Colt 1873 Peacemaker

[Kentucky Rifle]

I just got home from Kiesler's Gun Shop. I wanted to have a look at the Marlin lever action my wife has ordered me for our anniversary and she wanted to look at a "mottled" finish (case hardened finish) Vaquero. I looked at the Marlins and was satisfied. I looked over at her and she had stopped in front of the show case with the 1873 Colt Peacemakers in it. I asked to see a couple with the case hardened finish and I was simply amazed. The new (or "old") Peacemakers just might be the finest revolvers I've ever held. Every single one that I picked up was the same~~perfect lock-up and truly butter smooth action that put the Vaqueros to shame. This is one fine revolver! She settled on the 3.5 inch barrel .38/.357 model. She's thinking about it, but I told her to pick...and then I stood back. That's the best way to insure that your wife is going to get a pistol with which, she's going to be happy.
I just wanted to know if anyone has one of these beauties and of course, if you're happy with it. This is a fine, FINE pistol. (I guess you can tell ~I'm impressed! )

KR

 

[TallPine]

What do these babies cost? About 2 or 3 times as much as the Vaquero ...?

I would hope that they were a little bit better.

 

[Al Thompson]

There's one in the local GS and I hold it every now and again.

Like a fine double, the Peacemakers have a "feel" that's a binary switch - you either love it or it leaves you cold.

IMHO, with the colts, you need to tighten the frame screws up fairly often or apply some LockTite. That's about the only negative I'm aware of..

 

[G. Glock]

I have a few of these babies, and they are my very favorite handguns. I take them down completely on occasion for a thorough cleaning, and I don't mind the screws loosening up.

Nothing has the feel of a Colt SAA.

It's a labor of love checking the screw tension occasionally.

 

[Jim K]

The Colt SAs (other than the Cowboy) are all now made in the custom shop and are quite expensive ($1500 or so). The best (IMHO) of the current crop at reasonable price is the US Firearms Rodeo. No color case hardening (matte blue), but they feel more like the original Colts than most of the others, and are/were only $500.

I looked at a 1903 SAA today at a gun show. It was refinished but very nicely done (maybe factory?) and the price was not too bad. We dickered a bit and I thought I would take it until the dealer cocked the hammer and it didn't stay cocked. So, no sale. Problem could have been a trigger or spring, but probably the hammer and that is too much bucks to replace.

Jim

 

[BigG]

I need an answer to this pressing question. It seems like you guys actually use your Colt SAAs.

What is it with the guys who buy it and never cock it? Does cocking detract from the value? Lots of guys boast, "this was never turned."

 

[J Miller]

BigG,

Lots of guys boast, "this was never turned."

People you hear talk like this are "COLLECTORS". They are trying to indicate that the revolvers action hasn't been operated since the factory put it in the box.
It's also a bit of a snob thing.

I am not a collector. If I had a nice new Colt SAA of any vintage I'd be shooting it. That is what they are made for.
My newest Ruger Blackhawk is an old model that I have done a few minor modifications on so it will suit ME.
Normal use does not hurt a gun. If proper care and cleaning is done, they will last for eons.

 

[Kentucky Rifle]

TallPine...

I think that the Colts I looked at were only a little more expensive than the Vaqueros. Around ~$600.00 each. Certainly NOT 2 or 3 times as much. (Unless I looked at the wrong price tag.) Where did you get that? You've got to be thinking of another model than the "Peacemaker". When Kiesler's opens in 15 minutes, I'll call and get an exact price.

KR

 

[Kentucky Rifle]

TallPine...(And others)

I apologize. I made a mistake. Due to a traffic jam, we only got to spend half an hour at Kiesler's. I just called for more info and this fine revolver is a "COLT COPY"! I was fooled by the "Peacemaker and the "Dancing Pony" on the side. The revolver is actually an "AWA". I don't know anything about "AWA" other than the guy at Kiesler's just told me that it's an American company.
Still, right now this is a fine piece. If it will "hold up" and stay like it is now, it is some bargain indeed. The regular price is $629.00 and the "sale price" is under $600.
If anyone knows about the durability of an AWA, I sure would like to read your opinion. This pistol is SO nice that I'm real close to just going over and getting it.

Thanks,
KR

 

[mrstang01]

I believe AWA is an import company, and their imports have a less than stellar reputation among the SASS crowd.

I'd check with SASSnet to be sure before I braved the I65 traffic and get something you might not be satisfied with.

Michael

 

[Jim March]

See also this thread:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13628&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

 

[Kentucky Rifle]

Thanks Guys...

When I found out these revolvers were just "Colt Copies", no matter how nice they felt when new...I felt like someone had handed me a dead fish! After a closer look at Kiesler's this morning, the AWAs say "PeaceKEEPER" on the side instead of "PEACEMAKER". And the Colt dancing pony logo is slightly different also. The REAL Colt "dancing pony" has a stick or a little branch in it's mouth. The dancing pony on the side of the AWA is the same, only with NO Branch in it's mouth. This is about as close to trademark infringement as I've ever seen. Tricked me alright! This was embarrassing!

KR

 

[Albert Shear]

Having both I will say the AWA(Peacekeeper, not Longhorn model) is the finest action SAA I have have felt. Yes, the parts are imported from Italy then assembled, fitted and finished here. For the price it is an excellent single action.