Colt 3rd Gen Single Action Army SAA Blue 5 1/2″ .357 Mag Revolver 1979
SOLD FOR: $2151
LSB#: 210924BD06
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, 3rd Generation
Serial Number: SA16547
Year of Manufacture: 1979
Caliber: .357 Magnum
Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .357 MAGNUM”. The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.”. The left side of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT. 19, 1871 / JULY 2,72 JAN.19,75” and with the “Rampant Colt” logo. The underside of the frame at the grip frame is marked “SA16547”, with the “7” stamped over a “6”. The front and back strap are both marked “SA16547” on the left side. The left front of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle and at the rear with a “K”, there is an incomplete “Z” marked on the right of the trigger guard. The front of the cylinder is marked “6547”.
Barrel Length: 5 ½”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a quarter round blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a square groove in the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece stag panels. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. There are a few minor nicks, mostly on the barrel. The cylinder has minor turn-wear. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in Fine-Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions properly. The cylinder locks up with very little play on each chamber. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes in a faux-wood cardboard Colt box with two-piece styrofoam insert, and an assortment of factory paperwork which does not include a manual. The box has a serial-matching label on one end. The end opposite the label has torn off, with a non-matching label end pushed into place, not attached to the box.
Our Assessment: In 1974, Colt quietly discontinued production the single Action Army; this would be the second time they discontinued production of this glorious revolver. Luckily, the loyal fans of the SAA would not need to wait long as colt would bring back the SAA in 1976 as the “3rd Generation”. Changes were made but the basic SAA was the same, i.e. three standard barrel lengths of 4 ¾”, 5 ½” and 7 ½”, finishes of full nickel or blue, with color case hardened frame, and grips of hard rubber.
Some changes were incorporated in an effort by Colt to keep prices down. One new change was a pressed-in cylinder pin bushing instead of the removable ones used in 1st and 2nd Generation cylinders. Also, the ratchet at the rear of the cylinders was re-shaped, which also necessitated a different shape on the rotating hand. And for some unknown reason, the pitch of the barrel’s threads was changed from the 20 threads per inch (TPI) as used on 1st and 2nd Generation SAAs to 24 TPI for these new ones. Toward the end of 2nd Generation production Colt had begun using some investment cast parts, but the frames continued to be forged. The introductory caliber for 3rd Generation SAAs was .45 Colt, but .357 Magnum came along by the end of 1976.
Everyone should have a Colt Single Action Army, and this would be a beauty to add to any collection. Manufactured in 1979, this revolver is in Fine-Excellent condition, appearing to have seen gentle use. Interestingly, the last digit of its serial number is over-stamped. Now matching all of the other serialized parts, it is most likely that this was a factory error. With a 5 1/2″ barrel and chambered for .357 Magnum, this is a classic Single Action Army chambered for a more modern magnum cartridge. This makes it suitable for addition to a collection, but is also something that could be carried as a hunting sidearm or used in Cowboy Action Shooting competitions. Please see our photos and good luck!