Will the Real Colt Please Stand-Up?

[Leaky Waders]

Hi...I'm narrowing my choices down for a Single Action revolver. I thought I wanted a Colt SAA. Then, I did some searches and read about the USFA Single Actions...now I'm confused.

What is a present day, new in box 3rd Generation Colt? I mean is it a custom gun? Is it really made by Colt? Or is it some German company w/ Colt logo rights?

What is the USFA Single Action? Is it a Colt? (Their web site is colt-firearms.com) Made by Colt workers in the old Colt factory minus the horse?

Are old Colt and present day USFA parts interchangeable?

If I were to give the gun to my son some day 20 years from now...would he say "Oh great a 3rd generation Colt!" if I purchased the pony...or would he say "Oh great some knock-off USFA edsel-like clone..." depending which I purchased.

Thanks for the input,
-LW

 

[Standing Wolf]

It's my understanding Colt is still making a few single action revolvers at exorbitant prices.

U.S. Firearms (http://www.usfirearms.com/home2.htm) is an entirely separate company that's located in what used to be Colt's headquarters. I've heard good things about its single action revolvers, but haven't ever seen one.

 

[Jim K]

I thought the matte blue on the USFA Rodeo was so neat, I bought two of them, for far less than the cost of a Colt SAA. AFAIK, Colt is making the SAA in their custom shop and they are running in the $1500 neighborhood.

At that time, the Rodeo was selling for $500, a real bargain. Yes, they are a true copy (other than the finish) of the old Colt and parts interchange.

Jim

 

[Leaky Waders]

I think I have decided on the Colt...my wife has given me the green light.

Today, I spoke w/ an old exhibition shooter over the phone - a very nice man by the way. He has 3 second generation Colts that he is going to let me handle.

He prefers a 5 1/2 inch barrel stating that it's best balanced...'a 7 1/2 inch is too barrel heavy and a 4 3/4's is too butt heavy.'

Who knows...maybe he'll like me and let me purchase one of his...

As it stands (unless this old cowboy really hooks me up) I plan on purchasing new from a well respected dealer in town; however, the dealer must order from the wholesaler, so I won't be able to handle the gun prior to purchase...I hate that.

I prefered the looks of the 4 3/4 but haven't been able to actually handle one yet.

There is another shop in town that carries both pistols (the 5 1/2 and 4 3/4) for like $250 more than the out the door price of the dealer working w/ me. I don't really want to handle there Colts though knowing that I'm not going to purchase from them due to the price differences.

I've handled some Rugers in between posts to get the feel...what barrel length do you guys recommend?

-LW

PS Do you guys and gals recommend any specific holster manufacturers?

 

[Fel]

Buy the Colt, you will be glad you did. Good prices on new ones can be found. New in the box in all available calibers, finishes, and barrel lengths. Prices are what the market will bear, but are usually in the $1250-$1750 range for new, current production.

Mine is the basic in .45 Colt, 4-3/4, blue/cch. Daily carry both open and CCW.

 

[Leaky Waders]

OK...what caliber to get?

So far I'm 100 dollars off from the pistol I want...I can get a nib colt saa for 1278 out the door. I'll have the money next week and am ready to order.

Up to this time I was going for 45 long colt - basically because that was the only cartridge offered for a non-reloader (they did offer 44-40 but thats a rare bird that I dont want to get involved with...)

But, after just visiting their (Colt's) website...they are now offering (reoffering?) the peacemaker in .357. This sounds good to me, I mean you can buy 38's from walmart and shoot all day, versus going to a gun store and paying top dollar for 45 long colt.

Either way the pistol will just be a plinker/expensive toy with the remote possibility of carrying for a coup de grace in rare hunting escapades...which caliber do you guys prefer? The 45 seems traditional...the 38/357 is very lucrative cause of accessibility...

Which cartridge would you get if you were buying now and were in my predicament?

L.W.

 

[Bullet Bob]

Colt SAA

Traditionalists will tell you to go .45; I had a .357 and that was one accurate fixed sight gun - shot right to the point of aim, too.
I sold it because I just don't like single-action grips for centerfires.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Which cartridge would you get if you were buying now and were in my predicament?

One of each, obviously!

 

[Leaky Waders]

update on my saga...

Thanks for your input everyone....I have looked handled and shopped the single action circuit for a little while now.

The old fast draw action shooter here in town was very helpful letting me handle his sixshooters and giving me his honest opinions.

So, taking everything into account I decided against a colt or a clone saa. I just couldnt part w/ 1300 dollars for a colt when i could get another revolover like it for 1/2 - 1/4 as much. I guess I'm not the cowboy I thought I was. Maybe later....

Instead i purchased a NIB model 686..yeah the one w/ the mim parts and goofy little lock. It was a little pricey too...like 480'ish before taxes but I'm happy and that's what counts. What finally sold me on it was the sweet single action trigger pull - it is really awesome from the factory! The double action is heavy though (it seems, I'm going to scale it later and see what it really weighs).

Anyways I really appreciate you guys advice.

Thanks,
L.W.