I've had a genuine Colt SAA since 1986. A short 44 Special. My wife put some ivories on it a few years ago for my birthday.
Over the years I owned and sold 5 Italian SAA clones. All with the 4.75" barrel in 45 Colt. They were good guns, but I got a bug to have all 3 of the common barrel lengths in genuine Colts. Through weakness, instead of acquiring a 5.5" and a 7.5" to go with the 4.75" example I already owned I wound up with another short SAA and a 5.5 version. Still no 7.5" example.
After several months of looking for a "shooter grade" Colt at something resembling a reasonable price I gave up. I cringed at the thought of having to pony up (pun intended) another $1700 for a real Colt in new condition or pay $1200 for a rusty bag of bones which is what the beat up used ones were fetching. I was hoping to find a shootable Colt with some wear and some finish issues for around $600. That was obviously unrealistic thinking on my part.
So I bought another Italian clone from the auctions. A Pietta with the long barrel in 45 Colt. Price was $375 for a new in the box revolver. I think I can shoot it and have fun with it. Maybe someday I'll get the urge to trade up to a real Colt. Who knows?
The real Colts. B/CH 44 Special, nickel 38-40, B/CH 45...
The clone...
Over the years I owned and sold 5 Italian SAA clones. All with the 4.75" barrel in 45 Colt. They were good guns, but I got a bug to have all 3 of the common barrel lengths in genuine Colts. Through weakness, instead of acquiring a 5.5" and a 7.5" to go with the 4.75" example I already owned I wound up with another short SAA and a 5.5 version. Still no 7.5" example.
After several months of looking for a "shooter grade" Colt at something resembling a reasonable price I gave up. I cringed at the thought of having to pony up (pun intended) another $1700 for a real Colt in new condition or pay $1200 for a rusty bag of bones which is what the beat up used ones were fetching. I was hoping to find a shootable Colt with some wear and some finish issues for around $600. That was obviously unrealistic thinking on my part.
So I bought another Italian clone from the auctions. A Pietta with the long barrel in 45 Colt. Price was $375 for a new in the box revolver. I think I can shoot it and have fun with it. Maybe someday I'll get the urge to trade up to a real Colt. Who knows?
The real Colts. B/CH 44 Special, nickel 38-40, B/CH 45...
The clone...
