Colt SAA musings (Update #1 in post 37)

JohnRippert

JohnRippert

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I would really like to add a Colt SAA 5.5 in .357 to my accumulation but good golly Miss Molly, the prices. I was watching a 2nd gen with a 4 3/4in barrel that had some serious holster wear on it. The cylinder was probably at 50% and there was heavy holster wear on both sides of the barrel. In addition there was some light rust damage to the case hardening on the top strap. It went for $1500.

I am also watching a 3rd gen 5.5in in 98%+ condition that has a week to go. I shudder to think what price it will end up going for. When the versions in a less popular caliber like .357 are pretty much out of reach it gets discouraging. Yes, I can buy a clone, but what I really want is a Colt. I even prefer there to be some wear on my firearms as I am not a big fan of safe queens although I have picked up a couple when the price was right. I just do not see the price being right on a Colt SAA happening any time soon.

I see the same thing happening with Colt Detective Specials. My first trigger pull was on a nice 3rd gen and while I have seen quite a few that fit the bill condition wise to assuage my nostalgia, the price has not worked. I guess pretty much anything with Winchester or Colt on it is going to bleed my bank account if I really want to do it, and that sucks.

I'll get off my soapbox now. Thanks for listening.;)
 
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I feel your pain, brother!!! And I have had a couple of Colt SAAs in the past, and foolishly let them get away. I have been keeping my eye peeled for a 4 3/4" .45. Looking for blue, with case frame. Still looking. Friend called me yesterday, he had a 125 th anniversary long barreled 45 in the factory display case he was trying to sell for a guy. Asking $1200, but might be negotiated. But it had a gold plated grip frame, and had been shot, and the gold was fading...not my cup of tea. Still looking.

One of the ones that i let go: 44-40 with an extra 44 spl cylinder, blue, 4 3/4", case frame, and factory ivory stocks. Only gun I ever let go that my GF still gives me the devil about. I really wish I had that one back...sigh...

Best Regards, Les
 
Keep looking. I just found a like new 4 3/4", 357 for $1150. No box or papers.

Same dealer had one with a longer barrel...5.5" maybe? And I want to say it's a pinto, but can't swear to that...anyway it was in 44/40 so I wasn't really interested, but it was tagged at $1500. I'd say like new condition, but I didn't look at it close.

It seems to me, around here at least, I've seen some softening in the market.
 
I lusted after a Colt SAA for my collection for years until I traded one of my S&Ws and a considerable sum of cash for a 1980's .44 Special model in bright Nickel with box and docs. Such a beautiful revolver. I shoot all my guns, so to the range I went with a variety of handloads. The darned thing hit far right and since it was nickel plated there was no way to bend the front sight to adjust. So, I cleaned it back to spotless and sold it to a Colt collector who was much more interested in how the grip frame was fit to the main frame than ever shooting the revolver!
If I buy another SAA, it will be an Uberti replica for a lot less money as the Colt's are too rich for my pocket.
SAAboxweb.jpg
 
I think my days of getting Colt SAAs for under a grand are over. I recently paid $1200 for this 1992 .44-40 that has a .44 special cylinder only. I was looking specifically for a 4 3/4" .44 special. Is is really put together well, though the colors are faded which I didn't mind. The wood grips were on it. Prior to that I found a 1890 cut down renickeld .44-40 for $800 on consignment. But, like sambar stag grips, prices are soring out of reach. My reach, anyway.



 
SOURCE

John:

Kalif. might too far for you, unless you're retired, but a friend of mine who goes to two different auction houses in Orange County said Colts are not holding their value. If you go to an auction where there will be a plethora of SAAs, he said you can find 3rd Gens for right at or just under a grand.

Same holds true (he said) for the Las Vegas antique gun show held twice a year. Forgot which casino.

PM me for further info.

Good Luck, Hank M.
 
JohnRippert
Find the very best 2nd generation SAA you can afford, grit your teeth, and buy it.
I've owned most brands, and if I were looking to buy anything other than Colt, it'd be one of Doug Turnbull's.
Nothing beats the real thing, and you're wise to be looking.
Don
 
JohnRippert: I know you have your heart set on an Actual Colt SAA revolver. But have you considered a reproduction from the Uberti company?

This gun company manufactures some very nice and very well made reproductions of the SAA Revolver.

Also The Cimarron firearms company has a nice selection of Reproduction Colt SAA revolvers as well.
 
There is nothing like a real Colt SAA. That said, you should get
it tuned by a good smith. Not just any smith, but a Colt guy.
I shoot cowboy action and shoot a pair of second gen's every
weekend. Same guns for past 15 years. Thousand of rounds.
Blue wear, but as good as when I started.
 
steamloco76 said:
I lusted after a Colt SAA for my collection for years until I traded one of my S&Ws and a considerable sum of cash for a 1980's .44 Special model in bright Nickel with box and docs. Such a beautiful revolver. I shoot all my guns, so to the range I went with a variety of handloads. The darned thing hit far right and since it was nickel plated there was no way to bend the front sight to adjust. So, I cleaned it back to spotless and sold it to a Colt collector who was much more interested in how the grip frame was fit to the main frame than ever shooting the revolver!
If I buy another SAA, it will be an Uberti replica for a lot less money as the Colt's are too rich for my pocket.
SAAboxweb.jpg
Click to expand...
This one here looks great with those silver medallion pearls. My 2nd choice when I got the last .44 Special was a 5 1/2" nickel like yours. But they are so expensive now. I had my pearls on my old .44-40 at first which is close to yours. The barrel is cut down to 5". I have a .44 special cylinder for this one now.

 
I have to agree with the OP. The prices are ridiculous. I bought this 5.5" SAA in 357mag NIB off GB last December for $1350, which is under retail. Fitted those ebony grips myself. I opted for the 'odd' caliber as it's my favorite and dominates my line up. 45lc is obsolete in my eyes, and pure nostalgia isn't enough for me to take it on as another caliber in reloading. 357mag is a great caliber in a SAA. It's a little heavier, but you have one powerful handgun that is more versatile. If I was to get another SAA, it would probably be 44spl. However, the chances of getting another SAA are slim because I have no real use for them besides fun at the range, and one is enough for that. Any other use is best left to a DA revolver, at least for me.

Reasonably priced ones are out there. You just have to find them. Still, I don't understand why anyone wants to pay over MSRP when they are still making them. You definitely want a real Colt. Other options are cheaper, but they are not the real deal. I would suggest a very recent production one because the quality has been top notch. Mine is a 2015. If you do get one, I have a "how to" thread that is a sticky on the Colt forum that goes into great detail on an action job. A slicked up action is almost a must on these.

3.jpg

I also agree about the Detective Special. I need another one for my wife, but cannot find a decent one for about $400. There is no reason a fairly worn, but not abused, DS should be any more than that. True shooters are going for $500+ these days. I acquired both my DS and my Cobra for less than $400 just a couple years ago.

One just has to be patient, constantly watch, and have the money in hand for when one pops up at a good price. Good luck with your hunt.
 
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Love those Colt SAA's
I had a 2nd Gen. Nickel 4 3/4" like new in the stagecoach box
in .357



Couldn't wrap my head around a SAA in .357 so i sold it
and bought a 7 1/2" New Frontier in .45

If you look around you can still find good deals on Colt SAA's
this Nickel one above cost me 1200 with auction fees.
1969 2nd



Chuck
 
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Like everyone else, I'd love to have ANY SAA in reasonable condition, but the price is an issue. As a shooter, I'd be just as happy with a much less expensive Uberti replica. Those I have seen appear to be very well made. I've come very close to buying one on several occasions, but never pulled the trigger. Another I would really like is one of the 1950's Great Western replicas.
 
This Colt was made in 1911. It was sent back to Colt in 1969 and rebuilt, changing it from a .32-20 to .45. It came with the Colt invoice of repair but no original parts. Then the lady who sold it found the 1969 Colt shipping box with all the old parts hidden in her ceiling by her later husband. The box shows the gun was shipped back to a prominent Nevada politician/businessman who was long time Sheriff of Mercury, NV., the atomic test sight town. Word of mouth is that the gun has a Pinkerton/railroad connection in Nevada. This one is getting lettered soon. Colt really built this gun tight in '69.






 
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