m41
Member
I am looking to purchase a single action colt in 45 lc which is the best buy on the market now?
45 colt
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If I read your question correctly, the only Colt is the SSA....I'd go 3rd. generation, one with removable bushing....not sure when that started but I think quite a while back, maybe 2000??? not that you would shoot it that much!....1st & 2nd gen. get real pricey.....but real cool!!
pardon me, SAA.....Colt forum is full of guys that know their stuff on these...the old ones have often been messed with!
"...which is the best buy ..."
Depends on your meaning of 'best buy'. The least expensive that usually work well are the various Italian clones. A little more expensive but work well and are nigh unbreakable are the Rugers. Colt's cost more, may be worth more in the future, and are just a joy to shoot.
Depends on your meaning of 'best buy'. The least expensive that usually work well are the various Italian clones. A little more expensive but work well and are nigh unbreakable are the Rugers. Colt's cost more, may be worth more in the future, and are just a joy to shoot.
JcMack
Member
I'd look at Cimarron. In my opinion Italian copies are pretty good. But beware because some copies now have the firing pin in the frame. I really like Cimarron Thunderer in 44/40 (although a not based on real Colt model).
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Wrangler Rich
US Veteran
For pure reliability, it would be difficult to recommend anything but a Ruger Vaquero. They are a little larger than the original Colt but, they are built like a Sherman Tank.
WR
WR
I have several makes of SAA's. Colt; U.S. Firearms Mfg.
Co.; Standard Manufacturing; and Uberti's Taylor & Co.
All are good to excellent with Uberti being the cheapest in cost.
Colt .45, 2nd Gen.
Colt .44 Spl., 3rd Gen.
U.S. Firearms Mfg. Co., .44-40 WCF, with Giraffe bone stocks
Uberti Tatlor & Co. , .32-20 WCF
Uberti Taylor & Co., .32-20 WCF
Co.; Standard Manufacturing; and Uberti's Taylor & Co.
All are good to excellent with Uberti being the cheapest in cost.
Colt .45, 2nd Gen.
Colt .44 Spl., 3rd Gen.
U.S. Firearms Mfg. Co., .44-40 WCF, with Giraffe bone stocks
Uberti Tatlor & Co. , .32-20 WCF
Uberti Taylor & Co., .32-20 WCF
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cmort666
Member
I've got a Cimarron 7 1/2" Frontier in .45 Colt. its the only SAA/clone I've ever owned.
I wanted a Colt experience at a reasonable price.
I searched HARD for a clone with a four click Colt style action.
Safety of carry was irrelevant since I never intend to carry it, much less with six in the cylinder. It's a range toy and nothing else. When I bought it, it had the cylinder axis pin safety. I immediately replaced the cylinder axis pin with a single position Uberti part.
I haven't shot it much, but it's a damned fine gun, at a reasonable price.
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If your going to spend the bucks get a Colt.
Ran upon this one yesterday while Christmas shopping
with the bride at Cabela's.
It was in the wrong box(late third gen) and terrible grips.
It was no "deal" but I had a couple hundred $ in "points".
It was in fact a 1972 second generation and slick as a pin.
Plus I have a weakness for these dang things.
Gettin pretty rare walkin up on one these days.
Good luck on your search.
Ran upon this one yesterday while Christmas shopping
with the bride at Cabela's.
It was in the wrong box(late third gen) and terrible grips.
It was no "deal" but I had a couple hundred $ in "points".
It was in fact a 1972 second generation and slick as a pin.
Plus I have a weakness for these dang things.
Gettin pretty rare walkin up on one these days.
Good luck on your search.
jag312
Member
After I bought a new Winchester 1892 in .45 Colt, I had to acquire a SAA in .45 Colt. I got a USFA Single Action, Tru-Ivory grips, and the serial number is 0XXDT. It works for me. Sure, it is more expensive than the Italian clones, but it shows better workmanship than the Gen 3 Colts.
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Texas Star
US Veteran
The sole .45 Colt I've owned was a DA New Service made about 1935. It was extremely accurate with Remington factory ammo. I fired a Colt SAA with 4.75 inch barrel a number of times while it was on writer's loan about 1975. Hard trigger, but I hear new ones are better.
If you want a practical carry piece and adj. sights, get a stainless Ruger Blackhawk. Otherwise, see the advice above.
I have great respect for that ctg., esp. in heavy Ruger only handloads, but even std. factory ammo is a good manstopper, and for most needs, a 250 grain Keith bullet at 900 FPS will do what's needed, even on a bear.
Are you looking for a "real world" gun, or?
If you want a practical carry piece and adj. sights, get a stainless Ruger Blackhawk. Otherwise, see the advice above.
I have great respect for that ctg., esp. in heavy Ruger only handloads, but even std. factory ammo is a good manstopper, and for most needs, a 250 grain Keith bullet at 900 FPS will do what's needed, even on a bear.
Are you looking for a "real world" gun, or?
I have 4 Ruger Blackhawks. They were my guns for SASS shooting so they got a lot of use. One is at least 35 years old and they have never given me any problems.
oddshooter
Member
I think the Ruger Bisley Blackhawk Hunter is the best all around in 45 Colt.
The scallops on the barrel make mounting a scope simple and easy. The accuracy of mine with Leupold scope is .5" at 25 yards.
Fully capable of shooting "Ruger Only" loads.
Prescut
The scallops on the barrel make mounting a scope simple and easy. The accuracy of mine with Leupold scope is .5" at 25 yards.
Fully capable of shooting "Ruger Only" loads.
Prescut
cmort666
Member
I've got one in .45acp. You couldn't the U.S.S. Nimitz with it, standing in the hangar deck.
It was taken off of a Mexican illegal alien criminal in Chicago in the '60s. The best guess of several people is that it started as a .45 Colt and got a .45acp cylinder (and a chrome job) somewhere in Mexico. I think it's about 1919 vintage and back then, .45 Colt and .45acp had different bore diameters. The bore is otherwise in decent shape.
Someday I'll buy some oversized bullets to load to see if that improves things. These days probably aren't a good time for that.
Grayfox
US Veteran
Uberti makes excellent SAA clones that are true to the original design. They're sold under a variety of names by U.S. companies. Navy Arms, Cimmeron and Taylors to name a few. The only real difference is the level of finish. Even here you can go from plain to Bar-B-Que depending on how much you want to spend.
I had a Uberti Hombre for a while. This is the plainest and cheapest model they offer. Excellent quality and a good shooter.
I had a Uberti Hombre for a while. This is the plainest and cheapest model they offer. Excellent quality and a good shooter.
Uberti "El Patron" in stainless steel. As good as any colt or other clone.
Cdog
Member
I don't know what's in the marketplace today, but the lighter weight "New Vaquero" is a much more user friendly size than the original Blackhawk sized Ruger.
The "New Vaquero" won't stand up well, nor will the shooter to "Ruger Only" loads. Still it's a solid piece with Ruger backing it.
As others have stated, there are some very good Italian clones offered.
If you have a chance to shoot Bisley type, I think you'd like it. To many they're homely looking, but they are very natural in the hand.
The "New Vaquero" won't stand up well, nor will the shooter to "Ruger Only" loads. Still it's a solid piece with Ruger backing it.
As others have stated, there are some very good Italian clones offered.
If you have a chance to shoot Bisley type, I think you'd like it. To many they're homely looking, but they are very natural in the hand.
I guess it depends on the overall mission for the pistol. If you want to own one for the sake of owning one, and to occasionally shoot it while admiring it, I'D go with the Colt, if I could afford it. It's just such a "CLASSIC".
For a "working gun" or one that will see lots of Cowboy action competition, I think it's difficult to go wrong with a Ruger, either a new or old Vaquero. I don't know how resilient the various Italian copies are (probably as well or better than Colts), but the Rugers are all built like Abrams Tanks.
If you plan to use "Elmer Keith"-type loads and occasionally hunt with your .45 Colt, then I would DEFINITELY look at/pay extra money for the Ruger.
There are others who are more attuned than I, to which firearms brands are sturdier than others, but in very broad strokes, I think what I've said is valid. I welcome input if I've erred someplace.
For a "working gun" or one that will see lots of Cowboy action competition, I think it's difficult to go wrong with a Ruger, either a new or old Vaquero. I don't know how resilient the various Italian copies are (probably as well or better than Colts), but the Rugers are all built like Abrams Tanks.
If you plan to use "Elmer Keith"-type loads and occasionally hunt with your .45 Colt, then I would DEFINITELY look at/pay extra money for the Ruger.
There are others who are more attuned than I, to which firearms brands are sturdier than others, but in very broad strokes, I think what I've said is valid. I welcome input if I've erred someplace.
I have a Ruger Bisley Vaquero in .45 Colt...not only is it overbuilt, it's a pure pleasure to shoot as well.
If you're looking for a "working" gun think about an Old Model Ruger Blackhawk (3 screw action), preferably with the 4 5/8" barrel. They're not easy to find but they are well worth the hunt. It's easy enough to carry, they will take the heaviest of loads, or not, and that old action is just the berries! If you're looking for return on investment go with Colt. The Italian guns are fine but they're not the field gun that the Ruger is. Neither is the Colt for that matter, but the Italians don't hold their value like the Colt.
