Colt SAA cylinder jams

Joe W · January 22, 2005, 10:04 PM

I have a re-built 1st gen. Somtimes as I cock the hammer the cylinder jams, I lower the hammer, fiddle with the cylinder and it works fine. This happens maybe once in 20 rounds or so. Thought maybe a high primer but doesn't appear to be that. Shot many revolvers but new to the SAA. Would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks

Ozzieman · January 22, 2005, 11:21 PM

Has it ever happned when it was empty?
Does the hammer start back and the cylinder start to turn?
Or does the cylinder lock as soon as your start turning.
If it happnes empty, remove the cylinder and see if it will still lock up?

Sir William · January 23, 2005, 05:32 AM

Rebuilt? By who? I believe this is a case of illfitted aftermarket parts. The two areas that I feel need attention are the hand and the bolt. You may still have to have your timing checked by use of a range rod. I do have a question though. Are you FULLY cocking the hammer back? Colts do lock up/freeze if the hammer is lowered without fully cocking the hammer back.

Picher · January 23, 2005, 07:38 AM

I agree that it is most likely a hand or locking bolt fitting/timing problem, but it could also be poorly sized reloads not seating fully in chambers, leading at the barrel/cylinder gap due to misalignment of cylinder, or bullets pulling out of the cases from recoil.

Picher

Jim Watson · January 23, 2005, 09:50 AM

Rebuilt, eh?
Since any working first generation SAA is of some value, I would get it to a reputable specialist. Eddie Janis at Peacemaker Specialists worked on my gun.

Dave Sample · January 23, 2005, 04:50 PM

Good advice! Eddie is a pal of mine and I refer work on Colt's to him when I can. I like the Italian Uberti's better and he does not work on them, So it works good for both of us. He is the best! I just had to put a new bolt in a brand new $3000.00 Engraved SA out of the Custom Shop and Eddie and I had a nice chat and a few laughs about that one. A few months ago, I had a broken Hammer in a new 2nd generation SA and had to buy a Hammer from Eddie It landed here at $185.00. I didn't charge my man for installing iit because I felt so bad that a new gun would have a crappy part in like that. Sometimes we have to do the right thing. BTW: Colt sent us anew bolt N/C.

Joe W · January 23, 2005, 06:47 PM

I hadn't tried it empty multible times. Just did and it seems to work fine. When it does happen I am able to cock hammer back a bit but I don't believe it got to 1st click.
By re-built I mean a new .45 cal. barrel & Cylinder. I suspect it was not manufactured as a .45 but I am not about to pay Colt $150.00 to find out. Other than that one problem it's fine.
Another Question, if I was to send it to a gunsmith can this be done without a FFL ??
The gun was also reblued including frame and I was thinking of having the frame & hammer color cased. Any idea as to what this might cost ??

Dave Sample · January 23, 2005, 10:29 PM

Yes. Any gun owner can send a gun to an FFL for repair via Fed-EX or UPS. I only use Fed Ex. If it were mine, I would send it to Don Williams at the Action Works.

January 22, 2005, 10:04 PM	#1
Joe W Member Join Date: January 16, 2005 Location: SW Florida & Western N.C. Posts: 46	Colt SAA cylinder jams I have a re-built 1st gen. Somtimes as I cock the hammer the cylinder jams, I lower the hammer, fiddle with the cylinder and it works fine. This happens maybe once in 20 rounds or so. Thought maybe a high primer but doesn't appear to be that. Shot many revolvers but new to the SAA. Would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks

January 22, 2005, 11:21 PM	#2
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 6,117	Some questions Has it ever happned when it was empty? Does the hammer start back and the cylinder start to turn? Or does the cylinder lock as soon as your start turning. If it happnes empty, remove the cylinder and see if it will still lock up?

January 23, 2005, 06:47 PM	#7
Joe W Member Join Date: January 16, 2005 Location: SW Florida & Western N.C. Posts: 46	Colt SAA Cylinder jam I hadn't tried it empty multible times. Just did and it seems to work fine. When it does happen I am able to cock hammer back a bit but I don't believe it got to 1st click. By re-built I mean a new .45 cal. barrel & Cylinder. I suspect it was not manufactured as a .45 but I am not about to pay Colt $150.00 to find out. Other than that one problem it's fine. Another Question, if I was to send it to a gunsmith can this be done without a FFL ?? The gun was also reblued including frame and I was thinking of having the frame & hammer color cased. Any idea as to what this might cost ??

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January 23, 2005, 05:32 AM	#3
Sir William Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2004 Posts: 3,261	Rebuilt? By who? I believe this is a case of illfitted aftermarket parts. The two areas that I feel need attention are the hand and the bolt. You may still have to have your timing checked by use of a range rod. I do have a question though. Are you FULLY cocking the hammer back? Colts do lock up/freeze if the hammer is lowered without fully cocking the hammer back.

January 23, 2005, 07:38 AM	#4
Picher Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 3,694	I agree that it is most likely a hand or locking bolt fitting/timing problem, but it could also be poorly sized reloads not seating fully in chambers, leading at the barrel/cylinder gap due to misalignment of cylinder, or bullets pulling out of the cases from recoil. Picher

January 23, 2005, 09:50 AM	#5
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	Rebuilt, eh? Since any working first generation SAA is of some value, I would get it to a reputable specialist. Eddie Janis at Peacemaker Specialists worked on my gun.

January 23, 2005, 04:50 PM	#6
Dave Sample Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2004 Location: Prescott, AZ Posts: 1,002	Good advice! Eddie is a pal of mine and I refer work on Colt's to him when I can. I like the Italian Uberti's better and he does not work on them, So it works good for both of us. He is the best! I just had to put a new bolt in a brand new $3000.00 Engraved SA out of the Custom Shop and Eddie and I had a nice chat and a few laughs about that one. A few months ago, I had a broken Hammer in a new 2nd generation SA and had to buy a Hammer from Eddie It landed here at $185.00. I didn't charge my man for installing iit because I felt so bad that a new gun would have a crappy part in like that. Sometimes we have to do the right thing. BTW: Colt sent us anew bolt N/C.

January 23, 2005, 10:29 PM	#8
Dave Sample Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2004 Location: Prescott, AZ Posts: 1,002	Yes. Any gun owner can send a gun to an FFL for repair via Fed-EX or UPS. I only use Fed Ex. If it were mine, I would send it to Don Williams at the Action Works.