Colt SAA's??

[rWt]

There is a 1890's era Colt SAA for sale in my area for under $1,500.

What questions would you ask before buying it for a shooter?

Or, would you simply pass on using a gun of this vintage?

[Gary @ R&G]

If it is right and in decent condition $1500 isnt bad for a pre turn of the century Colt. Depending on caliber and condition I wouldnt hesitate to buy it. We routinely hunt and shoot 100+ year old guns.

[peacemaker]

Be advised that if the cylinder and barrel are original, you will have to shoot only black powder in it. What caliber is it?

[rWt]

45 Colt

[Boge Quinn]

I'd buy it and sell it.

[rWt]

What's the most one should pay for it?

Does everyone agree that you cannot shoot smokeless powder loads through it?

[Ken O'Neill]

Definitely SHOULD not!

[rWt]

Thanks!!

I'll pass.

[patdaddy]

I have an SAA from 1877, and have put mabey 18 rounds thru it...Black Powder cartridges. Makes a real cool smoke show. The cylinder/barrel gap is big, and it got so gummed up after that many rounds that i couldnt turn the cylinder anymore. I sent it to Dave Lanara to go thru it and make sure it was safe to shoot when i got it. I spent i think $400 to build the front sight back up, and go thru the internals.

[Frank V]

In my opinion if it's in reasonable shape, being a 1st gen Colt it'd be well worth $1500. You'll pay $1300 for a NIB 3rd gen Colt now. That's what they are going for here.

The question I'd ask are all the #s matching, if I could actually handle it, I'd look to see how the bbl is, (is there pitting, how good is the rifling,etc) I'd also ask about the cylinder, is it non pitted does it lock up properly, how is the timing, are the screws marred, how much finish is left. Things like that to tell me the overall condition.
Frank

[rWt]

Just sold at auction for $2K plus 18% buyers premium.

[Markbo]

Guess you should have bought it, huh? ;D