I'm not sure of the availability of Colt SAAs in other areas, but the last time I was to a shop I visit about every other month, they had one in .44 Special, I think it was marked $1300.
The newer 3rd gen. Colts I've seen are pretty well made. The fit & finish is very good, & the timing is right on. If I had the money & wanted one, I'd buy one, especially now that the price difference between the Colt & USFA has narrowed considerably. The USFAs are great guns by themselves though, but if you really want a Colt, the price difference isn't enough to go for the USFA over the Colt.
Frank