Pics of Project Colt

[44 Man]

Well, here she is!  Pics of my second generation Colt 'shooter' that I have in layaway.  It has issues, but I'm getting it at a bargain price, so I'm happy. And I'm not going to try to make a prima donna out of it, just a good 'working' gun.
Now that I have examined it closer, I feel I may not have to replace the cylinder lock bolt, but the half cock is out of time.  I can remove some depth on the hammer half cock (as I have on three other guns) and will bring the cylinder into the middle of the loading chute, and that will also keep the bolt from rubbing on the cylinder.  Pic #2 shows the nasty ring around it!  On pic #3, you can see that the loading gate is graying, and the grip frame is only partially polished.  There are some dull areas on the side of the ear, also on the sides of the trigger guard.  Since I really don't know the history of this gun, I don't know if the grip frame/trigger guard have been replaced or if it left the factory that way.  Also I don't know if it came blue or has been re-blued.  
Anyway plans are to cut the barrel to 4" and shorten and remount the ejector rod/housing.  I REALLY like the looks of a 4" barreled single action!  And of course the grips were never fitted.  I'm pretty sure I have a pair of Stags on hand that will fit it.
I'll keep you all posted as soon as I get her home and get at this.  Hopefully I can have it done before the MISS shoot this year!  44 Man

[Lloyd Smale]

looks good pal.

[Flint]

Although Colt did make some SAA in all black, it is not typical, and considering the age of the revolver, I would judge it is a reblue.  I have a 1st gen that is also all black, but when I got it, you could see the color case surface texture as the frame had not been polished quite well enough.  It is now, and has been reblued (again).

Bolt timing can often be adjusted by bending the wing outward to press harder against the hammer's cam and not drop as early.  Be careful as many Colt bolts are hardened enough to break if you try to bend the wing.  The Smith Shop sells good Colt bolts, but they cost a bit over $40.

The length of the lower step in the hand sets the cylinder's position at full cock, but if the top step is in contact at half cock, you might see if that is setting the loading position off the gate. 

[44 Man]

Flint, the cylinder is off a little from the loading gate and the bolt drags a little on half cock.  The half cock notch in the hammer is too deep, and I will fill it to bring the hammer a little farther back at half cock and eleminate both problems.  This same problem could be caused by a short trigger, but the trigger is ok as everything locks up at full cock correctly.  That's the first thing I want to fix, that and smooth the action.  I think someone that didn't know what they were doing worked on the action.  I'm sure it did not leave the factory this way.  As for the re-blueing, although I would love for this to be casehardened, I'm ok with that as I'm getting the gun cheap and that also will allow me to customize it a little and not feel that I'm messing up a gun that should not be modified.  I think nothing of modifying a Ruger, but alway give pause before doing anything to a Colt as maybe someday......   Anyway this gun suits my purpose for making a 4" carry single action.  I can hardly wait to get it home and get at it!  44 Man

[gcrank1]

Are you going to epoxy in a 'shim' at the backside of the notch to trial the fix?

[44 Man]

Gcrank, the correct fix for a 'too deep' halfcock notch is to drill a hole and tap a steel pin into the notch.  Then carefully file the pin down to the correct depth to restore the notch.  Another method is to weld up the notch and then recut it.  A quick fix, and a good test to see if it can all be brought into line is to fill the notch with JB weld and then file to the correct depth.  I have used that method on an ASM and Uberti that had the notch too deep and both worked well and provided a permanent repair for both.  I'm not sure I want a 'Colt' hammer filled with JB weld, but I'll try that for size first.  If it cures the problem, I may just leave it that way.  It's certainly cheaper than buying a new hammer and fitting it.  While I have the action out of it, I'll try my hand a smoothing it up a little, and replace the springs.  I'm getting very anxious waiting!  44 Man

[gcrank1]

When I used the epoxy and a small piece of brass in the notch to experiment it allowed the file to fit and still could come off with a little careful heat. The nice thing about the brass was the feel of filing until I hit the harder steel to tell me to stop. Worked like a champ, though I agree with your proper fix methods completely.
BTW, I ended up with .025" engagement for a greatly improved trigger.

[44 Man]

Judging by the 'feel' as I slowly bring the hammer back and watch the alignment while trying the trigger to see where the half cock notch stops, I will end up with very little engagement left at half cock by the time the cylinder and bolt are in proper position.  I need to make it just deep enough to retain the trigger so it doesn't slip out, but that's all.  I would suspect that the trigger is too short but it is correct at the 'safety' notch (if it were too short, the hammer would almost touch the frame).  And when at full cock, it is all the way back and everything is locked up corectly (hand and bolt), which it would not be with a 'short' trigger.  While I would not want to time one of these guns from scratch, they are pretty simple to trouble shoot and adjust.  It's all a challenge and fun!  44 Man

[Frank V]

44 Man, let us know how the tune up goes. I'm interested. I'd love to get a nice Colt at a "cheap" price that would allow me to have some smithing done on it. Please keep us informed.
Thanks Frank

[44 Man]

Well, I took another look at the Colt today.  (would someone please buy one of my other guns so I can get this out of layaway sooner! ha ha)  I think I might want to consider scraping the idea of a 4" barrel and stick with a 4 3/4".  Not that I want to, but the ejector rod houseing screw, screws into a boss that has a rectangular shaped base that is machined into the barrel.  This looks like a lot of work to have a 'smith remove and remount to get down to a 4" barrel.  That's what I want, but we'll see what Ken Kelly at Mag-na-port says.  He has agreed to help me with this project after I get my tuning done.  If it's too much work, I'm ok with just making it a 4 3/4" barrel.  I need to watch the cost's a little here or else this gets into the area where I 'should have just bought what I wanted in the first place', kind of thing, instead of a fun, 'project' gun.  Yes, I will end up with what I wanted and that's worth spending some bucks on, but this will never be a 'pristine' gun that would look good on the centerfold of 'Handguns' magazine.  It will always be a 'working' gun and will have those 'character' flaws that give it a nice, well used and loved, look. 44 Man

[Frank V]

44 Man, have you shot a 7-1/2" bbl gun? They are really nice to shoot, just a bit harder to pack around. The 7-1/2" is really easy to hit things with just not as handy to carry. It's your gun though & the price was right so make it how YOU like it, it's a good candidate for the perfect gun you've always dreamed about. Good shooting.
Frank

[44 Man]

You said it Frank, I have always liked my guns short, light, and handy.  This goes for my rifles as well as my pistols.  And I find as I get older, I cannot pull the sights in as well on a longer barreled pistol, although I'm sure I would enjoy the 7 1/2" barrel.  If I already HAD my packing dream gun, I'd leave this as is and have some fun.  But this one is the candidate for customization that I have watched for for a long time.  44 Ma

[Greeenriver]

I know for a fact that Cold made some SAA's wit full blued frames, I have a pair of them fromt he Colt Custom Shop with Black Powder frames and really like the look of them.

Let me look around the house, I think I have an old djector rod housing that you can have to see if you want to cut the one down on the colt. It's off some Italian Clone I had once.

We need to get togeher for coffee and see my birdshead SAA with the 3in bbl. I think you'd like it and it's mostly my normal cary gun any more. Sets nice in the hand.

Greeenriver

[44 Man]

Greenriver, I remember your sheriff's as being without an ejector rod.  Do the emptys drop out pretty good, or do you have to carry a stick with you?  44 Man

[Greeenriver]

They fall right out with no problems yet. Only shot maby a box or two in it. Just cary it mostly, seldom shoot it, but it's a plesent gun to shoot.  I use a fine polishing compound and polish the chambers in all my revolvers. I can shoot up to 12 stages of Cowboy Shooting with my colts and the empties will still mostly fall out.  Been doing that for years now and never thought to mention it to anyone else. I guess I just figgered everyone polished their chambers some.

Greeenriver