Price check on Colt SAA?

WEATHERBY460 · 01-29-2013, 20:42

I found a Colt SAA in great shape at a local gun store today.

It is a second generation, (according to the serial number)used but in great looking shape.
Labeled stainless steel, but could be nickel.
5" barrel
factory grips, but look kinda cheap.
357 mag

what is a good price for this gun...thanks

countrygun · 01-29-2013, 21:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by WEATHERBY460

I found a Colt SAA in great shape at a local gun store today.

It is a second generation, (according to the serial number)used but in great looking shape.
Labeled stainless steel, but could be nickel.
5" barrel
factory grips, but look kinda cheap.
357 mag

what is a good price for this gun...thanks

well it isn't a stainless second generation in .357 I can tell you that much.

I get real cautious about advising anyone on the Colt SAA. A true second gen .357 would be a flag to me and I would want to make sure it was a genuine factory nickel job.

To be a bit blunt bout it, Colt SAAs command such a price there are dozens of "remade" guns out there and, if you are going to invest the money a good one will cost, you are best served by doing a lot of research so you KNOW what you are handling. Almost impossible to come close to the value, or authenticity (which a lot of the value hinges on) based on a loose description on the internet. Anybody who could give you an accurate evaluation would have to examine it.

WEATHERBY460 · 01-30-2013, 05:00

But lets say it really is a Colt and nickel, and in great shape....what would you say its worth?

countrygun · 01-30-2013, 12:05

It isn't that hard to dig up the production numbers on second and third generations and to be able to tell them apart. You can even check on the numbers of each caliber and the finishes.

IMO I have a hunch it's a third generation, prices I have seen could be anywhere from $800 to $1,500 depending on condition and if it had a letter from Colt authenticating the caliber and finish. cowboy action shooters are probably the best folks to ask as they have the biggest market for SAAs these days.

If it were a true second generation nickled .357 it would depend on production numbers and condition but I suspect it would start a little above where the third generation tops out, say $1,500 in a low but complete condition and go into the stratosphere.

That is a rough guess. I have a friend who owns a gunshop and he turned up a very, very nice example of a particular SAA. He offered it to me for the top end estimate he got on it, but I decided to buy a truck instead.

Buying a Colt SAA is a tricky thing these days. The difference between generations means a lot to hard core collectors and it is easy to make a mistake, a very costly one.

For instance, you say the grips are "Factory but look cheap". That is a flag to me. Colt factory grips never looked "cheap" on a second gen, and if they are the gutta percha originals and you think they look "cheap" I (and I say this for your sake) worry that you may not have an idea of what you are really looking at.

More people get burned buying SAAs than find "undiscovered gems" these days.

Investing in something like that takes a lot of knowledge and experience to do well

IMOYMMV

WEATHERBY460 · 01-30-2013, 12:23

thanks for the help....i will try to post a pic.......

the seriel number was like 58xxxSA

WEATHERBY460 · 01-30-2013, 12:35

here it is

countrygun · 01-30-2013, 12:43

All Colts with the "SA" in the serial number first are third generation. At the end are 2nd The two piece wood grips are an indicator as well.

the .357 was introduced in 1960 but I don't ethe serial numbers handy

countrygun · 01-30-2013, 12:52

I can't tell from the pic, but I would bet that, if correct to the serial # the hammer is case hardened not polished.

ETA the serial number would put it in the range to be one of the early second gen or mid second gen .357s.

WEATHERBY460 · 01-30-2013, 13:18

I think I read it is a mid second generation because of the number.....are those the correct grips? It is in really great shape, so thats why I am approaching with caution.....

still what is it worth????????????????????????

Sgt127 · 01-30-2013, 14:04

If that is the actual gun in the picture, I would hand him $800 with absolutly no other research. If its a parts gun, it may be worth a little less. If everything is right, it may be worth ALOT more.

I know enough about Colts to look at it and be sure its a genuine Colt, at least the frame.

That picture, literally, looks like a new gun from a catalog.

WEATHERBY460 · 01-31-2013, 06:50

He wants $900 for it.....should I get it?

Sgt127 · 01-31-2013, 13:39

Did you actually see the gun, and, that is an actual picture of THE gun? If so, yes, I would give $900 for it...

I'm in no way a Colt SAA expert, but, if its a real Colt, in that condition, and, I wanted one, I would buy it.

That picture literally looks like a brand new gun, straight from a catalog.

countrygun · 01-31-2013, 13:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sgt127

Did you actually see the gun, and, that is an actual picture of THE gun? If so, yes, I would give $900 for it...

I'm in no way a Colt SAA expert, but, if its a real Colt, in that condition, and, I wanted one, I would buy it.

That picture literally looks like a brand new gun, straight from a catalog.

I agree if that is the actual gun, but that looks like a catalog picture to me. Nonetheless, if it is in that condition the old saying applies, "there is no such thing as paying too much, just buying too soon"

WEATHERBY460 · 01-31-2013, 14:04

yes that is the gun in the pic....it does look that good in real life....I am not sure if the box is with it or not...i am going to get it.....if its still there....thanks!

Bren · 01-31-2013, 14:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by WEATHERBY460

yes that is the gun in the pic....it does look that good in real life....I am not sure if the box is with it or not...i am going to get it.....if its still there....thanks!

Is it a...cardboard box?

WEATHERBY460 · 01-31-2013, 15:55

lol...about the box....i just called...no box....its a 2 hour drive so i am still debating if its worth it...if it was 45 colt i would buy it without hesitation...it still might be the cheapest and nicest 2nd gen i will ever find

smokeross · 01-31-2013, 16:07

I'd be all over it.

WEATHERBY460 · 01-31-2013, 16:10

last question...are those the correct grips...they look kinda cheap

countrygun · 01-31-2013, 16:17

IIRC they went to a two piece for the wooden grips by then.

WEATHERBY460 · 01-31-2013, 18:26

I am sorry what is IIRC?

WEATHERBY460 · 01-31-2013, 18:32

if i recall correctly....i googled it....sorry

looks like these guns are selling between 2 and 3k...i better get it tomorrow

WEATHERBY460 · 02-03-2013, 17:05

I purchased the gun today...it was 52,XXXSA....so a second generation for sure.....

It is in great shape, but it does have a scratch on the bottem side of one of the grips, and a good size "dinger" under the barrel.

I get it in 3 days after my waiting period...I will post pics then.

The sales guy said it is cheaper because it doesnt have the box and original grips.

Any idea how I can find out what grips were original to it?

Thanks for the advice.

Jim Watson · 02-03-2013, 20:20

Those ARE the original grips.
I have seen many nickel plated SAAs with those clunky straight grain walnut grips. That is how it was cataloged in the 1970s; "Also available nickel plated with walnut grips."

WEATHERBY460 · 02-03-2013, 21:16

thats great news,,,,thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!