Colt Single Action Army 3rd Gen SAA .45 Colt 5 1/2″ Revolver, 1980

SOLD FOR: $1,700.00

LSB#: LSB251109JK021

Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army, 3rd Generation

Serial Number: SA35236

Year of Manufacture: 1980 / Modern

Caliber: .45 Colt

Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.”, the left is marked “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .45”. The left of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT. 19, 1871 / JULY 2, 72 JAN. 19, 75” and with a rampant colt logo. The left of the trigger guard is marked “VP” in triangle at the front and “K” at the rear. The right of the trigger guard is marked “B”. The bottom of the frame and the left of each portion of the grip frame are each marked “SA35236”. The inside of the grips are marked with the matching serial number, “35236”. 

Barrel Length: 5 1/2″

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a quarter-round blade fixed to the front of the barrel. The blade has been filed to a flat top. The rear sight is a square notch at the rear of a groove in the top strap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are a two-piece black rubber grips with a few minimal handling nicks and dings and one scratch on the bottom. There are no chips or cracks in the grips. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued & Case Hardened

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is heavy stubborn fouling in the lands. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8.5/10. 

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 95% of its metal finish. There is slight thinning of finish on the leading edges and at the muzzle.  There is one blemish in the case coloring on the right side of the frame.  There is some carbon buildup on the face of the cylinder.  There is turn line on the cylinder and some light wear on the cylinder stops.  The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. Lockup produces no perceptible play.  The Hammer spring is tight and the trigger is crisp.  We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: The Colt Single Action Army Third Generation represents Colt’s continuation of its most iconic revolver into the late twentieth century, preserving the classic Peacemaker profile while benefiting from improved consistency in modern production. Following the close of Second Generation manufacture, Third Generation SAAs retained traditional design elements such as the fixed sights, side loading gate, and four click hammer, while being produced with contemporary steels and machining practices. By 1980, these revolvers were made in relatively modest numbers and appealed to shooters and collectors who wanted a factory Colt that remained faithful to the original pattern without modern reinterpretation.

Chambered in .45 Colt and fitted with a 5 1/2 inch barrel, this revolver reflects the configuration most closely associated with the Single Action Army’s frontier, sporting, and law enforcement legacy. The .45 Colt cartridge has been inseparable from the SAA since the 1870s, valued for its balance of authority and shootability. Third Generation examples continued that lineage, offering familiar handling and mechanical simplicity while benefiting from improved dimensional consistency and metallurgy compared to earlier production eras.

This example presents in Very Good overall condition, retaining strong original blued and case hardened finishes with only light edge wear, a visible cylinder turn line, and minor cosmetic marks consistent with normal use. The markings remain clear, the screw heads are sharp, and the action shows tight lockup with a crisp trigger and solid hammer engagement. Taken as a whole, this revolver stands as a well preserved Third Generation Colt Single Action Army that faithfully carries forward one of America’s most enduring handgun designs, Please see our photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck with your bids!

BF