Best Single Action Army......

[jshay]

Hey folks,
I am looking to buy a new Single Action Army revolver, and would like advice on the best one to buy. These are my criteria.....
1. Authentic to period (1873).
2. Highest quality possible.
3. Will be used for quick draw and spinning as well as all around shooting.
So far I am leaning towards Colt, STI, and USfirearms, but would welcome other suggestions as well as recommendations.
Thanks guys.

[wamphyri13]

Need I say more?
PS - They're for sale.
Ryan

[jshay]

Info????

[dfletcher]

I'd say it's a tie between USFA & Colt. For variety, I'd look at USFA. I have a Colt SAA in 45 LC with 7.5" bbl. Very nice. Bluing is perfect on mine, grips and grip frame to frame all line up. Trigger was too heavy but cleaned up fine. For a bit over $1,000.00 new (at SJGE, good price) I think it should have been better out of the box.

The "problem" with both these guns is that they look so nice I really don't want to use the heck out of mine, tend to be pretty gentle with it. I was thinking of buying something else for real work.

[chefdude]

colt!!! ......duh!!!

[Army GI]

I'd say it's a tie between USFA & Colt. For variety, I'd look at USFA. I have a Colt SAA in 45 LC with 7.5" bbl. Very nice. Bluing is perfect on mine, grips and grip frame to frame all line up. Trigger was too heavy but cleaned up fine. For a bit over $1,000.00 new (at SJGE, good price) I think it should have been better out of the box.

The "problem" with both these guns is that they look so nice I really don't want to use the heck out of mine, tend to be pretty gentle with it. I was thinking of buying something else for real work.

Colts are definitely safe queens. I was determined to shoot my unturned one, but after that I only put 100-200 rounds a year through it. It was suuuure worth it

For heavy work, go with the Ruger New Vaquero. Not as finely made as a USFA or as prestigious as a colt, but definitely a real workhorse.

[redcliff]

I've heard good things about the STI, I think it deserves a close look. I have a few Colt SAA's but would probably buy an STI for your intended use. Only downside is I believe only the 5.5" barrel is offerred currently.

[Gryff]

USFA makes world-class guns. You can even get them looking pre-aged.

[1JimMarch]

STI has an excellent reputation. I would put USFA behind them by a hair, then Colt.

BUT!!!

When you talk about fast-draw and fanning, all of a sudden Ruger jumps into the running. Bigtime. Coil springs, cheap parts and easy availability of upgrades starts to make huge sense.

One upgrade ANY of these need for fanning or fast-draw is an adjustable hammer overtravel stop. And for Rugers there's a drop-in solution for fairly cheap:

http://cas-town.com/WestFargoGunsmith/parts.html

You also have to pull the transfer bar and have the hammer face welded up flat, and that means you also have to modify it for half-cock loading. Power Custom makes a drop-in hammer/trigger set that gives you a high-end trigger job plus half-cock reloading compatible with a disabled transfer bar if you're serious about fastdraw:

http://powercustom.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=12&products_id=136

This can be adapted to the Ruger "New Vaquero", which is the new smaller frame size similar in size/heft/looks to the Colt SAA.

At that point, you're still into it for less money than Colt, USFA (except the budget Rodeo) or STI.

There are NO single action guns available bone-stock that will stand up to real fastdraw competition, or learning to do same. Period, end of discussion. This also includes Freedom Arms, which isn't as traditional but are the most accurate SAs available...I personally lust after an FA '97 in 357.

It's easier to beef up a Ruger to that point than any other, as it's fundamentally stronger. Almost all fast-draw competition happens with Rugers.

[atavuss]

the new Ruger Vaquero is not blue and case hardened? all they show on the website is blued?
I just bought a NIB Colt SAA blue and case hardened with 4.75" barrel, don't know if I will want to shoot it or make it a safe queen.

[jshay]

Thanks everyone...especially 1JimMarch. If any of the SAA's will have to have lots of work done to them to get them to the point where I will be able to do the things I want to do, I might as well go to the company who makes all the parts to do it. Even in they are not the highest standard in quality. If everyone doing what I want to do with the pistol is using the Rugers, then I should pay attention.

[jshay]

Great. now I will need a workhorse AND something pretty in the safe as well......

[jyo]

Take that Colt out and SHOOT it!! Who are you saving it for? Life is too short to worry about the next owner.

[civilsnake]

Everything I've heard lately tells me that if you want to actually use the gun, Ruger is the way to go. It's just safer, stronger and easier to work on. It looks the part but improves the design significantly.

If you want historical accuracy, then USFA is probably your best bet.

[Army GI]

Great. now I will need a workhorse AND something pretty in the safe as well......

I know. Sucks, huh?