Lately I've been looking at the one type of handgun I've never owned, the Single Action revolver. I've been around guns all my life, but never had one of these. I had the opportunity to fondle one the other day, and I think I might take the plunge. So, here are the questions - which ones are closest to the original, what barrel length is the best for general plinking and are there any reasons to buy one in a caliber other than 45 LC. I do reload (a lot), so cost won't be much of an issue with regard to ammo. This would be primarily a toy for me. Any advice would be appreciated.
SAA Replicas?
- Thread starter enefgee
- Start date
45 colt or 44WCF are the only real choices if you want 1 SAA for a fun gun, 45 colt having the advantage of carbide dies and cheaper/tougher brass. Personally I'd also go for the 7" bbl, if only because it just looks right.
Don't know about authenticity. I bought a Pietta after much research. But my main concern was finding a gun with a bigger grip that wasn't a Ruger Bisley (too spendy for me at the time)
Don't know about authenticity. I bought a Pietta after much research. But my main concern was finding a gun with a bigger grip that wasn't a Ruger Bisley (too spendy for me at the time)
I'm looking at my copy of The Shooter's Bible, some names for you to research:
Cimarron Firearms Co.
E.M.F Company
Taylor's & Company
Uberti
U.S. Fire Arms
And of course, Ruger and Colt.
I'm not sure how many of these are available in Canada, but I hope this helps.
Cimarron Firearms Co.
E.M.F Company
Taylor's & Company
Uberti
U.S. Fire Arms
And of course, Ruger and Colt.
I'm not sure how many of these are available in Canada, but I hope this helps.
- Location
- Southern Ontario
I have the Uberti Cattleman. Steel frame with case hardening.
.45 Colt, 5.5" barrel.
It is patterned after the Colt including the hammer mounted firing pin and the "four click" action.
I have also handled the Pietta one in the same configuration, and found the fit and finish to be superior on the Uberti. (both the guns were current models, I can't speak for early production ones)
I have the conversion cylinder so I can also shoot. 45 ACP
It's a fun gun to shoot, you wouldn't be disappointed with it.
.45 Colt, 5.5" barrel.
It is patterned after the Colt including the hammer mounted firing pin and the "four click" action.
I have also handled the Pietta one in the same configuration, and found the fit and finish to be superior on the Uberti. (both the guns were current models, I can't speak for early production ones)
I have the conversion cylinder so I can also shoot. 45 ACP
It's a fun gun to shoot, you wouldn't be disappointed with it.
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Oh, and as I understand it 44WCF is easier to deal with if you want to shoot black powder. The thinner case seals better, apparently. Personal experience with the 45 colt is that even with moderately stiff smokeless loads the cases still show a lot of powder residue streaking back towards the rim, and pyrodex really got the action dirty as well, due to the same effect. I've not yet tried annealing my cases, but understand that some do this to get a better gas seal in the cylinder.
Marstar sells a selection of the Italian SAA clones. There's also a non-sponsor dealer who lists the entire uberti line, though not all are actually stocked.
Marstar sells a selection of the Italian SAA clones. There's also a non-sponsor dealer who lists the entire uberti line, though not all are actually stocked.
i have 2 Uberti SAA's with 5 1/2 inch barrels the top one in the picture is a cap and ball .44 cal. (made for the European market where center-fire handguns are banned) it has the common blued..case colour finish. This one has a spring loaded cylinder pin release button.
The bottom gun is .45 Colt with the Antique finish ie; no finish. notice that it is also a 'black powder frame' with a screw to release the cylinder pin.
The bottom gun is .45 Colt with the Antique finish ie; no finish. notice that it is also a 'black powder frame' with a screw to release the cylinder pin.
- Location
- West Quebec
Nice looking guns.. with character
hatman1793
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
The gun closest to the original is "the original" Colt single action army revolver. They are still made. The newest one is the Colt New Frontier in the much nicer than 45Colt caliber, 44 Special. Would have to be a special order of course and will cost you upwards of C$1600.00. There are many fine copies out there but if I was buying a new one, it would be the Ruger New Model Blackhawk in 357mag followed by the very nice Beretta Stampede.
I've had an Armi San Marco in both .45LC and .357 Mag before.
Currently have a Pietta .357 with 4 3/4" barrel to go with my 2nd gen Colt SAA in .357 Mag.
And scored a nice shape old model Ruger Vaquero in .44 Mag a year or so ago.
For me, with SAA's in .357 & .44 Mag getting another in .45LC seems moot.
However, I do agree, the .45LC & .44-40 [and to a lesser extent .38-40] are the classic ctgs for the venerable SAA.
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NAA.
Currently have a Pietta .357 with 4 3/4" barrel to go with my 2nd gen Colt SAA in .357 Mag.
And scored a nice shape old model Ruger Vaquero in .44 Mag a year or so ago.
For me, with SAA's in .357 & .44 Mag getting another in .45LC seems moot.
However, I do agree, the .45LC & .44-40 [and to a lesser extent .38-40] are the classic ctgs for the venerable SAA.
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NAA.
I have a Pietta 7.5 inch model in .44-40, for compatibly with my Uberti Henry.
The Uberti are more expensive and no guarantee of better quality.
I recently had to return a 1860 Uberti because of quality problems.
There is a lot of discussion on SAA at http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/
The Uberti are more expensive and no guarantee of better quality.
I recently had to return a 1860 Uberti because of quality problems.
There is a lot of discussion on SAA at http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/
My picks would include the following all in 45LC (unless you don't reload then .357/38special):
Beretta Stampede
Uberti Cattleman
Taylor & Company Cattleman
Ruger Vaquero
Pietta
If you want to stick to "authentic" feel, look and function, then exclude the Beretta Stampede and Ruger Vaquero 'cause they use a transfer bar safety and go for the 7 1/2" though I much prefer the look of a 5 1/2" and 4 1/2" barrels. That being said, I do love my Vaquero but I do want to get an Uberti Cattleman in .45LC eventually.
Beretta Stampede
Uberti Cattleman
Taylor & Company Cattleman
Ruger Vaquero
Pietta
If you want to stick to "authentic" feel, look and function, then exclude the Beretta Stampede and Ruger Vaquero 'cause they use a transfer bar safety and go for the 7 1/2" though I much prefer the look of a 5 1/2" and 4 1/2" barrels. That being said, I do love my Vaquero but I do want to get an Uberti Cattleman in .45LC eventually.
Really there are only four companies making the SAA these days. Colt, Uberti, Pietta and Ruger. Colt is pricey as blazes but they ARE the company that started it all. Ruger makes a very nice single action gun but it's a look alike only. The internals and function are all new and modern. That leaves those of us with limited pocket books to choose between Pietta and Uberti. Other names mentioned in this thread use the guns directly from Uberti or Pietta with a new box and possibly a name change on the metal stamping. They still come out of one of the two Italian factories.
Uberti USED to be a step up from Pietta. But that's changed in the last 10 years to where there is now little to pick and choose between the two in terms of quality, fit and finish. Both Uberti and Pietta clones use the proper and original "4 click" actions of the original Colt revolvers.
Marstar also offers a brand called Chaparral. I'm not sure which maker produces these but I've seen them and handled them and found the gun to be not as well finished or fitted. I guess this is what happens when they try to shave the price point by too much. I strongly suggest paying a little more and buy one of the guns with the proper "parent" name on it.
Both companies these days make a lower cost model intended to make the guns more affordable for folks getting into Cowboy Action shooting. Or perhaps the finish is intended to appeal to some "Tactical Cowboys". Either way the matt blued finish on their "budget" guns leaves me cold. But to each their own. For me the color case frame and polished blue cylinder and barrel make looking at the gun as pleasurable as actually shooting them.
The proper "classic" barrel length for the working cowboy of the day was the 7 1/2". The shorter versions were to make the draw easier and faster for lawmen or simply to allow a smaller holster to make it easier to sit down and otherwise go through daily life without sticking yourself in the side with the butt end all the time.
The grips will be too small for a full hold. But if you hold the guns correctly with your pinky under the butt end then all will be well. The shape of the guns is intended to let the grip roll in your hand a little. The location of the pinky under the butt end aids in correcting your hold for each shot. If using softer cowboy action ammo you really won't get this roll in the hand though.
As mentioned 44-40 and .45Colt are the classic chamberings. The use of .357 pretty closely mimics 38-40 though. So go with which you like best. One thing to keep in mind is that the cylinder and barrel walls on a .357 are thicker. So the gun is about 3 to 4oz heavier than the same gun in .45Colt. If that bothers you then go with the big bore.
For some reason chambers for .45Colt are spec'ed to be cut fairly loosely. Which is another reason why .45Colt rounds often do not seal well and we see a lot of outside staining on the extracted casings.
The only other issue is the fixed sights on these guns. It means you need to find a load or two that work with the POA. First time around you may need to lightly trim the sights if you can't get a POI to match the POA. Once you do all this you'll be stuck with a narrow range of bullet weight and powder to load them. The narrow muzzle velocity range needed to ensure hitting at the POA really does lock us down on the ammo loads.
Howzzat?
Uberti USED to be a step up from Pietta. But that's changed in the last 10 years to where there is now little to pick and choose between the two in terms of quality, fit and finish. Both Uberti and Pietta clones use the proper and original "4 click" actions of the original Colt revolvers.
Marstar also offers a brand called Chaparral. I'm not sure which maker produces these but I've seen them and handled them and found the gun to be not as well finished or fitted. I guess this is what happens when they try to shave the price point by too much. I strongly suggest paying a little more and buy one of the guns with the proper "parent" name on it.
Both companies these days make a lower cost model intended to make the guns more affordable for folks getting into Cowboy Action shooting. Or perhaps the finish is intended to appeal to some "Tactical Cowboys". Either way the matt blued finish on their "budget" guns leaves me cold. But to each their own. For me the color case frame and polished blue cylinder and barrel make looking at the gun as pleasurable as actually shooting them.
The proper "classic" barrel length for the working cowboy of the day was the 7 1/2". The shorter versions were to make the draw easier and faster for lawmen or simply to allow a smaller holster to make it easier to sit down and otherwise go through daily life without sticking yourself in the side with the butt end all the time.
The grips will be too small for a full hold. But if you hold the guns correctly with your pinky under the butt end then all will be well. The shape of the guns is intended to let the grip roll in your hand a little. The location of the pinky under the butt end aids in correcting your hold for each shot. If using softer cowboy action ammo you really won't get this roll in the hand though.
As mentioned 44-40 and .45Colt are the classic chamberings. The use of .357 pretty closely mimics 38-40 though. So go with which you like best. One thing to keep in mind is that the cylinder and barrel walls on a .357 are thicker. So the gun is about 3 to 4oz heavier than the same gun in .45Colt. If that bothers you then go with the big bore.
For some reason chambers for .45Colt are spec'ed to be cut fairly loosely. Which is another reason why .45Colt rounds often do not seal well and we see a lot of outside staining on the extracted casings.
The only other issue is the fixed sights on these guns. It means you need to find a load or two that work with the POA. First time around you may need to lightly trim the sights if you can't get a POI to match the POA. Once you do all this you'll be stuck with a narrow range of bullet weight and powder to load them. The narrow muzzle velocity range needed to ensure hitting at the POA really does lock us down on the ammo loads.
Howzzat?
Actually, if you can afford them, US Firearms makes brilliant replicas in Colt's original Hartford factory. They're as close as I've seen to something from 1873. Colt itself does indeed still make SAAs, but with all the modern improvements. If I was buying one, I'd want it as if I were buying it in 1880.
Oops, I forgot about them. And although USFA is not making SAA guns any longer they ARE a great option if one doesn't mind the price. Not sure how many made it into Canada though. So they might be a bit rare.
Freedom Arms is another outfit that is also still making SAA clones to a very high degree of quality. But at a price which makes the Colt option look like a low cost budget model.
Freedom Arms is another outfit that is also still making SAA clones to a very high degree of quality. But at a price which makes the Colt option look like a low cost budget model.
Yes Indeed, terrific info and thanks to all - I'm really kind of hung up on the original look and feel (and calibers) and I'm now pretty sure of my direction. This is one gun I really didn't see coming - I'd never been interested in them before, but there's something very appealing, mechanically about the old style action of these revolvers, and the feel of the grip. Who knew.
Keep your eye on the EE for used SAA's they come up for sale all the time, here is a picture of one I bought off the EE at a good price and it is a great gun;
This is a Great Western Arms .45 Colt made in 1954...7-1/2 inch barrel and it is in very good condition, the company didn't last very long and only made 26,000 guns.
This is a Great Western Arms .45 Colt made in 1954...7-1/2 inch barrel and it is in very good condition, the company didn't last very long and only made 26,000 guns.
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Skinny's Great Western is in much better shape than mine. I have a .22 LR chambered version with a 5.5 inch barrel of very early production vintage. And I suspect the previous owner did not care for it as much as he or she should have. One little thing I notice on the Great Western SAAs that is not readily apparent to most. Thier cylinders are just a tad longer than original Colt SAAs. At least with mine I know that's true. The USFAs and newer Italian SAAs have a better finish IMO.
