Questions on a 3rd Gen Colt

[kyjames]

Good Afternoon. I am somewhat new to Colt SAA. I currently have an early 2nd Gen in 38spl and would like to add the collection.

I have some questions about an opportunity I have to purchase a 3rd Generation Colt SAA in 45. The serial number is S209XXA. If someone could tell me the year of manufacture, I would appreciate it. I think it may have been made around 1999.

I would also be interested in anyone's thoughts about the quality of manufacturing around the date of manufacture. I have heard comments that Colt went through a period when quality control may not have been exactly up to earlier par. Is this revolver outside of that range?

The gun's fit and lockup appears good. The finish (CC and Blue) I estimate at 98%+. I have been told the gun has had an action job. The price is 1250. Does that sound reasonable?

Thank you in advance for assistance.

James

[Frank V]

James First welcome to the forum!!!

I'm not an expert, but the newer 3rd gen. Colts are very good. I'm not sure when the one you are looking at was made, but the S prefix & A suffix indicate a later one. Check the fit & finish, the lines where metal comes together & the timing, if that's all good I'd say it's a nice six-gun. The lines where metal meets should be real sharp & you should not be able to feel much of a difference between the two metal surfaces when you run a finger nail over the line where they meet.
That price may be just a bit high for a used 3 gen, but not horribly so. I'd ask him if he could take $1100 just to see how firm he is.
Hopefully some one who collects Colts will chime in shortly.
Frank

[sagebrushburns]

I have several Colt SAAs from the late 90s and they are all very nice. That sounds about right for the serial # you gave. That is a fairly high price though. You can probably get a brand new for the same (or even a bit less if you look around). $1000 to $1100 is more like it for a good clean used one.

[texagun]

Sounds like a nice gun. I see several of that vintage and condition at the local DFW gun shows priced from $1000-$1200. I'm betting most of them go for about $1000. Most are like new in the box with no noticeable wear on barrels and cylinders.

[jdpress]

KY James:

Welcome to the Single-Action forum; it is good to have you join this excellent group of enthusiasts.

Data I have on Colt SAA 3rd Generation serial numbers indicate this Colt was made in approximately 1998. For reference, year 2000 Colt SAA production started at serial number S26700A and the removable cylinder bushing was reinstated in late 2002 at approximately serial number S34000A.

Brand new Colt SAA models manufactured this year, in 2011, with superb quality are selling for approximately $1,200 to $1,250 at various on-line websites.

Good luck with your purchase and please post a photograph if you are successful!

J.D. Press

[CraigC]

No way would I pay that for a used 3rd generation SAA. If you're gonna buy a 3rd generation Colt SAA, buy a brand new one, period. They are much better guns in every regard and here's the kicker, it'll be a hundred bucks less than the used one you found.

[weagle99]

Price is way too high for that gun. Assuming a 4 3/4" barrel (most desirable) it might sell for around $1000 at a no-reserve auction, probably less.

2011 production guns have the dumb anniversary rollmark on top of the barrel.

[jplower]

Apr 24, 2011 9:45:43 GMT -5 jdpress said:

KY James:

the removable cylinder bushing was reinstated in late 2002 at approximately serial number S34000A.

Actually, these were in production starting in 1999. I was at the factory where I saw several work trays full of cylinders with bored through bushing holes and also took home some full length bushings. The cylinders in this batch were beveled like the old black powder series, but I don't know if they made it into complete guns. The ops manager made it a point to show me these parts.

JP

[kyjames]

Thanks to everyone for the great information. I decided to let this one pass because of the price. That sullened my day...

But on the positive side, I talked to Mr. Harton about my 2nd gen and it should be done in the near future. I asked for an action job plus fix anything else he found that was not up to par.



James