Thoughts on modern colts

sheikss · October 26, 2010, 08:04:40 PM

I am going to get me a single action for personel carry. Always wanted a colt and figured this would be a good excuss to get one. Are they worth getting or would I be better off getting a repop and if so what one. I have been told that newer colts are junk and that they won't hold their value like the old ones.

Sagebrush Burns · October 26, 2010, 08:30:07 PM

Pardon my language, but whoever told you that new Colts are junk is full of shit. They are very fine revolvers. There was a period during the late 80s/early 90s when QC at Colt was iffy, but that is long past. All Colt SAAs retain value better than any other SA revolvers. Most of the reproductions are decent guns and if all you want is a "shooter" they are OK. The only repro that comes close to Colt for quality, value and "feel" is the USFA and they are not inexpensive. Rugers and Freedom Arms are fine revolvers, but they're not really reproductions. Get a Colt- you'll always be glad you did!

Shotgun Franklin · October 26, 2010, 09:23:56 PM

I have 2 matching Colt's, both in .45 , blue, 5 1/2", they both shoot very fine. I won a yearly award as the most accurate shooter using mine. The only changes I made were Wolfe Springs and custom grips. And yes, I've carried them off duty and working private jobs. Never felt under gunned either.

St. George · October 27, 2010, 08:51:19 AM

If you get a 'real' Colt - and like they say - 'Real Cowboys Shoot Colts' - and if you don't abuse it, it'll gain in value as the years pass.

Clones won't - there's no history to them - no tie to the romantic past associated with the Old West.

That said - you can shoot one all day and even carry it for self-defense (though it makes far more sense to pick something a bit flatter and smaller for concealment) and all you need to do is maintain it properly, and you'll be fine.

If you decide to have anything 'custom' done - remember that one man's 'custom touch' is another's 'horrid modification', so stick with well-known engravers and with the 'Colt Custom Shop', and if you do re-sell or trade, it'll stay in your favor and not be looked at as though it needs to be returned to stock condition.

Colt's production problems have been addressed - but that happened when the company was purchased by the UAW and as the Pre-War tooling was becoming worn.

At that time, a few got past an inexperienced QC - but enough that the ill-informed 'gun shop commandos' could form a negative opinion.

Today's Third Generation Single Action Army revolvers are beautifully-made and a joy to shoot - equal to their earlier predecessors - and I shoot them all.

Get one - you'll be pleased, and better than that - well-armed, to boot.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

rep1954 · October 27, 2010, 07:12:17 PM

I have had 2 SAA's modified by the Colt Custom Shop for carry guns. One is a 2" ejectorless done on a Sheriffs Model and one is a 3 1/2" on a black powder frame both on recent 3rd gen. guns and are as fine as any Colts that I have held. Colt makes 3" and 4" ejectorless models that will work very well for carry as built. This year the two models come nickel as standard and chambered in 45 Colt and 44-40.

Hangtown Frye · December 20, 2010, 08:08:19 PM

My every-day carry gun is a 3rd Gen. Colt Sheriff's Model with a 3" barrel, in .44-40. It's not nearly as flat as my Colt Compact Commander, and probably not quite as good a combat gun either, but what the heck. I can point-shoot it well, it's certainly powerful enough for anything on two legs (I carry Winchester Factory ammo in it) and most of all, I LIKE it. Besides, I've been packing Colt SAA's around whenever I could since I was 13, so I'm kinda used to how they operate.

(Now, if I were to be using public transportation on a regular basis, I suspect that I would carry full-power Black Powder loads in it, if for reason than you could escape in the smoke-screen you produce on the first shot!

)

Cheers!

Gordon

Shotgun Franklin · December 21, 2010, 08:15:11 AM

Remember that after a shooting you will go to court, you can 99% count on it. If you've shot someone with a $5000 COMBAT gun with all the lights and whistles on it their lawyer is going to try to make you out as a vigilante just looking for some poor soul to kill. The COWBOY gun is not going to look as menacing in court and the gun itself is easier to defend.
The bad guys you encounter here in the US are almost for sure going to be untrained gangbangers who are looking for an easy mark. You are not going to be in a 'Die Hard' shootout, that was a movie not real life. I've been in 6 shooting, at work, the most I ever shot in a fight was 4 rounds.

Major 2 · December 21, 2010, 10:06:06 AM

I'd agree with Shotgun Franklin with one additional point

That 99 % trip to court you can count on.. your gun will be evidence as he has alluded.... unless you are law enforcement...you will most likey never see that piece again $:-\$ or at least in your possession again.

rep1954 · December 21, 2010, 06:50:55 PM

sheikss, heres my two favorite Colt SAA's for carry. Both in 45 Colt with 45ACP convertible cylinders also.

wdbarbe · April 07, 2011, 08:28:45 AM

Is the issue of chamber diameter really something to worry about? I am looking to get 2 in 45LC and I keep reading that the larger chamber diameter Colt uses will effect accuracy. I can't believe if this is really an issue that Colt wouldn't change it. Can you order a Colt with a custom bored cylinder?

Deadeye Don · April 07, 2011, 08:48:19 AM

Quote from: Shotgun Franklin on December 21, 2010, 08:15:11 AM
Remember that after a shooting you will go to court, you can 99% count on it. If you've shot someone with a $5000 COMBAT gun with all the lights and whistles on it their lawyer is going to try to make you out as a vigilante just looking for some poor soul to kill. The COWBOY gun is not going to look as menacing in court and the gun itself is easier to defend.The bad guys you encounter here in the US are almost for sure going to be untrained gangbangers who are looking for an easy mark. You are not going to be in a 'Die Hard' shootout, that was a movie not real life. I've been in 6 shooting, at work, the most I ever shot in a fight was 4 rounds.

Please provide us with some accounts where this has happened. I have heard this kind of statement before and usually call BS on it. A legal self protection shoot is just that. It doesn't matter what kind of legally carried gun you have. A prosectutor isn't going to charge you with a crime if no crime has been comitted.

Shotgun Franklin · April 07, 2011, 10:38:06 AM

It's not the Criminal Court that will cause you your biggest headache. In Civil Court, and there's a 99% chance you'll get sued, everything from your Mother's first kiss to the brand of underwear you had on can be brought up in court. Nope, can't quote a case but when I've been in Schools teaching Police Officers what we can expect after a shooting it's been brought up.

Deadeye Don · April 07, 2011, 12:05:30 PM

Quote from: Shotgun Franklin on April 07, 2011, 10:38:06 AM
It's not the Criminal Court that will cause you your biggest headache. In Civil Court, and there's a 99% chance you'll get sued, everything from your Mother's first kiss to the brand of underwear you had on can be brought up in court. Nope, can't quote a case but when I've been in Schools teaching Police Officers what we can expect after a shooting it's been brought up.

Well, with that line of reasoning I would imagine that you Cowboys who carry a six gun on you are just looking for a gunfight like they supposedly had in the old west. Anybody can sue anybody for whatever, but when it comes down to it, if you were involved in a self defense situation where you were afraid for your life and you were legally carrying a legal firearm, the outcome is pretty sure.

Fox Creek Kid · April 07, 2011, 04:47:17 PM

Guys, what does Colt's quality have to do with shooting people?

Old Doc · April 08, 2011, 08:22:21 PM

Quote from: Fox Creek Kid on April 07, 2011, 04:47:17 PM
Guys, what does Colt's quality have to do with shooting people?

Well, you do want to be able to hit 'em.

COLT_45_SAA · May 04, 2011, 09:59:26 PM

Colt Custom Shop Did This New Sheriff Model For Me In Hard Chrome and Ivories.
My Carry Gun & Couldn't be happier.....

Skeeter Lewis · May 05, 2011, 01:09:13 PM

If you want a 1st. generation Colt, does the Custom Shop provide it and does it cost a lot more?

Pettifogger · May 05, 2011, 01:50:48 PM

Quote from: Skeeter Lewis on May 05, 2011, 01:09:13 PM
If you want a 1st. generation Colt, does the Custom Shop provide it and does it cost a lot more?

?? 1st Generation Colts have LONG been out of production. The only place that can provide one is an antiques dealer. That's like asking if Ford will build you a new Model T.

Fox Creek Kid · May 05, 2011, 02:39:16 PM

Quote from: Pettifogger on May 05, 2011, 01:50:48 PM

?? 1st Generation Colts have LONG been out of production. The only place that can provide one is an antiques dealer. That's like asking if Ford will build you a new Model T.

Skeeter Lewis · May 06, 2011, 09:36:13 AM

Let me clarify. Does the Colt Custom Shop provide as a special order a .45 with 'black powder frame' (I know it's a misnomer) doughnut ejector knob and original sights?
I used the term 'First Generation' for brevity. Plainly the original series is long terminated.