Are there any good copies of the 1873 or saa around?I have heard of EAA guns and a company called old american arms?Any of this sound familiar?Also the only COLT my dealer has is about $1500.To much for me right now.Someone recomended the COLT cowboy that sells from around $600 but i have ben unable to locate one of these guns.Doesn't Ruger make a clone of these great six guns?Any help would be great.Also in a pinch wouldn't the 45LC have some good fight stopping ability?Thats one mean looking round!
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GOOD COLT SAA COPY?
- Thread starter 1911guy
- Start date
In my opinion, you can't beat the Ruger Vaquero. On the CAS-list, there are various complaints about all of the clones. The only complaint about the Vaquero is that because of it's slight oversize, it isn't authentic. I've shot mine for years, and wouldn't trade it for any other single action revolver.
Ruger Vaquero all the way. The Italian copies are OK but Ruger is superior. I have had Colt's and Vaquero's and they are so close as to be practically indentical, The real difference is the firing device and overall finish. Colt SAA's have the traditional pin on the hammer and the famous four click (spelling C-O-L-T). Which some SAA enthusiasts would not be without. While Ruger's have the transfer bar system which is more up to date and allows for 6 rounds safely carried along with its two click hammer sound. Colts finish is superior but cost reflects that. The Ruger's are typically beefed-up slightly and so are slightly bigger and so not an exact copy. The colt cowboy is a combination of both a Colt with a transfer bar system. so far I have heard nothing good or bad about them. You can get two Vaquero's for the price of a Colt Cowboy and somewhere between 3-6 for a Real colt SAA. also Vaquero's come in 44mag if thats a possibility and the 45 Long Colt round is a good round, perhaps not the best, but would be adequate in a pinch. 44-40's are more expensive than 45's. I carried a Stainless Vaquero in 7.5 bbl in 44Mag while living and hunting in Alaska.
Ruger makes the Vaquero in several configurations, calibers, and barrel lengths. I've had quite a few of them, and all were outstanding. They are bigger than the Colt SAA, but (in my experience) cheaper than a Colt and far more durable than a clone.
However, there are some very good "clones" out there. Cimarron (www.cimarron-firearms.com) imports Ubertis and slicks them up. These are more of a "replica" of the Colt, with the same size, similar hammers, etc. Their Thunderer is a neat gun, with a birdshead-type grip and a 3-1/2" barrel. I've had one of those in a .357. I've also had a Sheriff's Model with ejector in the same barrel length in .357.
Of the "clones" I've seen, I would choose (1) the Vaquero, (2) the Cimarron, (3) the Cowboy.
However, there are some very good "clones" out there. Cimarron (www.cimarron-firearms.com) imports Ubertis and slicks them up. These are more of a "replica" of the Colt, with the same size, similar hammers, etc. Their Thunderer is a neat gun, with a birdshead-type grip and a 3-1/2" barrel. I've had one of those in a .357. I've also had a Sheriff's Model with ejector in the same barrel length in .357.
Of the "clones" I've seen, I would choose (1) the Vaquero, (2) the Cimarron, (3) the Cowboy.
Uberti makes an execellent single action army, some of the parts will interchange with the Colts. I have heard that they make the parts for Colt in Italy and ship them to Hartford and Colt assembles them. Also the black powder series of Colts. the Ruger is a fine gun also.
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I'll chime in for the Vaquero also. The color case hardened frame is beautiful. No matter which gun you get, think hard about the barrel length you want. I got the 7 1/2" and now wish I had gotten the 4 5/8", it looks more authentic. Of course the solution is obvious, I have to go get another Vaquero. Yeah, that's the ticket!
one other thing that should be mentioned is the clones and original colts should only be used for "cowboy" rounds with lower pressures and velocity. The ruger has a stronger frame and will safely shoot the more potent hunting loads, and maybe you'll find out the .45lc can be a little more powerful than you thought.
David Roberson
New member
As someone who owns or has owned several samples of each of the guns mentioned so far except for the Colt Cowboy, let me explain why: The Cowboy (actually made for Colt by Ruger) is the worst of all possible worlds: looks like an authentic copy, but isn't (trigger placement is wrong); has modern lockwork instead of traditional, but isn't any stronger than a traditional SA; made by Ruger but has a Colt price. If you want a Ruger, buy one, but if you want a genuine traditional SA revolver, get a Colt clone from one of the better manufacturers.
www.earp.com has useful info on this subject, and dispels some of the myths about the so-called problems of the Colt clones.
[This message has been edited by David Roberson (edited May 12, 2000).]
www.earp.com has useful info on this subject, and dispels some of the myths about the so-called problems of the Colt clones.
[This message has been edited by David Roberson (edited May 12, 2000).]
Ned Roundtree
New member
Legion3 and Roberson have pretty much covered it all. My wife shoots 7 1/2" Colts. My sis-in-law shoots Cimarron Uberti Lightnings. And I shoot Ruger Vaquero Bisleys. We did a survey at the beginning of the shooting season and found that 65% of our cowboys have Ruger Vaqueros. They are stronger and hold up to the competition better. My wife doesn't even shoot that much and her Colts have already had hands replaced. The Uberti clones vary from importer to importer. Those imported by Cimarron are very nice, including the finish. I have a set of 5 1/2" nickel 1873 revolvers imported by Taylor Arms from Uberti. They shoot fine but you can see the grinding marks under the nickel. About the same price as Rugers. So take your pick, depending on whether you want a true Colt clone or Vaquero.