Colt SAA gurus needed...

[thefitter]

So what is wrong with Colt SAA these days? I've been hearing people say they are not what they used to be.

What is it? Fit? MIM parts? NO longer American Made?

Please educate me. I'm ready to buy a real six gun, but I want a good one. I don't mind paying for a COLT as long as it's still the best.

One more question, is the 7.5" barrel the original configuration?

Thanks

[sigfan91]

So what is wrong with Colt SAA these days? I've been hearing people say they are not what they used to be.

What is it? Fit? MIM parts? NO longer American Made?

Please educate me. I'm ready to buy a real six gun, but I want a good one. I don't mind paying for a COLT as long as it's still the best.

Thanks

Colt is not what it used to be, not just the SAA.

My source in the industry tells me the new owner is an Iranian jew who doesn't really like guns. He wanted to move the factory to Mexico to reduce labor cost. The only hiccup in that plan was that the state of Connecticut owns the Colt brand and nothing made outside the state could be labeld "Colt."

[Vacaville]

I don't know anything about the current quality except the same rumors you are talking about, but I do know they are far overpriced. You can get yourself two Ruger Vaqueros, that I do know are very high quality, for the price of one Colt. It's like getting a new model Winchester model 70 instead of a Remington 700. You are paying hundreds more just for the name.

[redcliff]

Can't speak to the current Colt SAA's, my three are all older models....but Colt's quality has soared in the last couple years as they finished their conversion to CNC equpment. Most people are very happy with their new Colt 1911's that I've talked to and read about on the forums.

[thefitter]

Can't speak to the current Colt SAA's, my three are all older models....but Colt's quality has soared in the last couple years as they finished their conversion to CNC equpment. Most people are very happy with their new Colt 1911's that I've talked to and read about on the forums.

Can you please tell me about your 3 older ones?

[9mmepiphany]

The two best SAAs in current production are the ones from USFA and Freedom Arms...they might be the best handguns in production today without getting into semi-custom 1911s

[redcliff]

Can you please tell me about your 3 older ones?

Sure, they're all third-generation SAA's from the 70's and 80's. One is a blued 7.5" 44 special, one is a blued 45 Colt 5.5", and the last one is 4 and 5/8 Nickel 45 Colt with Colt imitation Ivory grips...its a looker imho.

The only problem I have with them is getting them regulated to point of aim. I've never taken the time to pick a particular load/distance and had the front sight tweaked to match.

[westcoast362]

I have four Colt SAAs. They are all third generation.
I like the 4 3/4" the best. The 7 1/2" looks great, but seem very barrel heavy.
They are all outstanding quality.
I'm sure that there are other brands out there that are very high quality and cheaper, but they are just not the real thing.
In my opinion if you just want it to shoot, go with one of the other brands. If owning the real thing is important to you, spend the extra money and buy a Colt.