1873 SAA Clones - A couple questions by a newbie

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Hey All,

I'm a new shooter (Jan 2019), and after getting the obligatory 9mm and 22LR pistols, I'm looking into purchasing a 1873 SAA clone... It will be my first revolver. I've always wanted to own and shoot a cowboy gun but now that I've seen the prices of "real ones" I realize I don't need an original nor do I have the budget for it anyway... So I've been looking into the Italian clones... After consulting a myriad of videos and forum posts I see the choice of a model basically comes down to personal preference and style of shooting...

One thing I can't seem to get an answer to is the difference in barrel length, specifically between 4 3/4" and 5 1/2" barrels... I understand a 7 1/2" barrel makes the gun front-heavy, more precise (?) and heavier, and it's that, again, all is a matter of preference, but between the 4 3/4" and 5 1/2", does size make a big difference? [You may insert jokes here]... I mean does the 3/4" shorter/longer barrel make a big difference and in what aspect? Precision? Balance? Recoil? The 4 3/4" models seem more easily available but I have to admit I'm inching towards a 5 1/2"...

Which brings me to my second question... The choice between 357mag and .45 Colt... There again I've inching towards the .357mag for its ability to shoot .38spl as well, but recoil-feel wise, is there a big difference between the .357mag and .45 Colt ? Also I guess .45 Colt ammo is less common than .357mag?

Lastly, some models seem to be much harder to come by than others... I've been looking online at resellers and lots of models are out of stock... Seems like they get a shipment every year or so and then slowly sell out the stock... I'm starting to wonder if its worth waiting for a shipment to get in or will I just wait forever since these are probably not big sellers...

Anyways, if you have any insight, pointers and/or you've asked yourself the same questions and found answers, I'd be much obliged!

Thank You,

Lewis
 
Hello
First, I found the 5 1/2 to be the perfect length, balance really nice.
Secondly, I prefer the .45 colt as it’s more original to the gun ( reloading is the answer)
Also most of the newer guns only have three clicks, instead of four.
This is due to a new safety feature.
I’ve found the uberti to be a bit nicer than the pietta models, but as they’re both clones , you really can’t go wrong with either.

I’d check the EE for an older Uberti El Patron or a pietta, with the original four clicks, that mimics the Colt.
 
5 1/2 .44 Special. Didn't find one so I bought a .44 Mag which was actually cheaper than other calibers. It's a Pietta with the Army/Dragoon grip instead of the Navy one.
 
Well typically you start with a 51/2 then add a 71/2 to your collection just to see what its like then a nice pair of 43/4 just because now you have gone full cowboy.
 
I like the shorter one, but that is just me, most of my shooting is 3and 4 inch guns, The pieta is O.K., but I would check it out first as the last 2 have been so tight that the cylinder would rub the forcing cone, Cimarron arms/ Uiberti is good if you fine a used one, There is a Ruger 38 on the auction in Ed. right now about 1/2 price.
 
Trying finding someone with the guns you think you want and see if you can shoot them. Try before you buy. What about your local gun club? Failing that, are any decent gun stores around your neck of the woods with some SAA’s that they will let you fondle. For little money you could get a Pietta, little more an Uberti, and a lot more a Colt:p As for barrel length, caliber etc, well for shooting paper or gongs it doesn’t really matter. More of a personal preference I guess. Hey for the hell of it, get a Buntline:p
 
If you do not reload then .357 Magnum is the way to go. .45 Colt ammo is way more expensive.

But, to me the .45 Colt is the way to go in a SAA clone as it's an authentic chambering. It's very easy to reload for too, and it's quite fun with black powder too!

Recoil wise, the .45 Colt in a SAA isn't much different to me than a .357 Magnum in a S&W.

Chris.
 
If you want a very authentic clone try to find a saa manufactured kn the 50s by a company called great western arms in California USA. It has been quoted that they are the closest thing to a colt and some of the early ones were mostly colts.
 
wos said:
If you want a very authentic clone try to find a saa manufactured kn the 50s by a company called great western arms in California USA. It has been quoted that they are the closest thing to a colt and some of the early ones were mostly colts.
Click to expand...

This.
BUT, they are hard to find. I have a 5 1/2 inch in 44 special, it is an early one and most parts truly are Colt. It just feels and functions better than all the other clones.
I have Rugers ( not as true to the original SAA design but great guns), Uberti/Cimarron/Taylor and Pietta. For balance, the 4 3/4 is best BUT I shoot much better with the 5 1/2 and up. I actually prefer the 7 1/2 or 8 inch. I suppose if I lived in the 'old west' the shorter barrel would 'clear leather' quicker, but not something to even consider today unless you are interested in cowboy action shooting.
I find that my 4 Ubertis are all better fit and finish that the Pietta. That being said though, they all shoot and function well.
We reload in our house so calibre is not an issue. 45 is more historically correct to the SAA, but as already mentioned, it is more expensive to buy.
My 2 cents: a Uberti production in 45 Colt with at least a 5 1/2 inch barrel.
 
A 357 in 4.75" feels better balanced because there's a lot more weight in the cylinder and barrel compared to a 45Colt. If you're shooting 45Colt, you're better of reloading or look into reloading. It's a fun round to shoot. If you get a an Uberti, you can get a 45ACP cylinder made up and you can shoot cheaper 45Acp.

Uberti is the best bang for your $. If you are good with your hands and knowledgeable with firearms, you can slick up a regular Uberti Cattleman for less than an El Patron. If not, an El Patron is s good option.

You can clean and polish up a cheaper Pietta to be pretty smooth.

If you have a bigger budget, look into some of the Taylors & Co offerings. They are basically slicked up Uberti.
 
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I went with the 4.75" bbl in 45LC. Balances and looks right in my hands. I wanted a "cowboy" cal and don't plan on reloading.....yet.
I bought my Pietta from Marstar around x-mas (on sale). Fit/finish is VG and Pietta did a nice job on the faux stag grips and colour case hardening.
I also decided on this model because it has the 4-clicks (C-O-L-T.... lol)

Really nice piece to add to anyone's collection especially for the $$.....get one!
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wos said:
If you want a very authentic clone try to find a saa manufactured kn the 50s by a company called great western arms in California USA. It has been quoted that they are the closest thing to a colt and some of the early ones were mostly colts.
Click to expand...

The Great West II revolvers are actually made by Pieta for EMF and come in calibres ranging from 357/38sp, 44 and 45 Colt to 44-40. Personally I prefer the Pieta's to the Uberti's and the Old Model Ruger Vaquero even more. With my short arms I find the balance of the 4 5/8 barrels to work best for me. My wife shoots the New Vaquero with 4 5/8 barrels.

It's all about personal preference so I would suggest that you do a search for Cowboy Action Clubs in your province, then go to a couple shoots and ask to handle some of the various revolvers you will see. Most Cowboy shooters will be quite willing to let you handle and often shoot a few rounds. I suspect that many of the guns you will be invited to try will have action jobs vs standard out of the box guns. Beware though it can be addictive and before you know it your gun room could be overflowing with Single Actions of all shapes, sizes, calibres and makes.

Good luck on your search.
Chuck McCann AKA Grey Beard
 
4.75". Classic gunfighter length.

Although .45LC is traditional, .357 gives you flexibility of .38 special and share ammo with .357 lever action rifles.
 
Are the bright nickel model, on Marstar site, bright silver or black?
I can’t tell from looking at the pics.
They look like a black nickel finish, in the pics.
 
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OP here,

Wow, Thanks everybody for all your insights... Since I'm not planning on doing any reloading I'll probably go with a .357mag... And 4 3/4" seems just fine from what I can see... OK, time to do some shopping now... Hahaha
 
I got a couple of the Pietta .45 Colt guns just off of this forum. I am delighted with them. A nickle engraved one with fake ivory grips for the wife and a cavalry model for myself. I intend to shoot the long one with black powder loads but I want to convert the cylinder-pin bushing to be removable for cleaning before I do that. Obviously, I want to do that without wrecking anything. That will be one of my first projects when I get back to Canada.

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