Which would hold value better, Colt or USFA?

[guzzijohn]

I am considering buying a new SA, either a Colt or a Jim Finch USFA in .45 long. From other posts it sounds like the USFA is probably better quality than a Colt, especially with it worked over by Jim Finch plus a little cheaper. Do you think one or the other will hold value better or is it a toss up. I am really leaning toward the USFA.
GuzziJohn

[blhof]

USFA starts out as a stronger gun for the money and the fit and finish are equal or better than Colt.  If you plan to keep it long enough to recoup your money or as an investment, then Colt, they're a cult type item, after 10 or so years their value starts to climb.  USFA is a newer company and the value stays fairly stable, but not crazy like the Colt.   For a shooter, USFA is the way to go.  I'm sure the Colt fans will chime in with the opposite view.

[jimster]

Every used USFA I've seen at the gun shops were a pretty high price, coming too close to what a new one would cost, never saw a real good deal on a used one, never saw many used ones. Don't see many used Colts either, but when I do the prices are high as well.  For USFA it might depend on finish too, maybe the used rodeo's might go for a better price than the CCH ones. I agree with blhof, USFA would be more of a shooter, Colt may be more of a safe gun for some people. Not sure how the price of a new Colt now would hold up over the next several years if you wore all the finish off from shooting and handling all the time. Someone else might now better than me.

Since you mentioned one worked over by Finch, I guess your wanting to use it, I'd go that way myself, but my opinion should not count, I have a USFA, and sold the Colt long ago. USFA won't be sold, it's for shootin.    My plan is to keep handling it until it looks like one of those "aged" guns they sell...this is going to take a while.

[Bigeasy]

Colt SAA's might hold their value a little better based on the name, but they also start out a little more then most USFA models to begin with.  I own several of both, including a 2nd gen. and a 3rd gen Colt S/A, and a USFA .44 special with a 44/40 cylinder.  The USFA is better made and more accurate then the colts, with none of the "over size throats not matching the bore" nonsense you have to deal with on the Colts.  Finish on the USFA guns is beautiful.  The case hardening color is far better then on the Colts.  If you are not hung up on the name, then go for the USFA.

Larry

[EdK]

There's only two ways I know of that a Colt really appreciates in value:

A 50-140 year old specimen.
A new model that you do not shoot.

If you are going to really use it then you will kill the collector value of a newer Colt. You could always buy a Rodeo shooter and use the leftover funds to purchase an ounce of gold 

[BlkHawk73]

  IMO, if you're buying a new gun and worried about future value, don't shoot it.   With that train of thought, it's more "investment" than "enjoyment" so decide prior to buying and if it's the later, don't let the later value be a determining factor.  I've bought guns with no intentions of ever firing them, strictly as an investment purpose.  the one's I buy to shoot, are bought for that reason and never wonder "how much with this one be worth later" before buying.

[44 Man]

Blackhawk73 makes good sense.  I have owned a couple of Colts and I enjoy shooting the one I have now.  I have passed up a couple of used USFA guns that I have run across, but I did not pass on the Colt.  I guess that tells me my preference.  I greatly respect the USFA guns and hope to own one someday.  The finish is not a big deal for me as my guns are shooters.  But as for shooting, either will shoot as good as I can so there's not much point there either.  You go with what feels good to you and don't look back or second guess yourself.  Enjoy.  44 Man

[guzzijohn]

Thanks for the replies. I will probably go for the USFA regular SA, it appears to be a beautiful gun. It appears that new Colts are going for around $1,250-1,300 and the Jim Finch USFA is just under $900. With the difference I can buy dies and bullets for reloading and still have some change. I was considering the Colt due to, one to it's name and second I had read a small write up awhile back that Colt had all new machine equipment on the SA line and a new CEO that is suppose to be a stickler for QA. I have not been able to find any feedback or evaluations on a recently manufactured SA Colts to see if quality is more consistent and if they have addressed issues such that the throat size, etc.
GuzziJohn

[Frank V]

If I were going to buy one with resale in mind it'd be a Colt hands down. A good used 3rd gen. still sells for over $1000. A lot of people think the USFA is better built than a Colt. If we are talking about the newer 3rd gen. I don't buy it. It we are talking about an early 3rd gen, I might buy it depending on the individual gun. The new Colts coming out are VERY nicely made.
This isn't a slam against USFA, I'm saving for one of their Sheriff Models, they are good guns. If resale were in the back of my mind I'd go with Colt every time. Now that USFAs are going for $975 for a new one, the price difference for a shooter is real & worth considering. I'm also hearing GREAT things about the USFAs customer service, & they ARE made in the USA. I'm not against them,I just don't buy the better made aspect if new Colts are being considered.
Frank

[Keith L]

I stopped looking at Colts a few years ago when I was doing a lot of black powder shooting.  I wanted a Walker, and the few true Colts I looked at were all quite poor in fit and finish.  I got a Uberti that is a dandy and at a fraction of the price.

Collectors that never shoot the guns will do better with Colts.  I am way to cheap to spend that much on a shooter that isn't as well put together as the clone.  Perhaps that has changed.

[Greeenriver]

I went through much the same questions as you a few months ago. I had Cancer, and for a "Get Well" present to myself, decided to get a new pair of revolvers. I was able to find a pair of Colts, new 3rd gen from the Colts Custom Shop, with Black Powder  Frames and all blued frames for just a little more than the USFA offerings. Now, quality of the newer Colts is second to none, fit and actions are great on mine.
Quality on the USFA's is about the same, but over the years, the Colts will hold their value better than the USFA's. Colts have the name, and right or wrong, will hold their value better over the years than any other copy will.

Greeenriver

[gcrank1]

I used to collect historical stuff. Sometimes it can be hard to tell if something was a true old original or a well used and honestly aged 'buckskinner made' item. I developed a rule of thumb," If I dont know what it's true age is, but I dont have to pay more than a good reproduction price, I'll buy it".
For guns with me, if a Colt's or Win., etc. can cost me about the same as a repro I'll go with the the original (some of these 'repros' are getting awfully pricey). But you better know the 'failings' of the model you are looking at! As always,"buyer beware". At least with the new arms you have some recourse if it is a lemon.
FWIW (kick myself every time) I passed a walk in at a gun show, basically NIB USAF SA for $500 about 4yrs ago. It was a beauty.