doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com OT, but related. Colt SAA

Hi Board!
I am looking for a Colt SAA in .45 Colt and was planning on going with an original Colt, But read an article by John Taffin that USFA puts out a model better than the orignals.John states that they are better built and better fitted than the Colts ever were. True Story?
Also what is considered to be a better Colt, a 2nd generation, or 3rd generation? It should be noted that I intend to shoot this gun and not put it away in the safe. However is it expected that Colts will increase in value as collector guns, even if they are shot?
Thanks Guys!

You can take what Mr. Taffin says about revolvers to the bank! Also 2nd generation Colts are usually thought of as better-made than 3rd, 1st generation best. That said, I have had no problems with my 3rd generation SAA. I have read at least one review that says the Colts made right now have returned to excellent quality control and reliabilty (maybe they are 4th generation?). As to whether the collector value goes down if you shoot your SAA, I can't say as I shoot any gun I own.

For better go with Ruger for investment Colt.Also concider the guns from Cimmeron Arms as these have extra fitting before being sold.2nd gen brings more in most cases depending on cal. 2nd gen with blackpower frame bring more.None are cheap but what the heck its a Colt.I'm sure if Colt came back John could be a Colt man again.Most say Uberti is better than the old Colt but resale don't show it.Used in everything else go down in value

Golfswithwolves is right- John Taffin knows Colts- I have an older SAA Army in .45 LC-relative carried it in the Pershing venture into Taco-ville to bag Pancho Villa. I also have a 1851 Navy .36 cap and ball, which is fun to shoot on special occasions-can't say about any fourth Gen. Colts- or the re-birth of S&W- some of the gun writers in GUN DIGEST, ie: Dave Workman and Dave Morelli and Charlie Cutshaw would be good ones to ask as well- I have a 20 some year old Combat Commander in .45ACP that came from the CA pistolsmith Bob Chow-there are many expert pistolsmiths extant-any of them would be qualified also to answer your questions.

Early 3rds generally have a decent fit and finish but later production went down hill as did all of Colts. Many are down right embarrasing to be called a Colt with their slicky buffed finish, rounded edges, screw holes, locking notches and many with out of time actions. Custom gunsmith Hamilton Bowen won't even accept a 3rd gen Colt to work on anymore (but he has nothing but good things to say about the USFA SAA's).
The latest version Colts sometimes called 4th Generations have seemed to returned to an acceptable level of quality for most customers. The 3rds & 4th generations contain engineering changes from the original SAA that include a factory installed short cylinder bushing, different cylinder ratchet (star) and a different hand to fit it. The barrel threads were changed also, not that it makes any difference but to some of the purists, it was like the changes Winchester made in '64 and things weren't the same anymore. Second generation guns have increased in value along with the first gen greatly in the last decade or so. The 2nd was considered a shooter SAA not too many years ago and now they're being looked at as being left as collector pieces with the 3rds and 4ths being available. A simple 2nd gen 'black box' is a $150/$200 item now depending on condition. Will the 3rds and 4ths ever become the collector pieces as the earlier SAA's have become I don't know, but I'd guess they will. Everything else has. Colt is the magic name, anythingthing else on a SAA is a repro. No matter how nice they are, they're still a copy of a Colt. The USFA guns are beautiful guns and I think the fit and finish is as good as any 2nd gen and nearly as good as a 1st. But as far as an investment, they won't return what a early Colt will get you, at least not as it stands today. Check the used gun market prices and see what a used USFA revolver sells for and compare it to the retail. If it were me and I was looking for a shooter, I'd buy a 2nd Gen shooter grade Colt SAA in 45Colt or 44Sp. You can buy one for not much more than a new USFA copy. That way you've got a Colt and a decent investment as well as a good shooter. Just my .02

I have 1st generation Colts and have shot them along with 2nd and 3rd generation examples. My "go to" SAA for most of my shooting is a Uberti in 45 Long Colt. The only part that I've ever had to replace was the spring for the loading gate that had compressed somewhat causing the gate to open a bit on recoil.
After countless thousands of rounds* it still locks up tightly and is still in time.
*This is the thousands of rounds I've put thru it and I bought the revolver used. The only indication of wear when I bought it was the thin blue on the gripstraps indicating considerable use.
Jim

You only live once so why not treat yourself to Freedom Arms piece from Wyoming Territory.
Single Action Sixguns by John Taffin is my go to reference on SA wheel guns.

Second Jaeger's reccomendation of Freedom Arms. The guns are built like good Swiss watches. No play when locked up and very accurate. Any one I've shot will go up against a\ target pistol in the sale calibre.

I've never owned a Colt SAA, but I do own a Freedom Arms Model 97 in .41 Magnum. It's a magnificent piece of craftsmanship and my favorite single action revolver. I'm currently lusting for another Model 97, this in .32 H&R with a spare .32-20 cylinder.

As a former Colt custom shop engraver, I can say that the USFA copies are far better than the Colts that I engraved in the 70 & 80's at the factory.