Colt SAA

[Camster]

Even though I'm in serious old man downsizing mode, I've always liked these.I happen to know of a shop that has two NIB examples in on consignment, late 80's guns, probably from another old guy in downsizing mode. I'm surprised that they're still there,@1795 ea,after sitting there a few months.
Am I correct that this is low end of value, if they're flawless?
Has the market weakened for these classic guns?
One has wood grips, the other, hard rubber.I like wood, but would one have more value than the other? if the guns were the same otherwise?
Thanks for your opinions.
I owned a Colt SAA New Frontier 7.5 inch barrel gun in the past, but really wanted either a 4.75 or 5.5 inch barrel SAA.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

In the early 80s there were real problems with fit, finish, and case hardening colors. I think it started to get rectified in the late 80s and then excellent made guns onward. Those guns would have pressed in non removable cylinder bushings. Earlier and later guns have removable bushings that can be fitted. Shims needed to tighten up the fixed bushings. Check the guns for cylinder movement forward and backward. Look for dishing around screw holes from bad polishing and look at the lower back of the hammers when hammers all the way down. See if they match the top of the back strap between the 2 top screws there.
What caliber, barrel length and finish? 4 3/4" is the most desirable with (I think) 5 1/2" the least. 7 1/2" in the middle. .357 the least popular unless 4 3/4" but a .45 or .44 will fetch more. Wood grips with gold medallions are usually very plain. I'd prefer classic black hard rubber as I think future collectors would.
Based on all this, in today's world the prices are probably correct on the high end but very expensive to me since I like scoring used less pretty ones for much less.

 

[Echo40]

I think that nowadays folks who like the Single Action Army are more interested in the gun itself than the brand name attached to it, ergo when they walk into a gunshop and see a Colt SAA for $1700+, a Ruger Blackhawk for $600+, an Uberti Catleman for $450+, and a Heritage Arms Rough Rider for $125+, the Colt becomes something of a hard sell for folks who just want to own/shoot a SAA.

The Colt appeals more to collectors/investors than it does firearms enthusiasts or casual shooters.

 

[Coaltminer]

I've never seen one used or new here in SW WV. I've only had one, a Gen 3, 357 with 7.5" barrel, it was NIB made in late '70's just after the 2nd gens. Everything looked great but I never shot it. IIRC, Colt said they were collectible more than shooters

 

[lestert357]

Am I correct that this is low end of value, if they're flawless?

Has the market weakened for these classic guns?

One has wood grips, the other, hard rubber.I like wood, but would one have more value than the other? if the guns were the same otherwise?

I dabbled in Colt Single Actions, mostly 1st generation, for over 20 years before I reset to S&W revolvers. I still like Colt Single Actions I guess because I grew up in the 50's watching Gunsmoke, Maverick, Roy Rogers, etc. My observation on Colt Single Actions is that the prices on them have generally been stagnant for several years - especially the 2nd and 3rd generation guns and the typical raggedy 1st generation guns. I think the prices you mentioned are fairly typical for late '80's ANIB 3rd generation standard production guns with no special characteristics. I also think it is typical for those guns priced at that level to set for months (or longer) without moving out the door. The other thing to consider is that if you plan on shooting a ANIB 3rd generation gun the value will immediately drop by 30+%; I doubt if you could sell it for more than $1000-$1200. If you want a Colt Single Action to shoot I would steer you towards a lower condition 1st generation gun that is mechanically sound - you could shoot it all you want without hurting the value any and you might even sell it for a profit assuming you didn't substantially over pay for it. My comments here have been very generic; all generations of Colt Single Actions take substantial study to really get an appreciation of prices and values. Barrel length, finish, caliber, configuration combinations, special features etc. all impact valuation. If you want to really learn about 2nd and 3rd generation Colt SAA's buy Don Wilkerson's books, for 1st generation Colt SAA's start with John Kopec's book "A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver".

 

[Mrnurse]

I have a Winchester collection, fooled with Colt SAA of all types over the years...you hit the nail on the head...20+ years ago folks LOVED winchesters... and SAA, now.... not so much as the old guys die off. I would be lucky to break even on my collection...young folks are into plastic stuff and the latest Apple thing...Roy Rogers or "The Duke" has no meaning to them. If you down sizing forget the SAA.... Go on vacation and enjoy life.

 

[Echo40]

Plenty of folks are still into the Wild West setting in various forms of media, Cowboy Action Shooting, and classic firearms such as the Single Action Army, hence why TV Shows like West World, various programs on The History Channel, and video games like Red Dead Redemption 2 are so popular, not to mention why so many companies offer clones of the SAA.
The reason why vintage firearms and faithful reproductions don't sell is because they're more expensive than most folks are willing/able to pay and there are a multitude of far cheaper clones which replicate the look/feel of the original more than enough to satisfy folks who just want to own/shoot a SAA Revolver. In addition, many modern reproductions can handle hotter loads than the originals due to advances in metallurgy, ergo for the vast majority of shooters, a cheap reproduction or clone of a Single Action Army like the Uberti Cattleman, Cimarron Frontier, or Heritage Arms Rough Rider is a preferable alternatives to spending upwards of $1500 on a Colt.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

I have a Winchester collection, fooled with Colt SAA of all types over the years...you hit the nail on the head...20+ years ago folks LOVED winchesters... and SAA, now.... not so much as the old guys die off. I would be lucky to break even on my collection...young folks are into plastic stuff and the latest Apple thing...Roy Rogers or "The Duke" has no meaning to them. If you down sizing forget the SAA.... Go on vacation and enjoy life.

I'm about to turn 62 and I know that my late 60s Marvel comic book collection will drop in value as guy's my age going thru mid life nalstalgic crisises die off. Except for ultra pristine rare copies, of course. So you're right. That applies to guns, too. The bright side? I can go in gun shops and look at the lonely consignment bottom shelf and sometimes scoop up a gem. While all the young shooters are looking with awe at the latest Glocks, Sigs, Springfield Model XYZ, etc.

 

[gregintenn]

I'd offer substantially less and see what happens. Since they've been there a while, he might be interested in turning them into cash. Seems a little high to me anyway.

 

[keith44spl]

I've down sized to one Colt SAA a 44 Special,
I carry it from time to time and shoot it purty often to boot.

They are just one of those lit'l pleasures in life that a man should not refuse himself.

.

 

[EdinDenver]

I'm an old guy as well...and am in the downsizing mode too.

Back in 1991 or so I shot S.A.S.S. with a friend who had a .357 Colt S.A.A.that was absolutely a pleasure to shoot. He had a trigger job done on it by some fancy name that I can't even recall. It was my first "competition" I participated in and I absolutely loved it. I've wanted a S.A.A. since. For the first time in MANY years, I saw a pair for sale at a local store - they were 6" models (not 4 5/8) and I got to thinking...honestly, from a collector perspective, it might be worth it, but I'm not someone to buy something and stick it in a safe (I have that with gold and silver...for the past 10 or so years...it sits and doesn't do much). From a hunting perspective in Colorado, I can't hunt big game or use it as a sidearm because .357 doesn't meet ballistics requirements. That leaves competition shooting (S.A.S.S.) and plinking. I don't need anything that expensive to plink with and I don't shoot S.A.S.S. anymore - and Uberti would fit that bill at 1/3 the price.

I've decided to pass - that's my logic as sad as it seems. FWIW, I did buy a M1 Garand from CMP last month - complete rebuild at $1,200 with new barrel and it's absolutely the sweetest Garand I've owned. I'm happy with that.

I should also mention that I picked up a consignment check this afternoon - sold a Ruger LC9s, a Ruger GP100 6", and a 686+ in 2.5". My Model 10 and Model 19 without the locks in 4" fit the bill. One of the New Year's resolutions is to reduce clutter...

 

[Xfuzz]

Cashed in on a few of my SAA early last year.
I guess dudes our age will always have a desire for
the old Colt SAA.
Watching the 50/60's TV shows hooked us all I guess.
These two will be staying.

 

[Wyo]

I am one of the beneficiaries of Keith44Spl's downsizing and, while there are pkenty of logical reasons not to own a SAA, there are at least as many "life" reasons why one should. Like good whiskey or fine art, they're just a pleasure that makes life a little bit better. Do you need one? Probably not. Should you have one anyway? Probably so. Top one from Keith44Spl, the bottom one is a 2nd gen. I had laying around.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I've down sized to one Colt SAA a 44 Special,
I carry it from time to time and shoot it purty often to boot.

They are just one of those lit'l pleasures in life that a man should not refuse himself.

.

Somebody scratched that gun all up and dented up that otherwise nice looking holster.

 

[keith44spl]

.

Gary,
I had sumbody scratch up the iron, looked like he used a horseshoe nail.

I'll plead guilty to whittling on them ol stocks....A Shorthorn 'Bull of the Woods'

.

 

[wbraswell]

I have 2 SAAs. I wanted one dearly back when they were still a regular production item. Then, you could find them on almost any aisle at a gun show. As soon as I heard they were going out of regular production, I bought one at the next gun show. A NIB 7.5" .44spl, with great case hardening. Doggone it, I couldn't bring myself to shoot it. I still have it, and the only time the hammer has been cocked was to clean and oil it. I had to have one to shoot. I found a rather seedy looking specimen at a local show, with strange grips on it. I noticed it was a Colt and asked a few questions and made a trade for it. He told me it was .45 ACP, which I thought strange and knew would be very rare, and figured it wasn't original. It's an NRA commemorative, originally a .357, that someone had rechambered to .45 ACP and I think, used for quick draw, possibly SASS competition. It has a great trigger and the action is very smooth. It has had surface rust on the frame in a couple of spots and looks well used. This thing is dead on. I have taken it to the range and shot paper, and was shocked to see it group great with any load I put in it. It shoots a 225 lead RN to the same point of aim, with almost any reasonable amount of Unique you want to use. It's 5.5" barrel points naturally, better than any handgun I have ever shot. There's nothing like handling a slick SAA, and slowly pulling that hammer back. Music to my ears. Best plinking in the world is making a can dance with it and never using the sights.

 

[Raphael]

Same here

I'm an old guy as well...and am in the downsizing mode too.

Back in 1991 or so I shot S.A.S.S. with a friend who had a .357 Colt S.A.A.that was absolutely a pleasure to shoot. He had a trigger job done on it by some fancy name that I can't even recall. It was my first "competition" I participated in and I absolutely loved it. I've wanted a S.A.A. since. For the first time in MANY years, I saw a pair for sale at a local store - they were 6" models (not 4 5/8) and I got to thinking...honestly, from a collector perspective, it might be worth it, but I'm not someone to buy something and stick it in a safe (I have that with gold and silver...for the past 10 or so years...it sits and doesn't do much). From a hunting perspective in Colorado, I can't hunt big game or use it as a sidearm because .357 doesn't meet ballistics requirements. That leaves competition shooting (S.A.S.S.) and plinking. I don't need anything that expensive to plink with and I don't shoot S.A.S.S. anymore - and Uberti would fit that bill at 1/3 the price.

I've decided to pass - that's my logic as sad as it seems. FWIW, I did buy a M1 Garand from CMP last month - complete rebuild at $1,200 with new barrel and it's absolutely the sweetest Garand I've owned. I'm happy with that.

I should also mention that I picked up a consignment check this afternoon - sold a Ruger LC9s, a Ruger GP100 6", and a 686+ in 2.5". My Model 10 and Model 19 without the locks in 4" fit the bill. One of the New Year's resolutions is to reduce clutter...

I'm 70 and this past year I picked up a Uberti SAA, 4.75" barrel, 45LC. I got the Short Stroke competition model and LOVE it.I don't do CAS but no tin can is safe in my neighborhood Saw on auction a pair of the Evil Roy competition model,consecutive serial numbers, new in box. So much for downsizing, now I have three SAA replicas.

 

[Bullet Bob]

If you want it, and it won't put you in debt, get one. If I'm ever restricted to only what I need (or somebody else tells me what I need, which is more likely), it'll be a sad day. Long live Roy Rogers!

.38-40, "black powder" frame, and it sees some shootin' and holster time.

 

[Camster]

I was in the shop today,shipping out a rifle.
The two SAAs that caught me eye, were both NIB, from a fellow oldster's downsizing.
One was a 1989 gun with wood grips.(and as a previous responder noted that they would be,rather bland wood.)
The other, a 1998 gun with hard rubber.
Both were 5.5 inch barrel 45LC.Same price:1795.
Other than personal taste, any reason to pick one over the other?
I'm feeling a little weak in holding back!

 

[Xfuzz]

I would go with 1998...