USFA Shot Pistol

Buckaroo Lou · September 20, 2013, 11:57:19 AM

For those who have never seen one like me there is a USFA Shot pistol on GB for sale. I am not for sure if I would want to shoot one. I have a hunch these are pretty rare. My Blue Book doesn't show a value as it states pricing had not yet been established when the book went to press. I don't have the current edition of Blue Book.

Capt. John Fitzgerald · September 20, 2013, 01:43:23 PM

Wow! Just checked GunBroker and as of 11:35 AM (Pacific) there have been two bidders on this no reserve auction and the bidding has shot all the way up to $0.54! As I recall, MSRP was in the $900 to $950 range. As to current value, who knows? I wouldn't have one if you gave it to me.
The reason these guns are rare is because nobody wanted them in the first place. The Shot Pistol was one of several (and probably the biggest) major marketing mistakes made by USFA. It marked the demise of the SAA line.

Buckaroo Lou · September 20, 2013, 05:12:04 PM

Well, somebody sure liked it and it didn't last long. It sold for the Buy-it-now price of $2500.

GaryG · September 20, 2013, 10:20:42 PM

I think there were less than 25 made. The biggest drawback was that there was no loading gate. With the hammer either in full cock or full down, a round wouldn't come out. But, if the barrel was elevated and the cylinder was being rotated, a round would start to slide out and stop the rotation.

Capt. John Fitzgerald · September 21, 2013, 11:31:10 AM

Gary,
There were many comments at the time about the lack of a loading gate. It seemed like such an obvious design flaw. What was the reasoning behind it?
Thanks,
CJF

GaryG · September 21, 2013, 02:14:25 PM

I have 2 answers for the "real" reason. Take your pick. One source says it's for faster reloading. Another source says USFA didn't have a tool long enough to reach into the frme and cut the pivot for the loading gate. As an aside, the Shot Pistol was really fun to shoot.

Capt. John Fitzgerald · September 21, 2013, 03:06:00 PM

Thanks, Gary. I think I'll go with that second answer.

wileycoyote · September 23, 2013, 09:11:35 AM

Quote from: GaryG on September 21, 2013, 02:14:25 PM
I have 2 answers for the "real" reason. Take your pick. One source says it's for faster reloading. Another source says USFA didn't have a tool long enough to reach into the frme and cut the pivot for the loading gate. As an aside, the Shot Pistol was really fun to shoot.

LOL!!!!!!