Colt's Single Action Army - A Quick & Easy Mechanical Evaluation
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ส.ค. 2024
- In this episode, we'll take a look at Colt's iconic Single Action Army and describe how you can quickly diagnose common mechanical issues. This information is invaluable for those interested in learning about the Single Action Army revolver.
A friend gave me a 1st gen 44-40 4 5/8 inch built in 1884. It was missing the ejector housing, the trigger & hammer were notch-less, the bolt was missing a tail, and nearly all the finish was gone. Good news is the cylinder was tight, the bore was good, and it was miraculously free of rust damage. With the help of Jerry Kuhnhausen's book, a very expensive collection of replacement parts, and a lot of patience, I now have a proper functioning SAA that shoots my Pyrodex handloads exceptionally well. It required learning to silver solder for the ejector rod screw retainer, and shaping the tail of the new bolt to ride over the hammer cam for proper timing is not for the hasty or hamfisted. It probably took ten hours to polish the case hardened hammer so it fit in the frame properly. The only thing remaining is whether or not to refinish it - it's unlikely anyone else will ever own it, so I'm inclined to make it look as good as it shoots.
Colt SAA... One of the most beautiful little mechanical works of art ever created..
A timeless classic!
Genius in its simplicy, yet complex at the same time.
I've collected eleven Colt Single Action Armies over the years. I do my own gunsmithing, fitted barrels, cylinders and have done action jobs on all of them. I have a couple with odd barrel lengths. I have a first gen. made in 1901. The gun was a total mess, the barrel was corroded, very little rifling was visible. Looking at the front of the cylinder the holes were oval shaped. It took me a number of years but I changed out everything except the frame, backstrap and trigger guard. So now it's a first, second, third generation. Turned it into good shootable revolver.
That's fantastic to bring that old Colt back to life. It must have been very rewarding to shoot it after putting all that work into it.
@@thecinnabar8442 It took a lot of years to get all the parts I needed. It gave me a
great satisfaction when it was finally completed
@@thecinnabar8442 t's probably my favorite. It should be after all the money I put in it.
Donald, did the James-Younger gang have 'cartridge' 6 guns in Northfield in 1876???
Great video! Really enjoyed this and the cylinder gap issues that I have not had to deal with yet. I thought it was interesting at 24:33 the view of the cylinder notches looks to me like they have been deep cut. The deep side looks like about 50 thou. The place the bolt is dropping very early is where it would drop on a race SAA (about the middle of the flute). Just that the leads have not been extended is the only difference with a race cylinder. Makes me think someone was making a fanner out it at some point.
Mark, you're a wealth of Old West firearm knowledge, and I certainly appreciate you sharing these videos. Thanks ol'' buddy.
You're very welcome, old friend!
Feel like I was born with a single action in my hand and have torn them down, built them up and still enjoyed the whole video, never gets old. The old mine machinery was a plus.
Thanks for your work Mark.
You're very welcome Frank!
Best explanation of how the SAA works (the notches) and evaluating it that I've ever seen. Thanks for great info.
Thank you very much! I'm glad it was helpful, Dan.
Agree. Excellent video.
this clip about Colt single army revolvers is one of the best I have seen over the years. Generally German folks are not familiar with revolvers like me, so that episode is tremendously interesting . I have learned the basics for what I have outlooked a long time. Even though I like Colt single army revolvers I don''t own one, only a Python 4" made in mai 1970. Sadly we must have a special permissiong for those revolvers. But there's another Colt that I got last year, it is a 175 year Ohio 1911 commemorative which I like to hold in my hands.Colt and Winchester are my favourite next to our German military firearms I collect.
BUT IF i were an US guy I only would collect Colt and Winchester arms.
The Colt single action army holds a special place in American history. They were the US military sidearm for several decades and the "go to" handgun for those on the American frontier. They're prized by us old-timers who collect them because we grew up watching Western movies where nearly all the cowboys carried them.😉
Great video Mark. Gives a clear understanding to SAA problems.
Wow, this was a great watch. I wanted to see those safety notches to get an idea of just how much wear would be needed in what places to have it fail to catch all together and it really does not look to be a whole lot at all. I honestly can't believe this video does not have a whole lot more views and comments considering.
Thanks a bunch Brenden! Glad you liked it
Mark, I often wonder why I couldn't have had someone like you as a brother in law! What a great way to demonstrate and educate on these. I just got an old Colt SAA at auction and when it gets here I can really use what you just taught me. The trigger guard assembly, where it contacts the frame has a small gap that I will need to investigate also. Anyway, I think this gun I am getting was part of an order to the Copper Queen Mine in Bisbee. Will be interesting to see what Colt has to say. It has some Sulfuric Acid splash on it too.
As far as the trigger guard assembly gap problem, possibly the screws are crossed threaded when installed, or they might be replacements and too long.
Love that old one you examined, with the old nitrite blue still in the crevices!
Thanks Daniel!
I'm a history nut as well as a gun loony so I really enjoyed this video as it was most informative. I'm really glad the fire was stayed and you and yours are protected from it. Prayers were answered!
Thanks so much Joe! We're feeling pretty blessed that they were able to get that fire stopped.
Excellent video. We appreciate you passing on your knowledge, sir.
Glad you liked it, Sonny!
I now have a better understanding of the functioning and inner workings of the Colt SAA thanks to your fine video.
Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!
This video solved the end shake in my ubertis, I think I switched the bushings when cleaning at some point.
Fantastic! Glad it helped solve your issue.
Howdy Mark! I have always enjoyed your fine videos. Let me pass along a tip. As a photographer may I suggest you use a solid color cloth for your table. Try it,
it will be less distracting. Medium to dark grey is just fine.
Thanks Ron! I always welcome tips from the pros. I'm really just "winging it".
Thanks, Mark! I'm looking at buying a Colt SAA with Serial # 1532XX. It's got the screw to hold the barrel rod so I think it's Pre 1892-3. I'm watching as many videos as possible before buying and you gave me a check list of what to watch for. It sometimes does three clicks but does the 4th after I tried it a few times. I think it's old and needs attention. Thanks for the break down of the SAA and what to look forward. I'll go see it again and applied what I learned from you.
Great to see a new video! Awesome info passed. Thanks for sharing and glad the fire didn’t impact you, your family or your land too badly.
Thanks James. We're still under evacuation orders, but it looks like the firefighters have it pretty well stopped just before it got to us.
Very interesting and informative. It's nice to hear from someone who really knows the craft. Thanks
I appreciate the time you put into these videos. The knowledge you are passing along is priceless!
My pleasure!
OUTSTANDING video! I have a 1st Gen from 1903 and this helps me tremendously looking at future SAA's
Thanks so much Scott! Glad to hear you liked this episode
What a remarkably clear explanation (with good camera work!), to help us understand how the old 4-click SAAs work, and why they sometimes don't. I only own.a Pietta reproduction, but this was very instructive about what to look for in the future. Thank you!
I sure am glad I found this video. I'm in the market to buy a peacemaker and all I knew was to check for the 4 clicks. This is a wealth of knowledge and will help me out immensely. Thanks.
Glad it was helpful!
Wonderful video, Mark! Thank you for sharing and I hope yall are staying safe with the fires.
Thanks UTC! We're breathing a little easier these days.
I've been shooting single-action Colts for over 60 years, but I learned a lot from this video!
Great! Glad it was helpful.
I thoroughly enjoyed this video! It was both entertaining and educational. Thank you for presenting this.
Well if you have the inclination of messing with firearms, that is why they make the plastic fantastic, aka Glocks. You can screw with those till the cows come home. The Vintage SAA's well those are too valuable to bubba. I live just 35 min from the Factory and use to drive by the old factory on the way to work back in the day. Sam Colt could not start that business here in 2021. We are living in very screwy times. Laws are passed, the people tell the state to go pound sand and they don't enforce the law that they pass due to not enough personnel to do it, not enough money and they don't want bloodshed. It's been hard to be a gun guy here in the last 7 years. The issue is going thru the courts right now and my guess is it will end up at the Supreme Court. You showed in my feed this morning and well I clicked subscribe.
Great video, lots of information. I always look forward to seeing your next video. Thank you for sharing and keep up the great work! I just picked up a nice first generation made in 1914 in 32-20. Shoots awesome!
Thanks Dave! Enjoy that 1st Gen. Glad to hear that you shoot it!
Great video. One of the best I’ve seen. Now I have a much better understanding of the 1873 Uberti revolvers I own.
Thanks Noal! It's good to hear it helped.
Glad to see you are back. And always enjoy your content
Thanks Traves!
Just pulled out my old retired western marshal by Hawes fire arm company. Made by JP Sauer &Sohn. Now I know what is wrong with it! Great understandable explanations. Mine fires on safety and bolt lock is late causing over spin of lock/fire position
So glad to hear it helped. Shouldn't be too hard for a gunsmith to get that fixed up for you.
Absolutely fascinating! Great insight into how these beautiful revolvers worked and potential issues. I live in the UK so cannot own such a gun due to our very restrictive firearm laws but loved the video anyway!
Thanks Paul!
This is the first time I've seen the safety notch discussed and I watch a lot of gun videos. It seems we should all carry our SAAs with the hammer down on an empty chamber, though I'm pretty sure that back in the day they were carried with all six chambers loaded and the hammer in the safe position. The safety notch looks pretty substantial, not foolproof but pretty good. I suspect lawyers might be involved here. The safety positions on old rifles are very similar. It all comes down on the shooter, the best safety is between the shooter's ears.
Very well said!!
There is another way to carry fully loaded safely..Its an old method carried over from the percussion revolvers..I call it mid notch carry and you let the pin down between rounds..Its an old method that apparently has been forgotten and not taught to people in the last 50 years or so..It was taught to me by my old Grandfather,who was friends with Elmer Kieth..
@@TightwadTodd The Colt percussion revolvers had those pins for mid-chamber rests, the Remingtons had proper mid-chamber notches.
@@3ducs And on A Colt or colt replica SA cartridge,as well as a S&W or S&W replica Breaktop SA cartridge,you can place the firing pin down fully between Cartridges..This keeps the pin off the primer and releases the full weight of the spring,locking the cylinder in that position.. no chance of primer detonation unless the hammer is cocked..I suspect,that this was the way they were intended to be carried..I cant see the Manufacturers having that safety feature on their percussion revolvers and then abandoning it completely on their progressive models..I have never bought into the Empty Chamber carry and the "They loaded that 6th round when necessary" theory,with regards to anyone who carried the SA revolver for any serious work..
@@TightwadTodd You beat me to it. Very good point.
Very good video, makes me want more on repairing the Colt. Thanks and happy thanksgiving 🦃
A lot of really interesting, stuff Thank you for sharing
Nice To See You Here Brother 😀
You're very welcome Jeremy!
Thanks Mark. Always enjoyable to watch your informative videos . Take care bud.
You're welcome Jim. Glad you liked it!
Great video as per the norm, very informative, great tutorial on the Colt SAA.
Thanks SGT!
Thank you Mark. Very interesting!!
You're very welcome!
LOVE THESE SERIES OF VIDEOS MARK EXCEPTIONAL....KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!
Thanks so much!
Thank you for making this. I've been trying to learn about black powder single actions. I can actually understand you and see what you're doing
Being kind of a geology, mineral and mining "nerd" the cinnabar mining info was really interesting to me. Also like old crawlers /dozers etc. Thanks for great content as usual.
Glad you enjoyed it, Jim!
Great video, very informative, I learned a heap this time, thanks for sharing.
Great, glad it was helpful Ken!
Great video. Thank you.
You're very welcome! Glad you liked it!
Very informative video on SAA problem guns, way to go..!
Thanks Brian. Glad you liked it
GREAT EDUCATIONAL VIDEO THANKS
Really enjoy your videos, keep them coming!
Thanks Dylan! Will do
Enjoyed as always. look after yourselves,best wishes from England.
Thanks Gary! Glad you liked it.
Great video!
One of the first things I look at in a black powder cartridge gun is the bore condition. If it is corrosion free, it’s a good indicator of how well it was taken care of. In the last example mentioned, if the bore is in poor condition I think you might as well replace the barrel or have it reclined. Just my thought.
Thanks great video's and I loved the history one
Very good info.
Glad it was helpful!
Great video, keep them coming.
Thanks, will do!
Very informative, I love my Uberti Colt clones, feel like they are as close to the real thing
I agree! The only reproduction gun I own is a Uberti Cattleman in 44-40 that I've slicked up and carry on the ranch.
…GREAT topic, SAA’s! Do wish that “background” @ 10:15 on had been different though (the mechanics, etc); the saddle blanket black & white made things hard to discern. Still, thank you Mark…
Thanks for the comment. I heard that from others too, so I've gone to a more solid background now.
very impressive video thankyou for putting in the work.
You're very welcome. Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for sharing.
My pleasure!
Great information, subbed to see whats next.
Thanks Collie! Welcome aboard!
Brilliant video, thanks, I learned so much that I never knew about these excellent revolvers! I have a new Uberti Cattleman Gunfighter that I'd love to slick up, and would love to see you demonstrate how you go about doing that. Cheers!
THANK YOU FOR A GREAT RIDE SIR
Great stuff mate all good tips 👍 thanks mate
Thanks Dean!
Very useful. I really appreciate it, thanks
You're very welcome!
Also your channel is awesome!
Thanks a bunch. I'm glad you like the channel!
Excellent overview of SAA problems! I would love to see a video of the lathe fixes and the fix when you get that new tool for your wife's gun.
Thanks Robert!
Very informative video. I purchased 2 new Colt single action army revolvers in 45 colt back in the 1980's and recall that they both developed so much end shake/play after shooting a couple boxes of ammo that you could hear the rattling as you pointed the revolver up and down. I traded both in disgust soon afterwards. I was beginning to wonder if I had judged them to harshly that maybe that end play was normal until watching your video.
Once they start getting excess end shake, they get worse from firing and the battering that the cylinder takes.
@@thecinnabar8442 I have thought about purchasing another from Colt's custom shop but have been very apprehensive spending so much money without getting an opportunity to examine the revolver first
Truly informative thank you
Thanks BJ. Glad it was helpful!
WOW! Great video! I'm a Hughe Colt Fan!
Thanks, Don! Glad you liked it.
Really, really clear, good information! Presented in an understandable, clear speaking good ol'e fashioned US way. Thank you sir!
Thanks Peter. Glad it was helpful!
Love my single actions from 38 to 454 casull
Great video
Thanks Benjamin!
Thanks. Great video!
Thanks so much! Glad you liked it, Hickok!
I hope you got through the fires OK. For a couple of days there was smoke haze here in New Hampshire from the Western fires. I couldn't smell it but it was very noticeable, it was visible in my yard.
Wow, I'd heard that smoke from this fire had reached the east coast. Thankfully, the firefighters stopped its forward advance just before it got to us.
great vidio sir enjoyed the heck out of it
Thanks Les! Glad you like it
Fantastic Explanation
Thanks very much Great
Job..Best Ragards
You are very welcome!
You're helping me out big time buddy. I just bought a Traditions 1873 SAA, but the 2nd click is not a click sound at all, but a thud that I can feel, not hear, and the top portion of the hand looks like half of it's surface is sheared off. It's action feels worse than my Heritage Rough Rider 22lr saa revolver. Something tells me a $500 plus revolver in 45lc should have a nicer action than a $120 22lr saa revolver. Sometimes, the hammer comes back part way, then locks up and the hammer won't move back any further, nor does it want to allow me to lower the hammer. The original owner is dead & his family sold it to me. I dont' believe they knew anything was wrong with it because it looks to be in fantastic shape. The problem is, it's not in great shape internally.
Very good.
Top Notch vid Pal,... rang the bell right away.. cheers from germany
Much appreciated!
One can 4 click from one SAA to another and hear subtle differences between them. Tolerances make a big difference.
New sub, awesome channel thank you 🙏
Welcome aboard! Glad to hear you like the channel
Nice Video. Cinnabar were used in makeing mercury fulminate.Mining is great stuff.
Thank You Mark The Tour of The Cinnabar Mine Was Really Interesting The Equipment and That Dozer and The History Of It😮😀 And The Colt 1st Generation Single Action Army I Really Learned a Lot Never New 1/2 Of What You Taught Me Today That is Quite a Collection Of Colts Didn’t Winchester Make and 1876 Revolver 😀 Hope All Is Well With That Bootleg Fire Now 😀
Thanks Chris! Glad you liked the mine tour. I wasn't too sure if anybody would find that interesting. The fire got pretty well stopped right before it got to us, but we're still under evacuation orders just in case it gets away again. Winchester hired gun designer William Mason from Colt who produced some prototype revolvers that never went into production. I've seen some of them at the Cody Firearms Museum. They're a very interesting design with a swing out cylinder like the later Smith and Wessons.
@@thecinnabar8442 Thought the mine tour was very interesting. When you mentioned mercury I wondered if there is any contamination in the soil around the mine either from the mercury or the toxic nature of the cinnabar?
My 1902 saa 32-20 has no click on the safety notch and second notch but the cylinder free wheels all other clicks are there and it functions fine.
That was certainly informative. I have a Colt SAA 7.5" and for the life of me, I cannot get that cylinder pin out. I guess they make a puller for these. Perhaps I'll send this out to you for an inspection and tuneup.
yes its a plastic piece with a notch to catch the pin. you can goggle it
Very informative video. One point missed is checking the timing. I lightly rest my left thumb on the cylinder as I slowly cock the hammer. Once the hammer is in the final position I push on the cylinder clockwise and listen for the click of the bolt dropping into the cylinder notch. If I hear a click that tells me the hand is stopping short of full lockup. It is not a difficult fix. Thanks for some very valuable times.
Great point about the hand function and it's relation to lockup. I should have included it. Maybe I'll get around to doing an episode on fitting a hand in the future. Thanks for watching and commenting!
@@thecinnabar8442 I think that would be a great video. You may consider one on adjusting bolt timing too. Thanks for your good work.
Very good info! That’s why I inj
Its must be terrible to only have 1st gen SAAs. Wish I could even imagine that problem ! Another great video, Always look forward to them.
Thanks Robert! Happiness is being married to a Colt collector who doesn't mind me raiding her safe from time to time.😀
LOL!
Greetings Cinnabar, from England, I think I was a Westerner in a past life 👍🏻
There's certainly a nostalgic appeal to the lifestyle
Brilliant
Hi, thank you for sharing your knowledge and showing us your beautiful locale. It's truly a pleasure to watch your channel. As a history buff, could you comment from the point of view of your own neck of the woods, on the assertion that the SAA had a tough time of it, at least in its first 10 or even 20 years, competing with the old open-top percussion Colts? They are said to have been really cheap as war surplus items, paper cartridges likewise were cheap and ubiquitous, and they offered 6 shots, not the 5 shots recommended for the SAA. Did the new technology rapidly overtake the old in your part of the Old West, or did the old tech linger on and on even into the first few years of the 20th Century? Thanks again for your thoughts.
I haven't come across any first-hand accounts that addressed this subject from my area, but I think you're right that the percussion Colts were used well after the SAA's were introduced. Money was tight and I'm sure most used what they had until they were worn out before upgrading to the newer models. We did find a relic percussion Colt out in a field here on the ranch. This area wasn't homesteaded until the 1870's
Thy for sharing.
You're very welcome!
Some great information there. I’d love one day to find a good Colt chambered in 44-40 to go along with my original Winchester1873 that turns 142 years old this month. One day I need to talk to you a bit about this old rifle that I have.
An 1873 and Colt SAA in the same caliber is a great combination. I'll look forward talking to you about your 1873. You can drop me a line at: CinnabarGunworks@gmail.com
We could use a lead mine :) This was a great video. I hope the fire danger is diminishing.
Haha! I wish it was a lead mine. I'd have a lot more use for lead than mercury. 😀
My locking bolt spring on my 3rd gen broke. So, I had to attend the school of hard knocks! The first bolt I attempted to fit, I filed a bit too much off the tail. That ruined the timing. I order another one and with the experience I gained from the first attempt I got it second time around. I actually got it fit tighter than Colt did with no side play and got it dropping into the notch at the correct time. The 1st attempt bolt may work on a different revolver so I kept it, you never know.
That’s a nice place where you are at.
Good tips. Thank you for making this video.
My pleasure! Glad it was helpful.
I wish MY wife collected (or wanted to collect) Colts!
I married way over my station. Life is good!😉
Great video! I just wish there was a better explanation of how the ejector rod works, and what the function of that long tube that almost looks like a second barrel (the ejector housing I assume) is. It's a very distinctive feature that always catches my eye, but I haven't found a good explanation of it anywhere.
Open the loading gate, put the hammer in the load notch, line up the cylinder so that the spent case is lined up with the ejector rod, push the case out with the ejector rod. The first time you handle a SAA or one of the clones, it should become very clear to you.
Hello Mark! New to your Chanel and I love it. I would like to ask how did the engraved 44-40 come to having so much cylinder end play (fore and aft) . Thank you and I hope you have time to answer.
Welcome to the channel! I can't say for sure what caused the end-shake. My wife bought that one through the internet years ago and it was like that when she got it. Once they start getting end-shake, they tend to get worse and worse the more they're shot. I suspect this one had some poor work done and then shot quite a bit. I'm debating doing a barrel set-back, but it would take out some of the engraving and not look good.
What is the price for an 1 gen SAA in todays market?
Td 14 crawler i use to have one with a dozer blade