Guys, I just picked up a new USFA SAA in .22/.22mag w/dual cylinders and 4-3/4" barrel. What a nice piece with the colorful case hardening and full size/heavy feeling of the 6 shot cylinders. Has the Tru-Ivory grips as well. Man those things look real. A real man size single action 22 revolver. Much nicer feeling than my Ruger 3-screw .22mag revolver. Did Colt ever make a SAA in a .22 rimfire? I have never seen one and I get around. All I ever seen were the ones built on the smaller frame/cylinder. UPDATE - PICS POSTED
Posts: 4115 | Location: Pa. | Registered: 21 April 2006
It sounds like a nice gun and being from USFA I know it is. But honesty I didn't know they were making those. Doesn't seem to be on their website. Is this an older model? How did they do the barrel markings? If they follow along with the way Colt does them, it'd probably say Single Action Army and then the caliber.
USFA's guns are very well regarded. You'll enjoy yours. The 4 3/4 is also considered the choicest of the three barrel lengths. It's the famous gunfighter/civilian length. USFA makes these under the original Colt "blue dome", whereas Colt operates elsewhere in the same town. USFA is known for trying to duplicate the original SAA design as much as possible.
In USFAs I've been seriously considering a .22 SAA also, the 12-22 model with the white hard rubber grips.
As for the .22 frame question I haven't seen a full size .22 either. But that doesn't mean they aren't out there. The boys over at the Colt forum would know for sure.
Yeah, show pictures. Those guns make my mouth water but I just can't afford any new guns so I depend on all of you to show them. Show us how it shoots too.
I have some pics to post shortly, but while taking the photos and looking at this fine revolver more closely I realized that the grips appear to be real ivory and not the Tru-Ivory simulated grips I thought they might be. The grips have a grain structure that I don't think simulated ivory has...but I am still not certain as I have never had a real pair to compare to. Anyone know how to tell the difference? Anyways pics coming as soon as I figure out how to post them.
Posts: 4115 | Location: Pa. | Registered: 21 April 2006
I made some comparisons to the smaller Ruger Single Six. The SAA is much larger. If you left click on the pic you can get a larger photo. I'm new to this stuff so sorry I did not do better.
Posts: 4115 | Location: Pa. | Registered: 21 April 2006
Case colors really make a blue handgun, no matter what kind.
On whether the grips are ivory, the price should say a lot. USFA would also probably know if you wanted to give them a call.
On a new Colt SAA having real ivory is several hundred dollars more. I believe from about $400 to $800 depending on who does them.
New real ivory is usually very white. They can however make it have that aged "mellowed" look with a stain or oil. In old ivory you will sometimes see what looks like small dark fissures or tiny cracks that are visible in the grain as seen from the grip bottom.
Btw your grip style is called two-piece. There's also a one-piece without the grip panel screw. Two-piece is more typical.
There are also two cylinder release styles (you probably already know all this). One is a copy of the original 1st Gen with the screw that allows cylinder removal. The more modern ones have the spring loaded button that is pushed from the left side for the release. This would be found on 2nd and 3rd Gen. Colts. Yours looks like the later design...all in the FWIW dept.
I was given one of the USFA .22's as a present from my business partner for Xmas. It was from the custom shop and has a special 12 shot cylinder and real ivory grips and fire blue grips and some gold inlay and built on the flat top frame. Its my understanding thats its one of two they have made on that frame. He has the mate to it with special serial numbers. I have many custom handguns and this is hands down the nicest revolver Ive ever seen. I am looking forward to the SHOT show so I can order a shooter.
Posts: 309 | Location: WV | Registered: 14 February 2005
Thanks guys. It shoots as good as it looks with the LR cylinder. I did not get to shoot the magnum cylinder yet. This revolver feels real good in the hands as compared to the smaller rimfire .22 revolvers. USFA makes some very fine arms for sure and its a shame they are not known better for their work.
Posts: 4115 | Location: Pa. | Registered: 21 April 2006
I just thought I'd mention that my Plinker is for sale, if anyone's looking for one.
(Decided to buy a custom 1911.)
And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
Posts: 863 | Location: Texas | Registered: 25 January 2006
