The ol' switcheroo!

[Virgil Lantey]

I recently started lusting over the Standard Manufacturing single action revolver and I was concocting every possible way to afford the $2000 price tag, which included selling some Italians. Oh the woes of living on a retirement income!
Never having put my grubby little hands on one, I started reading everything I could and watching videos about them. By ALL accounts, they are superior to most Colts and even better than the best USFAs. It was one review in particular that offered a detailed comparison of Colt, USFA, Uberti and Standard Manufacturing that saved me two grand in hard earned cash. With the exception of a few milling marks (on parts that can't be seen) and a couple inconsequential cast parts, the Uberti held its own against that exquisite revolver, so I had to ask myself if it was worth it. For now, the answer is no. However, if I ever come into a load of extra cash, and their still in business,  I'll snap up a Standard Manufacturing in a heartbeat! Sometimes it's nice to have a Rolex even when a Timex keeps better time, but I ain't there yet! My greatest fear is that I'd drop 2k and my Uberti would outshoot it! I don't believe in safe queens or buying a gun purely for investment so my Cimarrons will just keep plugging away!

[Coffinmaker]

A wise choice Padawan.  So sayeth Zarathustra!!

Play Safe Out There

[Dave T]

By ALL accounts, they are superior to most Colts and even better than the best USFAs.

I must strongly disagree, Sir.  A late production USFA single action, made from all US sourced parts, then assembled and finished to a standard that meets or exceeds the 1st Generation Colt, is as good or better than the Standard Mfg revolvers.  This is particularly true of USFA's "Pre-War Models" and the Henry Nettleton Cavalry guns.  And that's not just my opinion.  There are a number of people on the USFA forum here that would agree with me.

I used to have a small collection of six 1st Gen Colt SAAs.  The USFAs I now own are equal or even superior to those revolvers in every way but name and history.  I admit the prices being asked for the higher grade and more rare USFA revolvers has gotten stupid high, but that doesn't change the quality of the firearms.  It does mean I will probably never buy another one but I am indeed grateful for the ones I have.

YMMV,
Dave

[Virgil Lantey]

You may be right, Dave. In retrospect, I probably should have said as good as, not better. I can only go by what I've read or watched on the internet and those reviewers may be all wet or biased. I bought a USFA back in 2001 and even though it had some Uberti parts it was one of the most beautiful guns I've ever seen and I deeply regret ever selling it. The Standard Manufacturing is also a beauty. The bottom line, at least for me, is that they are all in a price range that makes it difficult to justify over a Uberti.

[chucksolo1]

I have an Uberti Hartford Model 3" birds head in .45 Colt and I can honestly say it is as good if not better than the Colts I have owned. I have handled and fired a Standard Manufacturing SAA that belongs to a friend. It is a nice gun and very well made, but my Uberti functions just fine and is as accurate as his gun. I'll stick with my Italian repros.

[RRio]

IMHO, if you are going to lay out that kind of bread, go with the Colt. A Colt is a Colt. All the rest are just wannabes. That said, I am happy with my Ubertis and Piettas, and I have more of them. 

[The original bad bob]

 I have an extreme appreciation for the early 1st gen Colts.. Guns made before 1885
I own several original Colts in less than pristine condition and many more Italian replicas.

The fact is the Italian replicas are far closer to the 1st gen Colt .. Than any real Colt made in the last 49 years.

What I am referring to is the details that made the early hand made Colts so special.. These details are :

Heavily beveled cylinder
Black powder frame
Color case hardened hammer
Trigger guard sharp edges beveled
Correct thin front sight and frame notch
One piece walnut grips


I enjoy taking an Italian revolver replica and modifying them the next step and have installed real 19th century Colt hamms in them with the cone shaped firing pins and replacing the Italian base pin with a reproduction Colt black powder base pin.

[Buckaroo Lou]

Virgil Lantey, I am one of the ones who forked out the 2K for one of the Standard revolvers. It is a nice gun and I am glad I bought it, but as Dave T has said it is not better than the all USA sourced USFA revolvers. Admittedly I have Uberti's that shoot just as good.

Is it nice, yes. The case colors are exquisite, has a really deep dark blue, one piece fancy walnut grips, the screws are fire blued, and it shoots well.

But, as I stated in another post on this website, whether or not Standard Manufacturing makes the best single action ever made is yet to be determined. In my humble opinion, so far, not yet. USFA is still king of the mountain.

[Virgil Lantey]

Thank you Bad Bob and Buckaroo!
I've completely talked myself out of a "high dollar" purchase, whether it's a Standard or USFA. The only USFA I've ever owned (purchased in 2001) was so beautiful that I couldn't bring myself to shoot it, and that goes against my grain. I'm a shooter first and can't justify a safe queen, and that also rules out a 1st gen Colt . I'm perfectly happy with my Ubertis and they do what I expect them to do without fanfare.
If I hit the powerball my attitude may change, but deep down, I hope not.

[RRio]

I have an extreme appreciation for the early 1st gen Colts.. Guns made before 1885
I own several original Colts in less than pristine condition and many more Italian replicas.

The fact is the Italian replicas are far closer to the 1st gen Colt .. Than any real Colt made in the last 49 years.

What I am referring to is the details that made the early hand made Colts so special.. These details are :

Heavily beveled cylinder
Black powder frame
Color case hardened hammer
Trigger guard sharp edges beveled
Correct thin front sight and frame notch
One piece walnut grips


I enjoy taking an Italian revolver replica and modifying them the next step and have installed real 19th century Colt hamms in them with the cone shaped firing pins and replacing the Italian base pin with a reproduction Colt black powder base pin.

I totally agree with the original bad bob. It's hard to beat a "personalized" Italian gun with a good action on it. And if you have enough coin send it to Doug Turnbull for CCH and new blue.