OT: Question for Colt SAA experts

[Larry from Bend]

I can't find a forum that discusses Colt SAAs, no info on the Colt website, none of this model on Gunbroker and I know some of you people would know about these ------

Last Sat. at a gun show in Great Falls, MT, a dealer had a new Colt SAA in 45 Colt that was beautifully (I thought) nickle plated, tastefully engraved and had a little gold inlay. It came with ivory grips. He said that all the work was done @ the Colt factory and that it was a COWBOY model. Asking price was $1500.

I almost bought it but I know nothing about SAAs and figured there might be a catch.

Is the Cowboy model (not listed on Colt's website) as desirable as the "regular" SAA?

Is the $1500 asking price fair?

Where can one buy these?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Hi there, go to Coltforum.com/forums, they have a revolver section that covers the SAA's. The Colt Cowboy model was a short lived model made for CASS shooters. It never really caught on. With all the extras depending on who did it, might be worth the money but it seems to be putting lipstick on a pig. If you want a shooter Colt stick with the standard Single Action Army.

 

[Skeeziks]

I think the dealer may have confused you. The "Cowboy" is not a SAA. The Cowboy was Colt's answer to all the Italian-made clones that were being imported over 10 yrs. ago (Uberti, Armi San Marco, etc.)
I handled one of these Cowboys when they first came out (1999, I think) and it was a real piece of junk! No where near the quality of my Cimarron mod. P (Uberti.) Certainly not worthy to be called a Colt.

IMO, if you buy this gun, you will be buying something that might be nice to look at, but that's about all.
If you're looking for something to shoot, I would pass on this one.

 

[Doc44]

I have an all (bright) blue Cowboy that was made by the Colt Custom Shop in 2001. It is a nice gun that I have been happy with. It has a hammer block so you can carry six rounds without one going off unexpectedly. It is not a SAA, but the cost was also much less. Below is a photo of my Cowboy with one piece grips made of Buckeye burl by Don Collins.

Try ColtForum: Home and see what they can tell you.

Bill

 

[Dpris]

That's very much a case of lipstick on a pig.
The Cowboy had different internals than the SAA, used a frame cast in Canada, was mostly shootable, but not the same quality as the SAA.
Two very good gunsmiths I've known for quite some time don't like to work on them.
Actions are generally considered inferior to the SAA.

Even gold plated, it'd be a poor investment.
Not practical as a shooter.
Discontinued 3-4 years ago, parts won't be available indefinitely.

I would not spend $1500 on a Colt Cowboy no matter how shiny it was, there are many better ways to spend that kind of money, including buying a genuine Colt SAA that may be "plain", but would be shootable & would hold its value.

Denis

 

[R. G. Amos]

You can buy a new nickel-plated 3-rd gen Colt SAA for about 1400$ and this would be a much better investment. I doubt that Colt actually did any engraving on their Cowboy model.

 

[Camster]

All good advice.If I were interested in a Cowboy model,I'd buy the basic model at a Cowboy price.Going north of a grand,I'd certainly be sure to get the real SAA....Furthermore,as nice as US Firearms guns are,even considered superior by many,I think I'd still go with the Colt.(I kinda want a 38 special version,but few dealers order them-they get the 357 version)

 

[DHENRY]

Larry,
ColtForum: Home is where you should look.
Many members there also belong here and to the other S&W forum.
'Kid Sopris', 'Gunkwazy' and many others can probably give you lots of good information.
Bill,
That Cowboy of yours is beautiful.
Don

 

[SHOOTER13]

My 2 cents...

Larry...

If I had $1500...I'd buy a Colt SAA and 1000 rounds of Long Colt and still have $$ left for some CLP and a cleaning kit.

My Colt SAA

BTW...nice Cowboy ya got there Doc44 !! Mind me asking how much in 2001 dollars ?!

 

[borntoraisehogs]

Beauty ! Just what I want . Nobody watch , cuz when I get mine , I'm shooting it .

 

[Larry from Bend]

Thank you all for your responses --- DOC44 and SHOOTER13 --- those are some pretty Colts. I did sign up at Colt Forums (thanks for the addy) and just as you guys say, they agree that the $1500 price is definitely too high.

I should have mentioned in my original post that I've been looking for a fancy BBQ - type gun, which I've never owned, and the Colt at that show just seemed to fit the bill so well. Live and learn! Half the fun is in the looking, anyway!

I'm also open to S&W and Ruger - just never owned a Colt SAA. One of you posters recently talked about your wearing a fancy Colt in a Heiser holster to an old friend's funeral - a show of respect - and it got my nose in the wind again.

 

[SHOOTER13]

Thanks Larry...

"Larry from Bend : Thank you all for your responses --- DOC44 and SHOOTER13 --- those are some pretty Colts...I'm also open to S&W and Ruger - just never owned a Colt SAA."

Ruger, USFA, Beretta, Uberti, list goes on...they all make a decent six-shooter...but, then there's Colt !!


My Ruger Bisley Vaquero (in .357magnum)

 

[DHENRY]

Larry,
Here's a Colt that has many great features (like an adjustable rear sight), as well as the good looks of the other SAA's.
It's a New Frontier ( Colt's 'flat top target) from 1962.
Don

 

[BADSBSNF811]

If you are looking for a BBQ Colt, head over to Nutmeg Sports.

I had this one done up about 3 yrs ago. You can see pics of others and more of mine on their home page (it's #26)

 

[whelenshooter]

All good advice.If I were interested in a Cowboy model,I'd buy the basic model at a Cowboy price.Going north of a grand,I'd certainly be sure to get the real SAA....Furthermore,as nice as US Firearms guns are,even considered superior by many,I think I'd still go with the Colt.(I kinda want a 38 special version,but few dealers order them-they get the 357 version)

I'm one of those fellas that thinks the US Firearms guns are superior to ANY Colt I've ever had my hands on! If you buy anything newer than a 2nd Generation Colt SAA, you are only buying the name. Even then, the US Firearms guns are better than 99% of these older Colts. I just wish I could afford to buy more of them, and I pray they never cheapen them.

Of course I prefer Ruger Single Actions to Colts too. Rugers are for real people who shoot their single actions. Colts are for rich people who look at them, and show off by being able to buy them, or are lucky enough to be able to stumble into them at a decent price.

 

[Pilgrim]

Ruger makes a very nice SA .45colt in their New Vaquero. I'm never seen a smoother action, or better finish.

 

[Larry from Bend]

If you are looking for a BBQ Colt, head over to Nutmeg Sports.

I had this one done up about 3 yrs ago. You can see pics of others and more of mine on their home page (it's #26)

Thanks for the Nutmeg addy. Your #26 is truly a work of art and the other Colts there were also beautiful. What a wonderful website. I'm feeling like these are out of my class, however. I DO understand that you get what you pay for and I'm sure your Colts are solid investments. I'd just be uncomfortable having that #26 on my hip at the next cook-out. Thanks again for expanding my sphere of knowledge.

 

[Larry from Bend]

[WhelenShooter QUOTE

Of course I prefer Ruger Single Actions to Colts too. Rugers are for real people who shoot their single actions. Colts are for rich people who look at them, and show off by being able to buy them, or are lucky enough to be able to stumble into them at a decent price.[/QUOTE]

WhelenShooter, This is how I've always felt, also. I know a guy who has dozens of Pythons, Diamondbacks, Anacondas, etc ... He makes no pretense of looking down on my little collection of S&Ws & Rugers with contempt. STILL, I guess owning a nice Colt SAA is kind of a goal --- to me. I sure wouldn't call it practical, except maybe as an investment.

 

[Larry from Bend]

Ruger makes a very nice SA .45colt in their New Vaquero. I'm never seen a smoother action, or better finish.

Pilgrim - Your Ruger looks great. This is probably the most practical gun for me right now. The stainless steel and ivory colored grips look VERY nice together. Your 4 3/4" 45 Colt is just what I'd order. Maybe I could buy one and get some inexpensive engraving done on it along with a nice holster rig. It would certainly be fancier than anything I own and might give me a feel for how much I'd enjoy a BBQ-type revolver.

 

[Larry from Bend]

Larry,
Here's a Colt that has many great features (like an adjustable rear sight), as well as the good looks of the other SAA's.
It's a New Frontier ( Colt's 'flat top target) from 1962.
Don

DHENRY - The Color Case Hardening on your New Frontier is JUST OUTSTANDING and I like adjustable sights, also!!!! Sigh ...........