Most authentic SAA clone?

M

Model12Win

Moderator
Hey guys! What i the most authentic, true to the original Colt 1873 Single Action Army revolver out there?

I know there are plenty of makes and models with many new features like coil springs, transfer bars, frame mounted firing pins, the list goes on and on but really what it boils down to is I am looking for the most authentic gun that is as true to the original guns as possible including finish options. As for me personally, I have a budget of not more than $700 so a true old one is well out of my price range. So what SAA clone do you think best fits this description?

Thanks! :D
 
Some would say the Ruger Vaquero is the best but I don't agree. It's a great very well made gun but to me a transfer bar on a SAA is a big NO NO. The firing pin needs to be on the hammer on a 1873 clone.
Uberti Cattleman or a Pietta 1873 are very close to the original and both are quite equal in quality with a great range of choices in finish and so on...
I wouldn't go for older clones like a Hammerli Virginian (which is an excellent gun) because parts can be a problem ( Uberti parts fit but need some gunsmithing) ....
Anyway when buying test the quality of the action (timing, etc) and if possible ask to test fire it....
 
U.S. Firearms is hands down the most authentic and the best made. Even better than modern Colts. The rub is that they're out of your price range.
 
The Ruger new vaq is nothing like a Colt. The action is entirely different and up close it doesn't really look like one. The Uberti Cattleman is pretty dang close. It has the hammer mounted firing pin and there's four clicks when you cock the hammer just like the originals.
 
I had a couple "Hartford Models" by Uberti that looked to me very close to an authentic Colt but I don't know if they make these any longer. Maybe 3 years ago I sold the pair (with consecutive serials) for $850.
 
I agree on the USFA revolvers, but they are not being made any more, and are now going for well over the $700 figure. IMHO, the USFA guns were more true to the pre-WWII Colts than are the current Colts.

Jim
 
Thanks! I'm not a cowboy action shooter, just a history buff and that's why I'd greatly prefer the most authentic version I can possibly afford ($700 or less)!
 
Like others said, the Uberti is probably the most authentic you will get in the $700 price range. While not very authentic, don't discount the Vaquero's; they are well made guns and great shooters.
 
USFA's have pretty much doubled since they started making that funky plastic thing. The days of getting a better Colt than Colt for $800 are long gone. Uberti and Pietta are basically your only choices these days.
 
Hey guys! What i the most authentic, true to the original Colt 1873 Single Action Army revolver out there?
Click to expand...

Howdy

I'm going to take your statement literally about the 'original' Colt 1873 Single Action Army. If you want the most authentic clone of the Single Action Army, let's stop for a moment and consider what features were and were not present when the gun was first introduced in 1873.

Barrel length: 7 1/2"
Caliber: 45 Colt
Frame style: Black Powder Frame
Sights: Narrow front blade and narrow V notch rear sight
Ejector Handle: Bullseye style
Finish: Case hardened frame, blue barrel, cylinder, trigger guard and backstrap.

The barrel length of the first Colts issued to the Army was 7 1/2". No other lengths were available for some years. Likewise, the only caliber in production was 45 Colt. It was not until 1878 that the Colt was available chambered for 44-40, other calibers followed over the years. The Black Powder frame was the only style frame available up until about 1892 when the modern spring loaded cylinder pin retaining latch started to become available. Sights were a narrow blade front sight and a tiny V notch rear sight. These sights are difficult to use, one needs good eyesight to center the blade in the narrow V notch. The squared off rear sight did not appear until 1956 with the first of the 2nd Gen Colts. The round Bullseye style ejector handle was what was available, I do not know when the modern crescent style became available. The finish of the frame was case hardening with bright colors. The rest of the gun was highly polished blue. Forget about brass trigger guards or backstraps, Colt never used these in the SAA right up until today. Forget matte finishes, Colt prided itself on the high polish of their guns.

Uberti is supplying a few models with these features. Check out the versions labelled 'Old Model'. Beware of the Charcoal Blue finish. It is beautiful, but not very durable. I had one of these a bunch of years ago. Within one year the blue was completely worn off the backstrap by the sweat of my palm.

http://www.uberti.com/1873-single-action-cattleman-revolvers
 
The most authentic " clone " of a COLT is the THIRD GENERATION COLT SAA being made right now as we speak, Period. THINK about that.
And so it goes...
 
Thanks! Don't the 3rd generation Colts cost a mint though?? :confused:

I am DEFINETELY going to have to take a look at the Uberti old model! I can't wait to get a SAA but have to be sure of the one I want first, and that would be the most true to the original I can afford.
 
I know what the least authentic is: mine. I started with a Ruger New Vaquero in 357 (already pretty "off") and then converted it to 9mmPara and added magazine feeding and gas-powered automatic shell ejection.

:)
 
The German company Saeur and Sohn used to make a version much more authentic than the Ruger. I got one in 44 magnum for only $299 last summer. It is a quality firearm. I am not sure if they made one in 45 long colt. If so, it would be more authentic than most, and you could find one cheap on Gunbroker if you were patient.
 
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