Thinking about getting a COLT Single Action Army

[BenKenobi2]

Hey there ODT,

I have been longing for a real COLT SAA since I sold my peacemaker 22 back in college when I needed cash. I know they are hard to come by brand new in the box but I ran into one at my LGS today. It is a 45 colt SAA, not sure the barrel length but it is gorgeous. REAL case hardened receiver and its no replica. Unfortunately its 1900.00 price tag is the only thing holding me back. I also have never shot 45 colt so I don't know how much I will like shooting it. I've seen some get issued in 357 mag which I would prefer but the 45 colt is the original cowboy round.

If you guys had the cash, would you grab one up right away?
I am a BIG AR guy and I notice Colt's QC has been dwindling down. Is this the same case for their revolver line?

I picked it up and it felt real nice in the hands. I was not allow to turn the cylinder or bring back the hammer so I can't really tell how good the action is or whether or not it is worth 1900 or not.

What are your thoughts? Get it or no?

 

[Glorfindel]

45 Colt is a fun round. You cant shoot any hot loads out of a SAA tho. And you should only load 5.

 

[tas6691]

Get the 45 over the 357. The firing pin can cause issues with full 357 primers and lock the gun up. Grab on of the Uberti replicas on here cheap and see if you really like it first. If so one of the dealers here is advertising 1700 on new Colt SAA's. Stick with blue cardboard box Colt's too. Those are the best of the late 3rd gen(some consider them 4th gen) pistols.


https://www.theoutdoorstrader.com/t...w-1799-several-in-stock.2057022/#post-9665615

Ooops, 1799 and stay away from 357

 

[TheGman]

When I was a teenager a neighbor bought a new SAA 45 long. It was an amazing shooter just magic somehow. $325 in @ 1978

 

[DCV]

Shooting 45 Colt in a SAA is not unpleasant by any stretch. I`ve shot standard pressure smokeless powder loads under a hard cast 255gr. Keith style semi wad cutter and a black powder load with the proper weight and style lead bullet and powder charge that duplicated the original gov`t load.
These are big bore revolver rounds but very easy on the shooter and the revolver. You`ll be surprised at the accuracy that is inherent in the 45 Colt cartridge.

I`ve looked at Colt SAA prices and $1900.00 isn`t such a terrible price, plus you have the revolver in front of you to inspect before purchase, rather than ordering one sight unseen.

The only negative is Colt`s quality control, I`ve heard recently that it is hit or miss. And I can recall even from years ago hearing that you really don`t want to deal with Colt on a repair issue. I read on another website that someone related just having bought a consecutive serial numbered pair of SAA revolvers and one was perfect and the other had some fairly significant timing issues. Per the poster Colt customer service was unwilling to take it back to inspect and or repair.

If you need any work or tweaking done there are several top notch SAA gunsmiths in the country who are reported to do very good work so you do have that as an option.
You may have a SAA perfect out the box or it may require additional expense to have it tuned.

If this is a something you`ve had your heart set on I`d say go for it. LIfe`s short, enjoy it while it lasts.

 

[StuP]

I believe the SAA were / are produced through the custom shop, (at least at one time), and quality is supposed to be good ?

 

[gregar]

Case, 45 colt, SAA !!!
BUY IT and enjoy

 

[cmshoot]

I have a pair of real Colt SAA’s, both with 4.75” barrels, blued/case-hardened finishes, and in .45 Colt.

.45 Colt in a revolver of this heft is fun and pleasant to shoot. I use a handload of 7grns of Unique under a 250grn cast RNFP. That’s my old Cowboy Action load, shoots great out of the pictured Rossi ‘92 replica as well.

 

[BenKenobi2]

Shooting 45 Colt in a SAA is not unpleasant by any stretch. I`ve shot standard pressure smokeless powder loads under a hard cast 255gr. Keith style semi wad cutter and a black powder load with the proper weight and style lead bullet and powder charge that duplicated the original gov`t load.
These are big bore revolver rounds but very easy on the shooter and the revolver. You`ll be surprised at the accuracy that is inherent in the 45 Colt cartridge.

I`ve looked at Colt SAA prices and $1900.00 isn`t such a terrible price, plus you have the revolver in front of you to inspect before purchase, rather than ordering one sight unseen.

The only negative is Colt`s quality control, I`ve heard recently that it is hit or miss. And I can recall even from years ago hearing that you really don`t want to deal with Colt on a repair issue. I read on another website that someone related just having bought a consecutive serial numbered pair of SAA revolvers and one was perfect and the other had some fairly significant timing issues. Per the poster Colt customer service was unwilling to take it back to inspect and or repair.

If you need any work or tweaking done there are several top notch SAA gunsmiths in the country who are reported to do very good work so you do have that as an option.
You may have a SAA perfect out the box or it may require additional expense to have it tuned.

If this is a something you`ve had your heart set on I`d say go for it. LIfe`s short, enjoy it while it lasts.

I'd hate to buy a near 2k revolver and it having timing issues right out of the box.

Are there things I should check for? I'm fairly new to revolvers.

 

[Gimmebackmybullets]

I have a 357 from 1980 with absolutely no issues. Ive even killed a couple bucks with it. Had a couple more in 45 and 357 that were virgin when I got em,and virgin when I sold em. Oh well. Hindsight... Honestly , for me it was a mental block at the time of purchase. I think I had a little cash that no one else knew I had.And maybe Young Guns might have been on the tube that week. Dont get me wrong. I love knowing I have one. But can I tell you the last time I shot it, well, give or take 5 years, maybe. But you can bet your ass I shoot my Rugers, and I shoot them a lot. And I continue to persue the Rugers I dont own, because I absoutely want one of every single action they make.Period. I just dont get that passionate about the ponies anymore.