Single Action Army

[Dimitri A.]

Anyone know if Colt is currently taking orders for the SAA? Been jonsing for one for a while. I called the custom shop but looks like they are closed until the end of the year. For what they are going for on the auction sights I figure I might as well order one from the custom shop. Also, anyone own a current production example? How is the quality?

[denpython]

Color case hardening is supposedly different. Go to coltforums and ask. They love the SAA there. Classifieds there also

[golfish]

You might check out the Standard Manufacturing SAA

https://www.stdgun.com/single-action-revolver-case-colored-45-lc/

[RAMCLAP]

All of the Uberti's are very solid with greater availability

[k1dude]

I imagine Colt is in transition now with their new owners. So production might get disrupted a bit. The only way to know is to give them a call when they open again after the holidays.

[mikeyr]

I agree with the suggestion to look at the Standard SAA, its a great gun.

Unless you have to that Colt pony on the side, I had a Standard, but had to have a real Colt too, just because.

[44fred]

You might check out the Standard Manufacturing SAA

https://www.stdgun.com/single-action...colored-45-lc/

Tell you what, if I was 40 years younger, I’d buy two or three of those.
Reviews say they are as good as it gets. Pretty good price for sure.
They will not be going down in price, only up and up.

[norcal77]

Check gunbroker, go for a 2nd gen but expect to pay 22-3500 for one…I’ve read those are the best ones…

Nothing wrong with a 3rd gen either, that’s what I have. It’s like comparing an 80’s Python to one from 60’s…they’re both nice but the earlier ones have better triggers and that cool Stagecoach box


Here’s an example of a 2nd gen, https://www.gunbroker.com/item/912244696…looks like prices have jumped from when I last remembered.

[mausercat]

I have a couple of Colt SA both 2nd and 3rd Gen, and the Standard Manufacturing SA I have is at least as good as any of them. The Standard Manufacturing SA with a one piece stock and it is my favorite SA.

I have been wanting to get a 32-20 SA when the opportunity arises.

[dfletcher]

like prices have jumped from when I last remembered.

Overall I like the 2nd Gen best, with a caution for those made in the 1970s strike years.

I have a very late 2nd Gen in 357 and a 3rd Gen in 44 Special. Also had a 3rd Gen Custom Shop in 45 Colt. I sold the 45 Colt because although very well made the highly polished bluing seemed fragile and shallow. Like glass, but it wore very quick along the high edges and scratched more than rubbed away.

I bought the 3rd Gen because its finish was more like the 2nd Gen. Not as well polished but durable and deep. It was also internally well finished.

The 2nd Gen was made about 1978 IIRC. C&R eligible, bought it ANIB in Reno (Wiley Bros) and while very nice externally was probably the worst internally finished SA I've ever handled. Timing was good, but the trigger pull was awful. Cocking the action was like 600 grit sandpaper. Hammer drop was way too heavy. Everything cleaned up greatly and I like the gun alot. My mistake was not clipping the zip tie and checking the gun before buying. Probably a good thing as I'd likely have passed. Lesson learned for me going forward.

In addition to the currently manufactured Standard the USFA line is pretty good. There is the Uberti line sent into US for finishing, with color case hardening by Turnbull, and the made in USA line. I have an earlier made -





Aside from being kind of an oddball Bisley with the 5 1/2" bbl, it sat in a "tacticool" gun store for about 5 years before I wandered in. The older USFA can still be found for a good price. Just have to be careful that the US finished gun isn't being passed off as the US made gun.

[golfish]

Has anybody had to deal with Standard Manufacturings customer service?

[k1dude]

The problem with Standard is they only make .45 LC. I'd buy one if they had .357/.38.

[Nra-Life-Member]

Go with the Colt. Custom Shop will / can cost you about twice as much with the options. But they are beauties!

https://www.colt.com/page/colt-custom

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/media.connecteddatasolutions.com/downloads/Colt+Custom+Shop+Order+Form+SAA+Q3-2019.pdf

[GM4spd]

I’ve only had LATE 3rd Generation guns ( from 1993 to present),without exception they were all beauties finish wise and action wise! Since 2018 I’ve had at least 8 which
ended up being sold to people here. I have 2 presently both 45/45ACP two cylinder guns,the timing,finish,bolt drop,trigger are excellent. I only shoot the blued one as I bought it used on GB. ALL of my SAAs came from out of state —— which is legal despite what you might hear
I prefer the short barrel but that means nothing except to my eye! They are not cheap but if you can afford one go for it. YMMV

[Dimitri A.]

I’ve only had LATE 3rd Generation guns ( from 1993 to present),without exception they were all beauties finish wise and action wise! Since 2018 I’ve had at least 8 which
ended up being sold to people here. I have 2 presently both 45/45ACP two cylinder guns,the timing,finish,bolt drop,trigger are excellent. I only shoot the blued one as I bought it used on GB. ALL of my SAAs came from out of state —— which is legal despite what you might hear
I prefer the short barrel but that means nothing except to my eye! They are not cheap but if you can afford one go for it. YMMV

Those are some beautiful pieces. I walked into Bolsa the other day and lucked out. They had a 2nd gen in great shape. No original box for papers, and appears to have aftermarket (look like hogues) grips, but the price was too good to pass up.

https://www.coltforum.com/threads/finally-joined-club.390115/#post-3357805