colt or usfa

[Marshal Deadwood]

The USFA however, IS the best SAA available and it IS American made. Not much to argue with there. They just have better quality than Colt. Maybe the Italians wouldnt spit on me if I was on fire,,but they have yet to charge me 1300 dollars for a SAA that I still would have to have gunsmith tuned.  That is something I suppose.

I'll try and be careful to not set myself on fire...

MD

[Blackpowder Burn]

OK Kids!   We're all on the same side here - us against the big nanny government types that want to take away all our guns, no matter where they are made.  We all have our opinions about what we like the best, and I'm glad we have them all to choose from.  Let's keep pulling together so we can keep the ability to have these "friendly" arguments.   

[Marshal Deadwood]

Amen,,good hearted jest is all I meant.

Guns guys,one and all,,are a band of brothers to a degree.

MD

[Dutch]

The USFA however, IS the best SAA available and it IS American made. Not much to argue with there. They just have better quality than Colt. Maybe the Italians wouldnt spit on me if I was on fire,,but they have yet to charge me 1300 dollars for a SAA that I still would have to have gunsmith tuned.  That is something I suppose.

I'll try and be careful to not set myself on fire...

MD

I highly recommend you do not.  Concerning usfa's and colts.  I highly recommend the colt. 

[Longshadow]

In value for money nothing in the world can gets even close to the USFA Rodeos. In the higher priced guns, perhaps it depends on whether you buy to collect/resell or buy to shoot with maximum reliability and satisfaction. Every review and test by anyone who knows anything proves USFA to be the better guns. But Colt has the brand name synonymous with history and collectibility. Even this is questionable as Colt has changed hands a number of times and there is absolutely no line from Samuel Colt to today's setup. Just the name. All the patents have lapsed and every clone from the USA, Italy or anywhere else is based on the same design.

If you can afford (or find) a pair of decent First Generations, buy them and put them in your bank box. If you want to buy and shoot the best sixguns available, buy USFA.

[Arcey]

The very life of the thread depends on folks staying civil. Have a good discussion, boys....

[Fairshake]

I own a Colt and have on order a pair of USFA Premiums to shoot in CAS. WE don't own the guns we have as we are only the keepers until it comes time to hand them down. Colt is a investment gun bar none. But if you are 62 and shooting at least 3 times a month then USFA is the answer. They are hands down the best American made gun in production. I don't have the years left for valut guns so my choice are shooting guns!!

[Deadeye Don]

Another interesting thread on the SASS website regarding Colts and USFAs for those interested.

http://sassnet.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=130573

[Virginia Gentleman]

A lot of those people are what I call "Colt-aholics" that inspite of the OBVIOUS superiority of the USFA in quality, fit, authenticity to the original design and accuracy...they still want to believe Colt just "feels better", has the Pony and is a "good investment" so it is better no matter what!  No serious Colt collector really goes for the 3rd gen stuff and only the early 2nd gen SAAs and of course the 1st generation SAAs.  There are lots of USFA collectors too and they do not loose so much value as to be worthless like these folks claim, in fact I know of several USFAs, especially the early ones, can go for more than what was paid for them.  You almost couldn't give me a 3rd gen Colt and I would never trade a USFA for a 3rd gen SAA....ever!

[Shotgun Franklin]

I bought Colt's. I could afford any gun but bought Colt's. I've done a little work on'm and am very happy with'm. Mine are as good a gun as any you'll find on the shooting line. I've carried them at work, hunted with'm and shot a lot of CAS with'm, they've never let me down. Were they perfect of of the box, nope but right now they're perfect for me. I'll also tell you that when you're standing at a shoot and someone comes up and asks if those are real Colt's it makes me proud to be carrying the same type gun that really helped win the West. Yep, I paid more but with a little more age and history on'm my Son will be glad I bought real Colt's. I didn't start CAS to save money.

[Marshal Deadwood]

The 3 gen colts almost arent close nuff to be call 'real' colts.

USFA's are.

MD

[Shotgun Franklin]

I'm to guess thats why mine actually have 'Colt' on the side of'm.
IMO, there ain't a gun made that out of the box is perfect for every shooter that might pick it up.
I've carried guns for a living for over 32 years. I haven't carried a stock gun in over 30 years.
I even changed the shape of the grip of my Glock.
If you wanna carry a usfa go ahead that's your choice.
I made mine and am more than happy with it.

[Harley Starr]

COLT or USFA   

Why not both? 


I'll save up and buy a Colt one day, then later when I feel like it, I'll buy a USFA.
But not until Doug Donnally releases certain reproductions of certain guns that we should have had last year!
I understand that alot you have grievances with Colt and you've got every right to complain, it is after all alot of hard-earned money that we're talkin' about.
If someone's going to stop liking the rampant Colt, it's going to be on their terms and theirs only.
Doug Donnally maybe turning out a fine sixgun, but his integrity has been called into question here recently, questions that have been raised even by staunch USFA loyalists! 

Until I've had a chance to own a Third Generation Colt, I can't truthfully appreciate where many of you are coming from.

[Sinister Colt Cloot]

I own a 1st gen Colt (1891 man.) and a 3rd gen Colt. Love them both but....Honestly folks we might as well be arguing what brand of truck is better to drive to the shoot, Ford or Chevy. It's an age old debate that takes on different faces. What does it come down to... personal preference. Nothing more. But most people insist that what ever they bought is the best. Personaly I collect Colts but I would love to shoot a USFA because I like guns and there is room in my gun collection for more than one manufacturer.

[Virginia Gentleman]

The 3 gen colts almost arent close nuff to be call 'real' colts.

USFA's are.

MD

Seldom are truer words spoken!

[Half Moon Tune]

Howdy Boys! I am new around here, and this is my first post. I see that no one has commented on this for several months, so lets see if I can stir the pot some. Back in 1995 I got the "I have to have a Colt" fever, REAL bad. I went to the local Phoenix gun store and looked at the Colt Peacemakers and if I were generous I would call them junk, but actually, they were WORSE than junk. I wanted one in the worse way, but couldn't see spending $1200 on something SOOO bad. Then I looked at the "U S Patent Firearms" Peacemakers (that was what they were called in those days. I bought one for $595, one of the last of the imported but unfinished Italian ones (finish done here). I put some money down for an action job, and to this day that USFA Peacemaker is the most accurate Peacemaker I have EVER owned (I've owned several Colts, Rugers, and other Italian replicas). My original USPFA takes a back seat to no gun I have ever fired. My son recently layed claim to it and now it is his. Still, it is THE BEST, BAR NONE!

Now, fast forward to about 2 years ago...and I was again looking to buy a Colt. I had heard that the quality was better and the ones I saw looked good. I finally spent $1250 on a new in the box black powder frame Colt 45 with a 4 3/4" barrel. Craftsmanship is excellent, and after several hundred rounds it still has NO cylinder drag marks(and I still havn't had an action job done yet!). Is it as good as my USPFA Peacemaker? No. But it is REAL close. It will probably never be as accurate, although it is very accurate in and of itself and more accurate than I can be these days with my eyes as they are. The USPFA gun has a better bullseye ejector rod (closer to the early Colt's), and I still don't like the super polished Colt hammer with the "enammel" finish on the top. Still, the fit and finish of this new gun is worthy of the name "Colt" and I am very proud to show it to my friends. Fit and finish are excellent and I will have it till the day I die. I put it next to my original 1851 Navy (manufactured in the fall of 1861- and I still shoot it!!) and I am very pleased to have 2 real Colts. For the longest time I wanted a "real" Colt, and just couldn't afford to buy one. In years past when I had more money, over the years I had bought several, and then foolishly sold them when things got tight (like when I sold my 1900 vintage Colt 45 to pay the doctor when my daughter was born. DUMB!!). I am glad that Colt again makes a quality product, and glad that for a short time 2 years ago I was able to afford one.

A lot of folks prefer the Rugers, and they are great guns. A lot of folks can only afford the Italian guns, and they two are awesome in quality (when it came time to ante up the $1250 for my Colt I felt a moment of guilt and almost bought a Great Western II. Awesome little gun for the price). My advice, buy the best you can afford, and shoot it with pride, wether it is a Colt, USFA, Ruger, Uberti etc.  Unlike the old days of a few years back I don't think you will find a junk gun in the bunch.

[shieldsmt]

Glad you stirred the pot. Again, I have owned Colt SAA's, third gen.  I own two USFA's, one I bought used from a poster on this site and the other brand new from USFA through my Montana FAA.  None of the Colts shot point of aim.  Fit and finish was bad to OK.  The USFA's are dead on, best metal to metal fit I'veseen on anything.  I'll never sell them.  I sold all the Colts.  I need (want) one more USFA.  A 5.5" in 44 wcf (the others are 45 Colt).  If they cost more than the Colt I'd still buy them instead.  If you are looking at one or the other you'd be making the right decision to go with the USFA. 

[Half Moon Tune]

Shieldsmt, thank you for your reply. As I remember, My USFA Peacemaker had to be sighted in. The front sight was left too high intentionally so you could file it down to match the load you wanted, and the gun shot several inches to the left. I took a target to the gunsmith to show him and he turned the barrel into the frame about 1/16" or so. It has since then shot true to form. A few years back these type of adjustments were standard, regardless of what make of single action you purchased. I gather from what others have said that this is no longer the case with the USFA guns, just another extra that they see to, to make their gun more competitive with the Colts.

[Marshal Deadwood]

I dont see how'it'd be possible to have a better SAA than my USFA 7 1/2", .45colt. well,,of course multiple barrel lengths and calibres,,all from USFA.
The best, period.

MD

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Marshal Deadwood
I will have to argue  with you on the BEST choice ? that would be a USFA prewar in a 5 1/2 44wcf   
  I LOVE all my USFA pistols

[kcub]

I bought a Colt blue/cch 4.75" 2 years ago and it was rough to the point that the hammer wouldn't always hit the primer hard enough to detonate.  It did shoot right to point of aim though.  I got a good smith to finish the job Colt started and now its a great gun.

Last month I bought 2 nickel 7.5" Colts, one .45, one .357.  Both are near perfect right out of the box.  Great fit and finish, slick actions, both shoot dead on to point of aim.  At the same time I handled a new USFA nickel .45 and the action was quite rough, not impressive at all for an expensive Colt knockoff to me.  I also handled a used nickel 2nd generation Colt nickel .45 and it was also no where near as smooth as the current 3rd gens nor was the fit and finish in the same class.  Investment wise I should have bought the 2nd generation Colt but it was that perfect 3rd gen gun that called and seduced me and I made the right choice.

The point to this being that yes, 3rd generation Colts have had spotty quality in the past, but the best ones are being made right now and come in the blue cardboard Colt custom shop box.

[Shadow Catcher]

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

Purposely ignoring all the stuff before - it's really pretty easy to decide.

Do you want to own a Colt - or a good copy of a Colt.

All the other rationalization and justification is just that - people explaining
why their copy of a Colt is as good or better than a Colt.

As old Will once said - "me thinks the Lady doth protest too much" . . . . .

I've a new third gen Colt - excellent gun - going to get a set of ivories real soon -
a good gun all around and its the real deal . . . no explaining required!

My Rugers are great toy guns for playing games - my Colt is a Colt . . . same for my 1911's -
every one to date has been a Colt -

Spend your money on a Colt - even if you have to spend a few more to make it perfect -
it will always be a Colt. . . amd you may not have to spend a dime - they're pretty darn
good fresh out of the oven . . ..

What's to think about . . . .

Shadow Catcher

[Marshal Deadwood]

Rowdy,,,lad,,,I just was never a 5 1/2 barrel man. I know lots love'em,,but im a 7 1/2 barrel fella. Just my 'thang.'...but ain't  these USFA's the perfect SAA....1
Lifes too short not to shoot the best,,,,that rules out Colt third gens for me.

MD

[shieldsmt]

Third Gen Colt is a late 1970's modified copy of the SAA when it comes right down to it. The USFA is more Colt than the General Dynamics / Colt Industries guns. USFA is consistent, passionate, committed. My opinion.

[Old Doc]

Kinda depends on what you want to leave to your grandkids. In my case, the decision is easy. He's 8 months old and his name is Colt.