Buy Colt Single Actions NOW

[jplower]

Those of you who are six gun fans or cowboy shooters, now is the time to by the real Colts. Rumor has it that they will soon be cutting back production. They had laid off several employees due to the economy, with production coming next. The single action etched panel 44-40 looks good and shoots great, and is worth the 1250 asked retail. If you want to hold value, forget the clones, including the high priced ones, they will just never be a Colt. They may look better to some, but once purchased the value is cut in half or more. :Fire:

[Tom Herman]

Maybe the Sock Monkey in Chief will all give us a few million each to buy SAA's...

[Baron von Trollwhack]

For that kind of moola an old (or even young) patriot, could get a great 2009 black musket, couple of mags, a bit of gear, a couple of training manuals, a zombie license, and a cartridge box of ammo. Something to pass down to the progeny, later, when the zero socialist experiment is defeated. BvT

[dubber123]

For what it's worth, the last recent production SAA wouldn't get me to part with $250, much less $1,250. It looked to be finished with an 80 grit sanding belt. I was NOT impressed. Maybe it was their only lemon, but C'mon, this is a custom shop gun, Right?

[Flash]

Those of you who are six gun fans or cowboy shooters, now is the time to by the real Colts. Rumor has it that they will soon be cutting back production. They had laid off several employees due to the economy, with production coming next. The single action etched panel 44-40 looks good and shoots great, and is worth the 1250 asked retail. If you want to hold value, forget the clones, including the high priced ones, they will just never be a Colt. :Fire:
In my opinion, a Colt will never be a Ruger or Freedom Arms. I wouldn't own a Colt.

[MT Gianni]

In a time when most guns can't be found in stock and are selliing faster than ever it seems curious that a manufacturer would close down a good product line.

[Poygan]

If you are looking for appreciation, this may be true. As a shooter and not a collector, I've owned only one Colt, third generation, in .45 Colt. I was underwhelmed by the trigger pull for an expensive pistol. I am much happier with the 29-2 and the cash I received for the Colt. No regrets.

[oldhickory]

If I were interested in investing in a SAA, I would buy a real one, 1873-1920.:redneck:

[dubber123]

If I were interested in investing in a SAA, I would buy a real one, 1873-1920.:redneck:

Probably the best idea for a SAA if you want an investment.

[waksupi]

If I were interested in investing in a SAA, I would buy a real one, 1873-1920.:redneck:

Very correct. These are the ones that will accrue in value. More modern made ones will not gain nearly as well.

[FN in MT]

Looked at a few new Colts three or four years ago when I wanted to buy a shooter SAA. The fit and finish was FAR BELOW what I got from USFA. I've had FOUR USFA's since then. Sold two of them to upgrade and didn't lose any money on them. For my money I think the USFA's are both a better value and a better product.

Apparently a lot of others feel the same as USFA is flourishing while Colt is going tits up.

FN in MT

[smkummer]

Bought a slighlty used 2 year old 45 SAA 7 1/2 with blue/case color. It is as close to perfect as it can be. It shoots excactly in the 10 ring at 25 yards with standard ammo (9 grains unique with Lyman 452190). The blue finish is royal blue as on the pythons and the case hardening is perfect. I was going to pass this one on to a buddy for the great deal I got on it but that will have to wait as this one is a real shooter. just my .02

[Dale53]

Well, I have just ordered two Ruger Single Actions (a 50th Anniversary .44 Magnum and a .44 Special) and am MUCH happier than if I were saddled with two Colts. I'm a shooter, not a collector, and I would not give most Colt Single Actions room in my safe. I have some experience with them going back sixty years. I am "Underwhelmed" and that is a masterpiece of understatement.

With a trigger job, my Rugers will be going LONG after the Colt's have been put on the shelf as a curiosity and my Rugers will be shooting, not broken. AND-D-D-D my Rugers BOTH will cost me (new) less than a $1000.00. THAT my friends, is value.

If I want to speculate, I'll get in the stock market (insane move today) or the nearest Casino. If I want a single action pistol it'll be a Ruger.

The day I pay thousands for a 1st Generation rusty piece of junk is the day I hope someone knocks me in the head.

How about I tell you what I REALLY feel?:mrgreen:

Now, if we were talking about LOOKS, then it's a good Colt, hands down (if you can FIND a good one:roll:).

Dale53

[shotman]

I like Toyota

[Dale53]

shotman;
I surrender...:mrgreen:

Dale53

[oldhickory]

:drinks:Very well put...Both of you.

[Slow Elk 45/70]

Now shake hands and come back swinging....[smilie=1::twisted:

[9.3X62AL]

It is a genuine shame what has happened to Colt quality since the 1950s. They are an American icon, and my gun safe holds several examples of their art and quality from past times--to include a 1906-built Bisley SAA x 4.75" in 32-20. I'm unsure what the issues are at Hartford, but their labor history is pretty badly checkered and some of their corporate decisions about model offerings leave you scratching your head.

Like others here, I'm a shooter and not a collector. Rugers and USFAs have a lot more appeal and a lot less price, under those circumstances. I'm not very interested in why Colt can't or won't take on their competitors and beat them silly in the market--it is enough for me that they don't, so I'm not about to spend twice the money on what has become a lesser product of inferior strength and uneven finish quality. If Colt put their mind to it, they could and would build a product superior to their competitors and copiers that justified the premium prices being asked for their offerings. It's all about choices, and Colt has chosen to fail.

[Dale53]

>>>It's all about choices, and Colt has chosen to fail. <<<

Absolutely on point! I guess what makes me so passionate about the matter is thinking of "what could have been". They OWNED the AR market and let that get away from them. Pitiful! However, that seems to be the way of the world. A couple or three generations seems to be all that most companies and corporations can handle...

Dale53

[Heavy lead]

They could own everything if they had wanted to. Some people cannot stand success. This is from someone who does not currently own any Colt firearms, but will admit that:
One of the best AR-15's and most accurate I have ever shot was a Colt,
Ditto with 1911,
The Anaconda is faboulous.
The Python is even more Faboulous.
Had a King Cobra once, still wish I had it.
Also a Colt Sauer Rifle, all I can say is wow.
How about the Delta Elite 10mm, never shot one, but I still lust after one.
I (I'm sure we) could go on and on.
Do not tell me that all of these weapons are not great designs and could not be sold and manufactured in this country for a profit, they could.
We need more people like Bill Ruger here.
I won't buy a Colt either, at least not a new one under the current state of affairs.
That in itself is sad, and now that I think about it I never ever mentioned the peacemaker.
Heck, with as popular as CAS is now, if Colt can't make it now, they never will.

[targetshootr]

This kinda begs the question, exactly what is a Colt. It has the pony on the side but that's just an emblem. A poorly made SAA shouldn't be called a Colt, it should be called something else. Maybe they should sell the pony along with their lettering to USFA since it's made here too, only better made. Or, turn it it all over to STI who is making a top notch SAA, the Texican.

[What Cheer]

Who is STI?

Thanks,

What Cheer

[targetshootr]

TEXICAN

The introduction of this high quality revolver will revolutionize the firearms industry. The STI Texican is the first firearm of any type made using ultra-high speed precision machining. Unlike conventional CNC machining, the surfaces of the finished parts are perfectly smooth and straight; they do not require grinding or polishing, so there are no rounded edges, no distorted screw holes. Flat surfaces are flat, not wavy. The result: perfection.

Proudly made in the USA, the Texican sets itself apart from the other single action revolvers. All Texican parts are either ultra-high speed or electron discharge machined from chrome-moly steel forgings or bar stock (no castings) to dimensions measured in tenths ( ten thousands of an inch), then precisely installed, achieving an exactness of fit and smoothness of function not found in custom revolvers at twice the price of the Texican.

The new Texican will find itself at home shooting popular cowboy action loads, but when called upon is fully capable of safely shooting factory ammunition, due to the high quality materials used in manufacturing and the precision alignment of the chamber throats to the bore center of barrel. Competition sights, springs, triggers and hammers eliminate the trip to your gunsmith you might expect with other single action revolvers. Classic features like color case hardening and bluing help to maintain the original look that is desirable in the traditional single action revolver.

Texican $1,299.99


Caliber .45 L.C. (Long Colt)
Capacity 6 Rounds
Frame Frame, back strap, loading gate, trigger guard, cylinders: 4140 re-sulphurized Maxell 3.5. Surfaces all flat with 6 micron or better finish.
Grip "No crack" polymer
Barrel 4140 Chrome Moly steel by Green Mountain Barrels. 1:16 twist, Air Gauged to .0002"
Barrel Length Currently Available in 5 1/2" (More lengths TBA)
Barrel Bore .451"
Cylinder Bore .452"
Chamber to Bore Alignment Less than .001"
Forcing Cone Angle Three (3) degrees
Cylinder Gap .003"
Internal Parts 4140 CM steel, precisely Electron Discharge Machined
Hammer Spring Leaf with central spine slot
Pawl Spring "Free floating" leaf with 3-4X competition life
Firing Pin Hammer Firing Pin (no transfer bar)
Sights Front Fixed, Rear Fixed
Overall Length 11"
Weight 36.0 oz.
Finish Frames, loading gates, and hammers are Color Case Hardened by Turnbull Restoration
Miscellaneous Unique pawl rides on fixed pivot
Front sight is adjusted for no side deviation
Front sight has enough material to adjust for reloaded ammunition
Competition ready. No tuning required
Competition Approvals S.A.S.S. (Single Action Shooting Society)


http://www.stiguns.com/

[arcticbreeze]

Who is STI?

Thanks,

What Cheer

http://www.stiguns.com/

They make great guns. I don't have the texican but I have an STI Edge. Its a wide body 1911. They call it a 2011

[kooz]

Looked at a few new Colts three or four years ago when I wanted to buy a shooter SAA. The fit and finish was FAR BELOW what I got from USFA. I've had FOUR USFA's since then. Sold two of them to upgrade and didn't lose any money on them. For my money I think the USFA's are both a better value and a better product.

Apparently a lot of others feel the same as USFA is flourishing while Colt is going tits up.

FN in MT

Yea, my thoughts exactly. I gave up trying to find a "properly built" Colt and have since bought four USFAs, they are built with proper tolerances throughout and finished very nice.

[Potsy]

Anybody else here wishing they worked for a company whose product category was about the only thing moving in these harsh economic times?
Hard to figure how a gun company (that's been around for about 180 years) is going broke in an age where the public is buying more guns than ever before.
I'm gonna try to pick up a .22 auto before long (probably a Ruger).
After that, I'm gonna start saving for another .45 single action (probably not a colt).
Wonder how the pony would look with eagles wings and a beak?

[jack19512]

I'm a shooter, not a collector








You beat me to it. :-D

[What Cheer]

Gentlemen,

Thanks for the link to STI, they look interesting.

Best Regards,

What Cheer

[cajun shooter]

Having just turned 62 on my last birthday, I remember when "Colt WAS THE GUN TO OWN AND SHOOT" It was my happy day when I bought my first 22 Colt Woodsman, Colt Detective, Python, 22 Colt Scout, Ar-15. These guns were built with true craftsman ship. I think Colts problems started with the strike and shutdown in the 80's and it never recovered. Bad decisions by the higher ups. It's very sad to see this happen. I have a new USFA on order at this time. It's being made on Colt equipment and will be a better gun for less money. Later David

[August]

I've owned an SSA, a Python, a 1911, a Trooper, and a Scout. Only have the Scout left (sentimental reasons). All those Colt's I owned were really pretty. Not one of them shot well.

I now own Roogers and USFA pistols. Use them a lot. The USFA gunz are perfect in fit, finish and function. They are the most accurate handguns I've ever owned. They balance like a First Generation SSA. They came perfectly timed (i.e. NO lead splash on cylinder faces) and regulated.

I am looking forward to buying another pair of USFA pistols when I get caught up on the AR building jag that now is the bottomless pit for my money.

[MakeMineA10mm]

I love Colt, but they've been out-dated and poorly managed for many, many years now...

What are the best Colt guns? SAA, 1911, Detective Special and it's derivatives, AR-15, and Python. Let's see, most of those are pre-WWII designs. The Python dates from the 60s, IIRC, and it's design is older than that. The AR-15 is also from the 60s and was designed by an outsider and they bought the rights...

Seems like Colt hasn't innovated anything really worthwhile in at least 40 years, and the real hey-day was more like 60-70 years ago... I say go for the pre-WWII guns, if you buy Colt at all.

[txpete]

over the last couple of years I have sold off most of my colts.I did keep the pythons & 1 db.gone are the 1911's and trooper and the AR's.took some of that money bought rugers. guns I can shoot and hunt with and not worry about what loads I can use or if they got a scratch.no safe queens in this house.:-D

[StarMetal]

Mention was made of the STI having a Green Mountain barrel. Like that is holy grail or ferrari of barrels. Here's some info on Green Mountain. They are owned by a company that owns them and the Knight company. In essence they are a big low end barrel manufacturer. Think E.R. Shaw. Now if they used barrels from Lija, Douglas, Shilen, Lothar Walther (many S&W barrels are from LW), you know the rest, then you'd have my attention.

Joe

[Dale53]

I have no dog in this fight, but Green Mountain barrels have a FAR better reputation than E.R. Shaw. Their barrels ARE reasonably priced but excellent quality in muzzle loading and for cast bullet single shot rifle use (that is where my experience with them lies).

I know little about STI except their 1911's are highly regarded amongst the action people.

FWIW
Dale53

[felix]

A good barrel is any that shoots better than the shooter without regard to brand. Like everything else, you gotta' go with what you THINK is the best YOUR money can buy. If you have to borrow money to buy, THAT is not your money, and that will put you over your head. My motto is buy nothing in that situation and wait it out. ... felix

[StarMetal]

I have no dog in this fight, but Green Mountain barrels have a FAR better reputation than E.R. Shaw. Their barrels ARE reasonably priced but excellent quality in muzzle loading and for cast bullet single shot rifle use (that is where my experience with them lies).

I know little about STI except their 1911's are highly regarded amongst the action people.

FWIW
Dale53

I wasn't comparing them to E.R. Shaw, only as being a low end company. As far as 1911's ANYONE can make one of those today and the proof is by ALL the manufactures that have them on the marker...and you know who they are. A person with good mechinal knowledge, the books and the tools, can put together a pretty fine 1911. How you think guys like Wilson, Swenson, Clark..etc.. got started.

Joe

[Dframe]

Don't know exactly where some people are buying THEIR colts but I've bought 2-3 in the last couple of years and they were superb. NOTHING even remotely comes close to colts case hardening and royal blue. Mine are shooters too, Dead on at 20 yards

[ChuckS1]

I don't have a Colt SAA, but I did buy a USFA Pre-War SAA. That being said, one of my nicest M1911A1s is a 1968 vintage Colt National Match that is one of keepers one of my boys will inherit someday.

[pmeisel]

Guys, just remember -- designing a good gun, and running a successful business, are two very different things. Note that John Browning stuck to designing guns and let others run factories and distribution networks.

[9.3X62AL]

As stated earlier, Colt has had a history of labor problems for well over 100 years. It was so well-known in the 19th Century that Samuel Clemens used that background as a launching pad for his head injury sustained as Superintendent of the Colt works in Hartford in "A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur's Court". Chronic labor problems--as often as not--are as much a corporate creation as they are a sign of labor intransigence.

Enough of that. Colt can't get it together, or keep it together, for whatever reasons. I own a number of Colt products, most of which are early to mid-20th Century products. It is a shame that my kids ands their kids will only have access to such fine machines via inheritance or the collector market. There is no reason on earth why the Pythons, the New Services, or Detective Specials can't be reproduced just like the 1911A1 and SAA in like or better quality than the Hartford originals. Just not enough market to justify the set-up, with Ruger and S&W covering the consumer D/A revolver needs pretty comprehensively. The strident successes of repro and upgraded SAA and 1911A1 handguns AND AR-15s by other companies shows that Colt wasn't interested in or capable of exploiting that market. Or, more to the point--Colt's lame-assed head-in-the-sand attitude created oppurtunities for people genuinely interested in building guns and taking care of customer needs. Both Nature and markets abhor a vacuum.

[pmeisel]

Chronic labor problems--as often as not--are as much a corporate creation as they are a sign of labor intransigence.

Yeah baby. Fortunately, good design can be reincarnated or even improved upon and housed with new management.

[bob208]

well i like the colt saa but why does it have to cost twice as much as a ruger that is bull strong lasts forever and hardly ever breaks? don't come up with it is a better gun it is not it does the same as the others makes the cartage go bang and the bullet hit the target. i have shot both the ruger and the colt. for the money i will take the ruger.

[GabbyM]

well i like the colt saa but why does it have to cost twice as much as a ruger that is bull strong lasts forever and hardly ever breaks? don't come up with it is a better gun it is not it does the same as the others makes the cartage go bang and the bullet hit the target. i have shot both the ruger and the colt. for the money i will take the ruger.

If I were to take a guess I'd say the old designs don't lend themselves to the time savings of modern machining. With newer designs having been made to take advantage of machine technology.
This is why the Winchester 73 reproductions cost more than a Marlin 336. And why most old guns aren't made anymore.

[Four Fingers of Death]

I have 4 Ruger Single Actions at the moment, 2x 44Mags, 2x 45 Colts (just sold a few as well), 2x tuned Piettas in 44/40 which are as sweet as and 2x recently acquired USAF 44Specials. I was thinking of selling the 45 Ruger New Model Vaqs and buying a new 45. Base model USAFs cost about $AU2,000 here and you have to arrange the import yourself. The Colts however cost about $AU3,500!!!!!!!!! They are currently in stock appartently.

I like Colts, have a 1911 in 38 Stupor that I bought a few years ago and a much loved Police Positive in 38S&W. I'd really like to get the Colt, but for that sort of money I could buy a top of the line engraved USAF, Decisions, decisions.

There is something magical about the prancing pony, but they are a bit rough around the edges.

They probably need to close up shop, sack just about everyone who works there and start afresh. From what I hear there is a fairly entrenched management who are resistant to change and union controlled workforce. Also both parties are immune to criticism with Colt being such an icon in the trade. It would be good if USAF bought the firm out, then we'd have both a quality gun and the magic prancing pony.

[bob208]

gabbym well maybe i stated it wrong. look at it his way how come a colt is twice as much as a repro saa. and some of the parts even interchange? stamping that pony on it is not worth $600 to me.

[Four Fingers of Death]

Mechanically it is not worth it, just nostalgia and history. Folks didn't carry Piettas and Ubertis way back when. It will either be an important thing to you or you won't understand what the fuss is all about.

Colt management and production seems a bit bloated, inefficient and have a higher opinion of themselves than seems warranted. Having said that, if they wern't so prohibitivly expensive, I'd have a safe full of them (Colt pistols and revolvers, not Colt staff :) ), instead of just a few.

Good, bad or indifferent, I still desire my very own brand new Colt SA. I finally got the 1911, just need the SA ( :) I normally buy SAs in pairs, but I think maybe I'll just get one Colt )

[pmeisel]

Colt has been through so many corporate changes over the last few decades that you can't really characterize it as the same organization. I interviewed for a job with them many years ago, as they were in the process of becoming a conglomerate.

Running a firearms business is difficult and not particularly profitable. S&W has been through reorganization, so has Colt; I don't recall the details of how Cerberus picked up Remington/H&R/DPMS etc, but Cerberus has a history of buying troubled companies cheaply so I suspect that's what happened.

On the other hand Ruger, Browning, Taurus, and Beretta all seem to have done OK.

As a business model you have some difficult issues. The only big customers are government agencies, who want the cheapest price. And they buy in spurts, not usually a nice steady predictable stream. On the other hand the general public treats firearms, generally, as a luxury purchase. So your sales tend to be cyclical which generates all sorts of cost-control, cash management, and capacity management problems. It's worse than the auto business (which I happen to know a lot about).

I am glad there are some good people in the gun business trying to survive selling things we like, but I would not invest my money in it. Too hard.

[badgeredd]

Something Colt needs to da is follow Ruger's lead. Ruger re-organized their manufacturing and slimmed down their management staff a few (2-3) years ago. Their quality was suffering and they got a hold of the situation before it became a huge problem.

I have a few shares of common stock in S&W and Ruger because they seem to be making good decisions. S&W has had their problems in management too,but seem to be doing something right now. I can honestly say I never even considered looking into Colt stock due to their history of ups and downs in the last 50 or so years. Same goes for a couple other US companies known for their rifles. BAD decisions and not listening to the consumers.

I have had a few Colts, most have been sold. I still have a SSA made in the early 70s that I got for a good price along with a Scout. I NOW shoot them and don't worry about collector value, which in the long run won't matter to me when they bury me.

Just my thoughts...

Edd

[jack19512]

Their quality was suffering and they got a hold of the situation before it became a huge problem.









Are you sure about that? :kidding:

[jeff423]

I just bought my first Colt, an Anaconda and I'd have to say that I'm impressed. I would say that it's fit and finish are as good as my model 629 but neither is as good as my Freedom Arms (but both together were less than the FA).

All three have good "glass break" triggers. The Smith seems to be the lightest and the FA the heaviest at about 4 lbs.

Jeff