old post, i know, but i thought id interject something here....in MY opinion, and this is, like i said, MY opinion, there isnt a SAA clone or new model ruger that even comes close to the early flat top rugers. i own a whole safe full of single actions ( been a gunsmith for 30+ years and specialize in single actions, among other things) including colts, and ill take an early flat top over any of them , any way, any day.
the ruger pictured in an original unconverted 1957 ruger flat top 357 , colt style lockwork ( 3 screw,4 clicks...today this gun in this condition can out value a colt...) and i would match it up against any of them any day. the old flat tops were so well fit and finished, and were so accurate and were so popular, colt kyped bill rugers design ( turn about is fair play, bill ruger kyped colts lockwork design LOL) and modeled the original new frontier after them. i have a new frontier 357 and it isnt half the gun the ruger is. its prettier, but in MY opinion, the ruger is a better made gun by far. ive have had a LOT of colt SAA pistols in my shop for repair over the years, and i mean A LOT. i very rarely see a ruger, be it new OR old model come in for repair/breakages, mainly custom mods...
opinions are like a**h***s, every one has one, and all of them stink (LOL), including mine id imagine, but hey, all i can speak of is what ive observed over the years and my own experiences, your mileage may vary.