Colt SAA?

[Stan O]

I know this is a Smith Forum but please excuse my question.
I have the opportunity to purchase a NIB, Colt SAA, .44spl. 5&1/2".
This firearm was purchased by the original owner in 1982 for $479.00
The action has never been turned. As said, New in the original Colt box with all paperwork and so on. Having always wanted a real Colt single action, the owner is willing to sell for $900 shipped. My problems are two-fold.
I would have to put my original, 1959 Ruger 3 screw .44 mag on the block to afford the new Colt. I also understand that the early 80's were hit or miss QC.
Any opinions or suggestions would be welcomed and very much appreciated.

 

[gregintenn]

That gun would bring $1000-1200 around here.

 

[gkitch]

Very fair price.

 

[safearm]

I think it's a fair price for the SAA, and you should be able to get more than that for your Ruger.

 

[arjay]

Take a good look at the frame to trigger guard fit,backstrap to frame fit,the roll marks and the screw holes and check if the trigger guard is centered.Thats a very good price for a nib SAA.
excuse the oily rag

 

[PALADIN85020]

Unfired? .44 special? Original box? Papers? Unturned? $900?

Go for it. Money in the bank.

John

 

[Geno44]

The price is right. Are you willing to keep it as an unfired gun? The Ruger may be a better shooter in a better caliber depending on what you do with it. It would be nice if you could buy he Colt and keep the Ruger but sometimes that is not an option.

 

[GKC]

I agree with Geno44. If you want a shooter, the Ruger is a stronger gun. Of course, if you want a Colt, that's a good price. If you want a collectible, you'll have to keep it unfired, and even unturned.

The thing about collectible guns is, they aren't all that good an investment. Aside from the pride of ownership, you'd be better off putting the money in the market or saving it, in terms of return. Unless a gun is truly rare or unique, it won't appreciate in value nearly as much as will money invested.

Of course, money invested isn't as sexy and a pleasure to own as is a wood and steel classic gun.

 

[mojave30cal]

Man, I would be all over that like kimchee on sticky rice! $900
is a steal. Go for it.

 

[Stan O]

Colt .44

Thanks for all the reply's. I've had the Ruger since 1984 and although a great gun is downright hurtful to shoot .44 mag out of it. Mainly .44 spl. which is at least comfortable. The Colt would be a shooter and not a collectable. I'm an older guy who always dreamed of having a genuine SSA Army with a pony on it. Not to mention, I have .44 dies and a lot of brass, powder and primers. If I ever want a magnum, a used Super Blackhawk is easy to find. Think I may go for it. If so, I'll post some pics if I get it. Again thanks to all the forum members for the reply's.

 

[lowriderfxr]

I am a Smith & Wesson guy through and through, but I've always said, the lines of the SAA make it the most beautiful handgun ever made. Especially the blue and case ones.

 

[gregintenn]

I agree with Geno44. If you want a shooter, the Ruger is a stronger gun. Of course, if you want a Colt, that's a good price. If you want a collectible, you'll have to keep it unfired, and even unturned.

The thing about collectible guns is, they aren't all that good an investment. Aside from the pride of ownership, you'd be better off putting the money in the market or saving it, in terms of return. Unless a gun is truly rare or unique, it won't appreciate in value nearly as much as will money invested.

Of course, money invested isn't as sexy and a pleasure to own as is a wood and steel classic gun.

How many investments can you name that have provided a better rate of return than Colt revolvers?

Colt SAAs and Snake gun revolvers have blown through the roof lately in price.

 

[boykinlp]

The action has never been turned. As said, New in the original Colt box with all paperwork and so on. Having always wanted a real Colt single action, the owner is willing to sell for $900 shipped.

If it is truly NIB, he could put it up on Gunbroker and get $1400 very easily. If you tried to order a new one from Colt, it would cost more than $1400 and probably take 18-24 to get it. BUY IT!!!

 

[2152hq]

If the Colt SAA is genuine NIB unturned w/the papers, ect,,,and is one of the clean & crisply polished and assembled ones from that time (yes some were less than stellar),,,I'd buy it at that price ($900) to resell for a profit.
Use the money to buy a shooter grade, used Colt SAA. Pocket the difference. No harm in making a few dollars.
The moment you shoot it,,that very profit, about $300/$400 dollars I'd guess in a fairly quick turnaround,,you might just as well toss the 3 bills out of the car window on the way to the range.

The Ruger 44 from 1959 I'd guess is an original Flat Top.
Should say just '44 Magnum Blackhawk' on the right side of the frame.
If any sort of condition should be in the $700 to $900 range. If it has the 7 1/2 or the 10" bbl on it from the factory,,you can trade it for a belt full of Colt 3rd generations.
I'd keep the Flat Top regardless of what I did with the Colt SAA.

Just my way of looking at it.

 

[arjay]

If its really nib and well fitted I'd snag it and not look back.The 44s(3rd gen) are going for $1400 and up.

 

[Stan O]

Colt .44

Received the gun yesterday. NIB. Final price $850 shipped. I was a bit worried about the 3rd gen fit and finish but the ears to frame are perfect. Can't feel a difference with my finger. The trigger guard to frame is also a perfect mate. Also, no end-play. Here's some pics.

 

[arjay]

Very nice [emoji106]

 

[bsspython]

Very nice looking SAA.Good price also.The thing that I have with some of the 3rd gens was the height of the hammer spur.Some of them intruded into the sight plane and they are very difficult to shoot.Unless it's just the angle of the photo yours looks like it has that condition.If it does call Colt and they might fix it for you for the cost of shipping.If you decide not to shoot it I would leave it as is.JMO D*

 

[uspatentkid]

My experience with Colt's is "You pay the money and take the chances". Colt's are excellent investments if left un-fired. Firing one not only decreases it's value but opens one to other problems. I had a 1992 44/40 that had an over-tightened barrel and shot 8 1/2" to the right with all loads fired. Colt cylinders are famous for being oversize, that 44/40 I had, the cylinder was .435 dia! a true 44/40 is .427. Colt will repair it for 75.00 an hr. if it has problems. I would keep the Ruger if shooting is the plan. Collecting and never shooting the Colt well I only buy shooting guns anymore. Good Luck with your decision.

 

[A10]

Shoot it and enjoy it! If you don't, eventually someone else will. Besides, though a very nice gun, nothing other than the fact it's a Colt really makes it collectible from what I see. More value if unfired probably, but how much? Let's say it's a 1400 dollar gun, if you use it for a few years, caring for it but shooting it, won't it still be a thousand dollar gun? Would you get 400 bucks worth of enjoyment shooting it? My guess is yes.....

 

[cobretti]

I'm sorry, did you really have to ask if $850 shipped for an unfired, unturned, NIB, Colt SAA in .44 special was a good deal? You had to actually think about it? Really?

I think you're just bragging! I'd ask if he had anything else while you're at it...

 

[dgludwig]

Great deal! You can always replace the Ruger later. And I would advise to heed A10's prudent advice: shoot it and enjoy it. Collections are for stamp, coin and Barbie doll aficionados.

 

[shakyshoot]

How many investments can you name that have provided a better rate of return than Colt revolvers?

Colt SAAs and Snake gun revolvers have blown through the roof lately in price.

Not wanting to hijack the thread, but every dollar invested in the stock market in 1982 is worth about $18 today, so the original owner's $479 could have gone to $8600.

That's really a beautiful gun. Personally, I wouldn't buy a gun I wasn't going to shoot, but being a coin collector, I can understand the attraction of "mint in box."

 

[hat4954]

I'm 60 yrs old, have 2 Colt SAA shooters, 45 Colt. 125th anniversary that I bought with the box, but all gold worn off from handling for cheap, and a standard blue and case 4 3/4 bbl bought new for $1350 in 1996. I play at Cowboy Action, and there is something about shooting Colts there that is just fun. As my wife tells me all the time when I talk about investing in guns, "An investment is only an investment if you ever plan to sell it". You got yours well below what I call "Kimber Money", and I don't see anyone worried about shooting them. Just my humble opinion--Have fun with it.

 

[Hondo44]

I think you did the right thing by getting it! It was a bargain. You can find Rugers the same vintage as yours and replace it anytime if you want down the road. That looks like a pretty darned nice one. The grip frame 'ears' around the hammer are a little flattened and don't match the curve of the hammer base, but not untypical for that vintage.

I collect SAA Colts. These are the things I tell everyone considering a Colt SAA purchase. They may help you decide to realize a lot of profitt on it and replace with another Colt or just decide to keep it and shoot it.

The SA46XXX to SA05XXX range 1981-86, is about the peak of the worst period. I'll try to put a bracket on it: The very early 3rds with an SA suffix are fine and compare well to late 2nd gens in quality if not features like the trigger guard bevel, cyl base pin bushimg, et.el.

Starting about 1980 # SA3XXXX range thru about 1989 #SA94XXX, inspect very closely for:

Cyl end shake (fore and aft play), flattened hammer spurs, off center firing pins in the hammer, bad backstrap to hammer base flush fitting, crooked front sights, sloppy actions with more than four clicks, crooked rolled stampings on frame and barrel (sometimes patent dates are missing altogether), lousy case coloring, poor grip strap to frame fit, over polished edges or edges so sharp you could cut yourself, etc., etc. The labor strike was in 1986. Now having said all that, I have found an occasional decent gun in that period.

After that period things start to improve with typically only one of those problems per gun but sometimes more, and sometimes none. The lousy backstrap 'ears' to hammer base fitting is still fairly common as are flattened hammer spurs. Once the SA in the serial number splits SXXXXXA in 1993, they continue to get better thru 1999.

At #S26XXXA in 1999 the authentic removable base pin cyl bushing like 1st and 2nd gen guns is re-introduced and cyl end shake is all but eliminated. Case colors really improve as well as fitting. Hammer spurs are correct as well as most backstrap ears to hammer base fit. Now the guns are approaching late 2nd gen quality and do to this day. However the trigger guard/front grip strap still does not have the bevel of the early 3rds with SA suffix or wide loading gates of the early 2nd gens and probably never will again. The 2nds never had the 2 line short barrel address or 1/2" radius flutes of the 1st gen, and even the late 1st gens lost the case colored hammers and all vestiges of the front cyl chamfer. At least three pre c. 1936 features can be special ordered now on 3rd gens; CCH hammer, the 2 line barrel address on short barrels and the cyl chamfer, but it's not accurately done. Of course there's a one year plus wait.

An early 2nd gen from 1958 with removable cyl bushing like the 1st gen guns (and now the late 3rd gen guns too):

And an early 3rd gen Sheriff 44 Spl/44-40 convertible:

 

[Thuer]

I do own two Colt SAA revolvers made in 1981 and one in 1982. Do not see any problem. Both are good shooters. There is only a small play in the cilinder. But that dous not concern the accuracy. I love them both.

I placed this picture before. On top is the .44 special made in 1979 a .22lr Peacemaker a Second generation 1973 .45 colt SAA and the .45 made in 1982.

In the second picture is the 2th generation Colt in .357 magnum.

Love those Colts SAA revolvers.

 

[jyo]

I have two SAA 44 Specials (3rd Gen.) in 4 3/4" and 5 1/2" and both are nicely fitted and very nice shooters---bought both used but minty---intended to shoot both and do. I also have a short barrel 22lr/22mag Peacemaker that shoots very well. There's just something about a genuine Colt...

 

[arjay]

Finally screwed up my courage (these aren't cheap!) shoved it in a holster and went hiking in moose country yesterday.Plinked several pine cones and had no run ins with those strange critters.All in all a fun day [emoji1]

 

[Stan O]

Colt SAA

I'm sorry, did you really have to ask if $850 shipped for an unfired, unturned, NIB, Colt SAA in .44 special was a good deal? You had to actually think about it? Really?

Nope, I didn't think twice. Already knew it was a good deal. Just concerned about the 3rd gen.

I think you're just bragging! I'd ask if he had anything else while you're at it...

I'm sorry. Are you replying to me? Bragging? For a NIB Colt for $850. You bet your you know what I'm bragging. I thought I got an exceptional deal. And yes, he does have a couple of other items NIB, for what I consider wholesale prices.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I'm sorry, did you really have to ask if $850 shipped for an unfired, unturned, NIB, Colt SAA in .44 special was a good deal? You had to actually think about it? Really?

I think you're just bragging! I'd ask if he had anything else while you're at it...

FUNNY REPLY!

But I agree - nothing to think about!!!

***GRJ***