Some years ago, I acquired a Single Action Army clone made by U.S. Firearms, new in the box, made in 2006. On inspection, I found its fit and finish was even better than an unfired Colt that I possess. Further research showed that the case hardened frame and hammer was processed by Doug Turnbull, and that the gun was made with special care and hand-fitting with all-American parts under the old Colt blue dome in Hartford, Connecticut.

What intrigued me was that it was a near-perfect duplicate of a Colt my maternal grandfather once owned, but is no longer in the family. I don't know what my grandmother did with it after he passed in 1944. At any rate, this "pre-war" configuration gun is as close as I can get to his gun, even made at the same place.

USFA has been out of business for a number of years now, but the reputation of their single actions is stellar. Just checking on the prices of existing USFA guns will verify their high standing among the clones, with many experts saying they easily outclass the original Colts as well.

Did USFA make some of the best SAA clones extant? Your opinions, please!

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

I’m not aware of a higher quality SAA copy.

They are definitely good looking and seem to be the most authentic. Ruger's are great guns but that non authentic trigger kills it for me, I liked the Cimarron revolver I used to have and was pleased with its quality but I'm still surprised the USAF guns didn't make it. I guess people just want an authentic Colt after a certain price point.

John, I would have to agree with you. I own two real Colt SA's, one a second gen., and one a third. I also own a USFA SAA clone in .44 spl. / 44-40 convertible (extra factory cylinder).

The "clone" is better fit and finished than the originals, no oversized throat issues, and is much more accurate. Don't get me wrong, the Colts are nice guns. The USFA is just better. My "clone" is pictured below.

Larry

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I believe The American Rifleman did an article on them either this issue or the one before.

Of other repros, is the Cimarron the best? It seems to be a tweaked Uberti.

They only made 68, but I own one. STI Texican was also finished by Turnbull and was available in 45 colt with a 4 5/8 inch bbl. I'll put it up against most any clone I've run across. I also own a Les Baer 1911 SRP with their 1 1/2" fifty yard quaranty. From a ranson rest it lives up to their guaranty but isn't any more accurate than my Texican. (It also shoots dead on poi out of the box which few will do) I'm very happy you've found your USFA and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do my Texican!

The big fat .45 Long is a tremendous manstopper. Fire fine guns for sure. They even brought the SAA back into service because the new .38 double actions were absolutely not cutting it, enemies were absorbing numerous rounds and still fighting. Once the Singles and their massive .45LC was brought back, that problem ended RIGHT NOW.

The only "Best" Colt Replicas is the United States Fire Arms Co.
and currently the Standard Manufacturing Co. Revolvers.

Each one I have ever inspected are a piece of Art, unto themselves.
The manufacturing is like the Steel and Grips have
grown together.

My 44 Specials below (USFA).
The Flat Top is in the Range Bag Rotation.
The Bisley is unfired.

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Oh, yea. I have a Friend that always says "Yea, but it's not a Colt!".
My reply; "Your DAMN right their not a Colt, Colt could never
make anything like this plus their made in America".

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I have a Cimarron made by Uberti and am very impressed with the fit, finish and overall quality.

Is the Ruger Vaquero not considered a SAA clone? That is a superior single action revolver. Around here it is the top choice for cowboy action games.

I have a pair of the USFA Rodeo II’s (brushed nickel finish). I also have a number of Colt SAA’s, 2nd and 3rd generation. The actions on the USFA’s are considerably better than the Colts, both lighter and smoother, and the fit and finish on the USFA’s are at least as good as the 2nd gen. Colts and better than my 3rds. I was very sorry when I heard they had gone out of business.

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Everybody could shoot

I first saw and heard of USFA at the 1999 NRA Convention in Charlotte, NC. My focus was on bullseye shooting and 1911s, so the Rock River, Les Baer, and Jim Clark booths got my attention.

But, I stumbled on the USFA booth.... I'd handled lots of Colt SAAs, and shot a few, plus some knock-offs. The USFA was simply stunning: unbelievable smoothness of operation, perfect fitting, and gorgeous finishes. I fell in love with them.

They later operated a great website and forum. I lurked and drooled. Then, they had a Christmas special, the year before they shut down. My wife ordered me a USFA Premium in 45 Colt with ACP cylinder. That is, she picked up the phone and called them, telling them just what she wanted for me: 5 1/2" Barrel, case hardened finish, etc. There were many other options: Black Powder frame, Calvary models, Bisleys, Flat Top targets, plus finish, grip and engraving options.
The Premium was generally not a stocking dealer item like the Rodeo was. They had to be ordered individually. When you placed an order, a serial number is assigned to you and the gun. Completion times were running about 3 months.
I remember having a couple conversations with them over the phone. They were very friendly.
If your idea of single action perfection is in William Mason's original patent from July 2nd, 1872, then arguably, the USFA Premium is the finest realization of that design. Every part was fabricated in house, machined from tool steel or forgings using CNC machinery, but with the final degree left to the handwork of artisans.
If you're a serious reloader and revolver shooter, you know how important bore and throat dimensions are to accurate shooting. A USFA will not disappoint! Every one I have seen or heard about in this regard is spot on specification.
Initially, I was favoring the 44 Special with auxiliary 44/40 cylinder. But, that can be problematic. USFA stuck to .429" bores and, I believe, .430" throats. (I prefer the .431-.432" bores/throats common to early S&Ws, with molds to match).
For a USFA in 45 Colt/ACP .452" is your key to cast bullet nirvana.
While they are obviously beautiful, take them to the range and you'll really appreciate them.

Just my opinion, but Colt never made a SAA to the tolerances of a USFA, and that's not even talking about the comparitive quality of raw materials.

Jim

I have three of the USFA Single Actions. A 7.5" in .45 Colt with an extra .45 ACP cylinder, and a pair of .44-40's, one in 4.75" and the other in 7.5" which also has the optional one piece walnut stocks. All are beautifully fit and finished. The .45 gun has cylinder throats that measure .451 with both cylinders and gaps that measure .002" & .003", and the .44-40 guns both have .427" cylinder throats and gaps of .003" & .007".
I wish the company were still in business, I would have added a few more variations to my collection. One of the most striking USFA's I saw was for sale at an LGS a couple of years ago. It was a Sheriff's Model with a 3" barrel and no ejector rod in .45 Colt and fitted with a Bisley hammer. They wanted $2500 for it which was out of the question. If it had been $1500 I would have bought it on the spot.

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Technically, the Ruger Vaqueros are not clones. While externally they are similar, the actions are quite different, and they are loaded/unloaded differently. Just opening the loading gate allows cylinder spinning. Unfortunately, the chambers do not line up with "rotate a click and reverse slightly." This really slows case ejection particularly.

I have two Vaqueros and have modified them with a Ron Power kit that allows them to be loaded and unloaded from half-cock and the original alignment feature. That satisfies the main beef I have with them.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

i have a Taurus Gaucho . not in the same category as the ones posted but i really like it . took it in a trade and seldom make a trip to the range for revolver shooting that it doesn't come along . a lot of fun to shoot and looks great too . 357 but I've only shot 38 specials through it . Kenny , Mauriceville texas ,USA

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Too good

My favorite was the Hammerli-made Interarms Virginian, not the later Virginian Dragoon that was made in the U.S.. How Interarms talked Hammerli into building a single action revolver is beyond me.

You can spot them by their bright nickel grip frame.

I have a 1926 Colt SAA 5 1/2" and a Uberti Cimarron 5 1/2" P model. I can't tell much difference, except the colt has stag grips and the Cimarron one piece wood. Never handle the USFA version, but I am pleased with the Cimarron, both quality and price, which was $400 brand spanking new.

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Charlie

Colt SAA is my favorite revolver.
I had a USFA in the Storekeepers configuration.
4" with no ejector rod. Hands down best Clone.
Better than many of the 1980's era Colt SAA.

Wish I had kept it.

I stumbled up on this in Cabela's of all places.
Box and Glass case with both cylinders.
When asked what the stocks were made of they said
did not know.
Paid the tariff and took a chance....they are ivory.

From what I have handled I would go with:

best Standard Manufacturing
A super close second USFA
I think maybe depending on comparing those two depending on the gun in hand my first and second place could be reversed. Of course there as an old side by side shotgun guy; I find it neat that Standard Manufacturing indexes all of the screws. Okay here is a but, they are close to a Colt but not identical to a Colt. Fit and finish on these though I think was better than Colts of the last 40 years.

Third place honestly would be a Colt...I do feel Standard and USFA make slightly nicer SAA than Colt these days. Then again because they all cost about the same; the other two will never be a Colt.

Distant fourth place would be Uberti made revolvers from any number of importers. They are nice guns but they feel and sound just different in the hand. They can still be nice and they do cost about one quarter the price of the others. I'm not sure the others are 4 time the revolver.

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Bill Bates

I have Rugers and a Cimmaron, but now I want one of these. Dang it.

I have two USFA revolvers. They are far superior to a modern Colt.

I call the first one The Perata Gun. California State Senator Don Perata sponsored a gun buyback in Oakland. I brought a bunch of junk guns (H&R, IJ, etc.) and brought home a bunch of money. The revolver, plus a special serial number, plus case hardened hammer, fire blued trigger, etc. and Paul Persinger ivory grips cost me only $58 out of pocket. Senator Perata paid the rest.

The second is a standard USFA with Tru-Ivory grips. I like it. The serial number is 0XXDT. Finished by Doug Turnbull.

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I once owned a 7 1/2" Colt New Frontier in .44 Special. It was a 3rd generation. It shot good, but the action was rough as a cob.

I bought a 4 3/4" blue and color casehardened .44 Special USFA back about 2006. It shoots great and the action and the fit are wonderful. A college friend has a 2nd gen Colt SAA and my USFA is superior.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I have a two original Colts and 1 current model plus several Ruger Vaqueros.

I prefer the Rugers over the newer Colt and never shoot the originals but was always enamored by the USAF models and performance reports.

I shoot for the fun of SAA (44 & 45) and looks take a 2nd place priority however as krsmith58 pointed out above, the Taurus Gaucho is always in the top of the lineup and continues to serve me well after maybe 12 years or so.
Amazingly it keeps a deep shiny black finish like the first day I bought it.

Had great luck with Uberti Schofields too. If for some reason I was to buy a modern SAA it would probably be a USAF as long as its caliber started with a 4 and at least a 5.5 to 7.5 barrel was on it.
That gaucho is certainly a fooler if you can find one.

I don’t have much experience on the subject, but I was impressed with the few from Cimmaron I’ve handled.

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213th FBINA

I think you mean USFA, not USAF?

Cimarron>Colt

One thing I like about SAA and Rugers is how well they point. I tried shooting human silhouettes with my stainless Super Blackhawk, full .44 Magnum loads, at 15 yards. Firing one handed, fast, it was actually hard NOT to score killing hits! This was pointed fire.

I do own a 2th generation and 3 3th generation Colt revolvers. Nice revolvers. I love them and never gonna sell them. It is a yought dream to own them. But I did replaced them for a clone. At the moment I do shoot a Pietta .45 with a birdhead grip. Aldo I am very much awaer that such gun was never there, it shoots much better than the original Colt revolvers. I wish I coud get a US to. But they are exepencive overhere aswell. Added just a few pics of my collection included. Hammerli Virginian, Uberti Cattleman. Ruger Vaquero, Colt SAA .45 colt. And a couple of original Colt revolvers Including a .22 Peacemaker. I wish Colt did a better job on his cilinders.

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You guys are a bad influence on me. I ordered a Standard Manufacturing SAA in .45 Colt with 4 3/4" barrel, and one piece stocks.
I do have a 2nd Generation Colt SAA also.

Dang. I just ordered a USFA SAA in .44-40, 5 1/2" barrel from Collectors Firearms too.
Maybe I should have bought that 1921 Thompson as my Wife suggested.

Always listen to your wife..

Things that make you go “Hmmmmmm...”: https://stdgun.com/single-action-revolver-1/

My Uberti is very nice, very well made. It's a Stoeger import stainless in .45 with traditional 4 click, hammer mounted firing pin ya I know it's not really called a firing pin if it's on the hammer but I forget the name.

I actually prefer the one piece grips although they are hard to find in terms of aftermarket variety, not like traditional 2 piece grips which have literally 100's of different styles to purchase. But they certainly feel & look nice, my one piece grips.

I have had a couple of Colts and other than one that was customized by Jim Stroh and Alan Harton, my USFA guns are fit better and finished nicer. I have four of the USFA guns and all have the bisley spurred hammers which I prefer.




The second gun down was one of the limited short barreled Shopkeepers with ejector rod assembly and the bisley hammer. Originally it was a 45 Colt. I had Alan Harton pull the cylinder, barrel and ER assembly and make it into a 41 Special. All the original parts are stored away.

That Bisley hammer looks really nice on a SAA IMO.
When ever I get around to a Ruger 3 screw 357 project gun I have waiting I figure one thing it will get is that. I can't even decide on the caliber yet,

Nice bunch of SAA's!

Those Standard Manufacturing SAA reportedly are top notch even with the Action screws timed!
https://stdgun.com/single-action-rev...nickel-plated/

A nice video of said revolver.

All my single actions wear bisley or birdshead spurred hammers so if Standard Manufacturing ever offers that option, I'm on board with ordering one.

Taylors and Company by Pietta, how are these SA revolvers?
Have been attending a local small SASS group shoot, and starting to get interested.
A NIB one, 1873Cattleman, .45LC, with 4-3/4" barrel and Stag grips is available for $495.
Something to get my feet wet, and see how I like it.
Of course a holster and belt next, etc.!
Thoughts?

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Wherever my mind isn't
Jim

Hey rbrbrb6,

Those Bisley hammers are very cool on the USFA revolvers. I have a .45 Pre-War USFA that I ordered with smooth fancy walnut grips. It is still like new after 1500 rounds. Wish I ordered the hammer like yours.

I think AWA (American Western Arms) belongs here. They are the company that Colt sued to stop production of the SA they produced.

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Have Canon, Will Travel

I'd recommend the Cattleman but check if it's a new model or old model...they are incorporating updated safties, I think the new ones have a hammer actuated FP safety...not sure. My Stoeger Uberti is a traditional 4 click NO safety on the hammer, no transfer bar., just like the old Colts. Uberti makes a lotta variations...research what is available from Uberti VS what you're thinking about getting.

I had one of the Hammerli models and traded it in on a .45 Blackhawk. Over the years i have sold very few guns, but that was one of them. It did not shoot to point of aim, not even close. Just not one of my better purchases.

I have a few USFA revolvers and one USFPA and some Colts. I like the Colts and shoot them often but the USFA revolvers are better shooters for me. I really want to order a pair of the Standard Manufacturing revolvers but I'm going to have to wait until they are chambered in 38WCF.

A pair of consecutive serial numbered USFA Frontier Six Shooters with Birds Head hammers:


A set of .45Colt revolvers. The front one is a USPFA 4.75" and the other is a USFA 5.5"

These are the least clones to the Colt SAA. The brand is Weihrauch. German made Colt clones. The revolvers have a safetybarr like the Ruger. The compagny has payed Ruger to use this. Ald o the .45 shoots well. They are looking to clunky with to sharp edges. The .44-40 is brand new. Never shot it. That is the one with the brass grip

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I do know that my brace of Uberti SAA I bought from Cimarron aren't the finest clones, but they sure served me well as my main match guns I used in Cowboy Action Shooting. They have had thousands of rounds through them and have only replaced the bolt springs once each. They are still going strong!

Uberti Model P in .45 Colt




Thanks for looking a my cowboy guns.

God bless,
Birdgun
[img]

What's the opinion of Standard Manufacturing SAA?
They look much like the USFA

Those USFA clones are pricey. I will have to stick woth my old Rufer 3 screw.

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My USFA was beautiful, but would not hold an 8 inch group at 50 yards. I called them and complained they say send it back and they would fix it. I did twice more, then got a call, "just what do you expect?" I said how about a 3 inch group at 50 yards. They re-worked it shortened the barrel again and fit a 45 acp cylinder. It did ok with 5 out of six, I decided that was good enough. I like it, she is beautiful but no target pistol.