What can you folks tell me about Colt SAA's

[PALADIN85020]

As was mentioned, it is the law in Arizona that you must have at least one fully functional Colt Single Action Army, and it must be in a caliber beginning with "4." You will have a 30-day grace period from date of entry to find and buy one, or you will be subject to a hefty fine and possible jail time. And in Maricopa County, you will be asked for personal identification proving your citizenship if you are found not to own one!

Here's mine:

Oh, and one other thing: You don't need any sort of license to wear it openly or concealed! "Licenses? We don't need no stinkin' licenses!"

 

[ladder13]

I like Colt SAAs pretty good...

2nd Gen 44 Spl. - Had her gussied-up and cowboy carved 'er a pair of ivory britches...

Just for old time sake and rememberin'.

Savvy?

Su Amigo,
Dave

Dave, you need to take better care of your guns, they all seem to be scratched up.

 

[wbraswell]

I love them. I have said before on this forum, that nothing points like a SAA to me. As bad as my N-frame lust has been for the last 30+ years, the desire for a SAA was as strong as the Siren's song. It hit me back around 1980, just before they stopped regular production. I knew my experiences with firearms would not be complete without one. No copy, no modern transfer bar similarity, a Colt, THE Colt.(Sorry, JMB) I have 2, wish I had more.

 

[RABULL]

I have two (2) Colt SAA .44 Specials from that time period (See picture with their Ivory Grips). They don't have as good a workmanshio as they are doing today but I think you'll be happy with it. The .44 special is a good way to go and you can send it back to have a .44/40 cylinder fitted to it if you feel the need for a cowboy caliber!!!

 

[madmikeb]

I'm finally getting around to giving you guys an update on the unturned Colt SAA .44 special. I went to pick it up and lo and behold it's little brother, a mint in box New Frontier .22 long rifle/ .22mag convertible was sitting in the case. The price was great, $450 so not being one for breaking up a family, it had to come home with me! There is more to the story though. While I was waiting for the nics check, the guys at the shop went to find the box for the .44 special and they couldn't find it. 6 guys spent almost 2 hours looking to no avail. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement, as the listing on the internet was, unturned in the box and it wasn't cheap, and I had driven about 2.5 hours to the shop. At this point the manager offered to take $125 off from the $1200 asking price which was a lot better than I expected they would do. Since I'm a shooter first and a collector second It came right home with me. By the way, it didn't stay unturned and unshot for long! Now I hope you guys are going to let me into Arizona when I move in a couple years!

 

[gregintenn]

I'm ready to go to Arizona! Here's a second gen 45 with it's little brother, a frontier scout.

 

[TheHobbyist]

The COLT single action army, is the epitome of revolvers in my opinion. You will note the trigger is clearly different that an S&W; action, well, res ipsa loquitur.

You won't be disappointed. To those which suggest stay away from a 3rd gen, I say, any variant is a suitable plinker and more. Enjoy. Be safe.

 

[BUFF]

madmikeb:

I have that exact gun, a Colt SAA, 7-1/2 inch, B/CH, which I bought new in January, 1981. They were a little less expensive then; I paid $315.95 out the door, which included a 6.5% sales tax.

A friend who was employed at the store had me put a nickel 7-1/2 inch .45 Colt on layaway for him at the same time, as the store wouldn't do layaways on sale items for employees. He gave me $50 to put down on it. He lost interest in it, told me I could pay the balance and have it, so I did.

I like the .44 Special better. Both rounds are good ones but the nickel is kind of guady to me and I can't see the sights in the sunlight!

Like all good .44 Special enthusiasts, I had to load up and try some Elmer Keith Memorial handloads, the cast Lyman 429421 250 grain SWC over 17.5 grains of -2400. Supposed to be good for 1,200 fps out of the longer barrels. GADZOOKS! THUNDERCLAP!!! Talk about muzzle flip! I shot half the box through the Colt, decided it was a bit much and then shot the rest through my Smith & Wessons.

A few years back, I ran into a NIB old stock New Frontier with the 4-3/4 inch barrel in .44-40 at a good price. I bought a new Colt cylinder in .44 Special and had Colt fit it to the gun. The sights make it easier to shoot than the SAA but the classic lines of the SAA are more pleasing to my eyes.

I am a tried and true 1911 and S&W revolver fan, but every semi-serious handgun enthusiast ought to have a nice Colt Single Action.

I think you will really enjoy shooting it, handling it and just admiring it.

 

[madmikeb]

Buff,

I think that the one you have must be a very close relative to mine as according to the serial number mine was built in 1981 also. I'm a die hard Smith fanatic, it's my first single action, and is indeed a blast to shoot!

 

[beemerphile]

Lots of SAA fans hiding in the SW closet. Here's my 2nd Gen .45...

 

[dave b]

Here's kind of an oddball 38 Colt, they made less than 100.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

I bought my first Colt SA about 1956 or 57. Paid a grand sum of 65 bucks. It was a 32-20 made in 1926. Still have it but it's a 44 Special now.

 

[Raider]

My .38-40 with ivory grips made around 1903. I've shot it and its a sweet shooter.

Charlie

 

[michael thornton]

I had a csaa 43/4 in 45 colt sweet gun but i let it get away now i wish i still had it.

 

[goldenlight]

I bought a 5 1/2" 44 Special in the early to mid 1980's.

With my very mild loads, it didn't last even 200 rounds before the pin that held the firing pin on the hammer broke.

I had it repaired, and before I went another 200 rounds, a spring broke inside.

I had that repaired, and before I fired another 200 rounds, another part broke.

I pretty much gave up on that Colt SAA, though I still have it.

There is some light pitting on the grip frame, because I took it right from the range to the gunsmith, without cleaning it, twice.

It was a hot day, and I was shooting outdoors.

Not too long after that, I got a S&W 3" 24-3, and I greatly prefer it to the Colt SAA in 44 Special.

I don't think I've fired the Colt since then.

 

[semperfi71]

Congratulations on the two great buys.

Here's my 3rd Gen .44 Special with Tyler's Tru-Ivory grips.

 

[therevjay]

Here's kind of an oddball 38 Colt, they made less than 100.

OK, I give. I don't claim to be a expert on SA Colts. But I've studied that picture over and over, and can't see anthing that odd about it.

.38 Colt cal. wasn't that rare, was it?

 

[bmcgilvray]

It has been up on the Forum before but here's my 4 3/4-inch .38-40. Made in 1905, it was the .40 S&W of its day.

 

[smith41mag]

I must say the USFA gun is a very beautiful gun. My Colt is very nice also. My FFL has some of these USFA guns still in stock if anyone would like to buy one. These are New Old Stock and were limited Editions and only 500 made.

USFA 45LC

COLT 45LC