SAA Advice

[Drm50]

I didn't by Colt SAAs, I bought Rugers. That's when Ruger BH was $80 and Colt twice that. Got away from SAs of any flavor with Ruger NM. Of the hundreds of used guns that went though my paws I never kept a Colt. I now want one myself. 44sp or 45 , 2nd Gen, 4.5 or 5.5 barrel and shooter grade. You should be looking at $2k to $2500. I've found 7" models and a few 357s. I won't by replicas only originals. I've been looking for about a year. I might settle for a nice 32/20 but other than that I'm sticking to it.
I guess the Cowboy Syndrome caught up to me.

 

[WildBillWJW]

Some non shooters

Here are pics of some of my non shooting Colt SAA's. First pic should be of four 3rd gens and one 1st gen, with traditional cattlebrand engraving, nickel finish and custom walnut grips. The one non engraved pictured Colt, just has such a beautiful finish, as well as, custom Sambar stag grips, and I was already shooting other .45's. This Colt is depicted in pic 2, as is my first engraved Colt, with same caliber, .45, Winchester 94 trapper. Third pic is of my aforementioned cattlebrand engraved & nickel finish on a 1904 1st gen. And the fourth pic is of my latest purchase, an 1899 that is currently waiting on custom grips in El Paso…should be beautiful. Gotta love those single action Colts.
WildBill

 

[KEN L]

Here are two I no longer own, but thought the group might be interested. .44 Spl 5 1/2", referred to in the book as a three way combination finish. Case hardened frame, blued barrel and nickel cylinder. Model number P-1750 AA, only 484 produced begining in 1982. There was also a model P-1750 AB, which only 50 were built, differing only in that the cylinder flutes were blued. Never seen one. This is the only one of these I've ever seen. It was originally posted in the classifieds here several years ago, but didn't sell. I kept thinking I should buy it, and when it showed up on GB, I didn't hesitate the second time. It was used and had no box, which I later added the correct box. I shot it a few times, but decided after sitting in the safe most of the time, it would be better in someone's collection. At the same time I had another 3rd gen, 5 1/2" .45 Colt, that was an all blue configuration. There were only 70 of these produced in this configuration. That remained unfired in the original box, for as long as I owned it.

 

[SuperMan]

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.

...they are...where do you think Standard Manufacturing got all their machinery...and a couple of USFAs smiths to go with it. The two factories were only about 10 miles apart...

I'm just hoping that one day they expand the line to the Flat Top Target and other calibers including .22 LR and Magnum...

Bob

 

[stanmerrell]

A second Gen will be harder to find, but it's often a little better fit and finish. That's important when you are paying for something special. 44 is the right caliber. Consider getting an Italian clone at the same time. Just for more fun. If you look around, some of the Great Westerns are still available too. I like the USA just as much as the colt too.

 

[Buick]

Im currently eagerly awaiting delivery of an older Uberti 5.5" .44 spl. Should be in hand Monday!

 

[WildBillWJW]

That perfect Colt SAA…

Yes sir, always wanted a SAA in 44 special cal., heck any revolver in 44 spec. Had a couple 45 colts, SAA and NF; even a 44-40. But no 44 spec…possibly the best most accurate revolver cartridge ever designed…just read Elmer, Skeeter and J.Taffin. Then about nine years ago I was perusing Colt new frontiers on Gun Broker. And what do I see, but an advertised rare short barreled NIB Colt new frontier 44-40 with, get this, extra factory fitted cylinder in .44 special. And that's not all…it's got factory ivory grips. Starting bid $1,200; buy now $1,225. You guessed it, I hit buy now so hard my figure is still sore…it had only been listed for about 25 minutes, and the seller apparently had no idea as to what he had. Well, it's the top pictured NF with belt mtn base pin, action job, etc. if there is something you really want, then you have to be patient and diligent…not just checking the auctions and gun stores weekly, but most likely daily. And of course being careful and cautious enough to not get fooled or taken. But then, that's what makes the search so much fun.
WildBill

 

[Marshal Tom]

I have owned several of them over the last 40-50 years and sold them all off for one reason or another. I still own a 4.75" early 2nd Gen. .357 with the first three digits being 357 in the ser. number. I also have but not presently in my possession, a 1910 4.75" .45 that was restored by Doug Turnbull and tuned by Hamilton Bowen with one piece Ivories. A friend has that one, holding it for ransom for money I owe him on a custom 1911. I need to go and get it back. I am about to trade a friend a 4.75" Ruger Flattop with stags for one in .44sp. I love the .44special and would like to find a Colt at some point.

 

[rbrbrb6]

Man oh man Marshal Tom, that 1910 45 Colt sounds like one beautiful gun! If Doug Turnbull and Hamilton both touched it you know it was done right!

 

[monsai52]

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.

Absolutely agree, shooting BP in an "Old West" vintage Colt SAA is something special. Here I'm running some rounds through my 1880 44-40.

Best regards,

 

[Dwaine]

Had an opportunity to purchase this 1979 4.75" Colt SAA in original box from a friend for $1800 and couldn't pass it up. Looks unfired.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

Here's my Colt Frontier Sixshooter 1873-1973 black powder frame commemorative .44-40 trying it out with a .44 Special cylinder in it. Shoots great. I bartered for a nickel 2nd generation .38 cylinder and had it bored out.

 

[austintexas]

I have 2 Ruger Single Action Flattops in 44 special. they were a special run for Lipskey, I think. They are running about $800 at gun shows.
SWCA 892

 

[Buick]

Cimarron Old Model 1873 .44 Special

My latest aquisition showed up early on Friday!
Great shape with the original box and papers. The seller had also tucked a plastic bag filled with assorted springs and a snap cap. Got a smoking deal on it too.

 

[Muley Gil]

Yes sir, always wanted a SAA in 44 special cal., heck any revolver in 44 spec. Had a couple 45 colts, SAA and NF; even a 44-40. But no 44 spec…possibly the best most accurate revolver cartridge ever designed…just read Elmer, Skeeter and J.Taffin. Then about nine years ago I was perusing Colt new frontiers on Gun Broker. And what do I see, but an advertised rare short barreled NIB Colt new frontier 44-40 with, get this, extra factory fitted cylinder in .44 special. And that's not all…it's got factory ivory grips. Starting bid $1,200; buy now $1,225. You guessed it, I hit buy now so hard my figure is still sore…it had only been listed for about 25 minutes, and the seller apparently had no idea as to what he had. Well, it's the top pictured NF with belt mtn base pin, action job, etc. if there is something you really want, then you have to be patient and diligent…not just checking the auctions and gun stores weekly, but most likely daily. And of course being careful and cautious enough to not get fooled or taken. But then, that's what makes the search so much fun.
WildBill

I'd love to have a NF set up like yours! In addition to my 4 3/4" .44 Special USFA, I have an Old Model Ruger that was converted to .44 Special using a 4 5/8" Super Blackhawk barrel. Alan Harton did the work. Alan also converted a second OM Blackhawk to .44 Special for, this time using a 5 1/2" Colt New Frontier barrel. Alas, I let that one slip through my fingers some years back.

 

[WildBillWJW]

Gunbroker listed nickel 44 special

Hey guys,
There's a 1979 NIB nickel 5&1/2" Colt SAA in 44 special listed right now on Gunbroker…several days left with bid up to about $750. I have already sent to a friend, but don't think he is interested. I would say, if you can get it for $2,000 or less, you might want to bid.
WildBill

 

[WildBillWJW]

Beautiful Colt!

Had an opportunity to purchase this 1979 4.75" Colt SAA in original box from a friend for $1800 and couldn't pass it up. Looks unfired.

Beautiful SAA Dwaine, do you intend shooting it? Easy caliber to reload.
WildBill

 

[jag312]

I have two USFA revolvers with 4 3/4 inch barrels. One is in .44 Special with Paul Persinger ivory grips with the Patton Eagle, and the other in .45 Colt with Tru-ivory grips. Comparing them to my original Colt SAA from 1896, the USFA are just as good. Comparing the USFA to the new Colts, side by side, the USFA are better.