colt clones

[wyattm]

Over at the colt forum they will NOT talk about the different colt 1873 clones.... anybody know where on the net and which forum will talk about colt clones.
 Thanks,
Wyattm

[Mako]

wyattm,
Try the The Darksider's Den.  We're a friendly bunch and not too proud to talk about clones.  I'm going to warn you though the discussion will center around Black Powder and we do not (and it is enforced by the moderator) discuss smokeless loads.  Those revolvers were designed to shoot BP anyway, so really any question you have will probably apply.

Most of us shoot clones anyway on STORM and over on the Darksider's Den since not many of us shoot our originals very regularly.

Regards,
Mako

[Coffinmaker]

Actually, if you have questions, you can discuss the foreign made reproductions and copies here.  I hate the term "Clones" as applied to the reproductions.  If they really were clones, they'd be exactly the same as a Colt.  Some, are really really close however.
So if you have questions regarding those SA guns, ask away.  Unlike other forums we won't jump all over you for not shooting or playing with Colt's.

Coffinmaker

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[Coffinmaker]

Another good spot is on this board but up in the Gunsmithing area.  We sill won't jump all over ya for not shooting Colts.

Coffinmaker

[Long Johns Wolf]

If you are interested in the Belgian cousins of the Colt 1860 pattern pistols go to www.1960nma.org.
Long Johns Wolf

[wyattm]

Thanks fellas...Just wanted to know if anyone owns or has seen the Chaparral 1873 Colt SAA. Was wondering about the quality of them. I am getting a pair of Pietta's in 44-40 or 45 LC..... can't decide yet...probably 44-40 as I am getting a 73 winchester in 44-40.....But the Chaparral's are a little cheaper price wise....
Thanks,
Wyattm

[wyattm]

I know what you mean about "clone"...I like the term reproduction better....or copy.....

[Coffinmaker]

I can't actually speak for the "Chaparral" version of the Colt SAA.  I can speak for the Chaparral line of reproduction rifles.  They Suck.  I build competition rifles in western Pennsylvania and have found nothing as bad.  They were touted as a copy of the original '73.  They aren't.  There a poor copy of a Uberti with a copy of the original '73 firing pin assembly.  Poorly made, poor QC, and replacement parts were worse then the bad original parts.
I would expect the Chaparral copy of the Colt to be the same.  Crap.  They are being built by the same folks that were "Armi San Marco" who went bust several years back for building junk.  I wouldn't recommend them on a bet.

The GW II is probably the best value for dollar in CAS handguns today.  Well made, good customer service from EMF and usually quite serviceable right out of the box.  About the only thing to be checked is the size of the cylinder throats.

Hope this helps.

Coffinmaker

[wyattm]

Thanks for the info.

[Skeeter Lewis]

'Gun Reviews' is a place you could hang your hat, also...

[Hoof Hearted]

To the OP.......

It's a shame there isn't a forum here under the CAS "hat" to specifically address the 1873 Colt copies. There must be literally a hundred or more variations available or previously produced and some are bad, many are good but they are all collectable! There are some that are metric, some that are really close copies with complete parts interchangabilty to the Colt, some with frame mounted firing pins, some capable of magnum loads, some 'lightning" gripped ones (some fit the hand better than others), some made of stainless, even a few copies of the flat top target.

I have asked the Marshall many times to consider adding a forum for this but no answer yet

HH

[wyattm]

Hoof..... You are right about the many different 73 colts.....I handled three Pietta's and they all had different sized grips...they were all very nice and all felt real good but one fit my hand better than the other two....Would like to know which maker makes the closest copy of the original colt..You are right hoof ... I think there needs to be a forum for any and all colt "clones"..
Thanks for all the info.
Wyattm

[Coffinmaker]

Well........ Presently, the GW II is probably the closest to an actual Colt.  In the past, Armi San Marco made the closest copy but their quality was somewhat open to question.  Last year I rebuilt two Frankencopies.  ASM frames, Uberti barrels & ejectors w/Pietta grip frames.  Lock works were shot, so I rebuilt th e actions.  These guns are really fun to play with.

Coffinmaker

[Abilene]

Well........ Presently, the GW II is probably the closest to an actual Colt.  ...

Uh, not really.  The Pietta guns MAY have some parts that are compatible with Colts, but Uberti makes guns that are far closer in appearance features. And USFA are probably the closest.   Pietta: no patent markings on frame, large model markings on barrels, different sight shapes, different hammer spur, different cylinder bevels, different shape on transverse latch for cylinder pin.  The GWII's are very good guns but not particularly authentic.