add to what is already a difficult lineage to understand.
The first Blackhawk was the .357 "flat-top" introduced in 1955. This sixgun sported a Colt SAA-sized frame. It was continued in this frame size when the top strap was changed to what we refer to as the "eared" models in 1962.
The second Blackhawk was the .44Mag "flat-top" introduced in 1956. This model sported the same Colt-sized grip but an enlarged receiver to handle the .44Mag cartridge. These guns were discontinued in 1962.
In 1959 the Super Blackhawk .44Mag was introduced featuring the same size receiver as the flat-top but with a longer, all steel grip frame with square-backed trigger guard and the "ears" around the rear sight.
Later, Blackhawks were introduced in .30M1 Carbine, .41Mag and .45Colt. All these guns were produced on the large, Super Blackhawk sized frame. Up to this point, only the .357 was built on a smaller frame.
The entire single action line received a major redesign with a transfer bar action and the New Model Blackhawk, Super Blackhawk and Single Six were introduced in 1973. Thus, Ruger begins referring to all pre-`73 single actions as "Old Models".
In New Model production, all Blackhawks (.30M1, .32H&R/.32-20, .357/9mm, .38-40/10mm, .41Mag, .44Mag/.44-40 and .45Colt/.45ACP) are built on the same large frame from 1973 to present. Exceptions noted below, read on.
The Vaquero was introduced in 1992 as a fixed sight version of the Blackhawk and again, on the large frame.
In 2005, Ruger phased out the large frame Vaquero in favor of a new mid-frame New Vaquero. They also introduced a new mid-frame .357 Blackhawk for its 50th anniversary.
Ruger has also made use of this new mid-frame Blackhawk platform for its new .44Spl's. Ruger has also introduced a New Vaquero in .44Spl but mismarked them with simply "Vaquero".
So, to date, ALL .45Colt Blackhawks, New and Old Model, can handle "Ruger only" loads. The New Vaquero .45 is the only Ruger .45 that can NOT handle these loads.
The first Blackhawk was the .357 "flat-top" introduced in 1955. This sixgun sported a Colt SAA-sized frame. It was continued in this frame size when the top strap was changed to what we refer to as the "eared" models in 1962.
The second Blackhawk was the .44Mag "flat-top" introduced in 1956. This model sported the same Colt-sized grip but an enlarged receiver to handle the .44Mag cartridge. These guns were discontinued in 1962.
In 1959 the Super Blackhawk .44Mag was introduced featuring the same size receiver as the flat-top but with a longer, all steel grip frame with square-backed trigger guard and the "ears" around the rear sight.
Later, Blackhawks were introduced in .30M1 Carbine, .41Mag and .45Colt. All these guns were produced on the large, Super Blackhawk sized frame. Up to this point, only the .357 was built on a smaller frame.
The entire single action line received a major redesign with a transfer bar action and the New Model Blackhawk, Super Blackhawk and Single Six were introduced in 1973. Thus, Ruger begins referring to all pre-`73 single actions as "Old Models".
In New Model production, all Blackhawks (.30M1, .32H&R/.32-20, .357/9mm, .38-40/10mm, .41Mag, .44Mag/.44-40 and .45Colt/.45ACP) are built on the same large frame from 1973 to present. Exceptions noted below, read on.
The Vaquero was introduced in 1992 as a fixed sight version of the Blackhawk and again, on the large frame.
In 2005, Ruger phased out the large frame Vaquero in favor of a new mid-frame New Vaquero. They also introduced a new mid-frame .357 Blackhawk for its 50th anniversary.
Ruger has also made use of this new mid-frame Blackhawk platform for its new .44Spl's. Ruger has also introduced a New Vaquero in .44Spl but mismarked them with simply "Vaquero".
So, to date, ALL .45Colt Blackhawks, New and Old Model, can handle "Ruger only" loads. The New Vaquero .45 is the only Ruger .45 that can NOT handle these loads.
goodtime
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