Colt SAA help

[wyzardd]

If I can find one in my price range before Christmas, I've decided it's time to get a Colt. I like my Ruger SA revolvers, the things are beasts, but they just aren't the same as the real thing.
I plan on this being a shooter not a safe queen so I'm not really concerned about finding a Gen2 and certainly not a Gen1. But I do have a question if anyone is knowledgeable about them -

If I'm not worried about collector status & resale value, is there any reason to stick with Colt rather than a cheaper Uberti or ... uh, that other company? Not USFA, they lost their minds with this Zip thing and their SAA wasn't all that much cheaper than a Colt anyway. Do the clones have problems with quality, reliability, triggers, timing, etc?
I'd love to save $500 and get something that's as good or better, but while I think Colt charges extra for their name I'm not sure that's all there is to the higher price. I might blindly pay a bit more for a Colt 1911, and I'm prepared to pay a lot more for a Colt SAA, but does it make any sense at all?

Looking for a P1650, by the way. I prefer the 5.5" barrel and I'd rather shoot .38 than .45LC at these prices. Besides, while Ruger can absorb any punishment a .45 can dish out, I want a real SAA and they look kind of delicate next to a Blackhawk or Vaquero

And if anyone knows THE place to shop for these things in NW Den/metro area, I'd appreciate that as well. Seems everyplace I go lately is focusing more on AR's + Sig, Glock, HK, etc.

Thanks


It may be obvious to some that I have no idea what I'm talking about as far as the Colt is concerned. Maybe they're just as tough as those old Rugers that outweigh a varmint rifle, but that's why I'm asking.

[sneakerd]

You're not likely to find ANY "selection" of Colt SAAs anywhere. They are Custom Shop (Colt) production.

[wyzardd]

Well, there used to be a store on about 38th & Kipling that was more Cowboy Action focused as opposed to tactical & defense like 5280 maybe is, that's what I meant. Seems likely a place like that would have relevant used/consignments and a better idea about ordering straight from Colt than Sportsmans, and maybe could tell me the difference between Uberti, Cimarron (that's the name I was trying to remember), and Colt. But maybe not.

The Gun Room on Colfax had several new in stock last time I looked (back in 2010, IIRC), so I'll probably check there first if no one has a recommendation.

[rondog]

I have an Uberti Cattleman .45 that I love dearly. As far as I'm concerned, it's not a drop different than a Colt SAA other than the name. It's a damn fine pistol and I'd recommend one anyday. Doesn't mean I know shit, but I do like my Uberti and I'm very happy with it. Bought it from a member here.

Take your pick....mine is like #4 down on the right. http://www.uberti.com/firearms/single-action-cattleman.php

[Zombie Steve]

If you're willing to do a little bit of driving, Specialty Sport here in Colorado Springs has Ruger, Uberti, Colt and other replicas on hand.

[wyzardd]

Thanks everyone. The Blue Koolaid is tasty, but unless the market shoots through the roof pretty soon I guess I'll give Uberti a chance.
Providing I find one before something else catches my eye.

[wyzardd]

Talked to a guy who has both Colt and Uberti, he said of Uberti - "Trigger isn't quite as right and trigger pull is not quite as crisp but close"

Whetstone and a spring kit?

[ray1970]

I had a uberti when I used to shoot cowboy matches. It was an excellent revolver. Definitely not a colt but a heck of a good shooter. It authentic enough that you wouldn't want to carry it with a round under the hammer. It even has the four clicks when you cock the hammer. If you like the transfer bar system like the Ruger you might check out the vaquero. They are pretty close to the same size as the colt.

[scottz]

There's a wide range in quality with Uberti depending on what name is on it. I had a Cimarron New Thunderer that was great.

Sent from my Slider SL101 using Tapatalk 2

[rondog]

It's authentic enough that you wouldn't want to carry it with a round under the hammer.

VERY good point! This is my Uberti, and the piring pin on the hammer definitely protrudes when the hammer is at full rest. Ain't no transfer bar stinkin' up this gun, and for shootin' I load 6, but if I was going to carry it there'd only be 5. Even though you could, in theory, cock the hammer to the first click and be safe, I wouldn't risk it. But I wouldn't carry a single-action 6-shooter for defense anyway.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/guns/my%20handguns/DSC_0024.jpg

[wyzardd]

I was in my late teens before I had the guts to load 6 rounds in any revolver. Granddad thumped me upside the head as a kid if I loaded 6 in my Frontier Scout. It took quite a bit to get me over that early training ... Anyway, while I've thought it'd be cool to carry the Bisley Vaquero in that El Paso Saddlery rig I got, I'll probably stick with a 1911 for that.

Ray1970, can you clarify "Definitely not a colt"? Is it something specific or a general impression? Crappy timing from the factory, a Ruger-like trigger, front sight falls out?
"Something is just ... off" is perfectly reasonable, I've had guns like that. Couldn't tell you what the problem was, but it wasn't quite right.

Isn't Cimarron made by Uberti? Thought I read that somewhere ...

Thanks again everyone.

[Zombie Steve]

Now you guys have me thinking back... I've been shooting Blackhawks so long I'm trying to remember how that went. What was it? Load one, skip one, load four?

[rondog]

Now you guys have me thinking back... I've been shooting Blackhawks so long I'm trying to remember how that went. What was it? Load one, skip one, load four?

I see the reason for that, but I don't see the need. Just load five and roll the cylinder to the right spot, full-cock, then lower the hammer on the empty hole.


I was in my late teens before I had the guts to load 6 rounds in any revolver. Granddad thumped me upside the head as a kid if I loaded 6 in my Frontier Scout. It took quite a bit to get me over that early training ... Anyway, while I've thought it'd be cool to carry the Bisley Vaquero in that El Paso Saddlery rig I got, I'll probably stick with a 1911 for that.

Yeah, some people are downright wiggy about that. It depends on the GUN, not the concept of danger. Many revolvers are prefectly safe with all cylinders loaded, that's what the transfer bar is for, nearly all modern ones are like this. But many revolvers AREN'T safe to carry fully loaded, because they have a firing pin spur right on the hammer that will rest right on the primer, and it's not just old guns, many modern ones are like this as well, like my Uberti shown above.

Just like many folks piss themselves at the mention of carrying a 1911 cocked and locked, yet millions more know it's perfectly safe. IMO, it all boils down to the individual firearm and the individual human in control of it, and how well that human knows and understands that firearm. The safest gun in the world in the hands of an idiot, well......

All three of my BP revolvers (one Uberti, two Piettas) are also best carried as 5-shooters, although one of the Pietta 1851 Navies has pins between the nipples where the hammer can be placed at full-rest halfway between chambers and carried fully loaded. I know the other 1851 doesn't have those pins, not sure about my Walker, but I doubt it.