SAA Advice

[Geronimo Jim]

Like others said GET A REAL COLT. Been competing in cowboy action now for over 20 years. One of the best parts is shooting a genuine pair of
second gen Colts. Got first, second and third generations and love them
all. Got at least one of each year of second gen from 1955 to 1975.
When you get it, get it tune by a good smith. Best money you will ever
spend. I recommend Cody Conager of The Cowboy Shot in Berkley Spring West Virginia

 

[bulletslap]

In April 1981 I bought a new 5 1/2 inch 44 Special 3rd generation, regrettably I sold it in the late 90's. It was a great revolver.

 

[Muley Gil]

Last year I had the same feelings. I had wanted a 44 Special New Frontier in the 1980's but they were just too expensive then.

Fast forward to last year, I get a couple checks from the government that came with no restrictions. Free money!

So I got a brand new New Frontier made in 1980. Royal blue, nice walnut grips. 44 Special.

It's a tack driver. Go for one, you won't regret it.

About 1981, I also bought a 7 1/2" .44 Special New Frontier. At that time, it was the most expensive firearm I had ever purchased ($450). Mine shot good, but the action was rough as a cob. It took a lot of polishing to get it decent. I sold it about 15 years later.

About 2006 I was working overseas and had a bit more spending money. I ordered a USFA SAA in .44 Special with the 4 3/4" barrel and blue/color casehardened. The action is better than a friend's 2nd Gen Colt SAA. Sure wish USFA was still around.

 

[dsf]

I'd first bought a Colt SAA 3rd gen from the custom shop but the bluing was so high polished and seemed thin that one shove into a holster would scratch it. Got this 3rd gen in 44 Special from Cabelas in Reno for a grand total of $1,100.00 -



I liked it because it showed late 50's polish and finish. Not "Royal Blue" type but less refined but deeper and more durable.

This 2nd gen (about 1972 IIRC) is in 357 and markedly heavier feel than the larger bore SAA. Bought it ANIB with zip tie on the hammer, which was good for the gun store. When I got it home the action was the heaviest, scratchiest, roughest piece of junk that I've ever handled. Timed fine, but just as rough. Outside looked great though.



I cleaned it up, replaced the barn door powering mainspring and took 600 grit graphite paper to all the bearing surfaces and it's just about perfect.

 

[Safestuffer]

I got lucky and picked up a usfa .44spcl at a very reasonable price a few years back. I had to scratch the "genuine colt" itch last year when I found a high condition nickel 4 3/4" .44spcl 3rd gen last year.

If you want the best chance at getting a high quality SA, a late production USFA is your best bet, imo. My USFA is in a different league than either my 2nd or 3rd gen Colts in fit and finish.

The "genuine colt" itch is real though.

 

[Jimmy4570]

A fellow on screw tube calling himself Atlanticproducts has an interesting video comparing an earlier 3rd gen Colt, a recent Uberti, a USFA and Standard single action, looking at frames, trigger guards, backstraps, cylinders and small parts. Pretty interesting. Never knew that 3rd gen colts use cast trigger guards and backstraps. I thought only Uberti did that. I also didn't know that USFA and Standard revolvers are milled from bar stock as opposed to forgings. Interesting video.

 

[gregintenn]

I have a few Colts, but I've been well pleased with my USFA 44 Special.

 

[Xfuzz]

Picked this off GI last week.
1992 3rd gen .45 with nice Stoner rig.
It will be my new woods set-up.

 

[dave1918a2]

I actually had a Bob Munden colt SAA. Didn't know of Him, but found Him on TV doing trick shooting and just plain nuts kind of shooting. Slick action, only the ejector rod sleeve kept coming off and I couldn't figure how to prevent this, so a Cowboy Action shooter got it for a Shiloh Sharps long range 50-120. This was about 95. Sold the Sharps before the move. Paid for the rental truck, fuel, food and lots more.

 

[dsf]

This is a Uberti manufacture, finished in US single action with Turnbull case coloring. BP frame. 45 Colt. Nice one piece grips.






It has the "4 click" action with a very unobtrusive hammer block. Small tab below the firing pin that drops forward when the trigger is set in the 1st notch. Really didn't notice it until I stripped it down and cleaned.

 

[smithra_66]

For some reason recently, I can't stop looking at/for Colt SAAs.

My primary interest keeps coming back to 2nd and 3rd Gen examples in .44 Special.

I found a third gen with a 4.75" barrel. It is not located close enough to easily see in person. From the pictures, it looks like the fitting of the grip frame ears is less than perfect. I understand this is to be expected on early 3rd gen guns. Otherwise it looks pretty good. My thoughts are ~$2,000 would be ballpark.

I also have a line on a 2nd gen with a 5.5" barrel (my understanding is 4.75" was not available on 2nd gen .44s). My guess is the 2nd gen premium will be $300-$500 over any 3rd gen that I find.

Of course this will probably lead to an Uberti 1873 rifle in .44 Special that I know is for sale.

I have no real use for either the gun or the caliber. I have Blackhawks in both OM and NM (.357 and .41). I have a little bit of everything caliber-wise except for any kind of .44 (Special or Magnum) even though I was gifted a set of dies 20 years ago. I absolutely plan on shooting whatever I get.

I know the Italian copies are a much better deal (although I don't know anyone making them in .44 Special). For some reason the only non-Colt that really trips my trigger is the USFA and they are harder to find in my preferred configurations as the Colts and just as expensive.

Thoughts on what to look for are appreciated. Opinions on seeking out 2nd gen over 3rd are appreciated.

Chubbs

Get a 2nd gen Colt or a 3rd gen of more recent manufacture. The 3rd gens from the early 80s are spottier quality.

I like the 7.5" barrel lengths, both for looks and for ease of shooting. They are easier to hit with and have a bit less recoil for me.

Another thought, if you are also considering a rifle, is 44-40 caliber. It's the best black powder cartridge. If you haven't considered black powder, I highly, highly recommend it!

It's also a "proper" original SAA caliber, along with the 45 Colt of course.

 

[Hank Dodge]

I've been shooting a set of 5.5" Colt .44 Specials for about 20 years playing the SASS / CAS games. I love the feel and balance of that set of revolvers. The actions were tuned by Ed Janis of Peacemaker Specialties. I don't honestly know how many thousands of rounds I have through that set of guns, but they run smooth as glass and have never let me down.

 

[monsai52]

Like a few others have stated, 44 Special is the perfect caliber for the SAA. Unfortunately 2nd gen 44 Specials are pretty scarce compared to 45 Colt and 357 Magnum, so good luck finding one. You'll always want to confirm the originality of any 2nd gen 44 Special or any Nickel 2nd gen in any caliber.

While the 3rd gens produced over the last 20 years or so are very high quality, I really dislike the high polish blue and somewhat garish colour case hardening they're finished with. I much prefer the lower luster blue that you see in the mid-late first gens, all the 2nd gens and early 3rd gens up to the late '80s

A couple of years ago I was lucky and picked up this 1960 vintage 2nd gen nickel 44 Special.

Best regards,

 

[dsf]

Like a few others have stated, 44 Special is the perfect caliber for the SAA. Unfortunately 2nd gen 44 Specials are pretty scarce compared to 45 Colt and 357 Magnum, so good luck finding one. You'll always want to confirm the originality of any 2nd gen 44 Special or any Nickel 2nd gen in any caliber.

While the 3rd gens produced over the last 20 years or so are very high quality, I really dislike the high polish blue and somewhat garish colour case hardening they're finished with. I much prefer the lower luster blue that you see in the mid-late first gens, all the 2nd gens and early 3rd gens up to the late '80s

A couple of years ago I was lucky and picked up this 1960 vintage 2nd gen nickel 44 Special.

Best regards,

I agree regarding the 3rd Gen blued finish. I'd bought one in 45 Colt, 5 1/2" bbl and while the polish was top notch the bluing seemed very thin and fragile. More of a liquid black than bluing. I thought one push into a holster would produce a scratch. And not one that could be touched up as a rub, but that it would produce one of those oil slick like puddles.

I found a 3rd Gen in 44 Special -



Not sure of DOM but late 70's IIRC my lookup.

 

[Chubbs103]

I found a nice 2nd gen. Decided it was $200 overpriced. I went to check on it and it was sold. I guess it wasn't overpriced after all.

 

[Chubbs103]

A little update...

Turns out the 2nd gen 44 Special I passed on was a steal. I am still kicking myself.

I wound up purchasing an excellent condition (no turn line, doesn't look fired) 3rd gen, 4 3/4". I bought about $100 early, but it was from dealer knowledgeable and experienced in SAAs. It is at my FFL and gets out of jail on Monday.

In the mean time I figured I would need some ammo. I opened one of my bags of brandy-new Starline brass and got ready to size and trim (yes, I am one of those). I dug the RCBS, hand-me-down 44 Mag dies out of my cabinet and ran a case into the sizer. It promptly got stuck. The dies I have been carrying around for years are apparently steel, with no carbide ring. They are also old enough that they de-prime on the case-bell die.

Not a big problem. I break out the Imperial Sizing Wax and go to town. I figure I can do it the hard way until I can get a carbide sizing die.

After sizing and trimming, I start moving forward through the process only to find out that the crimp die is too long for .44 Special (yes everything is marked .44 Magnum on them, but come on!).

I now have a ladder worked up with 205gr RNFP over Unique that need crimped before I can shoot them. I also have new, RCBS .44 SPCL/MAG carbide dies on order with Scheels. They should be delivered this week.

 

[WildBillWJW]

Colt shooters…

Here are four of my colt SAAs I still enjoy shooting. Two .45's and two .44 special's. The two new frontiers have a little of mama's flamingo pink nail polish on the front sites. The nickel guns required some bright target orange taped for the front sites. Otherwise my 65 year old bifocal eyes can't see them. Two of the ivory grips are factory, one are by D.Chesiak.I'll send some pics of my non shooters as well.
Thanks,
Bill

 

[WildBillWJW]

More SAA shooters

Here is a better picture of my previous nickel 44 special, plus a blue/CC 44-40. Both have hogue checkered wood grips. The 44-40 came new with such a beautiful finish as well as factory action. All my others have required a little tuning by a local smith and friend.
WildBill

 

[skwchock]

You guys are making me want to buy one -- just to enjoy the feel... Don't think I can afford one...

 

[Dvus]

Get a first gen black powder frame and load some black powder rounds for it. NOTHING compares to shooting one with a hundred plus years of history on it, including 1st, 2nd and 3rd gen smokeless Colts. This is my 1876 vintage .45.