Single Action Army - Colt Vs Standard Manufacturing

This is a table top review and comparison of several Colt Single Action Army Revolvers and the modern offering from Standard Manufacturing. We will start with a brief history of the SAA and then move through a point by point comparison of the two revolvers. Thanks for watching!
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[@johnqpublic2718]

Thank you for the breakdown. I think I'm just now entering the phase of my shooting and collecting "career" where the older tech is more and more appealing. I learned a few new things about Colt SAAs.

[@Rustebadge]

Eight or ten years ago, following a shooting session, my young son of 14 or so said, : "Daddy I do like the old guns. They're neat." He owns and shoots newer firearms but loves and shoots original 1911's, rifles and shotguns. His fav is a S&W 686.

[@ironcagedragon]

I had been considering the Standard Manufacturing SAA 45 since 2020. After learning about the Colt 45 model and it's clones for a few years I found a 2nd Gen Colt 45 in mint condition in 2023 and bought it.

[@RooftopKY]

Love my Standard Manufacturing SAA. 7.5". It's just like yours but with the one piece grip. I found it at Buds next to a third gen Colt. Side by side, there was no comparison. I shoot it a lot, mostly black powder. Great video.

[@brianmoore1164]

I have a Standard Manufacturing Single Action and I am very pleased with it. I went with the 4 3/4 inch barrel and it is a joy to shoot. I really appreciate their adherence to the no mim policy and the old school school firing pin.

[@anthonydennis460]

The grips on first generation CSAA revolvers are made of gutta percha. Gutta-percha is purified, coagulated latex obtained from trees of the genera Palaquium and Payena. Dentists used that material for filling teeth after a root canal.

[@wolfpack4694]

I have a uberti SAA 7.5” 7th Cavalry replica and really enjoy it, especially since my father and I were in the more modern version using helicopters in place of horses. It goes well with my Cav hat! Garry Owen! Wish I could afford a Colt or Standard.

[@scooterbob4432]

Last week, a nice friend gave me a new Uberti 1875 Outlaw in 45 Colt. Its quite accurate hitting metal discs at 25-35 yards and recoil is quite manageable, too. I'm now thinking of getting a Uberti Cavalry or a Cattleman in 45 Colt naturally, the only way to go. BTW, thanks for this informative video.

[@mannyfox8089]

Thanks for your service sir! Enjoy your Uberti SAA

[@lesliemiller5980]

I own the Old model P SAA from Cimarron Arms. It has the screw retained base pin, bullseye extractor and internal parts made in USA and shipped to Italy for assembly. The gun is then sent to Texas to be hand fitted and finished, all the edges and milled areas are eased and smoothed. It's an exact copy of an 1873 Colt made by measuring an original Colt except for the grip screw. I ordered mine in 44 Special. I think it is equal to either of those firearms.

[@TUCOtheratt]

I've owned a 1st and 2nd Gen Colt. Both had an action like a gravel truck. I think they're way over hyped. I've bought several Pietta GW2 in recent years. Some are very well made for 1/4 the price of Standard Manufacturing.

[@doranmaxwell1755]

I also have several Uberti SAA guns one in 4.75" and 44 spl and one in 7.5" in .357" I am a huge fan of revolvers and own a 'few' of all types and the Ubertis spec out perfectly for timing and chambers/bore and they are right in there with the most accurate handguns I own... this included a minty 69 Python and a Dan Wesson 44 mag. The Standard really really appeals to me but not a fan of the 45 Colt. I can get a second gen Colt in 44 spl (my favorite) but apparently not the Standard mfg. I would 'bite the bullet' on the standard if I could get it in 44 spl

[@jims9249]

Great review and comparison. The Standard Manufacture is definitely well made and beautifully finished.

[@ronh5422]

Great information. Wish you had addressed the Bisley & Buntline Special variations.

[@doranmaxwell1755]

The first click on a Colt or clone is the safety notch. it is very robust and Colt said to load all six and use the safety notch. They did not create a '5 shooter' as John Wayne would have you believe. Can the notch or the trigger spur be broken? of course but the force would be immense. also the hammer in the safety notch is visibly back a tad giving a visual that the gun is in a safe condition.

[@adamthomas7514]

I ordered a Colt SSA in .44 WCF several yrs ago from Colt custom shop. It took 5 yrs between initial order and delivery. It is Nickel with faux ivory grips.

[@MinhVu-in9iz]

Wow that’s crazy long!

[@larryduttry9400]

Colt was not using MIM parts when those were made in the 50’s since that technology wasn’t around yet. The Colt at that time was in fact all machined the same as the Std. The newest version of the Colt does in fact use MIM and cast parts. That being said.. MIM parts are 97% the density of a forged part and are an alloy steel the same as the frame. The standard is definitely a higher quality product as far as fit finish and materials. They and the USFA are definitely phenomenal firearms.

[@AdamosDad]

I worked for a company that made powder metal parts (mim parts) the metal is heated to the point that it becomes steel at 2300 degrees, then pressed at high tonnage to form a part. These parts can actually be stronger and cheaper than a machined part.

[@chipsterb4946]

The key word in the last sentence is “can”. They might be stronger but MIM parts are not necessarily as strong as machined parts.

[@AdamosDad]

@@chipsterb4946 It also depends on the steel metallurgy, we made connecting rods for, Ford, Chrysler and GM cars and trucks.

[@chipsterb4946]

@@AdamosDad I understand that MIM *can* be strong and made very precisely. Also, Ruger does a great job with investment cast gun parts. However, in modern gun manufacturing MIM parts often have only a very thin surface hardening. When that is the case, you might not be able polish the part safely - let alone do some fitting.

[@scottwilson1258]

The Best Video and Comparison there Exists so far on these Fine Revolvers! Thank YouM.T. I Have One Boys and It Is The Real Deal, sits next to my Colt saa and the STANDARD is Marvelous ! The Fit and Finish is Just Perfect!

[@JohnDoesItAll]

The bluing on the STD is incredible ❤

[@BillAlexander-cv6oj]

Nice Collection Beautiful Copies of Original Colts, I think the Grips you Mentioned that had the Rubber like Feel Were Made from What was called Gutta Percha..I collect Antique Cameras and some came with a such a Covering...Nice Informative Video....

[@jimdavis9275]

This was great Chris!!!!!

[@AdamosDad]

I have a Beretta Stampede very beautiful color case hardened, it is in 357, I wish I had the old Colt SAA.

[@operator001]

I would love to have a Colt SAA. Now I'm thinking I should go with Standard MFG since it seems I can buy one right now. Plus its made in the US. I do have an Uberti and it does the job.

[@tinman8518]

Great video Chris!! I thank you. SAA fan.

[@ace50cal1]

The only real good thing about colt other than being original. They retain a lot of value. You cant argue that

[@brianmcdonald3831]

I always enjoy the history of the SAA so thank you you gave gave a history like what you’d usually hear in a walkthrough of a factory walkthrough or something I’ve always liked SAA always seemed more mechanical than newer models so to speak and would definitely last longer compared to newer parts wise. Although as far as I know original colts didn’t come with plastic grips because there was no such thing before 1900 even in the early 1900’s I know they used them on cap guns for kids in what the 1940’s probably the earliest in that era I know of but never heard of any colt original colt from before 1900 with plastic grips and gen 1 should be as said before 1900

[@eulogio604]

Preciosa colección de está obra maestra de los armeros William mason y charles brickerhoff Richar ,el saa 45 , me e canta este video saludos desde España 👍

[@ricktaylor5744]

Thank you, great review!

[@francisgarner1751]

Sir I have a GERMANY LA'S DEPUTY S.S.A 357mag 5 1/2 Inc. Barrel serial ##3027 it was given to me in 1966 still fires well can you give me any information. Thanks 👍🏿🎯

[@wonkachocolates6133]

This was the most informative review I have seen on SAA revolvers. Please do a shooting comparison between generations’ & Std. Mfg.

[@kevinshorter5861]

Thanks for single shots I like them too!!!

[@doranmaxwell1755]

Ruger on their 'SAA' has some real rough frames. on rounds like the .30 carbine the brass will actually hang up on the rough cast and then machined recoil shield. tying up the gun. I had to use machinist blue and let fired brass 'mark' the frame where it needed to be smoothed up. the transition between rough cast frame and machined recoil shield is a cliff not a ramp. even the loading gate is not fitted well and will hang up the rotation of the brass. They can get away with this with rimmed ammo (pretty much) but 'rimless' ammo like 30 carbine is never exactly the same length so some rounds hang up. this would apply to their 45 acp cylinders etc.

[@nicholassteel5529]

Fabulously detailed …..👍

[@chipsterb4946]

A 1st or 2nd generation Colt SAA in decent condition is a somewhat expensive collector’s item. It will retain its value, but you might not want to shoot it much. Especially if it’s an early “black powder frame”. I bought a nice Standard Manufacturing single action pistol barely used and enjoy shooting it a lot. I have a USFA that is LNIB and can’t shoot that without decreasing its value.

[@thomascrowe3407]

In the works on a contractor special .27 Hilti shot revolver tradesman's special!

[@jessicasimp4459]

And also, you can try to do a history and development episode on the FN Minimi / M249 SAW because nobody has ever done one here on YT and because of the history behind the SAW being very overlooked.

[@jessicasimp4459]

Speaking of revolvers, my most favorite revolver is the Colt 1877 Lightning because that’s the gun that makes the faster firing of guns possible, according to R. Lee Ermey’s quote “The next step for gunmakers is to get them to shoot faster.” from the Pistols episode of Lock N Load. As the 1877 Lightning can do single or double action, it’s equivalent to a modern assault rifle that can do semi auto or full auto.

[@TXGRunner]

I have two USFA single actions, both 5.5" bbl in 45 Colt. I have an offer on a Colt 3rd Gen Cavalry FSS in 44-40, but I also have an opportunity to get a Standard Manufacturing nickel 44-40. I am torn.

[@robertantolik2146]

On the 7 1/2" colt the hammer rested higher than the frame. But the others and the standard were flush with the top of the frame. Was that some sort of optical illusion or was it something weird with that particular gun?

[@christopherfranklin972]

I believe that the Gen.1 grips are 'gutta percha'.

[@nunya1328]

There is no comparison. The Standard blows colt away! 10 times the detail and quality and time put into the Standard.

[@scottscheuerman8714]

I have the tools to turn the barrel so I can get them to shoot center it’s much easier to shoot if you only have to sight up or down to get on sight besides having to use Kentucky windage

[@tornsflores4222]

Please feature a Colt 7 1/2 inches 38 cal "officer's model"swing out cylinder

[@sandraherdman3783]

Mark how long g did it take to get those hands 😮like they are ,Wow Excellent presentation 😂

[@Chiller11]

He uses a hand model for the close ups.

[@joeguzman3558]

The only problem i have with standard manufacturing company is they only offers 45 long colt and not 357

[@jbau4985]

You are correct. That is your problem.

[@Shazamg6]

Is the standard saa worth the money?

[@jbau4985]

That is a question that can only be answered by the buyer.

[@seandimond8609]

2 Gen SAA ended in 1974.

[@cashesclay9863]

What!! A brand new Colt from the custom shop is listed at 1,799.00 right now on colts website..... not 3grand. A brand new colt SAA is the same price as the standard.

[@MarksmanTV]

I am on Colt's website right now and their SAA order form indicates a base starting price of 3400. Can you please send me a link to where they're selling them for $1700? Thanks!

[@cashesclay9863]

@MarksmanTV Im going to call colt in the morning, inquiring minds want to know lol. Your colt SAA knowledge is way above mine, but I've looked again and again it's all over colts website at 1,799.00. It's my dream gun so I gota know lol

[@hogstooth5048]

Update? On pricing ​@@cashesclay9863

[@maddogs1989]

​@@cashesclay9863you are looking at their standard price for production guns when they make a production gun. The Custom shop guns start at 3400

[@mikea.6608]

Im good with my Heritage Barkeep 😂😂

[@tannstang]

The grips on that first gen Colt are made from Gutta percha

[@PatrickMelton-y1o]

The Standard Manufacturing WILL NEVER have that horse on it. Enough said 😊

[@jbau4985]

Who cares, the quality is the difference.

[@JMGeranimo]

Colt is falling behind and its sad. Ild love a saa , never in stock. Either make a top break might be a game changer

[@maddogs1989]

That's because you have to buy then through the custom shop

[@maddogs1989]

There is a difference. One is a Colt. The other is not. Thats all i need. If im going with a reproduction of a firearm it better be contracted to do so and have the appropriate badging. The Winchester 1873 made by Miroku as contracted by Olin the company that owns Winchester. I say this owning a 1963 Intercontinental Arms Dakota. Its still not a Colt

[@garyhammond2213]

I have a 3rd gen Colt and the thing I don't like about it is the notches in the hammer spur are cast into the hammer. Not good! Even Ruger cuts the notches so you can get a good grip on the hammer. Too many shortcuts. Also, the cylinder pin is very difficult to remove. Maybe this is an 80's gun where the quality went down. The United Autoworkers killed the auto industry and Colt. CZ needs to move the company out of Conn.

[@219garry]

SM only makes it in 45 Colt. Ammo is too expensive.

[@mikepurdy3952]

There are No More COLTS - There are CZ's now... 🤦

[@GeorgeTaylor-hb9jp]

They are not Colts. I hat says it all. There is no substitute.m

[@rapl1183]

I’d argue that Standard Manufacturing makes a better SAA when compared to the 3rd gen Colts (not including custom shop.)

[@Steadydietofnothing-u1p]

Cimarron model p old model is almost as good as both almost

[@chipsterb4946]

Eh I have a couple of Uberti revolvers and the fit and finish isn’t close to my Standard Manufacturing single action.

[@mrbee145]

Colt is superior and real. The rest are posers