Happy Times!!! First Colt SAA

[71fan]

I just wanted to share the joy...there's too much negative stuff in the world and this is good.

I finally found one to my liking. I've been after a SAA for over a year, bouncing back and forth between a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gen, but always wanting a shooter. I finally settled on a 3rd gen, primarily because I wanted a 44 special. I've been trying to locate a 4-3/4 blue/case to no avail. Last week my dad said "Why don't you try Cabela's?" My response: "No...they have a lot but they are way high on everything." Well, the next day I peeked and found my Colt...at a reasonable and very fair price. The only (very slight) problem - it's not 4-3/4, but rather 5-1/2. I'll learn to deal with that It came in today and I am stoked!! It appears unfired, not a mark on it, original box and all papers.

Now the bad news (or good news - depends on who you are). I WILL BE SHOOTING IT I didn't buy it to sit in the safe. I'll get it out as soon as I can and pop some rocks and cans, and get ready for hunting season. It'll be my trusty companion to whatever rifle I head out with. Here it is at the gun shop, so the pics aren't the best. It won't come home for 10 days.

[Old Savage]

Now I am betting you are going to like it. This one shoots right where it looks.

[rjohns94]

you will very much enjoy that pistol. congrats!!!!

[JReed]

What Cabela's did you go to? Is there one in the San Diego area now?

[salvo]

That is a beauty! .44 Special too. I think that 5.5" barrel will grow on you.

[kimwcook]

You're going to love it. I love mine. I can't keep my hands off of it. The most natural feeling handgun I've ever felt, besides my 1911.

Now you have to get some ivories.

[Old Savage]

Had a 7 1/2" with ivories - very nice but I actually like the hard rubber grips better for shooting.

[2ndovc]

Very nice.

I had a US Army Artillery Model once upon a time.

It had been beat up and poorly refinished but still worked.
I foolishly let it get away from me when someone offered me a pile of cash for it.

Wish I still had it. Still waiting for that 7 1/2" 44-40 to come my way!

Have fun!!

jb

[Ysabel Kid]

Fantastic! Congratulations!!!

[Old Savage]

Kim that is the one I want - not yours of course. But one like that.

"I hope your fingers aren't ticklin' my ivory handled Colt."

[71fan]

Thanks guys! I do want to get some stag, elk, or ivory at some point. And I'll probably have an action job done before too long. But for now I'll just enjoy.

The only problem I forsee is the growing urge to get another one, in case I ever get back into SASS/CAS. A 4-3/4 nickel with stags would sure be nice

What Cabela's did you go to? Is there one in the San Diego area now?

Oops...I was a bit vague. I peeked at the Cabela's Gun Library online and ended up finding it at the Reno NV store. They shipped it to my FFL here in SD. It was a very pleasant experience actually - I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them again.

[Pete44ru]

Congrats ! I'm sure you'll enjoy it, but if not - it's not all that hard to move the muzzle back to the end of the ejector rod housing.

.

[71fan]

Congrats ! I'm sure you'll enjoy it, but if not - it's not all that hard to move the muzzle back to the end of the ejector rod housing. .

Exactly...you never know what could happen. And since I'd have to re-install the front sight, I may as well send it to Bowen or Clements and have a dovetail front put on it

[Old Savage]

Whoa - it is a classic.

[gamekeeper]

Congratulations!

[J Miller]

Congrats ! I'm sure you'll enjoy it, but if not - it's not all that hard to move the muzzle back to the end of the ejector rod housing. .

Exactly...you never know what could happen. And since I'd have to re-install the front sight, I may as well send it to Bowen or Clements and have a dovetail front put on it

Ahhhhhh, NO NO NO NO NO!!!!! A junky Ruger with a dovetail front sight is OK, but that would look like pelosi on a Colt SAA! No, no, a thousand times no.

Send it to Eddie Janis at Peacemaker Specialists, he'll do the job right. http://www.peacemakerspecialists.com/ .


Joe

[madman4570]

A thing of true beauty, Congrads

[kimwcook]

I actually like the looks of a good dovetailed front sight on a SAA. Bowen does one. Scott Tshirhart had one on his SAA and it looked great.

[DBW]

Nice hogleg. Enjoy!

[J Miller]

I actually like the looks of a good dovetailed front sight on a SAA. Bowen does one. Scott Tshirhart had one on his SAA and it looked great.

Sigh, groan, I am so disappointed at that. I've never owned a real Colt SAA and I sure wouldn't ruin the looks of that great classic.

Geeze, I wouldn't even do that to an old parts gun like IJ.

J e

[jdad]

I bought a 3rd gen. 32-20, with the 7.5" barrel, and really enjoy shooting light, inexpensive, loads through it. They were made to be shot, so enjoy it.

[Griff]

Best, most natural gripping handgun in the world. Not that I'm opinionated, or anything!

[71fan]

Don't worry Joe. I was mostly kidding. Perhaps a nice action job is in order at some point, and some nice stocks, but that's all. As long as I can find a nice load to shoot point of aim I'll be happy as a clam.

Although I do have a Ruger that is going to get the David Clements treatment.

[marlinman93]

Nice find Chad! I'm envious, as I really wanted a .44 Special or .45 Colt when I found my Colt SAA, but can't be choosey when the right gun comes along with everything you want, except caliber. Mine is a very late 2nd. generation, that was NIB when I found it, (and like you) I wanted a 4 3/4", so it fit all my wants, except caliber. The .357 is great, but it's just not a big bore.-Vall

[J Miller]

Don't worry Joe. I was mostly kidding. Perhaps a nice action job is in order at some point, and some nice stocks, but that's all. As long as I can find a nice load to shoot point of aim I'll be happy as a clam.

Although I do have a Ruger that is going to get the David Clements treatment.

Whew ............. that's a relief There are guns that such a modification doesn't hurt and is sometimes necessary. But the thought of a Colt SAA, my current Holy Grail, with a dovetailed front sight just ............. makes me .

Now a Ruger is like an beater Chevy truk. You do what's needed to make it do the job.

Just for giggles and grins, try 8.0grs Unique under the Hornady 255gr RNFP bullet, sparked by Winchester WLP primers if you can find 'em. I've been told this is a super load and dead on for a factory duplicate load. I haven't tried it yet, but I'm gonna.

Joe

[kimwcook]

I know 8 grs. of Unique are within range for the SAA, but I shoot 7.8 and she's got a bit of bark. The last time I posted me shooting it guys were saying looks like a pretty stout load. Although I do use a healthy crimp.

[J Miller]

When was the last time you fired R-P or W-W standard factory load? It's not slouchy either.
This was posted by Big Bubba on The Ruger Forum:

Big Bubba wrote: On The Ruger Forum 6-20-09

Just thought this might be of interest. I chronographed my .45 Colt SS New Vaqueros, a 7 1/2" and a 4 5/8" with Remington factory 250gr. Lead RN loads and my reload with the same bullet and 8 gr./ Unigue., CCI large pistol primers and Remington brass.

Vaquero 7 1/5"
Remington 250gr. RN Factory 855 fps. average
Rem. 250gr. RN 8gr./Unigue 864 fp.s average

Vaquero 4 5/8"
Remington 250gr. RN Factory 821 fps. average
Rem. 250gr. RN 8gr./Unigue 829 fps. average

Pact Chronograph
Distance 10 feet
72 degrees

These are the loads I use in my New Vaqueros for all use. I save the +P .45 Colt loads for my Blackhawk.

As you can see, compared to factory ammo, 8.0 grs Unique is a duplicate load.
FYI, Remington claims 860 fps from a 5.5" vented test barrel.

8.0grs Unique seems really light to me. Of course I've been shooting 9.0grs Unique with a 265gr bullet for so long most .45 Colt loads seem a bit light.

Joe

[71fan]

Joe,
Do you think those 45 LC loads will fit in my 44 sp cylinder

None of the manuals I have go up to 8.0 gr of Unique for the 44 sp, but they certainly do for the 45 LC. I've got some research to do.

[J Miller]

Joe,
Do you think those 45 LC loads will fit in my 44 sp cylinder

None of the manuals I have go up to 8.0 gr of Unique for the 44 sp, but they certainly do for the 45 LC. I've got some research to do.

If you grease 'em well and use and arbor press they might

It think it was Skeeter Skelton who favored the 250gr Keith SWC over 7.5grs of Unique in the 44 Special.
I had the chance to shoot JimT's Shootists 44 SA several years ago in Indiana with that load and there's nothing wrong with it at all.

Joe