Author Topic: Current production SAA's (Read 2102 times)

AtlLaw · « **on:** June 24, 2009, 09:35:18 AM »

A thought struck me and I'm curious. Do the new production Uberti and USFA SAA's still have the fixed (to the hammer) firing pin?

jimster · « **Reply #1 on:** June 24, 2009, 11:02:44 AM »

Yes, they do.

Jim

AtlLaw · « **Reply #2 on:** June 24, 2009, 01:29:16 PM »

Whew! That's a relief!

Don't know why... I doubt if I'll ever buy another... but the thought of moving the firing pin off the hammer gives me the chills! $:-\$

Travis Morgan · « **Reply #3 on:** June 24, 2009, 02:45:17 PM »

Why? In most cases, it makes the gun safer; rebounding firing pins and transfer bar actions significantly reduce the chance of a gun going off if dropped or something hits the hammer. Colt types are fine at the range, but working with horses, mules and cattle, and working outside, I have no desire to carry something that's liable to put a whole down the length of my leg.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #4 on:** June 24, 2009, 02:59:27 PM »

Why? $:-\$ I dunno... $:-\$ $:-\$ Just a traditionalist I guess...

Heck, if I were to ever marry again I'd expect my new bride to be a virgin on our wedding night!

That don't make much sence either... especially seein's how, at my age, she'd probably still be one in the morning...

45-70.gov · « **Reply #5 on:** June 24, 2009, 04:02:05 PM »

GUNS WITH OUT TRANSFER BAR SAFTYS ARE NOT ALOWED IN MY HOUSE

i like my six guns with six rounds too

Bart Solo · « **Reply #6 on:** June 24, 2009, 05:06:47 PM »

As far as I am concerned the old Colt SAA and it's clones are five shooters. When I am out in the woods I prefer 6. Of course, when I am shooting cowboy I follow the rules and load my Vaqueros with 5. I like the transfer bar. It makes for a much safer and one shot more useful gun.

jimster · « **Reply #7 on:** June 25, 2009, 09:14:44 AM »

The transfer bar is a great thing for sure. But I've always had 5 shooters in my house too with the firing pin on the hammer, no problems with it. They are as safe as you are. Ruger did a great things years ago making it possible to carry six safely, but Colt, Uberti, USFA, and others have also done a great thing by preserving the tradition of the original single action. I carry my USFA a lot, for most all chores five rounds seems to be plenty. Most times I've had 4 left over after the shot. If I'm spending some time plinking at targets, I'll load six if I want to, just never tote it anywhere, or carry it with six. Easy enough for me.

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #8 on:** June 25, 2009, 09:42:14 AM »

I bought a colt cowboy saa with a transfer bar system. I wonder why they never became popular.

Travis Morgan · « **Reply #9 on:** June 25, 2009, 10:23:17 AM »

Most people don't want to pay a premium for an inferior gun; lots of them came out with preety serious quality control problems.

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #10 on:** June 25, 2009, 10:28:18 AM »

I must have gotten a good one then. fit and finish is great and shoots really close to poa with factory ammo. Considerably less than an original saa too.

Travis Morgan · « **Reply #11 on:** June 25, 2009, 10:32:46 AM »

From all accounts, the good ones are good, but there were entirely too many bad ones making it out of the factory. I'd still rather have a Ruger Old Model Vaquero.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #12 on:** June 25, 2009, 04:55:14 PM »

we all know better

but we might get hit by a fool that don't

some one may just load 5 but fail to put the empty under the hammer

or cock the hammer not shoot and eaze it down......then drop the gun

i usually carry a 5 shooter any way....but don't have to worry about which one is empty

when i was about 18 i dropped a taurus 32 and it went off almost got me
SAFTY FIRST

44 Man · « **Reply #13 on:** June 27, 2009, 03:26:18 AM »

Never thought much about the looks of the firing pin one way or the other. When I am shooting the gun, I can't see the firing pin on either type. And when I am admiring the gun, the hammer is down and I still can't see it. I do like a gun that looks 'traditional', like my taurus Gaucho. The trigger sits in the regular place, rather than way up in the trigger guard even though it is a transfer bar gun. Of course I only carry five in a 'non-transfer bar' gun. I foolishly dropped an old model Ruger one day while hunting. I thought I might need that sixth shot, so it was loaded as such. After all, I'm very experienced and careful is what I told myself. Then I bent over to go under some brush and it slid out of my shoulder holster and was pointing at my chest all the way down. I remember thinking, 'at least it will land on it's grip frame'. Then the hammer caught on a limb just before hitting the ground! The primer was marked, but it did not go off. God does look after fools and small children. Lesson learned! I also immeaditly sold that gun and bought a 'New Model' Super Blackhawk. 44 Man

Gaucho with trasnfer bar action but trigger in the traditional position.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #14 on:** June 27, 2009, 06:05:02 AM »

Quote from: 44 Man on June 27, 2009, 03:26:18 AM

Never thought much about the looks of the firing pin one way or the other. When I am shooting the gun, I can't see the firing pin on either type. And when I am admiring the gun, the hammer is down and I still can't see it. I do like a gun that looks 'traditional', like my taurus Gaucho. The trigger sits in the regular place, rather than way up in the trigger guard even though it is a transfer bar gun. Of course I only carry five in a 'non-transfer bar' gun. I foolishly dropped an old model Ruger one day while hunting. I thought I might need that sixth shot, so it was loaded as such. After all, I'm very experienced and careful is what I told myself. Then I bent over to go under some brush and it slid out of my shoulder holster and was pointing at my chest all the way down. I remember thinking, 'at least it will land on it's grip frame'. Then the hammer caught on a limb just before hitting the ground! The primer was marked, but it did not go off. God does look after fools and small children. Lesson learned! I also immeaditly sold that gun and bought a 'New Model' Super Blackhawk. 44 Man

Gaucho with trasnfer bar action but trigger in the traditional position.

i got chills reading that

i dropped my 629 smith last year
landed in the hammer so hard it broke the hammer spur
$36 for the new hammer $10 labor it didnt go off / nobody died

Travis Morgan · « **Reply #15 on:** June 28, 2009, 11:34:27 AM »

Quote from: 45-70.gov on June 27, 2009, 06:05:02 AM

$36 for the new hammer $10 labor it didnt go off / nobody died

How much for the new shorts?

Glad you got to learn the lesson so cheap.

Fairshake · « **Reply #16 on:** July 14, 2009, 04:05:23 AM »

GrimJim, I too bought a Colt Cowboy in 2000. It's a very good gun and as you said mine is great!! The problem with the cowboy was all the rumors that were spread about it. The stories were false but did the damage.I would have to ask Travis if he ever owed and fired a Cowboy or was just repeating what he heard. I use my Cowboy in shooting CAS matches and it's never had one problem in that row. I fire on average 200 rounds a month with it and have be doing so for about 15 months. That's 3000 rounds with out a hicup. Not bad for an inferior gun.

Travis Morgan · « **Reply #17 on:** July 14, 2009, 05:09:28 AM »

Actually, as an active Range safety officer, I get to shoot LOTS of different guns. After the cowboy matches at my gun clubs, a lot of of us fart around trying out each others' guns and stuff. .... we also discuss gunsmithing and what models of gun are real problem children. The cowboy comes up frequently. The general consensus is that it's an overpriced turd.

As for 3,000 rounds of target loads; big deal. Each one of my Vaqueros sees that much use in a year. Still no broken parts, and most of my loads are entirely too hot for SASS. The loads used in SASS are meant to be used in an old rickety parts gun people happen to drag out; they're not much of a test.

My main gripes with the cowboy however, aren't about longevity, they're price and quality. To many came from the factory with issues; bluing salts not cleaned off, rust where the barrel meets the frame or in the cylinders, sights way off, timing way off, etc.. For what Colt charges, they could at least hire someone to do quality control.

Ole Man Dan · « **Reply #18 on:** July 15, 2009, 02:25:59 AM »

I am also an ROI and have shot most of the pistols that have came down the pike. My personal preferance for SASS guns and woods carry is for the 'Old Model' Rugers. These guns are big and strong and fit my hands. The 'New Model Ruger' points kind of like a Colt, but is a tad small for my taste.
Like Travis, I load my guns with fairly heavy loads. I want my guns to go 'BOOOOM' not 'pop' when I pull the trigger.

Travis Morgan · « **Reply #19 on:** July 15, 2009, 07:18:10 AM »

I don't suppose you care much for .357's either, huh? To me, they're not much fun until you're at least using the maximum loads. I'd still prefer a .45.

m-g Willy · « **Reply #20 on:** July 17, 2009, 06:36:20 PM »

Quote from: Travis Morgan on June 24, 2009, 02:45:17 PM

Why? In most cases, it makes the gun safer; rebounding firing pins and transfer bar actions significantly reduce the chance of a gun going off if dropped or something hits the hammer. Colt types are fine at the range, but working with horses, mules and cattle, and working outside, I have no desire to carry something that's liable to put a whole down the length of my leg.

Some folks like myself, like using the guns that were used back in the 1850-1880's.
And there were no Rugers in any holsters back then.
And when it comes to being safe -the best safety is between your ears and not some gizmo on the gun.

Travis Morgan · « **Reply #21 on:** July 18, 2009, 07:34:06 AM »

I originally bought my Rugers for actual carry when working for outfitters or on ranches; period correct they are; for THIS time period!

Travis Morgan · « **Reply #22 on:** July 18, 2009, 07:52:28 AM »

Quote from: m-g Willy on July 17, 2009, 06:36:20 PM

And when it comes to being safe -the best safety is between your ears and not some gizmo on the gun.

You're just illustrating your lack of practical experience in the outdoors and with sidearms. People frequently dismount their horses in an ungraceful manner. They also step on loose rocks, slide down shale slopes, and a million other things that can cause a gun without some method of keeping the firing pin and safety separate.
In reading "Sixguns by Keith", the author mentions folks he knows that got a bullet in the leg because their stirrup fell off their saddlehorn while they were cinching up their horse. This gave me pause; I've had this happen to me more times that I could count; thank God I wasn't wearing a sidearm when it happened, as I tend to use the really heavy leather wrapped hardwood and metal stirrups that most assuredly would have hit with enough force to set the gun off.
Practical experience always trumps keyboard experience. The safety between your ears won't save you from everything, but it helps.

jimster · « **Reply #23 on:** July 18, 2009, 08:22:37 AM »

I carry the hammer down on an empty on those types of revolvers that need it, so nothing metioned above could never happen to me...I would imagine any cow polk that shot himself in the leg was not using his noggin too well. Must have had a cartridge under the hammer....no if's and or butts. I love Rugers too...that transfer bar is a great thing on all the guns that have them.
I would suppose somewhere...someone shot themselves with a Ruger too...transfer bar and all. Just takes even less brain power.
If I'm carrying a true Colt type sixgun...mine could not go off dropped, kicked, hit, or bumped by a stirrup....there ain't no cartridge there under the hammer for that to happen. That's called brain power and planning ahead. Brother once had a revolver fall pout of a saddle bag while he was saddling up a horse...wasp stung the horse...horse stepped on the revolver and broke the handle off it. Neither a Colt type or a Ruger would go off if it was carried properly according to the type of gun it is. I like both the older period single actions with NO safety, or Rugers and the like...they are all good.
If it's an Italian replica with some type of hammer safety or cylinder pin safety...don't use them either, just treat it like the old Colt, a five shooter.

Now if I threw it in the campfire with only five beans in there, who knows what would happen then?

Fairshake · « **Reply #24 on:** July 19, 2009, 04:49:45 AM »

Travis, how can you say that my 3000 rounds through my cowboy Colt were target loads? If you have this power then you should not be on this forum but out making a fortune. You are one that assumes and we all know what that means. For your information my cowboy is shot with a compressed load of 2F over a 250 gr bullet. Of course you already knew that didn't you? And it has also fired several hundred loads of 9 grs of Herco, same bullet. These are not mouse fart loads and I would say are a good test for any revolver. By the way tell me what class I shoot in.

m-g Willy · « **Reply #25 on:** July 22, 2009, 03:58:11 PM »

Quote from: Travis Morgan on July 18, 2009, 07:52:28 AM

You're just illustrating your lack of practical experience in the outdoors and with sidearms.
Practical experience always trumps keyboard experience. The safety between your ears won't save you from everything, but it helps.

Well ,,,you got me!
Thanks for putting me in my place.
I've only been carry'n these unsafe SAA's for a few -DECADES-!
If you don't know how to carry a old style SA safely, then you are right on sticking to the transfer bar SA's.

BTW--Keith carried the Colt SAA alot without shooting himself with it.
But then again ,,,,Keith knew how to handle one!

m-g Willy · « **Reply #26 on:** July 22, 2009, 04:17:37 PM »

Quote from: Travis Morgan on July 18, 2009, 07:52:28 AM

Practical experience always trumps keyboard experience. The safety between your ears won't save you from everything, but it helps.

HMMM? $:-\$
This from someone who has racked up 292 posts in (one month) time.
And here I am way ahead of you with 295 posts.
And it only took me -6- YEARS!! to get that count up that high!
Maybe you should push yourself away from the keyboard for awhile and try gaining some of that (practical exp. )you speak of.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #27 on:** July 24, 2009, 01:14:01 AM »

Sorry but i sure dont think a firing pin gun is unsafe, unless its operated by an unsafe person. I got in the habbit years ago with just loading 5 in a sixgun if it has a transfer bar or not. I guess i never saw a situation where i needed more then 5 shots in the field before i had to load anyway. I also load 4 in a FA 5 gun. the only exceptioin i make to this is a linebaugh built gun in them you need to keep at least an empty in every chamber or recoil can tie up your gun. To me a single action loaded with 5 has got to be safer then a ruger with a transfer bar loaded with six. Its about like someone not wanting a 1911 because there afraid to carry cocked and locked. Loaded properly they cant possibly hurt you and if your stupid enough to ignore saftey something will get you whether it be a gun a care a motorcyle or a power tool.

Greeenriver · « **Reply #28 on:** July 24, 2009, 02:25:29 AM »

Like Lloyd, I too find nothing unsafe about a gun with the firing pin on the hammer. I, also, got into the habbit years ago of only loading 5 in my Colt stile guns and still do the same most of the time.

Being dumb can and will get you hurt. Earler this week, I was adjusting the governer on my old C model Farmall tractor. Now, anyone that's ever done this knows the FAN is only a couple inches from the adjustment bolt, and that you adjust it with the motor OFF, and keep readjusting it and trying it till you get it right. However, if you adjust it with the motor running, very carefuly, you can get it right in one try.

I got most of the pieces of the finger back in place and taped in, it's healing up nicely now and in a week or so will be back to normal. I finished the adjustments with the motor off!!!

I mention this only to point out that everyone of us probibly has taken shortcuts in things, done things we know could have been done in a safer manor, and it's not the design of the tools that get us, it's the monentary mind fart that get's us hurt.

As to carying only 5 in a Colt, that's comon safety. Can't go off if the hammer is hit or droped. Once, years ago, I was a police officer in a small southwest town. I had been out plinking with a 45 SAA and was on the way home when I was stoped by another officer and requested to be his "Backup" in a situation that had just come up. The only gun I had with me was the SA and just before going into harms way, I loaded the 6th hole and put the hammer down between the rims. I learned this from an older shooter that had learned it from an even older shooter, and it worked that time. I don't think I would cary a SA loaded that way all the time, but it is an alternitive is you think you might need the extra soon, just remove the 6th one after the situation is back to normal.

Greeenriver

Travis Morgan · « **Reply #29 on:** July 24, 2009, 09:48:22 AM »

Quote from: Fairshake on July 19, 2009, 04:49:45 AM

Travis, how can you say that my 3000 rounds through my cowboy Colt were target loads? If you have this power then you should not be on this forum but out making a fortune. You are one that assumes and we all know what that means. For your information my cowboy is shot with a compressed load of 2F over a 250 gr bullet. Of course you already knew that didn't you? And it has also fired several hundred loads of 9 grs of Herco, same bullet. These are not mouse fart loads and I would say are a good test for any revolver. By the way tell me what class I shoot in.

For some reason, I thought you said something about those being "cowboy loads". My apologies.