Best Colt Clone?

Rookie21 · October 5, 2015, 10:50 PM

So what's the best Colt SAA replica that's got quality (good timing and lock up) and affordable.

45 Dragoon · October 5, 2015, 11:54 PM

One thats been tuned!!

Mike
www.goonsgunworks.com

James K · October 6, 2015, 12:13 AM

Any SA can benefit from tuning, even original Colts. But Colts aside, guns made by Uberti are affordable and usually good to go out of the box. Taylor and Cimarron guns are made by Uberti.

Jim

Hawg · October 6, 2015, 02:23 AM

Uberti Cattleman

Rookie21 · October 6, 2015, 06:48 AM

I kept thinking a Uberti Cattleman Old Model. I want one that's as close to an old one as I can get. I'd like a firing pin in the hammer, no transfer bar, rear sight cut correctly and not a modern design. Does the Cattleman Old Model fit that description?

Doc Hoy · October 6, 2015, 07:10 AM

One of them has a date code = XXX (1974).

Every one of them has a firing pin.

There are differences in the rear sights over the years. Front sights are identical.

Doc Hoy · October 6, 2015, 08:48 AM

The arbor retaining screw on the "Old Model" From Uberti is not a dead ringer for the original retaining screw on the Colts.

It appears to be designed to be removed without tools while the original required a screwdriver, if I hain't mistaken.

Hawg · October 6, 2015, 09:01 AM

Quote:

The arbor retaining screw on the "Old Model" From Uberti is not a dead ringer for the original retaining screw on the Colts.

It appears to be designed to be removed without tools while the original required a screwdriver, if I hain't mistaken.

Mine came with both. I don't use the knurled screw. The cylinder pin is too long and has a safety notch where you can lock the pin in the second hole and it blocks the hammer. I cut mine off so it looks and functions like the original. It also has a hammer block safety on the hammer but it doesn't look too bad. Certainly not like a transfer bar jumping out at you.

kwhi43 · October 6, 2015, 09:17 AM

Rookie21 · October 6, 2015, 09:28 AM

What barrel length is your Uberti Phil?

**4V50 Gary** · October 6, 2015, 09:35 AM

Uberti.

kwhi43 · October 6, 2015, 09:44 AM

It's a 4 3/4. 45 Colt. Nickel Plated.

Hawg · October 6, 2015, 11:42 AM

Mine is a 5 1/2 inch 44-40 with the old style or black powder frame. It was imported by Cimarron but is still a Uberti Cattleman.

JN01 · October 6, 2015, 03:05 PM

I recently purchased a Cimarron Frontier (Pietta) in .357 Magnum. Very smooth action, timing is right on, hardened steel bushing around the firing pin hole. Shoots to the point of aim with 158 grain loads.

SEKLEM · October 6, 2015, 03:30 PM

I'm not well versed on SAAs and their replicas but where do the Ruger Vaqaros land?

Hawg · October 6, 2015, 03:38 PM

Quote:

I'm not well versed on SAAs and their replicas but where do the Ruger Vaqaros land?

In never never land. They don't operate like a Colt and up close they don't look like one.

Doc Hoy · October 6, 2015, 06:58 PM

He's right though.

On the positive side they are super quality (IMO)

My personal opinion is that they would appeal to a shooter seeking solid reliability, user friendly, a little bit of 19th Century flair. But not a shooter who has an avid loyalty to the 1873 SAA.

Here is one for the CAS clan....Are they permitted in CAS events?

Tnx,

Hawg · October 6, 2015, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Here is one for the CAS clan....Are they permitted in CAS events?

Yep but then so are Blackhawks. Rugers are good, solid, quality guns I just don't care for the lockwork and the way they operate. I'd love to get my hands on another Single Six tho.

Doc Hoy · October 7, 2015, 06:09 AM

That is interesting.

I have zero familiarity with CAS.

James K · October 7, 2015, 08:43 AM

Rugers are excellent guns, but not "clones" of the Colt SAA; they are a very different design, and much better for guns intended for a lot of shooting.

Not even the new Colts are really true to the old design and (IMHO) don't feel or handle the same. The only ones that did were the U.S. Firearms guns, and they are no more.

Jim

Doc Hoy · October 7, 2015, 09:10 AM

I am under informed and hence went looking for info on U.S. Fire Arms. Could not find much about the actual manufacturing which was done by the company.

Did they start from scratch? Did they get parts from others and then fit, tune and assemble?

I do see that they operated a CNC activity and so at least some of the work was machine work.

Which pistols were made at the CNC facility?

What can you or others tell me?

James K · October 7, 2015, 09:42 AM

AFAIK, U.S. Firearms Manufacturing Company (USFA) made their Colt copies themselves, in the old Colt factory in Hartford. I picked one up one day at my LGS and it felt right, just like the old guns (and yes, I have handled hundreds of the old pre-war SAA's). I now have two USFA Rodeos, two "pre-war" models, and a percussion "1851" model (one of 40 made, it is not a good copy of the Colt 1851).

They later made some copies of the Colt 1910 model auto pistol and some other guns, but IMHO their SAA copies were great.

Then the head of the company, a man named Donnelly, invented a .22 plastic pistol he called the "ZIP Gun". He was so taken with the thing that he closed the revolver operation and opened a new plant to make the ZIP gun. I think that failed, but I didn't keep track of it.

I have heard the SA and other guns were selling very well and the company was profitable; I have also heard that the company head was one of those folks who likes to chase after new ideas. Anyway, the guns are gone and those who bought them have seen them go up in value.

Jim

Doc Hoy · October 7, 2015, 10:10 AM

That is the kind of info I was looking for.

SEKLEM · October 7, 2015, 11:33 AM

Thank you everyone for your information on the Ruger, as I said, I don't know much about SAA. That explains why it wasn't recommended.

James K · October 7, 2015, 01:16 PM

When Bill Ruger designed his first SA revolver, the .22 caliber Single Six, he set out to keep the old look and general style while updating the lockwork to eliminate all the old flat springs that tend to break. He succeeded very well, but as the Ruger line underwent product improvement over the years, the design got farther away from the look and feel of the old Colts.

The Rugers are a lot better guns, more reliable and stronger than the Colts and Colt copies ever were or could be. But some folks prefer the more traditional look and feel of the Colt, or clones that are closer to the original.

Jim

October 5, 2015, 10:50 PM	#1
Rookie21 Senior Member Join Date: August 15, 2009 Posts: 212	Best Colt Clone? So what's the best Colt SAA replica that's got quality (good timing and lock up) and affordable.

October 6, 2015, 07:10 AM	#6
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	I own five Uberti Cattleman revolvers One of them has a date code = XXX (1974). Every one of them has a firing pin. There are differences in the rear sights over the years. Front sights are identical. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

October 6, 2015, 08:48 AM	#7
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	When you examine them closely.... The arbor retaining screw on the "Old Model" From Uberti is not a dead ringer for the original retaining screw on the Colts. It appears to be designed to be removed without tools while the original required a screwdriver, if I hain't mistaken. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

October 6, 2015, 09:17 AM	#9
kwhi43 Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2008 Location: Kansas City Posts: 1,393	My Uberti is very nice

October 6, 2015, 09:35 AM	#11
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,832	Uberti. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

October 5, 2015, 11:54 PM	#2
45 Dragoon Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2013 Posts: 656	One thats been tuned!! Mike www.goonsgunworks.com

October 6, 2015, 12:13 AM	#3
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Any SA can benefit from tuning, even original Colts. But Colts aside, guns made by Uberti are affordable and usually good to go out of the box. Taylor and Cimarron guns are made by Uberti. Jim

October 6, 2015, 02:23 AM	#4
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	Uberti Cattleman

October 6, 2015, 06:48 AM	#5
Rookie21 Senior Member Join Date: August 15, 2009 Posts: 212	I kept thinking a Uberti Cattleman Old Model. I want one that's as close to an old one as I can get. I'd like a firing pin in the hammer, no transfer bar, rear sight cut correctly and not a modern design. Does the Cattleman Old Model fit that description?

October 6, 2015, 09:28 AM	#10
Rookie21 Senior Member Join Date: August 15, 2009 Posts: 212	What barrel length is your Uberti Phil?

October 6, 2015, 09:44 AM	#12
kwhi43 Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2008 Location: Kansas City Posts: 1,393	It's a 4 3/4. 45 Colt. Nickel Plated.

October 6, 2015, 11:42 AM	#13
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	Mine is a 5 1/2 inch 44-40 with the old style or black powder frame. It was imported by Cimarron but is still a Uberti Cattleman.

October 6, 2015, 03:30 PM	#15
SEKLEM Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2015 Location: Indiana Posts: 124	I'm not well versed on SAAs and their replicas but where do the Ruger Vaqaros land?

October 6, 2015, 06:58 PM	#17
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Hawg, you are such a purist! ;o) He's right though. On the positive side they are super quality (IMO) My personal opinion is that they would appeal to a shooter seeking solid reliability, user friendly, a little bit of 19th Century flair. But not a shooter who has an avid loyalty to the 1873 SAA. Here is one for the CAS clan....Are they permitted in CAS events? Tnx, __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

October 7, 2015, 06:09 AM	#19
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Hmmmm. That is interesting. I have zero familiarity with CAS. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

October 7, 2015, 08:43 AM	#20
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Rugers are excellent guns, but not "clones" of the Colt SAA; they are a very different design, and much better for guns intended for a lot of shooting. Not even the new Colts are really true to the old design and (IMHO) don't feel or handle the same. The only ones that did were the U.S. Firearms guns, and they are no more. Jim

October 7, 2015, 09:10 AM	#21
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	James K I am under informed and hence went looking for info on U.S. Fire Arms. Could not find much about the actual manufacturing which was done by the company. Did they start from scratch? Did they get parts from others and then fit, tune and assemble? I do see that they operated a CNC activity and so at least some of the work was machine work. Which pistols were made at the CNC facility? What can you or others tell me? __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

October 7, 2015, 09:42 AM	#22
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	AFAIK, U.S. Firearms Manufacturing Company (USFA) made their Colt copies themselves, in the old Colt factory in Hartford. I picked one up one day at my LGS and it felt right, just like the old guns (and yes, I have handled hundreds of the old pre-war SAA's). I now have two USFA Rodeos, two "pre-war" models, and a percussion "1851" model (one of 40 made, it is not a good copy of the Colt 1851). They later made some copies of the Colt 1910 model auto pistol and some other guns, but IMHO their SAA copies were great. Then the head of the company, a man named Donnelly, invented a .22 plastic pistol he called the "ZIP Gun". He was so taken with the thing that he closed the revolver operation and opened a new plant to make the ZIP gun. I think that failed, but I didn't keep track of it. I have heard the SA and other guns were selling very well and the company was profitable; I have also heard that the company head was one of those folks who likes to chase after new ideas. Anyway, the guns are gone and those who bought them have seen them go up in value. Jim

October 7, 2015, 10:10 AM	#23
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Thanks, JK. That is the kind of info I was looking for. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

October 7, 2015, 11:33 AM	#24
SEKLEM Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2015 Location: Indiana Posts: 124	Thank you everyone for your information on the Ruger, as I said, I don't know much about SAA. That explains why it wasn't recommended.

October 7, 2015, 01:16 PM	#25
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	When Bill Ruger designed his first SA revolver, the .22 caliber Single Six, he set out to keep the old look and general style while updating the lockwork to eliminate all the old flat springs that tend to break. He succeeded very well, but as the Ruger line underwent product improvement over the years, the design got farther away from the look and feel of the old Colts. The Rugers are a lot better guns, more reliable and stronger than the Colts and Colt copies ever were or could be. But some folks prefer the more traditional look and feel of the Colt, or clones that are closer to the original. Jim