Author Topic: colt saa (Read 4976 times)

GRIMJIM · « **on:** February 16, 2009, 03:31:58 PM »

I'm considering buying my first single action revolver. A store I frequent has a used colt for sale. The ad says it is chambered in .45 colt.

My question is.............
On gunbroker a guy is selling a gun similar to this and he says it has a black powder frame. I have never heard of this. Is this gun black powder only? How can I find out for sure? The model # is p1850. I don't have the serial number.

Thanks for any help,
Jim

Bart Solo · « **Reply #1 on:** February 16, 2009, 03:56:34 PM »

Here is a link to an explanation of the difference between the black powder frame and smokeless frame Colt SSA's. http://www.truewestmagazine.com/stories/clearing_the_smoke/231/ As you can see either can fire black powder or smokeless. The term black powder frame refers to the system used to hold the base pin in place. According to the article:

Quote

"The “smokeless” cross-pin system allows the user to remove the cylinder from the frame by depressing the cross-pin screws, pulling out the base pin and then removing the cylinder. The older single screw system on the “black powder” frame requires a screwdriver to remove the base pin retention screw, then the cylinder."

If you can afford one, I would say go for it.

One final note, if the serial number is less than 180,000 you aren't going to buy it for the price indicated on gun broker. It is a genuine antique and will carry a big price tag.

DanChamberlain · « **Reply #2 on:** February 17, 2009, 01:33:13 AM »

Grimjim

The only thing I'd ad to what Ron said, is that if it was manufactured before 1903, I would strongly urge you to shoot only black powder or a black powder substitute like Pyrodex. The metalurgy used in original 1st Generation Colts made before the beginning of the "nickel" steel era was just not designed for the pressure spikes smokeless ammo generated.

If you just have to have a gun that shoots smokeless, I'd urge you to look for a 2nd or 3rd Generation Colt.

Regards

Dan

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #3 on:** February 17, 2009, 11:20:59 AM »

Thanks for the quick responses. That was just the info I was looking for. I believe it is a newer production model, I don't know the serial number to check, so it should be fine.

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #4 on:** February 22, 2009, 11:39:07 AM »

Okay I bit the bullet (no pun intended) and bought it. It is a colt cowboy cb1850. It's a colt saa copy made by colt? The shop I got it from didn't have much info for me. Is there anything you guys think I should be aware of? It is a smokeless frame with a transfer bar system. I haven't fired a shot yet and I am already hooked. It points so naturally I keep playing with it. The trigger is a little heavy though.

Keith L · « **Reply #5 on:** February 22, 2009, 01:00:18 PM »

To get the most from your saa you will want to remove the tie strap that is holding the hammer down.

Bart Solo · « **Reply #6 on:** February 23, 2009, 02:19:10 AM »

Nice looking shooter. I too would get rid of that plastic tie. I don't think it is original equipment.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #7 on:** February 23, 2009, 05:21:35 AM »

That plastic tie is a nice precaution...I once knew of a shop that had an old flare gun hanging by a cord...The sign underneath this read (If You Must Pull A Trigger, Pull This One!)

Congradulations on that Colt GRIMJIM...You now have two in your collection, Yes?

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #8 on:** February 23, 2009, 01:30:04 PM »

Quote from: Keith L on February 22, 2009, 01:00:18 PM

To get the most from your saa you will want to remove the tie strap that is holding the hammer down.

Maybe that's why the trigger is so heavy.

Quote from: glanceblamm on February 23, 2009, 05:21:35 AM

Congradulations on that Colt GRIMJIM...You now have two in your collection, Yes?

My third colt. I also have a 1911 gold cup trophy and my great grandfathers police positive.

I think I've found my next addiction.

44 Man · « **Reply #9 on:** February 25, 2009, 02:58:10 PM »

The Colt Cowboy was only in production for a short time. It has not yet drawn collector attention but makes a great shooter. It was Colt's foray into the 'transfer bar' market. Made good sence to me, but it didn't seem to sell well so it was dropped. Enjoy this Colt and shoot the snot out of it!!! 44 Man.

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #10 on:** March 09, 2009, 02:39:45 PM »

I love this colt but I hate the plastic grips, so............
I cut wedges and rough cut shape in ebony.

Rasped and sanded to shape, then fit to frame.

Cut block for inside grip, drilled for dowels and split, then glued to back of grip panel.

So far so good.

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #11 on:** March 11, 2009, 03:30:07 PM »

I did the other half tonight. I've got some finish sanding to do and I can start finishing the grips. I have ordered some abalone to put inlays in them also. More pics as the job progresses.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #12 on:** March 14, 2009, 06:01:08 AM »

Quote

More pics as the job progresses.

Looking forward to it GRIMJIM....I have a couple four that I might run up to you for this work? haha...I do have a nice piece of MYRTLE wood in stock for such a project, I have been eyeballing it a lot as of late but have not decided if the grain configuration is right yet.

Flint · « **Reply #13 on:** March 14, 2009, 11:05:49 AM »

Good posting on making grips, but I prefer to align the grain with the backstrap rather than dead vertical... see below:

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #14 on:** March 14, 2009, 01:00:18 PM »

This is my first attempt and that was the one thing I noticed after I started.

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #15 on:** March 18, 2009, 03:39:44 PM »

I started the inlays:

I bought some premade diamond shapes for guitars.

First I laid the loose pieces on the grip to find the pattern and location I wanted then I made a paper template, made three copies of it, mirrored the image and made three copies of those. I then taped one of them to the corresponding grip.

I termporily glued the inlays in place using the template to align the pieces. I used superglue (bad idea) and released the parts with acetone after I traced around them with an exacto knife. I rubbed white out into the cuts so they were more obvious.

I then used a dremel to level the bottoms of the cuts for the inlays, staying away from the lines. I then used the axacto knife to cut out from the lines in.

One side done, I have to epoxy them in yet but I'm waiting until the other side is done.

I used my phone to take the pics, sorry they're not too clear.

44 Man · « **Reply #16 on:** March 19, 2009, 03:25:35 AM »

Wow! Great job!
44 Man

Flint · « **Reply #17 on:** March 19, 2009, 11:07:50 AM »

Yes, it looks good. That's a lot harder job to do than many people might think, you did (are doing) well.

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #18 on:** March 19, 2009, 11:21:58 AM »

More than I thought too.

I've got three hours just cutting out the one side.

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #19 on:** March 27, 2009, 12:39:51 PM »

Okay here's an update.

I sprayed the inside of the grip frame with wd40 and put two layers of masking tape under the grip frame screws. I then used gorilla glue to glue the two halves of the grip together.

I used two of the copies I made of my template for a map for the inlays. I numbered the map and taped the inlays top up to correspond with my map. They only fit in one way and I didn't want to have to do trial and error when I had the epoxy all over the place.

I finally got in the epoxy I ordered. So I started glueing in the inlays.

I filed them down to the wood, and sanded with 120, 320 and some steel wool.

Here is the one side on the gun. I still have some finish sanding to do and a few more coats of antique oil finish but I'm pretty happy with the results.

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #20 on:** March 27, 2009, 01:25:04 PM »

sorry, I spun the last picture.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #21 on:** March 27, 2009, 04:50:33 PM »

To make a grip is worthy in its own right but to do inlay work on the first grip made? Excellent Job!
That antique oil...Is is a brand name? great choice with the ebony.

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #22 on:** March 28, 2009, 02:32:15 AM »

Thanks for the compliment. I have the can at work but if I remember right it is a minwax product. It ends up hards as nails with a nice luster finish. It is also resistant to chemicals and sweat. I did another grip project a couple of years ago for mu super redhawk and it came highly recommended.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #23 on:** March 28, 2009, 03:45:17 AM »

You have stepped over the line here that separates a woodworker from an artist, me thinks!

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #24 on:** March 31, 2009, 10:48:09 AM »

It was a minwax product

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #25 on:** March 31, 2009, 10:52:07 AM »

Quote from: glanceblamm on March 28, 2009, 03:45:17 AM

You have stepped over the line here that separates a woodworker from an artist, me thinks!

That's arteest, thank you very much.

Wow, thanks. I should have said this was my first try at single action grips. The other for my srh was my first grip project ever. When I complete the finish I'll post a final picture. I'll use a good camers this time.

Graybeard · « **Reply #26 on:** April 01, 2009, 02:26:33 AM »

I guess I'm just not much of a conny-sewer

of fancy grips really and on a Colt those original hard rubber or plastic or whatever the heck they really are just seem "right" to me on them. About the only thing my personal tastes would allow other than them are stag or ivory or perhaps a good fake of ivory since it's so hard to come by. Ivory fake or real with some good scrimshaw is nice.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #27 on:** April 01, 2009, 04:03:29 AM »

Quote

and on a Colt those original hard rubber or plastic or whatever the heck they really are just seem "right" to me on them.

I too, did a lot of looking between the pictures posted in reply#4 & reply#10 but in the end, I think that the antique oil made it all come together.

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #28 on:** April 01, 2009, 11:43:07 AM »

That's what custom stuff is for. To each his own.

The real reason I considered this is I have very large hands and the bevel on the bottom of the original grips made them feel even smaller to me. I left the bottoms of the new ones flat so it feels a little larger. The rest is just to see if I can do it. I tend to jump in with both feet when I get a mind to do something.

Barbegris · « **Reply #29 on:** April 04, 2009, 08:15:33 AM »

Nice work!
Good idea using pre made abalone insersts! Where did you get them?
Any chance we can get some pics of your Redhawk and details on those grips as well!
Cheers.