USFA v Colt again on SASS Wire.

[Deadeye Don]

Interesting thread going on the SASS Wire about USFAs and Colts.  Amusing that some people continue  the inaccurate information.   

http://sassnet.com/forums/index.php?s=0bed7d32bccf5544d5e9fbc87ca1ee3d&showtopic=96936

[RRio]

I don't even waste my time with those threads anymore. It's not worth it. 

The folks that defend their choice in sixguns, I have no problem with.

The one I do have a problem with is the one that puts out mis-information.
As far as USFAs being made to Uberti specs, that 's not really surprising when you consider that Ubertis are made to Colt specs. There 's not a pinch of difference dimensionally between the 3. That is fact, not speculation.

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

I'm with Rawhide on this one.  Absolute waste of time trying to change some one's mind on the subject.  Typical mindset seems to be, "NOBODY can make a gun as good as MY gun and I refuse to consider otherwise."
Kind of like that quote from Adam Savage, the guy on the Mythbusters TV show:  "I reject your reality and substitute my own."

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[Black Powder]

I haven't been on sass wire in months because I found it to be dominated by folks grinding axes.  This thread I found to be refreshingly civil!

BP

[Deadeye Don]

I haven't been on sass wire in months because I found it to be dominated by folks grinding axes.  This thread I found to be refreshingly civil!

BP

You can say that again pard!!

[Wild Ben Raymond]

Oh yes here we go again, that topic seems to come up once a month and the thread will last about a week. I have the luxury of owning a pair of both, USFA's & Colts (same cal. & barrel length)(Like them both) If you look at the guns themselfs as simply tools rather than icons or having a rich history, then they are about equal. Both of mine are well made, fine looking guns but with that said, you have to look further, go the classifieds of the SASS wire and look at the USFA's for sale & then look at the Colt's for sale. It just seems to me that the Colt's sell better and the seller usually has no problem selling them. On the other hand USFA's seem to take longer to move and the seller usually has to drop their price a couple times to sell them. IMHO if you plan on keeping the guns for life then it makes no difference but as life changes and times change, if at some point the owner needs to move them the Colt's are a better investment. Remember this is my opinion and as most of you know, opinion's are like @$$-#0!!s and everone has one. WBR   

[sharps50/70]

WBR,
Very good post.

Rich

[Doc Sunrise]

After some reading about the late Val Forgett and Lou Imperato, thank goodness that there were people like them that had such a fond admiration for the American West and American icons like Colt.  They were able to keep a part of American History alive long enough that Americans and citizens worlwide developed a true apprecitaion for what is truly American, the American West.  They found an engineer named Uberti, who had a deep love for black powder arms and was involved from the ground floor in making replicas.  All USFA did was take replicating Colts to a new level of quality, a quality that we as Americans grew to expect from American companies.  I collect, accumulate, and shoot both Colt and USFA.  I appreciate both, and I am pleased to see there is tough competition because it definitely helps promote the products we want to see for sale.  If one wants to take sides, that is ok.  I am a chevy guy who likes the Cleveland Browns and I am hard core about both, but if I want to be a rediculous idiot, I will be in the dog house because my wife is a Pittsburgh Steeler's fan and grew up in family of Fords.  There is just no use to being an idiot, its cold and ticky.   

[North Bender]

The subject's been trashed so much over there that when Mr. Predictable wrote that USFA's are Uberti copies nobody rose to his bait.  I've said my piece over there and have nothing more to contribute.

But - I noticed it was repeated on that thread that when you buy everything but a Colt, the re-sale instantly drops 50%.  Do any of you guys or gals have a USFA Pre-War that you just bought and want to sell to me for half price?

[Deadeye Don]

The subject's been trashed so much over there that when Mr. Predictable wrote that USFA's are Uberti copies nobody rose to his bait.  I've said my piece over there and have nothing more to contribute.

But - I noticed it was repeated on that thread that when you buy everything but a Colt, the re-sale instantly drops 50%.  Do any of you guys or gals have a USFA Pre-War that you just bought and want to sell to me for half price?

Good one North Bender!!   

[Kinda Sudden]

The subject's been trashed so much over there that when Mr. Predictable wrote that USFA's are Uberti copies nobody rose to his bait.  I've said my piece over there and have nothing more to contribute.

But - I noticed it was repeated on that thread that when you buy everything but a Colt, the re-sale instantly drops 50%.  Do any of you guys or gals have a USFA Pre-War that you just bought and want to sell to me for half price?

No, but I have a Colt I bought a year ago at retail. Since they hold their value so well and even go up after you shoot them (according to SASS resident Colt dealer who sells at near retail) anyone like to buy it for what I paid?

[Dog River Dan]

You know why I like this place, not so much bickering. I can find that on the gun forums, for everything you might want to argue about is there. You also remembered my birthday.

I own a fine USFA SAA made right here in the US. All of it, right here.
I also own a Colt SAA and way too many Rugers both the same, right here in the US.
What is there to argue about?

Most of us know "bull" when it's tossed. We also know the truth. One thing is that Colt holds it's value, while others may not. I did find that USFA SAA's are much sought after, and will hold up in the market. Just try to find a used one...good luck.

[shieldsmt]

Have had a USFA in 45Colt since Nov. 07.  Really had time to wring it out.  Have had 3 Colt 3rd Gens, one gone through completely by E Janis.  Slick, smooth & light.  Still, sold them all.  Have 2 Ruger Blackhawks, 357 and 41.  Great guns, reliable, but to me, just a reliable tool like a Makita drill. 
The USFA is perfect in every way right out of the box, glass smooth action and trigger, right on target, flawless fit and finish.  Have another on order.  Will they go up in value? Probably over time, but who cares?  This is THE SAA and worth whatever they go for.  USA made speaks volumes also.

[Doc Sunrise]

I HAVE A DREAM!  The Day USFA and Colt is spoken in the same sentence with both being admired and respected.  Just like Kimber and Colt when it comes to 1911's.  As far as value goes, just give it time.  USFA is building a solid quality reputation that will span the test of time. 

Colt folks need to relax!  No matter how USFA and Colt or anyone else for that matter stack up against each other in the physical sense, Colt will always have its Heritage and History directly tied to Major American events, and nobody will ever be able to take that away.  Colt should only be upset with themselves for opening the door for competitors to recreate the SAA, but Colt should also be flattered that it's design is so precious that so many around the world want to replicate it.

As they say, if you can't run with the Big Dogs, stay on the porch!

   

[Dog River Dan]

Colt folks need to relax!  No matter how USFA and Colt or anyone else for that matter stack up against each other in the physical sense, Colt will always have its Heritage and History directly tied to Major American events, and nobody will ever be able to take that away.  Colt should only be upset with themselves for opening the door for competitors to recreate the SAA, but Colt should also be flattered that it's design is so precious that so many around the world want to replicate it.  

Well said.

[August]

If I had spent thirty clams for two pistols and gunsmithing, I s'pose I'd be defensive too if someone said it was folly.

I am very grateful for these threads -- not the contentiousness of the Wire -- because they steered me to choosing USFA gunz.  I am most pleased with the decision and was helped to it by the continuous bickering of these discussions.

[Dead Eye Dave]

Its funny to see this.  I am a musician and I see the same arguments about brands of instruments.  These things are tools and what works for you may not for someone else.  I have Uberti's and Rugers and would love a real Colt or a USFA.  I want all of these.  I have three different brands of trombones that I play.  They're all good.  My favorite pistol is a Uberti Cattleman 5.5 in barrel in .45 LC.  Shoots to POA and is just a great gun.  Find what you like and use it.  And have fun.  And a be safe.

DB

[Appalachian Ed]

I have a pair of  USFA Pre-war .45LC's for about 2 years, and I love them. Great guns in every way.
 BUT,  I recently bought a pair of new Colts, BP frames, in .45 LC. I have to say the Colts have smoother actions than my USFA's, and fit and finish is equal or better in every way. $ for $, the colt vs. a USFA pre-war, I would buy the colt again and again.
 Now I'll keep my pre-wars, they are great guns, and the lower end USFA models are a no brainer. But the new Colts can be bought for around 1050-1150, are a no brainer for me.

-Ed

[Doc Sunrise]

Competition sharpens the focus of manufacturers and the consumer wins.  Glad you are happy, enjoy both sets!

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

Competition has surely sharpened Colt.  I, too, Recently purchased a pair of the Colt BP frame SAA's and they are, by far, better guns than what Colt was churning out back in the 90's. 
Yet...  While the new BP frame Colts are very nice they could have done a better job of "replicating" the originals.  They reverted back to the 3 line patent dates and there is no rampant colt stamped on the frame.  Bulls-eye style ejector rods are used.  Both nice touches.    It would have been nice if they had case hardened the hammer as well rather than using the modern style with polished sides.  Also, and this is really nit-picky, the use of the eagle style grips with the bulls-eye ejector is not period correct.  Colt discontinued  use of the bulls-eye, and replaced it with the crescent ejector, in 1880.  The eagle grips were introduced in 1882 and used up to 1896.