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Question On Colt SAA Clones

B

Big Cholla

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Here is an odd question to those more learned than I on modern day clones of the Colt SAA Model of 1873. In my old age I have developed the hankering for a single action army revolver to plink with and just enjoy owning. I can't afford the prices for even a 'shooter' Colt. So, my question is; what clone in your opinion is the best made and reliable that I could find and purchase without jumping thru a lot of 'search' hoops?

I would like my clone to be 4" to 4 1/2" barrel and in either 357 mag or 44 special.
 
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The Ruger New Vaquero is a pretty close copy, and a well made workhorse.

For a traditional SAA copy, you usually can't go wrong with an Uberti made revolver. Different importers offer them with different levels of fitting and finish. Either revolver is in the $500 or so range, depending on finish, ect. The ruger is a very close visual copy of the Colt SAA, except for the number of clicks when you cock it. Probably going to be more reliable than other copies. Decent finish. Some of the importers offer Uberti's with beautiful fitting and finish, rivilang any Colt, for a third of the price.

Larry
 
I will second the Uberti.
I bought this to try it out and if I did not
like it.. would sell it.
Quite surprised with accuracy, fit, and finish.
I assume this is an early Uberti as it has the "four Colt"
clicks when cocking the hammer.
DSC00604.jpg
 
I have seen some Uberti’s that looked really nice!
But I guess when the dust settles, I still prefer the Ruger.
What am I sort of looking for?
Bird head. A dude offered me the Mother Of All Deals on one.
It was a Ruger. It was Stainless. Birdhead?
Yes indeed! But it was 44 Mag. Not much to hold on to!
 
Fishinfool said:
Either revolver is in the $500 or so range, depending on finish, ect.
Click to expand...

I think the Ruger is going to cost a bit more depending on finish, say $50-100.

I have a number of Ubertis and they are nice. You can find a 22lr Uberti and get a lot of the fun of a full size for less price and less weight. The ruger single six is similar, but the finishes on the uberti are more eye appealing, and the gun is a closer copy to the original.
 
Generally acknowledged to be the most outstanding clones of the Colt SAA ever were those produced by U.S. Firearms. I have compared the USFA guns with the original Colts, and they are actually done better, with extreme attention to detail, workmanship and authenticity. This is their "pre-war" version.

Unfortunately, USFA went out of business several years ago, not because their products were not in demand (they were, and are, highly sought after), but because the ownership simply wanted to do other things. Sad. These guns can still be found on the secondary market, but they are way pricey now.

John

USFA_SAA-45_COLT_2006_zpsqe9xxday.jpg
 
I'm always amazed by how many folks have scratched their SAA itch with a $130 Heritage Rough Rider .22 and have been happy with it.

Personally, I had a .45 Colt Ruger Blackhawk and quite liked the fact that it was safe with 6 loaded and could take magnum level loads.
 
As others have mentioned... it basically boils down to a Uberti made clone or a Ruger, with the differentiation being just how close to a Colt do you want it to be?

Uberti will get you the traditional 3 screw action, Ruger gives you the look but not the same feel in how the action works... both will give you the sought after SA revolver shooting experience.
 
Be aware there are many variations in Uberti SAAs over the years and possibly in their current calatogue selections. My 4 1/2 high gloss stainless is a 4 click with hammer mounted FP, in otherwords a straight traditional Colt with no hammer safey or any other variation of any kind...I believe mine is Stoeger import buy I would have to get into the safe LOL. They do make safe to carry w 6 rounds with several safety styles out there old & newer. Go online and look at their current catalogue.

All the Importers (Cimeron, Stoeger et al) usually order the best of the best to label w their import stamp for specific runs...they are ALL Ubertis in the final analysis.

One more thing, most Ubertis have one piece grips which I really prefer but this does limit after market grip choices & between Ubertis grips may or may not fit as well from one gun to another.
 
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I have two of the Italian clones both imported by Navy Arms, one 5 1/2” and one 7 /2”. Both in 45 long Colt and I have auxiliary cylinders in 45 ACP. The ACP cylinder is the one in the revolver and the long Colt cylinder is somewhere I hope to be able to find it! Both of mine have one piece grips and I have carved one piece elk stag for the shorter barreled version. Both shoot good enough for hunting.

Kevin
 
There has been a lot of discussion over on the Colt Forum regarding the quality of the Italian made SAA's. The consensus seems to be that the recent production Uberti's, made in the last 2-3 years and new ones are quite good and an excellent value. Colt production of that model has dwindled to almost nothing which means when you can find them, they are pretty pricey. I'm with Paladin, the USFA's are outstanding. But not cheap either. I saw this one not too long ago and figured I had better buy it before someone else did. It had the optional color case hardened hammer and one piece walnut stocks which really appealed to me.
 

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PALADIN85020 said:
Generally acknowledged to be the most outstanding clones of the Colt SAA ever were those produced by U.S. Firearms. I have compared the USFA guns with the original Colts, and they are actually done better, with extreme attention to detail, workmanship and authenticity. This is their "pre-war" version.

Unfortunately, USFA went out of business several years ago, not because their products were not in demand (they were, and are, highly sought after), but because the ownership simply wanted to do other things. Sad. These guns can still be found on the secondary market, but they are way pricey now.

John

USFA_SAA-45_COLT_2006_zpsqe9xxday.jpg
Click to expand...

I was in a rural gunship today and they had a similar USFA with the 4-3/4" barrel and imitation ivory grips, .45 Colt, in to my eye identical condition. I looked it over but the $1300 price was way over my limit! Nice looking, case hardening especially, and did handle like the original Colt. Nice revolver!
 
I found an old model ruger vaquero in 45 colt with a 4 5/8” barrel and I am very pleased with it . It’s built on the 44 magnum frame . It’s increditably accurate . It was slightly used . I paid $400. I highly recommend ruger. Regards Paul
 
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A friend of mine bought a ruger new vaquero 45LC SS 5” from a guy he worked with. This was during the ammo shortage and he had a hard time finding ammo. He shot a few rounds with no ear protection and hated it. He sold it to me for what he had in it ($300). I thought I got a good deal until my wife shot it and confiscated it as her own. She says it fits her hand and she shoots it better than any other gun. I seem to recall it shot well. :-)
 
Uberti Revolvers

I believe you would be very satisfied with a Uberti.
Uberti is a Quality Firearm and usually can be found
a Reasonable prices.

Usually you can buy 3 or 4 Ubertis for the price of Colt,
United States Fire Arms or Standard Manufacturing, and
have a lot of Fun.

I you want Perfection, USFA is the Art to have.

I believe the Uberti's represent the Colt of Years gone by.

The Gun Shop in Edgemont SD has a very (from the pictures)
nice USFA SAA. It appears to be used, because of rotational
marks on the Cylinder and Grips don't match perfect on the
frame. An unused USFA, the metal and grips are like it has
grown together as one.

My USFA Bisley remains unfired and is just a piece of Art to
behold.

Good luck in whatever you decide and your Endeavors.

My Specials; Uberti Bisley and USFA's below
 

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