From 31st Edition Blue Book of Gun Values
Revolvers: SAA, 3rd Generation: 1976-Current MFG.
After a short break in production, Colt Firearms announced the resumption of full-scale production of the Single Action on Feb.4th, at the N.S.G.A. (National Sporting Goods Association) Bi-Centennial show in Chicago.
The “New Model Colt single Action Army” or the “Colt Post War Single Action Army – New Model”, as it was commonly referred to at the time, is known today as the “3rd Generation Colt Single Action Army”. Minor changes include a modified, thin front sight contour, and a return of the cylinder pin bushing in late 2002, plus a few other “ minor, modern manufacturing techniques that have not changed the appearance, feel, action, or performance of this historic handgun….” According to Colt’s press release at the time.
Production began with ser. No. 80,000SA, and reached 99,999SA in 1978, At this point, the SA suffix changed to a prefix beginning with SA01,001. Serialization reached SA99,999 during 1993, and began over, this time separating the letters SA , and starting with S02,0001A.
Starting at approximately ser. No. S34,000A, Colt reintroduced the full length cylinder bushing which had been eliminated in 1976, making these current 3rd Generation single Actions essentially the same as 1st and 2nd Generation guns. The factory still refers to these as 3rd Generation however, and not 4th Generation as some collectors are now calling them