SAA Advice

[Buick]

This USFA Rodeo was a tad rusty

But i sent it down to Ford's Plating in Fla and i think they did a fine job rehabilitating it. The action on this gun is incredible. It shot a bit to the left so i did a frontier accurizing on it by bending the front sight to the left lol. This is their master blue over a formerly pitted up matte finish.

 

[dobk63]

Picked up these two USFA last year at a local show. Like you I
really wanted a .44 Special SAA. .44 is in the box with all papers
and the .38 had no box but included the order letter. I didn't
know anything about USFA revolvers so got very lucky in getting
two good ones.

 

[Chubbs103]

You said you don't know of any Italian 44 Specials, but Cimmaron imports them. They are very good quality guns, but if you want a Colt nothing else will do.

I stand corrected. I even found examples of both Pietta and Uberti on Gunbroker. Neither Uberti, Pietta, nor Cimarron list .44 Special on their websites.

 

[Xfuzz]

If you want a SAA get a COLT SAA....pay the price
you will not regret it.
A Colt clone will not scratch your itch....

Walked up on this one at Cabela's of all places about
a year ago.
They had no clue it was strapped with Ivory.
1980 Sheriff's model w/both cylinders and glass case.

 

[SuperMan]

Ivory adds about $1500 to the value of a gun right now...Have seen $1000 Colt 1911s sell for over $3k just because of the grips...nutz...

 

[Capt. F.]

For some reason recently, I can't stop looking at/for Colt SAAs.

My primary interest keeps coming back to 2nd and 3rd Gen examples in .44 Special.

I found a third gen with a 4.75" barrel. It is not located close enough to easily see in person. From the pictures, it looks like the fitting of the grip frame ears is less than perfect. I understand this is to be expected on early 3rd gen guns. Otherwise it looks pretty good. My thoughts are ~$2,000 would be ballpark.



I also have a line on a 2nd gen with a 5.5" barrel (my understanding is 4.75" was not available on 2nd gen .44s). My guess is the 2nd gen premium will be $300-$500 over any 3rd gen that I find.

Of course this will probably lead to an Uberti 1873 rifle in .44 Special that I know is for sale.

I have no real use for either the gun or the caliber. I have Blackhawks in both OM and NM (.357 and .41). I have a little bit of everything caliber-wise except for any kind of .44 (Special or Magnum) even though I was gifted a set of dies 20 years ago. I absolutely plan on shooting whatever I get.

I know the Italian copies are a much better deal (although I don't know anyone making them in .44 Special). For some reason the only non-Colt that really trips my trigger is the USFA and they are harder to find in my preferred configurations as the Colts and just as expensive.

Thoughts on what to look for are appreciated. Opinions on seeking out 2nd gen over 3rd are appreciated.

Chubbs

Four years ago I picked up a California made Great Western 4 3/4" .44 Special. Has the 2 piece grip frame. Cosmetically it looks like Rooster Cogburn's gun but mechanically it sound and a good shooter to boot. Other than the slightly rounded trigger guard and frame mounted firing pin, it's a Colt. Might find one on one of the auction sites.
Paid $350 for mine and wouldn't sell it for twice that.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

I think one will eventually fall into your lap when you least expect it. Just make the usual rounds to your favorite gun stores like you probably do already and all of a sudden something will pop up. Maybe for less than two grand. Here's three .44 Specials. Top is a 1958, a 1992 4 3/4" 44-40 that only came with a .44 spl. cylinder and shoots great, and a 1982 I traded for recently plus added cash (including box and papers). I drove an hour to see it praying the fit of the gun wasn't a mess and I lucked out. Case colors a little dark but that's OK. The price tag was $1800. Actually that was early 2021 I got it. The seller was not advertising it but contacted me when I wrote I'd trade for a SAA. Good hunting!

 

[sandog]

I had one of the 3rd Generation ones that had some issues.
It was out of time and shot 1 foot high and one foot right at 15 yards.


It's the middle one here, flanked by a Uberti and a Pietta.
I've had a good dozen of the Italian clones and all performed great.
Still would like to get another Colt one day, but one that was $1400 a couple years ago is now $2500+.
Better get one quick.

Ubertis are pretty consistent, but some show more care in polishing, bluing, etc.
This one is the nicest Italian sixgun I've had, good polish, deep bluing, smooth action and trigger, hits to the sights with typical 250 gr @ 850 fps., and the ejector rod felt like it was on ball bearings.
It had a few hundred rounds through it when i bought it, and the guy had put a Bisley hammer on it.
I really liked that hammer (have a Ruger Bisley too) as it was very comfortable (wide) and easy to reach without having to stretch the thumb up.
Best $350 I ever spent on a gun.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

This cased 1900 Bisley was a bulged barrel .32-20 but now is a great shooting .44 Special with a pre war cylinder and unmarked barrel a friend gave me. (The short one is still a .32). and I have another pre war .44 special cylinder that fits perfect in that 5" cut down renickeled 1890 .44-40 and I have black powder handloads on hand I've yet to try out in it.

 

[Chubbs103]

I appreciate the advice and the pictures.

I'm finding they are out there. I'm trying to be patient and somewhat responsible with my money.

I was tempted by a third gen with a 5.5" barrel. My initial plan was the 4.75", but the 5.5" is growing on me. The problem was the price was a bit high, and the trigger guard / frame fitting was terrible and the grip frame fitting wasn't much better. I slowed myself down to keep from buying something I would regret.

I can live with some 3rd gen issues if the price is right, but I won't pay top dollar unless everything looks good.

I also found a 2nd gen I really like. The problem is the price is about $2K over what I am willing to spend right now.

 

[The Norseman]

Misfits

Good for you on carefully looking it over and
realizing it was not for you.

I have always wanted a 44Spl Colt New Frontier.
Several consecutive years ago I had the chance
to inspect and buy 3 Brand New ones.

Unfortunately each year the one I inspected had
something wrong with it that I could have lived
with.

I'm just happy you didn't hap hazardously bought
something like so many people do.

Be patient one will come along.

 

[ironhead7544]

Taylor's & Co. in Winchester VA have 44 Special single action revolvers and lever rifles by Uberti.

 

[Chubbs103]

Still looking...and learning.

I did just get 300 pieces of Starline brass delivered. Funny, because I don't have a single gun in .44spl yet.

 

[Teddydog]

25 years ago, I did Cowboy Action shooting for a couple of years and bought a couple of SAA clones in .45 Colt, including a nice "Artillery Model". But until 2020, I never had a genuine Colt.

In 2020, I was able to get a 3rd Gen Sheriff's Model .44 Spl/.44-40 convertible for a good price.

I think that one triggered something and just in 2021, I also bought a 1st Gen Bisley in .38-40 and a 1st Gen SAA in .32-20. Both made between 1900 and 1910.

Then I said, "Self, you don't have a 2nd Gen, a 7 1/2" gun or one in .45 Colt, so get yourself a 2nd Gen .45 Colt 7 1/2" gun!" This is a ca. 1949 gun that started as a 4 3/4" (have that barrel, too).

Then DAYS after committing to that gun, a private seller offered a gorgeous 3rd Gen 7 1/2" .45 Colt for a really good price, so I got that one, too!

So, I guess something happens when you start buying SAAs.

Rob

 

[ArkieVol]

Take your time and get what you will be happy with.

44 Special is my favorite. Fun to shoot, easy to reload to your liking...hot or not. The fit and finish of my early 3rd gen Colts is excellent and as good as any later models...5" barrel is fine. I'm not a brand snob, I like 'em all.

 

[Model19man]

Last year I had the same feelings. I had wanted a 44 Special New Frontier in the 1980's but they were just too expensive then.

Fast forward to last year, I get a couple checks from the government that came with no restrictions. Free money!

So I got a brand new New Frontier made in 1980. Royal blue, nice walnut grips. 44 Special.

It's a tack driver. Go for one, you won't regret it.

For some reason recently, I can't stop looking at/for Colt SAAs.

My primary interest keeps coming back to 2nd and 3rd Gen examples in .44 Special.

I found a third gen with a 4.75" barrel. It is not located close enough to easily see in person. From the pictures, it looks like the fitting of the grip frame ears is less than perfect. I understand this is to be expected on early 3rd gen guns. Otherwise it looks pretty good. My thoughts are ~$2,000 would be ballpark.

I also have a line on a 2nd gen with a 5.5" barrel (my understanding is 4.75" was not available on 2nd gen .44s). My guess is the 2nd gen premium will be $300-$500 over any 3rd gen that I find.

Of course this will probably lead to an Uberti 1873 rifle in .44 Special that I know is for sale.

I have no real use for either the gun or the caliber. I have Blackhawks in both OM and NM (.357 and .41). I have a little bit of everything caliber-wise except for any kind of .44 (Special or Magnum) even though I was gifted a set of dies 20 years ago. I absolutely plan on shooting whatever I get.

I know the Italian copies are a much better deal (although I don't know anyone making them in .44 Special). For some reason the only non-Colt that really trips my trigger is the USFA and they are harder to find in my preferred configurations as the Colts and just as expensive.

Thoughts on what to look for are appreciated. Opinions on seeking out 2nd gen over 3rd are appreciated.

Chubbs

 

[Dwaine]

I found a new in the box 3rd gen Colt .45 4.75" Dec 2020 for $1795 + shipping out of state, no tax... Mid South Guns in Wagram NC.... It's not unusual to see a dozen or more all generations of Colt SAA at Mid South. Haven't seen any below 2K lately....

 

[Model19man]

There's one on GB right now in nice condition and very reasonable I think.

Attention Required! | Cloudflare

 

[Teddydog]

The New Frontier (adjustable sights) guns don't command quite the same money that the SAA does. They are getting more expensive, but not up there yet. That's a nice looking one.

Rob

 

[Dvus]

The New Frontier (adjustable sights) guns don't command quite the same money that the SAA does. They are getting more expensive, but not up there yet. That's a nice looking one.

Rob

That could change in an instant. The Bisleys were about 50-60% of their SAA counterparts a year ago. Now they are about the same price. I picked up my 1907 7 1/2" .45 Colt Bisley just in time. I see New Frontiers starting to go up in the near future.

It was mentioned that once you get your first, more follow. I can whole-heartedly attest to that. I picked up my first genuine saa a couple of years ago, and now have 10, plus a couple of others that were just passing through. Be careful what you wish for!