Colt SAA

Classic12 · March 2, 2021, 12:57 PM

Finally bought my first Colt Single Action Army. Made in 1979, 7 1/2” barrel, .45 Colt caliber, colour cased. Looks almost new except for a couple of small handling marks. Paid $ 1300 which I think is reasonable, most of them here (Switzerland) are advertised for quite a bit more.

And I already have a few boxes of ammo for it

chris downs · March 2, 2021, 01:02 PM

How did you find it?

Classic12 · March 2, 2021, 01:07 PM

Local website specialised in firearms

hub1home · March 2, 2021, 01:20 PM

That is a beauty! You did well on price, too!

**Aguila Blanca** · March 2, 2021, 01:21 PM

Very nice example. I think you did very well.

shurshot · March 2, 2021, 04:32 PM

Amazing deal! Beautiful piece!

thegatman · March 2, 2021, 07:10 PM

Beautiful firearm.

Straitshot · March 2, 2021, 09:31 PM

Excellent find and purchase. Hope you enjoy it for many years to come.

5thShock · March 2, 2021, 11:18 PM

You got the real thing, at a good price, and YOU GOT AMMO!
Well done. You may find that 7 1/2 barrel just seems to point itself.

Driftwood Johnson · March 4, 2021, 10:51 AM

Howdy

Very nice. Beautiful case colors. Keep it out of direct sunlight and do not subject it to harsh chemicals because they can cause the colors to fade.

No turn line. To avoid getting a turn line, never lower the hammer from half cock. If the hammer is lowered from half cock, the bolt will rise and be pressing against the cylinder. Any subsequent motion of the cylinder will cause the bolt to rub against the cylinder, which is what causes a turn line. Always lower the hammer from full cock, which keeps the bolt engaged in the cylinder locking slots without it pressing against the body of the cylinder.

When loading, set the hammer to half cock, load one, skip one, load four more, close the loading gate, and bring the hammer to full cock and lower it carefully. An empty chamber will be under the hammer. Practice doing this a bunch of times until it becomes second nature.

That's quite a collection of old 45 Colt ammo. I have a couple of boxes like the ones on the left that I bought back in the 1970s. Not sure when the other boxes were made, but none of it is new.

By the way, you done good on the3 price.

Your Colt is a 3rd Generation. The 3rd Gen started in 1976. In 1978 Colt changed serial numbers from the 2nd Gen SA suffix to the SA Prefix. Early 3rd Gens did not have a removable cylinder bushing, it was press fit into the cylinder. Later they went back to the traditional removable cylinder bushing. Is your cylinder bushing fixed to the cylinder or is it removable? Just curious.

upstate81 · March 5, 2021, 08:16 AM

Beautiful colt. You done good on that price too. By the way, im still jealous of all that ammo you have collected. Very nice find. Enjoy!

Classic12 · March 5, 2021, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Driftwood Johnson

Howdy

Very nice. Beautiful case colors. Keep it out of direct sunlight and do not subject it to harsh chemicals because they can cause the colors to fade.

No turn line. To avoid getting a turn line, never lower the hammer from half cock. If the hammer is lowered from half cock, the bolt will rise and be pressing against the cylinder. Any subsequent motion of the cylinder will cause the bolt to rub against the cylinder, which is what causes a turn line. Always lower the hammer from full cock, which keeps the bolt engaged in the cylinder locking slots without it pressing against the body of the cylinder.

When loading, set the hammer to half cock, load one, skip one, load four more, close the loading gate, and bring the hammer to full cock and lower it carefully. An empty chamber will be under the hammer. Practice doing this a bunch of times until it becomes second nature.

That's quite a collection of old 45 Colt ammo. I have a couple of boxes like the ones on the left that I bought back in the 1970s. Not sure when the other boxes were made, but none of it is new.

By the way, you done good on the3 price.

Your Colt is a 3rd Generation. The 3rd Gen started in 1976. In 1978 Colt changed serial numbers from the 2nd Gen SA suffix to the SA Prefix. Early 3rd Gens did not have a removable cylinder bushing, it was press fit into the cylinder. Later they went back to the traditional removable cylinder bushing. Is your cylinder bushing fixed to the cylinder or is it removable? Just curious.

Thank you for all the valuable advice

Classic12 · March 5, 2021, 02:30 PM

I took it to the 25 meter indoor range and shot about 70 rounds in two different sessions. Tried one-handed and two-handed, one-handed being quite difficult for me since I’ve hardly ever shot like that in the last 30 years. It shoots a bit left for me, not much I can do about it except aiming right.

Not a precision or match gun but lots of fun though

gwpercle · March 5, 2021, 05:42 PM

Very nice !
I think the Colt SAA is one of best looking handguns ever built ...
and yours is Drop Dead Gorgeous !
Thanks for posting photo's ... and it's a good shooter to boot !
Gary

FunGramps · March 5, 2021, 08:22 PM

I'm officially very green right now.
That gun has always been on my wish list.
SAA colts like yours are going for upwards of $2,500. here. And all that ammo! Quite the prize there! Congratulations. You have official bragging rights.

Ed4032 · March 5, 2021, 10:26 PM

Beautiful!!!

FunGramps · March 5, 2021, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed4032

Beautiful!!!

I like your signature.

Armybrat · March 6, 2021, 10:51 AM

Beautiful Colt at a great price, congratulations!

My .357 is also from 1979.

FunGramps · March 6, 2021, 05:50 PM

"And I already have a few boxes of ammo for it"

Haha, funny guy. If that's a few, I have none!

Driftwood Johnson · March 6, 2021, 06:08 PM

Howdy

I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess most of your handgun shooting experience is with adjustable sights. Very generally speaking, if one is right handed, shots hitting to the left are typical if one is not using good trigger technique. Make sure you are pulling the trigger with the pad of your trigger finger, pretty much under the nail. Do not place the trigger in the crease of the first joint. Even though that may feel more natural, pulling the trigger with the finger placed in the crease will tend to push shots to the left for a righty. Our fingers are really not able to pull straight back. The only thing we can do is curl our finger to pull the trigger. If the trigger is resting in the crease under the joint of the trigger finger, that will tend to push the muzzle slightly to the left when firing. Pulling the trigger with the pad of the finger allows us to pull the trigger a little bit straighter than in the crease.

I can tell you whenever I buy a used revolver with adjustable sights, the rear sight is almost always cranked over a little bit to the right, to make up for poor trigger technique.

That Colt should be able to put your bullets exactly where you want, if you do your part.

Classic12 · March 6, 2021, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Driftwood Johnson

Howdy

I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess most of your handgun shooting experience is with adjustable sights. Very generally speaking, if one is right handed, shots hitting to the left are typical if one is not using good trigger technique. Make sure you are pulling the trigger with the pad of your trigger finger, pretty much under the nail. Do not place the trigger in the crease of the first joint. Even though that may feel more natural, pulling the trigger with the finger placed in the crease will tend to push shots to the left for a righty. Our fingers are really not able to pull straight back. The only thing we can do is curl our finger to pull the trigger. If the trigger is resting in the crease under the joint of the trigger finger, that will tend to push the muzzle slightly to the left when firing. Pulling the trigger with the pad of the finger allows us to pull the trigger a little bit straighter than in the crease.

I can tell you whenever I buy a used revolver with adjustable sights, the rear sight is almost always cranked over a little bit to the right, to make up for poor trigger technique.

That Colt should be able to put your bullets exactly where you want, if you do your part.

Hi

Thanks for the theory. However I have plenty fixed sights handguns that I shoot straight so ...

FunGramps · March 6, 2021, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Classic12

Hi

Thanks for the theory. However I have plenty fixed sights handguns that I shoot straight so ...

His theory is correct, not that you aren't practicing it. I was tempted to state the same before he did, as it appeared that's what you may have been doing, was pulling to the left. That was indeed my mistake for quite some time until I was educated on proper finger placement. But I digress. No matter what I tried, the gun which I could NEVER get efficient with was a Ruger SP101. That thing drove me crazy. I was far more accurate with a 1911A1 45.

BTW, I love your Luger!

Reloadron · March 7, 2021, 11:17 AM

Enjoy it and I would have no problem with the price. Really nice looking revolver.

Ron

redlightrich · March 8, 2021, 07:30 AM

I do have to say, I am always impressed with your finds. Your country must have reasonable gun laws. I like and appreciate your posts.
Anyway enjoy your new gun and recent acquisitions.

Thanks for pictures too, they help pass time during this boring period of our lives.

Be safe, be well

Rich

March 2, 2021, 12:57 PM	#1
Classic12 Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2020 Posts: 696	Colt SAA Finally bought my first Colt Single Action Army. Made in 1979, 7 1/2” barrel, .45 Colt caliber, colour cased. Looks almost new except for a couple of small handling marks. Paid $ 1300 which I think is reasonable, most of them here (Switzerland) are advertised for quite a bit more. And I already have a few boxes of ammo for it

March 2, 2021, 01:21 PM	#5
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,460	Very nice example. I think you did very well. __________________ NRA Life Member / Certified Instructor NRA Chief RSO / CMP RSO 1911 Certified Armorer Jeepaholic

March 5, 2021, 08:22 PM	#15
FunGramps Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2018 Location: Leftern Washington Posts: 240	I'm officially very green right now. That gun has always been on my wish list. SAA colts like yours are going for upwards of $2,500. here. And all that ammo! Quite the prize there! Congratulations. You have official bragging rights. __________________ Finding a wise liberal is as easy as inventing perpetual motion.

March 5, 2021, 10:26 PM	#16
Ed4032 Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 306	Beautiful!!! __________________ Gun control is like stopping drunk driving by making it harder for sober people to drive.

March 6, 2021, 05:50 PM	#19
FunGramps Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2018 Location: Leftern Washington Posts: 240	"And I already have a few boxes of ammo for it" Haha, funny guy. If that's a few, I have none! __________________ Finding a wise liberal is as easy as inventing perpetual motion.

March 2, 2021, 01:02 PM	#2
chris downs Member Join Date: January 6, 2005 Location: MO Posts: 91	How did you find it?

March 2, 2021, 01:07 PM	#3
Classic12 Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2020 Posts: 696	Local website specialised in firearms

March 2, 2021, 01:20 PM	#4
hub1home Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2014 Posts: 182	That is a beauty! You did well on price, too!

March 2, 2021, 04:32 PM	#6
shurshot Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2006 Posts: 1,819	Amazing deal! Beautiful piece!

March 2, 2021, 07:10 PM	#7
thegatman Member Join Date: January 25, 2015 Posts: 61	Beautiful firearm.

March 2, 2021, 09:31 PM	#8
Straitshot Senior Member Join Date: July 27, 2011 Location: West Texas Posts: 199	Excellent find and purchase. Hope you enjoy it for many years to come.

March 2, 2021, 11:18 PM	#9
5thShock Senior Member Join Date: August 28, 2006 Posts: 400	You got the real thing, at a good price, and YOU GOT AMMO! Well done. You may find that 7 1/2 barrel just seems to point itself.

March 4, 2021, 10:51 AM	#10
Driftwood Johnson Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2014 Location: Land of the Pilgrims Posts: 2,033	Howdy Very nice. Beautiful case colors. Keep it out of direct sunlight and do not subject it to harsh chemicals because they can cause the colors to fade. No turn line. To avoid getting a turn line, never lower the hammer from half cock. If the hammer is lowered from half cock, the bolt will rise and be pressing against the cylinder. Any subsequent motion of the cylinder will cause the bolt to rub against the cylinder, which is what causes a turn line. Always lower the hammer from full cock, which keeps the bolt engaged in the cylinder locking slots without it pressing against the body of the cylinder. When loading, set the hammer to half cock, load one, skip one, load four more, close the loading gate, and bring the hammer to full cock and lower it carefully. An empty chamber will be under the hammer. Practice doing this a bunch of times until it becomes second nature. That's quite a collection of old 45 Colt ammo. I have a couple of boxes like the ones on the left that I bought back in the 1970s. Not sure when the other boxes were made, but none of it is new. By the way, you done good on the3 price. Your Colt is a 3rd Generation. The 3rd Gen started in 1976. In 1978 Colt changed serial numbers from the 2nd Gen SA suffix to the SA Prefix. Early 3rd Gens did not have a removable cylinder bushing, it was press fit into the cylinder. Later they went back to the traditional removable cylinder bushing. Is your cylinder bushing fixed to the cylinder or is it removable? Just curious.

March 5, 2021, 08:16 AM	#11
upstate81 Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2011 Location: NY Posts: 801	Beautiful colt. You done good on that price too. By the way, im still jealous of all that ammo you have collected. Very nice find. Enjoy!

March 5, 2021, 02:30 PM	#13
Classic12 Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2020 Posts: 696	I took it to the 25 meter indoor range and shot about 70 rounds in two different sessions. Tried one-handed and two-handed, one-handed being quite difficult for me since I’ve hardly ever shot like that in the last 30 years. It shoots a bit left for me, not much I can do about it except aiming right. Not a precision or match gun but lots of fun though

March 5, 2021, 05:42 PM	#14
gwpercle Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 1,752	Very nice ! I think the Colt SAA is one of best looking handguns ever built ... and yours is Drop Dead Gorgeous ! Thanks for posting photo's ... and it's a good shooter to boot ! Gary

March 6, 2021, 06:08 PM	#20
Driftwood Johnson Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2014 Location: Land of the Pilgrims Posts: 2,033	Howdy I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess most of your handgun shooting experience is with adjustable sights. Very generally speaking, if one is right handed, shots hitting to the left are typical if one is not using good trigger technique. Make sure you are pulling the trigger with the pad of your trigger finger, pretty much under the nail. Do not place the trigger in the crease of the first joint. Even though that may feel more natural, pulling the trigger with the finger placed in the crease will tend to push shots to the left for a righty. Our fingers are really not able to pull straight back. The only thing we can do is curl our finger to pull the trigger. If the trigger is resting in the crease under the joint of the trigger finger, that will tend to push the muzzle slightly to the left when firing. Pulling the trigger with the pad of the finger allows us to pull the trigger a little bit straighter than in the crease. I can tell you whenever I buy a used revolver with adjustable sights, the rear sight is almost always cranked over a little bit to the right, to make up for poor trigger technique. That Colt should be able to put your bullets exactly where you want, if you do your part.

March 7, 2021, 11:17 AM	#23
Reloadron Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 2016 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Suburbs Posts: 1,750	Enjoy it and I would have no problem with the price. Really nice looking revolver. Ron

March 8, 2021, 07:30 AM	#24
redlightrich Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2016 Posts: 322	I do have to say, I am always impressed with your finds. Your country must have reasonable gun laws. I like and appreciate your posts. Anyway enjoy your new gun and recent acquisitions. Thanks for pictures too, they help pass time during this boring period of our lives. Be safe, be well Rich