If it’s a Colt and you get an even trade for your AR, I’d say you did well. A 7.5” barrel gives a good sight radius, but unless you carry it cross-draw, it’s a pain to sit with. Reliable and easily fixed it anything breaks. Good luck, you’re crossing over to the other end of the shooting spectrum

 

a cowboy or a SAA?

 

I don't think Colt makes a gun they call a "cowboy", so I am at least somewhat confused feeling. Exactly what gun are you looking at (maker, and purpose)?

A new Colt 7.5" Single Action from Colt Firearms lists for $1799, so unless you have a pretty high-end, tricked out AR-15, a Colt SAA 7.5" in trade would be a pretty good deal.

Colt-made SAA (barrel length doesn't matter) are generally deemed well-made, and what they are. All of them I have had to do with were solid, reliable guns. IF you plan to use it for Cowboy Action competition, I'd probably forget a Colt or clone and get a Ruger - with a modernized all coil spring action they put up with high round-count stuff better.

Just a matter of personal preference, but for packing or anything but silhouette or hunting (and I'd go for a different chambering than .45 Colt if I was gonna hunt with one), I'd get a 4.75" or 5.5" model.

 

Colt did make a model called the Cowboy. It was a cheaper version of the basic SAA design using a cast receiver and other similar cost-cutting tricks, similar to the Expanse line of ARs. I think they retailed for around $600 a few year ago. No longer being made, so probably in the neighborhood of a decent straight up trade for a budget AR. Problem is they don't take most standard SAA parts, so repairing them could be a problem.

 

Colt used to make a gun that had a transfer bar like ruger. It was a cheaper version of the single action army.

https://www.chuckhawks.com/colt_saa_revolvers.htm

 

yep, transfer bar etc etc


from BBGV

COLT COWBOY SAA Add To Collection
.45 LC cal., 4 3/4 (disc. 1999, reintroduced 2002), 5 1/2, or 7 1/2 (disc. 1999) in. barrel marked "COLT COWBOY .45 COLT" on left side, transfer bar safety, all steel construction, frame assembly done in the U.S., charcoal case colors on frame with blue metal parts, rampant Colt black composition grips similar in design to those used on 1st generation SAAs, 40 oz. Not mfg. in U.S. While advertised beginning 1998, this model was not manufactured until 1999-2003.

 

yep, transfer bar etc etc


from BBGV

COLT COWBOY SAA Add To Collection
.45 LC cal., 4 3/4 (disc. 1999, reintroduced 2002), 5 1/2, or 7 1/2 (disc. 1999) in. barrel marked "COLT COWBOY .45 COLT" on left side, transfer bar safety, all steel construction, frame assembly done in the U.S., charcoal case colors on frame with blue metal parts, rampant Colt black composition grips similar in design to those used on 1st generation SAAs, 40 oz. Not mfg. in U.S. While advertised beginning 1998, this model was not manufactured until 1999-2003.

I had forgotten about that imported parts, U.S. Assembly and finished junker. With, I suppose, self-defense (not wanting to clutter my memory any worse than it already was) involved.

I made an unjustified jump - assumed it was a trade for a current production item. Trade a spare, low-end AR for it for purposes of starting a Colt-branded collection? Maybe. For use, sell the AR and buy a new Ruger.

 

I once owned a Cowboy to use in competition, did not feel like mt Colt SAA’s, had sharp corners, imitation chemical case colors a transfer bar and made in Canada for Colt. They lasted but a few years on the market, mine lasted one shoot and was gone.