Colt SAA P1840 or 1850
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bigmoose
Member
I own two SAAs, one in each length you are considering. There is something about the shorter barreled one that tips the scales on the cool factor. Tough choice.
I have a 4-3/4” SAA and I prefer it to the 5-1/2” barrel. In .45 Colt, 3/4” won’t make much difference in terms of performance and I think the shorter barrel makes a nice looking gun. If I wanted a longer barrel I’d probably buy a 7-1/2” and skip the 5-1/2” altogether. All that said, if I stumbled onto a 5-1/2” at a good price... 
They’re all nice. Take your pick. 
They’re all nice. Take your pick. robertrwalsh
SWCA Member
I prefer the balance of the 5 1/2 inch tube myself.
I have 45 Long Colt SAAs in 4 different barrel lengths. Each has their own purpose and charm
3/4" of an inch makes a HUGE difference in Fast Draw. The center of balance of the firearm is closer to the palm which is again a plus for Fast Draw. Besides with the barrel flush with the ejector it does look like a bad boy . . . . . Almost used the word I really wanted
But if you are not playing any of the Cowboy games, the 5 1/2" is they way I would go. I agree it is nicely balanced
3/4" of an inch makes a HUGE difference in Fast Draw. The center of balance of the firearm is closer to the palm which is again a plus for Fast Draw. Besides with the barrel flush with the ejector it does look like a bad boy . . . . . Almost used the word I really wanted
But if you are not playing any of the Cowboy games, the 5 1/2" is they way I would go. I agree it is nicely balanced
USFA .44-40 WCF, 5 1/2" barrel. It's wearing Giraffe bone grips now.
Standard Mfg. .45 Colt, 4 3/4" barrel
Colt .44 Special, 5 1/2" barrel
Colt .45 Colt with 4 3/4" barrel. The gun is at the gunsmiths now as I'm having a 5 1/2" barrel installed and getting it reblued. It wears either Sambar Stag or Ivory grips.
Standard Mfg. .45 Colt, 4 3/4" barrel
Colt .44 Special, 5 1/2" barrel
Colt .45 Colt with 4 3/4" barrel. The gun is at the gunsmiths now as I'm having a 5 1/2" barrel installed and getting it reblued. It wears either Sambar Stag or Ivory grips.
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LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
I have a few. 1884 Cavalry Colt .45 original 7.5" barrel. 1902 SAA Bisley .32-20 with 5.5" barrel. 1914 SAA .44-40 Frontier Six Shooter 5.5" barrel. 1957 SAA .357 magnum 5.5" barrel (originally a junker .45 with a trashed cylinder & barrel, which I rebuilt with correct parts in .357). 1979 SAA Custom Shop .44 Special 5.5" barrel.
Somehow I never ended up with a 4.75" SAA, although I like the overall package. Guess I just took advantage of what came my way!
Somehow I never ended up with a 4.75" SAA, although I like the overall package. Guess I just took advantage of what came my way!
gwpercle
Member
4 3/4 and a fast draw rig .
I watched way too many TV Westerns in my youth .
There is just something sinister and sexy looking about the shorter barreled SAA's .
Gary
I watched way too many TV Westerns in my youth .
There is just something sinister and sexy looking about the shorter barreled SAA's .
Gary
Very nice picture Bill. Looks really good with the "rock" in it.
Maybe I should put my "rock" that you sent me in my photos too.
The 5-1/2" SAA is my prefered length and over the last nearly 45 years I've owned more of them than any other length. The current crop includes these:
and my most recent SAA purchase this Bisley I picked last year:
Best regards,
and my most recent SAA purchase this Bisley I picked last year:
Best regards,
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At one time I had 15 SAA. I am down to 9 right now ( I think ) have all barrel lengths from 2.5'' sheriffs model to a 12'' buntline. I like them all, but seem to grab the 5.5'' first when I open my safe. I guess I like that length most of all. It spins easier too! ………………………………….........M*
………………………………….........M*
StrawHat
SWCA Member
I have had many barrel lengths on the SAA. I still have the 5 1/2”.
My suggestion is to try them both.
This may be heresy, but, if you are not wedded to the Colt name two Italian revolvers for the same price or less.
Kevin
My suggestion is to try them both.
This may be heresy, but, if you are not wedded to the Colt name two Italian revolvers for the same price or less.
Kevin
Alpo
Member
I've got single actions in 3½, 5½, 6½ and 7½. They all feel good in my hand, although honestly the 5½ balances best.
I have owned four 4¾s. Got rid of all of them. They just didn't feel good.
My advice is to handle them as much as you can, so you can decide which feels better to you. Other people's advice should be pretty meaningless.
I have owned four 4¾s. Got rid of all of them. They just didn't feel good.
My advice is to handle them as much as you can, so you can decide which feels better to you. Other people's advice should be pretty meaningless.
I have them in 7.5", 5.5" and 4.75" and I like them all but my favorite length is 4.75".
Pair of Colt .45's
Pair of Colt .45's
Pair of Colts in .44SPL
Pair of USFAs in 44WCF
USFA's in .45Colt
Pair of Colt .45's
Pair of Colt .45's
Pair of Colts in .44SPL
Pair of USFAs in 44WCF
USFA's in .45Colt
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A few more in 4.75". I like this barrel length best. Similar to blondes, brunettes or red heads, it's your pick of what you like best.
An 1882 Colt in 44WCF
A Colt in 38WCF
USFA in .41 Colt with an extra numbered cylinder in 38WCF
USFA 12/22 This is my "high cap" single action.
An 1882 Colt in 44WCF
A Colt in 38WCF
USFA in .41 Colt with an extra numbered cylinder in 38WCF
USFA 12/22 This is my "high cap" single action.
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I prefer the looks and balance of a 5 1/2 inch barrel.
ETA: I'm no gunfighter. Do not need a shorter barrel to clear the holster faster.
ETA: I'm no gunfighter. Do not need a shorter barrel to clear the holster faster.
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4 3/4 for me.
Itching to shoot my Sheriff's model.
Itching to shoot my Sheriff's model.
Lots of nice iron in this thread
Here is my Fast Draw SAA
Bob Munden built this 4 3/4" Colt for me back in 1995. Frame and barrel are nickel, everything else is fire blue. The one piece black ebony grips were done by Mike Wallace.
I always liked the look of this one and as a bonus . . . . I can really hit with it
Here is my Fast Draw SAA
Bob Munden built this 4 3/4" Colt for me back in 1995. Frame and barrel are nickel, everything else is fire blue. The one piece black ebony grips were done by Mike Wallace.
I always liked the look of this one and as a bonus . . . . I can really hit with it
I only have two Colt SAA’s (purchased new), a 5.5” .38 Special and a 7.5” .45 Colt. The .38 handles really nicely. Both were expensive but well worth the money IMHO.
R.I.P. Bob Munden (I never met Bob but I liked his style).
R.I.P. Bob Munden (I never met Bob but I liked his style).
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