USFA Rodeo question

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Mon Mar 24, 2025 7:57 am

20 years ago I got my first Shootists Anniversary gun and it was a USFA .44 Special. I had it shortened and fitted with ivory stocks. Great gun and it’s a real shooter.

I’ve been looking at USFA Rodeo revolvers which would seem to make more sense as a carry revolver.

Question: Were all of the Rodeos later guns which were built on American parts or if some were Uberti, what was the serial number cutoff?

Thanks in advance.

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Mon Mar 24, 2025 7:59 am

Beautiful guns.

JimT · Post by **JimT** » Mon Mar 24, 2025 9:23 am

What I was told: "... for the Rodeo models, any USFA Rodeo beginning with an “A” or “B” was built using some or all Uberti parts."

Brian Pearce says all the "E" series were totally USA.

black river smith · Post by **black river smith** » Mon Mar 24, 2025 9:33 am

Here you go read this posting of mine from back in 2016 over on the CAS City site. https://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index ... ic=57375.0

Like Jim just posted, as I was looking to the posting, A and B serial numbers are Uberti. But our discussions bring the SN down to a D followed by 3 numbers are all USA made. Lot of topics over there in their USFA CSS forum for you to read before buying another one.

Unfortunately, I never did find one myself.

black river smith · Post by **black river smith** » Mon Mar 24, 2025 12:45 pm

Here is the original post, discussion of what is and what is not Uberti. This was the posting that then prompted mine, as linked above. Unfortunately, all the great photos and links no longer work after the Cas City site, did an update. The text alone, should give you all the details of what 'features' you should be looking for to find a USA manufactured revolver.

https://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index ... ic=57348.0

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Mon Mar 24, 2025 7:54 pm

I can’t get the links to open. So is the Rodeo the same as the standard model with a lower level of finish?

black river smith · Post by **black river smith** » Mon Mar 24, 2025 8:15 pm

The links won't open right now 8:00PM CT, because it appears there are issues with the site. The site won't open for me right now either.

To answer your question I would state - Yes. The metal and gun parts are the same as standard revolvers. But the finish was similar to the Uberti Matte finish.

Here is your true answer from the people that would know better than I do :: https://www.coltforum.com/threads/usfa-rodeo.353955/

Here is another posting about antiquing a Rodeo :: https://www.coltforum.com/threads/usfa- ... sh.368167/

JimT · Post by **JimT** » Mon Mar 24, 2025 9:27 pm

They are priced right alongside what a used Colt sells for ... this USFA Rodeo is $2000

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Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Tue Mar 25, 2025 7:51 am

Thanks guys!

black river smith · Post by **black river smith** » Tue Mar 25, 2025 9:45 am

The CAS City site is working today as of 8:30 AM.

Links are working, now.

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Fri Mar 28, 2025 11:16 am

Many years ago (like almost 20 years) I stopped in my LGS just to look around, and there was what I thought was a nice used Colt for sale cheap. Really too cheap, and I wondered what was wrong with it? I asked to look at it and all the markings on the frame were just like a Colt for patent dates, but the barrel was marked AWA; American Western Arms. I'd seen some writeups on AWA that gave them wonderful reviews, and this gun still looked like new and had it's original box and paperwork! The price was $425, and I asked if they'd take $400 and they did!
The AWA is a 4.75" barrel, and chambered in .45 Colt, and has the nicest trigger and action of any SAA type handgun I've ever handled. It also had what appeared to be either real stag grips, or the nicest copies of real stag I've ever seen. Not sure how many rounds I've put down the barrel, but it's the most accurate SAA I've ever owned too. It seems AWA got sued for making their guns too much like original Colts, so only a couple thousand were ever built. I'm always looking just on a chance I'll see another, but nothing so far.

https://rdougwicker.com/2018/04/11/west ... acekeeper/

JimT · Post by **JimT** » Fri Mar 28, 2025 12:23 pm

marlinman93 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 28, 2025 11:16 am I'm always looking just on a chance I'll see another, but nothing so far.

Cabelas has a nice one for $1100.00

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/101759689

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Fri Mar 28, 2025 4:00 pm

JimT wrote: ↑Fri Mar 28, 2025 12:23 pm
marlinman93 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 28, 2025 11:16 am I'm always looking just on a chance I'll see another, but nothing so far.
Cabelas has a nice one for $1100.00

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/101759689

Thanks Jim! But hoping for a different cartridge since I have the same one now. I believe AWA also made them in .44-40, and special order .44 Special? A .44 Special would be dreamy!
I've seen one in .357 Mag, but not a fan of the cartridge for a SAA. They also made them as special order in .32-20 which would be another favorite for me!

Pat C · Post by **Pat C** » Fri Mar 28, 2025 7:29 pm

AWA were made in the Armi San Marco factory same as the EMF Hartford only the AWA were shipped to US for final finish and assembly. The ASM revolvers were closest of any of the reproduction to original Colt SAA 1st Gen.

Jim Martin had a lot to do with the AWA revolvers.

samsi · Post by **samsi** » Sat Mar 29, 2025 7:58 am

I wish I hadn't passed up the AWA's back when they were in production. I did run across a 45 last year but it was a bit too spendy for the condition. A friend has an unmolested example in .44 Special, it's a nice gun.

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Sat Mar 29, 2025 8:04 am

Brian Pierce has an E series USFA Rodeo that he claims to have put 20,000 rounds through. The gun seems to still be in good shape.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Sat Mar 29, 2025 9:15 am

Aye, the AWA's are probably the finest of the SAA copies. The closest that have ever been built are probably the Pietta GW2s, as they are sized correctly, all the Uberti pattern guns are slightly larger then the Colt. But, thanks for starting this thread, I've learned more about the USFAs than I knew before. Things I never even suspected.

Pat C · Post by **Pat C** » Sat Mar 29, 2025 10:37 am

The Armi San Marco plant in Gardone was where the first authentic Colt copies were made. EMF Hartford original examples were made there. I've measured mine against the Colt drawings in Kuhnhausen's manual and it's right in tolerance ranges. Original 1st Gen barrel fit perfectly and cylinders.

The only difference in Colt 1st Gen is the chemical color case and European walnut stock.Ive had this one for 30 years .

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Sat Mar 29, 2025 12:15 pm

The AWA's were actually too close to original Colt SAA and that's why Colt sued them. Ubertis are decent guns, but grip frames are different enough to not accept Colt grips. I've got a nice Uberti SAA in .32-20, and it will get sold if I ever find a .32-20 AWA!

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Sun Mar 30, 2025 9:15 am

JimT wrote: ↑Mon Mar 24, 2025 9:27 pm They are priced right alongside what a used Colt sells for ... this USFA Rodeo is $2000

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That’s as much as a Colt SAA around here.

Pat C · Post by **Pat C** » Sun Mar 30, 2025 3:08 pm

Way to much for a repro. Cabelas had a whole counter full of 3rd Gen Colts from $1200-$1600 last week . Guys on Colt Forum gobbled them up .one guy bought 5 at the prices.
Most were like new with boxes.

Pat C · Post by **Pat C** » Sun Mar 30, 2025 3:31 pm

Cabelas at Lacey WA , probably gone now as Colt Forum guys bought most. Smoking deals some as little as $1200

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Sun Mar 30, 2025 9:13 pm

There’s another forum?

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Sun Mar 30, 2025 11:08 pm

Scott Tschirhart wrote: ↑Sun Mar 30, 2025 9:13 pmThere’s another forum?

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Mon Mar 31, 2025 7:03 pm

JimT wrote: ↑Mon Mar 24, 2025 9:23 am What I was told: "... for the Rodeo models, any USFA Rodeo beginning with an “A” or “B” was built using some or all Uberti parts."

Brian Pearce says all the "E" series were totally USA.

Thanks Jim. I found a nice “E” series in .45 Colt.

JimT · Post by **JimT** » Mon Mar 31, 2025 7:37 pm

That's great Scott. Congratulations.

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Mon Mar 31, 2025 8:45 pm

JimT wrote: ↑Mon Mar 31, 2025 7:37 pm That's great Scott. Congratulations.

I’ll bring it to Raton and you can help me break it in.

JimT · Post by **JimT** » Mon Mar 31, 2025 8:57 pm

Excellent.
I am bringing one that I rarely get out.

IMG_0385.JPG

This is Twyla's gun. She won it in the raffle in 1997. I doubt it's had a hundred rounds through it. .45 Colt. This was the last 625 Classic out of the factory. I've got the letter from S&W. Ken Jorgensen was working for S&W in those days. He's the one got it donated for the raffle.

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Mon Mar 31, 2025 9:00 pm

Very nice Jim

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Fri Apr 04, 2025 5:31 pm

Looks and feels brand new.

JimT · Post by **JimT** » Fri Apr 04, 2025 5:38 pm

Very nice, Scott!

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Fri Apr 04, 2025 6:14 pm

It looks pretty Jim and locks up tight.

but that trigger drraaaaggs!

JimT · Post by **JimT** » Fri Apr 04, 2025 6:48 pm

They are easy to do a trigger job on.

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Fri Apr 04, 2025 9:47 pm

JimT wrote: ↑Fri Apr 04, 2025 6:48 pm They are easy to do a trigger job on.

Maybe you can help me with it. I’ll bring my hoof rasp to Raton.

JimT · Post by **JimT** » Fri Apr 04, 2025 9:55 pm

There will be people there who much better doing a trigger job than I am.

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Sat Apr 05, 2025 9:38 am

First five at 10 yards with no trigger work. But I have to admit that I couldn’t duplicate this group today.

JimT · Post by **JimT** » Sat Apr 05, 2025 9:51 am

It looks like that gun might work!!

Pat C · Post by **Pat C** » Sat Apr 05, 2025 10:03 am

Does it have one of those extra long safety base pins or did the base pin walk out on you?

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Sat Apr 05, 2025 10:12 am

It walked out on me. It actually left the gun shortly afterwards. I had a heck of a time finding it in the brush! It’s fixed now. Good catch!

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Sun Apr 06, 2025 7:00 am

I’m thinking a good set of one piece walnut stocks would make this a very nice carry gun.

Pat C · Post by **Pat C** » Sun Apr 06, 2025 8:46 am

Did sights hit at 6 o'clock hold ?

JimT · Post by **JimT** » Sun Apr 06, 2025 9:14 am

Scott Tschirhart wrote: ↑Sun Apr 06, 2025 7:00 am I’m thinking a good set of one piece walnut stocks would make this a very nice carry gun.

I had Paul Persinger in El Paso make the one-piece stocks for my USFA .44 Special.

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Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Sun Apr 06, 2025 11:32 am

I have tried to contact Paul over the past couple of years and never have been able to speak with him.

But you did what I think would be really good.

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Sun Apr 06, 2025 1:19 pm

I think I’m just struggling with this trigger.

Today it seems to shoot a bit low but centered.

7.1 gr 231 under a 255 gr bullet.

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Sun Apr 06, 2025 1:22 pm

Then I tried my hunting load with a 270 grain bullet.

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Sun Apr 06, 2025 1:54 pm

Once I get this trigger ironed out, I may have to file the front sight down a bit. But if all looks promising.

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Sun Apr 06, 2025 7:39 pm

Pat C wrote: ↑Sun Apr 06, 2025 8:46 am Did sights hit at 6 o'clock hold ?

I always use a center hold.

ESisk · Post by **ESisk** » Sat Apr 12, 2025 9:28 pm

Scott Tschirhart wrote: ↑Mon Mar 31, 2025 7:03 pm
JimT wrote: ↑Mon Mar 24, 2025 9:23 am What I was told: "... for the Rodeo models, any USFA Rodeo beginning with an “A” or “B” was built using some or all Uberti parts."

Brian Pearce says all the "E" series were totally USA.
Thanks Jim. I found a nice “E” series in .45 Colt.

So, my G8xx .38 spec. Rodeo would be all US parts?

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Sun Apr 13, 2025 11:17 am

ESisk wrote: ↑Sat Apr 12, 2025 9:28 pm

So, my G8xx .38 spec. Rodeo would be all US parts?

I think that’s right.

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Mon Apr 14, 2025 4:47 pm

I kept the factory hammer spring but replaced the bolt/trigger return spring with a wire spring from Wolff.

I stoned the engagement surfaces a little and the trigger is quite good now.