What to buy???

Elmer Keith · November 15, 2011, 04:10 PM

Hello, I'm from Germany and new to this forum.

Being restricted by law not to own more than two handguns (there are some exceptions but theses are not suitable for my) I have a S&W M 28 and now want to buy a Colt SAA.

I've two to choose between.

One is a 2nd Gen. blued/color case hardened 7.5" 357 # 641xxSA.

The other one a 3rd. Gen. blued/color case hardened 5.5" 357 #SA213xx

Now - which one would be my choice?

Are the 2nd Gen. better in average then the 3rd. Gen. Colt SAA?

When were the guns made exactly?

Are there some advantages or disadvantages with the Colt SAA in 357 Magnum?

Or should I better wait for an occasion to buy a 45 Colt?

Shotgun693 · November 15, 2011, 06:24 PM

I have 4 Single Actions all with 5 1/2" barrels.
If you like the .357 and ammo is available it's a good round.
I like the .45 Colt better because it was the Colt round in the Old West.

If the guns are each in equal condition, I'd get the 2nd Generation.

Doc Hoy · November 15, 2011, 09:41 PM

Welcome to the forum.

Darned shame about the two weapon limit.

Andy Griffith · November 15, 2011, 09:42 PM

I really feel for you! Only two handguns?!?! I don't know what I'd do!!!!

Either one is going to be a good choice. I personally have a fondness for the longer barrels. Some have a much better case color pattern than others- so that may have some bearing on which one you might like. Check out the actions- each one can have it's own little differences- especially on used ones that may have had some gunsmithing done to them.

The good thing is, I'm certain that .38 special and .357 magnum will be much easier and cheaper to get, and much easier to start reloading for if you decide to- if you aren't reloading already.

Hellgate · November 15, 2011, 10:38 PM

Since you already have the S&W Mod 28 in .357mag, I would stay with the 357 cal. That is what I have done in my cowboy guns. I have always had the reloading set up for that caliber and didn't want to have another set of dies, brass, bullets and primers for a different caliber (45LC). If you are only going to shoot factory ammo then two different calibers may not be a significant factor to consider.

Doc Hoy · November 16, 2011, 07:00 AM

....At the CAS shoots are shooters permitted to use smokeless powder and factory ammunition?

If so, what does .45 LC cost?

Hawg · November 16, 2011, 07:53 AM

You can use smokeless in most classes Doc and factory ammo is ok as long as the bullets are lead, no jackets.

Doc Hoy · November 16, 2011, 09:10 AM

Got it.

So what do .45 LCs go for?

Andy Griffith · November 16, 2011, 11:53 AM

I think a factory new box of .45 Colt is going to go for between $30-50 each, depending on brand (Winchester, Fiocchi, Ten-x, Ultramax, Black Hills, etc.) and where you buy it.

.45 Schofields can sometimes be found for less that .45 Colt ammo- if they've been sitting on the shelf long enough.

Hawg · November 16, 2011, 12:12 PM

It's 35.00 per box here for Winchester or was last time I saw any.

Shotgun693 · November 16, 2011, 06:34 PM

I've been reloading so long I have no clue as to the cost of factory ammo. I did get a box of ammo for Christmas last year.

arcticap · November 18, 2011, 10:14 AM

Welcome to the forum Elmer Keith.

The threads below recommend the 2nd Generation SAA's, but I can't imagine going wrong with either one. And some even prefer the current production Colts. The gun's condition and the choice of barrel length are yours to consider.

http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...ht=2nd+gen+saa

http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...ht=2nd+gen+saa

Many of the Colt Serial numbers can be looked up here:

http://proofhouse.com/index.htm

Serial # 641XXSA is listed as being made in 1972.

November 15, 2011, 04:10 PM	#1
Elmer Keith Junior Member Join Date: November 15, 2011 Location: Germany Posts: 3	What to buy??? Hello, I'm from Germany and new to this forum. Being restricted by law not to own more than two handguns (there are some exceptions but theses are not suitable for my) I have a S&W M 28 and now want to buy a Colt SAA. I've two to choose between. One is a 2nd Gen. blued/color case hardened 7.5" 357 # 641xxSA. The other one a 3rd. Gen. blued/color case hardened 5.5" 357 #SA213xx Now - which one would be my choice? Are the 2nd Gen. better in average then the 3rd. Gen. Colt SAA? When were the guns made exactly? Are there some advantages or disadvantages with the Colt SAA in 357 Magnum? Or should I better wait for an occasion to buy a 45 Colt?

November 15, 2011, 09:41 PM	#3
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Elmer Welcome to the forum. Darned shame about the two weapon limit. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

November 15, 2011, 09:42 PM	#4
Andy Griffith Senior Member Join Date: May 14, 2009 Location: Macon Co. NC Posts: 591	I really feel for you! Only two handguns?!?! I don't know what I'd do!!!! Either one is going to be a good choice. I personally have a fondness for the longer barrels. Some have a much better case color pattern than others- so that may have some bearing on which one you might like. Check out the actions- each one can have it's own little differences- especially on used ones that may have had some gunsmithing done to them. The good thing is, I'm certain that .38 special and .357 magnum will be much easier and cheaper to get, and much easier to start reloading for if you decide to- if you aren't reloading already. __________________ Barney Fife: "Nip it, nip it, nip it!" Andy Griffith:"Oh now Barn'...." Last edited by Andy Griffith; November 15, 2011 at 09:53 PM.

November 15, 2011, 10:38 PM	#5
Hellgate Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2010 Location: Orygun Posts: 869	Since you already have the S&W Mod 28 in .357mag, I would stay with the 357 cal. That is what I have done in my cowboy guns. I have always had the reloading set up for that caliber and didn't want to have another set of dies, brass, bullets and primers for a different caliber (45LC). If you are only going to shoot factory ammo then two different calibers may not be a significant factor to consider. __________________ With over 15 perCUSSIN' revolvers, I've been called the Imelda Marcos of cap & ball. SASS#3302 (Life), SASS Regulator, NRA (Life), Dirty Gamey Bastards #129 Wolverton Mtn. Peacekeepers (WA), former Orygun Cowboy (Ranger, Posse from Hell)

November 16, 2011, 07:00 AM	#6
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Here is how dumb I am..... ....At the CAS shoots are shooters permitted to use smokeless powder and factory ammunition? If so, what does .45 LC cost? __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

November 15, 2011, 06:24 PM	#2
Shotgun693 Senior Member Join Date: September 3, 2011 Location: Poteet, Texas Posts: 959	I have 4 Single Actions all with 5 1/2" barrels. If you like the .357 and ammo is available it's a good round. I like the .45 Colt better because it was the Colt round in the Old West. If the guns are each in equal condition, I'd get the 2nd Generation.

November 16, 2011, 07:53 AM	#7
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	You can use smokeless in most classes Doc and factory ammo is ok as long as the bullets are lead, no jackets.

November 16, 2011, 09:10 AM	#8
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Hawg Got it. So what do .45 LCs go for? __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

November 16, 2011, 11:53 AM	#9
Andy Griffith Senior Member Join Date: May 14, 2009 Location: Macon Co. NC Posts: 591	I think a factory new box of .45 Colt is going to go for between $30-50 each, depending on brand (Winchester, Fiocchi, Ten-x, Ultramax, Black Hills, etc.) and where you buy it. .45 Schofields can sometimes be found for less that .45 Colt ammo- if they've been sitting on the shelf long enough. __________________ Barney Fife: "Nip it, nip it, nip it!" Andy Griffith:"Oh now Barn'...." Last edited by Andy Griffith; November 16, 2011 at 12:02 PM.

November 16, 2011, 12:12 PM	#10
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	It's 35.00 per box here for Winchester or was last time I saw any.

November 16, 2011, 06:34 PM	#11
Shotgun693 Senior Member Join Date: September 3, 2011 Location: Poteet, Texas Posts: 959	I've been reloading so long I have no clue as to the cost of factory ammo. I did get a box of ammo for Christmas last year.

November 18, 2011, 10:14 AM	#12
arcticap Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2005 Location: Central Connecticut Posts: 3,166	Welcome to the forum Elmer Keith. The threads below recommend the 2nd Generation SAA's, but I can't imagine going wrong with either one. And some even prefer the current production Colts. The gun's condition and the choice of barrel length are yours to consider. http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...ht=2nd+gen+saa http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...ht=2nd+gen+saa Many of the Colt Serial numbers can be looked up here: http://proofhouse.com/index.htm Serial # 641XXSA is listed as being made in 1972. Last edited by arcticap; November 18, 2011 at 10:31 AM.