colt or usfa

[sngle_axion]

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i know i been asking a lot of questions that you all have probably seen a billion times but I am new to single actions and was wondering if I am going to spend over $1000 should I go with the usfa or a colt. Thanks

[Deadeye Don]

Ask this question on the USFA forum.       My vote is for the USFA.  You might do a search about USFA and Colt SAA on CAS city.  You will probably come up with alot of old threads.

[Blackpowder Burn]

My vote is also strongly for the USFA.  The guns are of outstanding quality.  You can buy one from Long Hunter with a tremendous action job for far less than $1,000.  You can get a Rodeo for $600 or a Premium for $875.  Both are identical mechanically, but the Premium has Doug Turnbull CCH.  I bought a pair of these a few months ago and no longer have any interest in anything else in the gun safe!  I'm trying to figure out how to accumulate enough cash to buy another pair.

[Fox Creek Kid]

It depends as you can find six people saying one thing and six saying another.

[Pettifogger]

The current Colt's and USFA's are both excellent quality and you won't go wrong with either.  It's kinda like arguing Lexis v. Infiniti.  There's fans of both with lots of opinions, but they are both pretty good.  The only big difference (and the USFA fans will argue) is that the Colt holds its resale value better and will be easier to sell if you ever have to get rid of it.

[August]

They're both nice guns.  The USFA gunz are more like original Colt's than current Colt's are.  They are lighter and the actions are smoother.  In rough terms, you can get a brace of USFA SA pistols for a little more than one Colt's pistol with gunsmithing would cost.  Used Colt's pistols sell for about 3/4 their new price and used USFA pistols sell for about 7/8 their new price.  Dimensionally, USFA gunz are ready to go without any chamber throat reaming, which is often a necessary procedure with Colt's. 

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy Pards
Well this is easy for me USFA . I have 2 Premium guns and 3 rodeo's have had NO problems with them .
They all shoot great .

[Fox Creek Kid]

...Used Colt's pistols sell for about 3/4 their new price and used USFA pistols sell for about 7/8 their new price...

I have no idea where you got those percentages, but I respectfully disagree 100%. We have a local dealer who handles USFA and he's had the same guns for over a year, e.g. Custer Model, Nettleton, etc. Anytime you ask big money then people look for a big name. If I could get a used USFA (later non-Italian based parts) for a song I'd buy one. I just can't see shelling out the amount of money on a new one for something I'm going to take a "bath" on to sell. I've seen less than five people shooting a USFA in CAS in 14 years here in the Midwest. They only made approx. 2,500 revolvers in 2006 according to the ATF figures. I don't know how they stay in business. Well, yes I do but I can't mention it here. 

[Deadeye Don]

I am going to grab some popcorn and sit back to watch the response to FCK posting.     

[August]

I have no idea where you got those percentages,

I can buy a tuned (Longhunter) USFA SA (premium grade) for 875 bucks.  A new Colt's is 1300+ bucks -- similar finish, not tuned.  Sending the gun to Phoenix and having it tuned for CAS (forcing cone, trigger job, rear sight enlargement, modern springs -- and possibly CHAMBER REAMING) will cost 150 to 200 bucks.  So, conservatively, let's say the Colt's comes in at 1500 bucks per gun. 

As I said, you can get two, ready to run USFA gunz for a little more than a Colt's.

Now, as to resale.  Our emporium has 98% third generation, used Colt's revolvers for 850-900 bucks.  So, the details are worse than the sketch I offered.

With Roogers at 600+ (tuned) and Eye-talian (Smokewagons) for 600 bucks -- do you really think a USFA gun that Cost 875 is ever gonna be worth much less than its original price?   I don't.  That's why you don't see 'em often at the store in town.

So, you see, things are even worse than I suggested.

You WILL lose money if you try to turn a new Colt's.  You MAY lose a little bit if you have to turn a new USFA.

But, I didn't buy 'em to sell 'em.  I bought 'em to shoot 'em.  And, on all counts -- fit, finish, authenticity, accuracy, durability, price -- the USFA is a better gun than any other 1873 available.

I've owned Colt's over the years.  They're pretty gunz.  Never kept any of 'em because they are a vexation to the spirit when trying to get them to shoot straight and consistent.

[Pettifogger]

do you really think a USFA gun that Cost 875 is ever gonna be worth much less than its original price?   I don't.  That's why you don't see 'em often at the store in town.

A used USFA is never going to be worth its original price.  If you believe that I have a two year old Chevy I would be glad to sell you for full price.  USFA's are wonderful guns.  I have several and love them.  But, the simple truth is that they are very hard to resell in the used market and bring no where near their original price.  (Especially if you bought one a couple of years ago before the price dropped.)  If you really want to take a shot in the shorts, try reselling a USPFA.  The only way you can get a decent price is if you happen to find a fellow cowboy shooter that knows what they are and is willing to buy it.  At gun shows and on the used shelves at gun stores, a used Colt will outsell a USFA every time.  You don't see them very often because they are a very low production gun and sell primarily to a specialty market.

[Tjackstephens]

I too think the resale on a colt single action will be higher than a USFA. However my 5 USFA are not for sale. That gun with the horse on it will just demand more money. I've owned several over the years for some reason they all shot low and to the left Maybe it was the shooter. However my USFA shoot straight right out of the box. Tuning by a good gunsmith only helps. I shoot in a lot of cowboy action matches and fire a lot of rounds throgh them. For a gun I am going to keep and shoot it's a USFA. For a gun that goes in the gun case to look at, it's a Colt. TJ
Can't wait to see the responds on this. 

When asked if he liked fighting bear. He said, not really I just wanted to go some where and the bear was in the way.

[sngle_axion]

i totally agree with tjackstephens. Look on gunsamerica.com and you will find a ton of 3rd generation colts unused, unturned, etc.  To me it would seem that this would hurt the collectability of 3rd generation colts because everyone is buying them for collectability purposes.   

[Blackpowder Burn]

The arguments in favor of Colts seem to all revolve around resale value- and most of us don't buy guns intending to resell them. We buy them to shoot.  If shooting is your primary interest - USFA wins hands down. 

August is dead on target with the comparison of the cost of new Colts vs USFA's.  And an intangible factor is the people you deal with at the manufacturer.  I've had occasion to talk to the USFA factory folks 3 times - no problems, just seeking information or ordering parts.  They have been absolutely the friendliest and most helpful folks you could ask for. 

I'll also heartily endorse that the USFA's from Long Hunter are a dream out of the box - I own 3 now. 

And don't forget the USFA's have a lifetime warranty.

[Fox Creek Kid]

...I've had occasion to talk to the USFA factory folks 3 times - no problems, just seeking information or ordering parts.  They have been absolutely the friendliest and most helpful folks you could ask for...

Next time you talk to them maybe you can get an answer out of them about their "purported" 1875 Remington clone that was introduced in Jan. 2008 and which no one has been able to see, buy or get info on. 

[Deadeye Don]

Next time you talk to them maybe you can get an answer out of them about their "purported" 1875 Remington clone that was introduced in Jan. 2008 and which no one has been able to see, buy or get info on. 

Ditto.   They still havent responded to direct questions about the Remington project on their own forum.   

[Virginia Gentleman]

The arguments in favor of Colts seem to all revolve around resale value- and most of us don't buy guns intending to resell them. We buy them to shoot.  If shooting is your primary interest - USFA wins hands down. 

August is dead on target with the comparison of the cost of new Colts vs USFA's.  And an intangible factor is the people you deal with at the manufacturer.  I've had occasion to talk to the USFA factory folks 3 times - no problems, just seeking information or ordering parts.  They have been absolutely the friendliest and most helpful folks you could ask for. 

I'll also heartily endorse that the USFA's from Long Hunter are a dream out of the box - I own 3 now. 

And don't forget the USFA's have a lifetime warranty.

AMEN!! USFA blows Colt away when it comes to quality, customer service, warranty and even historically correct construction.  Heaven help you if you ever need to deal with Colt on a customer service issue!   If you care about shooting and a super well made and GREAT looking gun get the USFA.  If you care that the gun was made by the shell of a company that used to make older better Colts than are sold today and want to have "resale value", I guess buy the Colt and look at it in the safe.

[Jake MacReedy]

This is my opinion, and mine alone, based upon my personal experience.  I just traded off a 3rd Gen Colt SAA and kept my USFA SAA, as in a side-by-side comparison, I felt the USFA was of higher quality than the Colt (comparison of the internals and the "feel" of the revolver).  I personally like the way the "1st Gen." grips feel on the USFA as well, as compared to the 3rd Gen. Colt grips.

Jake

[Virginia Gentleman]

This is my opinion, and mine alone, based upon my personal experience.  I just traded off a 3rd Gen Colt SAA and kept my USFA SAA, as in a side-by-side comparison, I felt the USFA was of higher quality than the Colt (comparison of the internals and the "feel" of the revolver).  I personally like the way the "1st Gen." grips feel on the USFA as well, as compared to the 3rd Gen. Colt grips.

Jake

I think you kept the nicer gun of the two.  I guess Colt is like Harley-Davidson and USFA is like Indian in the motorcycle world if you were to make an analogy.  Colt's are better than they were, but not $400+ better compared to the USFA.  Colt is more of a nostalgia and collector cult in status, but where the rubber meets the road in looks, historically correct features and on the target, USFA is clearly the better gun.

[mustang]

Which model of USFA is most popular? And what Bbl. lengh is most used? I'm new and undecided on what to get. Thanks

[Virginia Gentleman]

Which model of USFA is most popular? And what Bbl. lengh is most used? I'm new and undecided on what to get. Thanks

I am not sure, but for CAS the USFA Rodeo is very popular probably in 4 3/4" barrel size.  The most beautiful and historically accurate are the USFA Pre-Wars are literally like picking a 1st generation Colt off the line 136 to 67 years ago sans the little pony where used.  The guns at this level are amazing and make a 3rd gen Colt look like a paperweight by comparision IMHO. 

[Dutch]

I'll say this about colt.  When you are finished with it it's still a colt.  I bought mine some years ago.  I've shot the hell out of it, carried the hell out of it.  I wouldn't part with it.  It's the kind of gun you can pass on and not have to explain it.  Great western made some pretty good copies.  Just how many new/non shooters have heard of them?  Anyone here remember the virginian?  Some of the colt clones made in switzerland.  Fantastic quality, almost no resale value, good luck on parts.  Ya'll are welcome to your usfa's.  I hear they're good.  Me? I'm passing my colt onto my son.  With any kind of luck he'll pass it on to his. 

[Marshal Deadwood]

Colt 2nd gens and 1st gens ARE Colts,,,third gens never was, and wouldnt hold their vaule at all were the famous pony judged according to quality instesad of nostalgia.

But, third gen Colts serve a purpose....they make me appreciate my Cimarrons.

MD

[Marshal Deadwood]

USFA.

(some idiot scored the cylinder on the bottom revolver, probably a habit of returning the hammer down off half cock without bringing to full cock first. outta be a capitol crime!  geeesh)

MD

[Dutch]

Colt 2nd gens and 1st gens ARE Colts,,,third gens never was, and wouldnt hold their vaule at all were the famous pony judged according to quality instesad of nostalgia.

But, third gen Colts serve a purpose....they make me appreciate my Cimarrons.

MD

I hate to disagree....but I will.     My third gen colt is a....colt.  Made by americans, for me, another american.  Your cimmaron, while a fine pistol I'm sure, is a pistol made by snotty europeans who wouldn't cross the street to spit on you if you were on fire......for americans who don't seem to understand this.