New Pre-War or New 3rd generation Colt?

[Sixshooter_45]

New Pre-war has square notch and I read that period correct is suppose to have a "V" notch. Is this correct?
Both are given as an option on their web page.

New Pre-War, (approx. $1100.00), or Colt Single Action Army 4 3/4" .45 Long Colt
Colt Single Action Army 4 3/4" .45 Long Colt. Standard feature SAA, with 4 3/4" high gloss barrel and cylinder, case colored frame. Cylinder unturned. Gun is new in box, 3rd Gen. 36 Oz.

Which one would be a better buy the colt is $1269.00 and Pre War has premium American walnut grips or a NIB 7 1/2" 3'rd Generation Colt SAA in .45 factory nickel finish and factory Ivory grips for 988.00

Too many decisions, lol

P.S. need fast response please.

[Doc Sunrise]

Sixshooter 45,

Buy the Pre-War.  First, the internal action of a USFA is far better in quality fit and finish than Colt 3rd. Generations.  Second, the "V" notch was replaced by a Square notch in 1935 to allow for better sighting with the new wider front sights being used.  Third,  and personally, I feel that nickel finishes can not hold a candle to USFA's Old Armory Bone Case & Armory Blue.  Fourth, The cylinder, frame, and barrel is fitted with better tolerances which make USFA SAA's have better shooting accuracy and results.  Finally, my latest USFA SAA's have had absolutely beautiful grip fit & finish.  You can't go wrong!  Buy the Pre-War!

[RRio]

I've had the 3rd Gen Colts, they are nothing like a 1st or 2nd Gen. Colt, and in my honest opinion, I would, and have taken a USFA over them.

RRio

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[Beans]

Which one would be a better buy the colt is $1269.00 and Pre War has premium American walnut grips or a NIB 7 1/2" 3'rd Generation Colt SAA in .45 factory nickel finish and factory Ivory grips for 988.00

I always wanted a Colt 45 and I purchased a new one two weeks ago.  I like my Rodeos better. Not as pretty But!

The Colt cylinder throats measured .456.

My Rodeos cylinder throat measure .451-.452  on all six cylinders on all six Rodeos.

 I called Colt and I was given the Cylinder throat measurements. min .454--- Max .460  Colt bore measured .451.

The Colt won't shoot anything except handloads with a 454 bullet, 255 grains
everything else and I mean everything else Factory Lead,  Factory JHP, anything loaded with a 453 bullet, Etc shoots a 4-6 inch group off a sandbag rest at a measured 15 yards.

Yes I'm keeping the Colt, but I'm shooting the Rodeos. and I could of had another pair of Rodeos for what the Colt cost me.

[Sixshooter_45]

Thanks all for the input. Man, Colt ought to be ashamed of themselves.  They either have lost sight what makes a good revolver or they just don't care.

[RRio]

Whilst picking up my 1887 shotgun this week, I had the opportunity to check out a new Colt SAA in .357 magnum. The price was $1300. The finish on my USFA SAA is a LOT better, and the action even before I did the action job on it, was better than the new Colt. 
IMHO, Colt just does not have the same spirit that USFA does when it comes to the Cowboy guns.

[Doc Sunrise]

Colt's tunnel vision with Military sales and an "errogance" about the amount of weight their name carries has opened so many doors for other companies, which Colt tries to get those doors closed with legal actions.  What a shame they don't spend some energy on recreating themselves in the commercial market.  The market demand was there, it just needed a company with vision and the marketing tools to make it mature and prosper.  Ruger, the Italians along with all of their importers, and now USFA are on the right track by filling that demand, but Colt had the opportunity to direct and create that demand. 

Thank goodness that USFA has stepped up to the plate to raise the bar in recreating an American Tradition by producing fine American firearms so that when they are held, you can imagine yourself in the middle of what is truely and exclusively American, the time of the American West.   

[RRio]

I have always thought it to be very ironic, that the two gun companies whose guns are the basis for CAS have done so poorly business-wise. Had Colt and Winchester listened to the CAS public, they would be a lot better off today. As it is, last I heard was Winchester had closed their doors, and Colt is not that far behind them.

 

[Doc Sunrise]

History has proven out the fact that investing in its Employees, Research & Development, and Marketing, and then understanding that Marketing to be responsive and develop the demand or potential demand that exists, has made many companies successful.  Baretta realized along time ago that investing in shooting sports around the world kept their sales going, and because they remained committed to producing quality products and new products they were in a position when the opportunity arrived to successfully win a US government contract, even after the legal battles.  Baretta employees take pride in being Baretta employees, much like Harley Davidson's employees.  America has great potential, and with companies like USFA that are willing to invest in Americans, the global economy will strive again for the American way, and as Americans would have it, the "Cowboy Way".

[Sixshooter_45]

Yes it is a shame.

In part it is due to the short sightedness, greed for short-term money, and the simple lack of understanding what Quality is all about and how to achieve it.

The top executives are the ones that are responsible as they can either drive a company forward or right into the dirt.

Too many times they bow to the pressures of other board members that only understand one thing; how munch money are we going to see in our pockets at years end. It is always easier, (the lazy way), to layoff employees to improve the profit margin than to work hard at improving the current process while improving product quality, morale, bottom line, etc.

It is really sad that after 24 years in American precision manufacturing as a Quality Control Inspector/ASQC certified Quality Technician/ Auditor I had to finally get out and change careers due to constant layoffs, strikes, company closings, etc.

I am in a field where I'm finally happy to be without the pressure to get a substandard quality product out the door to meet the end of month requirements, (Money!).

I always believed that someday America would wake up and change their short-sided ways and just do what’s right.

Some companies understand this and they do and will continue to prosper where others fail miserably.

Excellent Companies like Wilson, USFA, Ruger,(have been hearing that they are starting to slip though,   and I'm sure there are many more but they are few in comparison to the companies that just don't get it.

Ok, I'm off my soapbox, sorry 

[Virginia Gentleman]

Collectors will always tell you Colt, well because it is a Colt, never mind that it is built and looks like a boat anchor.  Quality, authenticity, great value and great accuracy, get the USFA by a mile.