American Western Arms

[DragonDJ11]

Need some opinions. My son is looking into purchasing (well, I'd be doing actual purchase, but it would be his gun) an American Western Arms 1873 SAA.

It's being sold for $400. Is this a well made piece? Is that a fair price? Things I need to know looking it over prior to purchase?

I know virtually zilch about revolvers and I'm not finding much about this company or particular firearm online.

[tmh1]

Coupla' things:

First, what you have described is a "straw purchase" per Federal law. Recently a cop got sent to prison (lost his appeal to a higher Court) for purchasing a gun for someone else (even though that other person was not prohibited from owning a gun). Court ruled that he lied on a Federal form (Form 4473, where he answered that he was purchasing the gun for himself).

So if you want to buy a gun and your son wants to shoot your gun, I think that this could still be done in this stupid state, but it would be your gun, not "his".

Secondly, Calguns is not really the place with the most knowledge regarding Old West style single action revolvers. You would be much better off asking this question on a forum populated with Cowboy Action Shooters, like the SASS Wire Forum (I don't think you have to be a SASS member to get onto it).

http://www.sassnet.com/forums/index.php?act=idx

Finally, although I have no direct experience with American Western Arms guns, they don't look all that desirable to me from their web site. You might be much better off getting something better known and proven. Like a Cimarron Frontier or a Taylors & Co. Cattleman, or something from EMF.

For example, a Cattleman in plain black finish is $408 at Bud's (look up the model number on the Taylor's site - it does not have the color case hardened finish like the one shown by Bud's, but is more plain).

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_1041/products_id/75545

And a Cimarron Big Iron is $410:

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_895/products_id/411551800

Both guns shown are chambered in 357 MAG/38 SPL, and are kind of plain looking but are well made guns. And I only checked one source for these - they might be available at a better price elsewhere.

[DragonDJ11]

The way I understand it, I can still purchase a gun as a gift. His purchasing was worded incorrectly. I'm buying the gun, as a future gift for my son. It will be mine, in my safe, and only allowed access with my supervision. I'm not purchasing on behalf of him. Pretty sure that is still defining verbiage.

Thanks for your insight on the item. I posted here due to others offering up other options that end up not being CA legal and just muddy the water.

[Beetle Bailey]

I have no experience with that company, but you mentioned people offering options that were not Cal-legal. FYI single action revolvers are exempt from the California "safe handgun roster" as long as they hold at least five shots, have at least a 3" barrel, and have at least 7.5" overall length. That means most single action revolvers are actually legal to buy here. So you do have a good number of options.

Unfortunately, I can't give you much advice. All my single action cartridge revolvers are Rugers, and while they are great guns, they are not really traditional single action revolvers.

[DragonDJ11]

Thanks for that info. I was not aware of that

[Beetle Bailey]

Yup.

Here is the PC info:

http://www.oclaw.org/research/code/ca/PEN/12133./content.html#.WKtBx4g76rU

Happy shopping!

[The Gleam]

The way I understand it, I can still purchase a gun as a gift. His purchasing was worded incorrectly. I'm buying the gun, as a future gift for my son. It will be mine, in my safe, and only allowed access with my supervision. I'm not purchasing on behalf of him. Pretty sure that is still defining verbiage.

You are correct; same can be done for Grandfather/grandmother to child. Not a straw-purchase, pending your son is not a prohibited person which 100% sounds as if he is not.