What can you folks tell me about Colt SAA's

madmikeb · Aug 31, 2010

After 30+ years I have set my sights on one of my first non-Smith purchases. I'm moving from ME to AZ in about 5 years and I figure its about time I had a single action revolver. I have come across a Colt SAA, 7.5", in .44 special which is one of my favorite cartridges. It's an early third generation built in 1982, and its absolutely new in the box as in unturned! It has the blued barrel and cylinder with the case hardened frame and is simply stunning. It ain't cheap, $1195, but from what I can see in my research none of these SAA's are. What can you folks tell a diehard S&W double action revolver fan about these?
Thanks for your advice!

butchd · Aug 31, 2010

If you find a "shooter" it will probably be that price or higher. More desireable in .45 but I too am high on .44 Spec.

rimfired · Aug 31, 2010

Don't do it. You'll go blind.

Wyatt Burp · Aug 31, 2010

Your price is exactly in the current ballpark and you have seen it with your own eyes and like the quality of it. There was some sloppiness in assembly during that period but not all the time. My last three were .45's but I'm in the market for a .44 Special myself now. I had a couple from the early 80's and the quality was great but I sold them like a dummy. If you're moving to Az. you have to own a Colt SAA. It's the law! I bought a tuned up short .45 for a grand and the previous owner said the only time he shot it was with blanks in the streets of Tombstone during "Helldorado Days". You're about to buy a great gun in a most practical caliber. Here's that .45 I mentioned. I added the pearls.

Vulcan Bob · Aug 31, 2010

Man ya gotta get that one! I bought two third gen split SA serial number's in 45 Colt, 4 5/8 inch and 7 1/2 inch they have a few fitting issues but when fed the proper sized bullet's they both shoot to point of aim and are very accurate. One in 44 Special is on the list. Get it, shoot it!

DeadAye · Aug 31, 2010

???Buy it???
AZ --- SSA --- You have to ask?

I'd go for a .45 (personally) but .44 works too

ladder13 · Aug 31, 2010

Can't go wrong with either a 45lc or a 44 sp

Here's a Colt in 45

A USFA in 44 sp

feralmerril · Aug 31, 2010

What can I say?

WHO CARES · Aug 31, 2010

As you're noticing, some of the 3rd gens were not always Colt's best work.

Current manufacture (4th gen perhaps) seems to be as good as any Colt has built. The cowboy shooters tell me that the dimensions seem to be spot on but they don't offer the 44 specials! It's what has been stopping me from buying a new one. But they do have some interesting calibers like the 44-40 and 38-40 for example.

All seem to be priced about the same.

I have secretly coveted the USFA Flattop target in 44 Special but they seem to run another $500 over the Colt and that just don't make sense.

But for sure you should have a good SAA when living in the SW! Good luck.

Ward

therevjay · Aug 31, 2010

Some say the USFA's are actualy better then a Colt. Eh, possible. But if you ever want to sell it you will find (Like a Harley) the Colt will have held (or increased) it's value.

"No pony? It's a phoney!"

boykinlp · Aug 31, 2010

I have one and got some stags for it. Here is my Colt group picture:

BADSBSNF811 · Aug 31, 2010

The price is in the ballpark. Buy it, you won't regret it. My BBQ SAA.

madmikeb · Aug 31, 2010

Well I called and put a deposit on it today, but the gunshop that has it is about 150 miles from my home so it will be about two weeks before I can get down to pick it up. When I do if I can figure out how to post pics on here I'll put one up. One thing for sure though, it won't remained unturned and unfired for long!
Thanks for all your advice, I think I'll be pretty tickled with it.........

mm6mm6 · Sep 1, 2010

I'm glad to hear you bought it. I have a 5 1/2" .44 Special made in 1982. I bought it unturned as well. It is an accurate and reliable revolver. I have thousands of rounds through it shooting Cowboy Action Shooting matches. After a few years, I put custom springs in it (easy to do yourself) to lighten the action. I also sent the grip frame to Patrick Grashorn (Executioner) and he fit a set of his gorgeous American Elk handles (with Colt medallions) to it.

I've shot this gun so much that I've worn the blue off a bit on the front and rear of the grip and the muzzle is losing some blue from all the holster wear.

Anyone who says Colt didn't make terrific SAAs in 1982 sure is wrong, at least when it comes to my gun! I'm sure you'll love yours! .44 Special is the way to go and Skeeter would approve!

Wyatt Burp · Sep 1, 2010

mm6mm6 said:
I'm glad to hear you bought it. I have a 5 1/2" .44 Special made in 1982. I bought it unturned as well. It is an accurate and reliable revolver. I have thousands of rounds through it shooting Cowboy Action Shooting matches. After a few years, I put custom springs in it (easy to do yourself) to lighten the action. I also sent the grip frame to Patrick Grashorn (Executioner) and he fit a set of his gorgeous American Elk handles (with Colt medallions) to it.

I've shot this gun so much that I've worn the blue off a bit on the front and rear of the grip and the muzzle is losing some blue from all the holster wear.

Anyone who says Colt didn't make terrific SAAs in 1982 sure is wrong, at least when it comes to my gun! I'm sure you'll love yours! .44 Special is the way to go and Skeeter would approve!

You can't beat this right here. a semi local forum member turned me on to the exact gun as this, minus the elks, in a gunshop about two hours from me. It's $1050. You almost got my arm twisted showing this one.

keith44spl · Sep 1, 2010

Colt SAA .44 Special

I like Colt SAAs pretty good...

2nd Gen 44 Spl. - Had her gussied-up and cowboy carved 'er a pair of ivory britches...

Just for old time sake and rememberin'.

Savvy?

Su Amigo,
Dave

BUCKAWHO · Sep 1, 2010

Colt SAAs

In the southwest, people will always admire a genuine Colt SAA. As for the rest, when was the last time you drooled over a Honda? BT

thomasinaz · Sep 1, 2010

Yes a Colt SAA is required here in AZ. Colt still sells the 44-40 and, if you send it back to them, they'll fit a 44 Special cylinder for a reasonable price. The middle one in this picture was done that way, and it's very accurate with both calibers. I've owned third generations and the current generation Colts and like them. The top one is a third generation and is a little looser than the newer one. Unfortunately I have no experience with the second generation.

mm6mm6 · Sep 2, 2010

Here's a link to Executioner's website:

Home

He'll fit grips to your gripframe (non serial numbered so it's cheaper to ship to him) or just send you a set that will fit pretty good. He also will custom make the grips thick or thin and with the amount of "bark" you want. With medallions or without. Best service I've ever received and he's FAST!

My 2nd Gen 1962 .44 Special 4 3/4" Colt:

1986 150th Anniversary Engraved Sampler in .45 Colt:

Nickel and ivory .44-40 (I just realized I don't have a photo of the blue and ivory .44-40 I have that matches this one - both in .45 Colt):

Wyatt Burp · Sep 2, 2010

While we're at it here's a colt Frontier Six Shooter with aged elks. and an engraved 1957 .45 and 1957 A.R. magazine (yeah, my birth year). And that same gun with ancient ivories. too. Might as well throw in an unfired NIB 1971 .45. (This one's for sale!)

What can you folks tell me about Colt SAA's

madmikeb

butchd

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rimfired

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Wyatt Burp

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Vulcan Bob

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DeadAye

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ladder13

feralmerril

Absent Comrade

WHO CARES

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therevjay

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boykinlp

BADSBSNF811

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madmikeb

mm6mm6

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Wyatt Burp

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keith44spl

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BUCKAWHO

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thomasinaz

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mm6mm6

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