I figured this is as good a place to start as any.
I've been a shooter now for almost 37 years, and have always been fascinated by single action revolvers, lever actions, and various other "not so modern" firearms. For several years now I have owned Ruger Vaqueros, and have been pleased with them for the most part, except for that little timing issue with the New Models that allows the latch to drag on the cylinder. I have fixed a couple of them with some latch modifications, but they still lack all of those clicks that a true single action has.
This last Christmas, my wonderful wife presented me with a beautiful Colt Peacemaker .22 in like new condition. Perfect timing, very accurate, and very "clicky". Okay... I start thinking about "real" single actions, and my doom comes upon me. I decide to not buy any more Rugers, but will keep my .357 Vaquero and my 10 1/2" IHMSA SBH, just because they shoot so well and I am rather attached to them.
I begin looking at the EMFs, AWAs, Cimarrons, etc. USFA is out of my price range, but certainly not off of my wish list. My first order is a Cimarron Model P, 7 1/2" in .45C/.45ACP. After some rough spots in communication, it finally arrives at my gun shop. Fit and finish are pretty darn good, timing is excellent, but the front sight/barrel is clocked a little to the right. I shoot it in the basement range at the gun shop, from a rest, and at 7 yards it groups (tight) at 1 1/2" left. I had the barrel tightened so that the sight is actually vertical, and will find out the results this morning.
End of that history, and on to the real thing, with a little bit of relevant history!
For about a year, there have been 2 unfired nickel plated 7 1/2" AWA Peacekeepers in .45 Colt in my gun shop. Well, after getting bit by the SA bug, I decided I would look at them. BIG mistake! Both of them are beautifully finished, and the actions buttery smooth and light! I guess they are the "Ultimate" models advertised on AWA's website. Having just ordered the Model P, I regretfully put them away. The $695 each pricetag keeps me in check. Being a GOOD customer, he says he'll take $1200 for the pair. BUT, having had a bad experience with blowing the nickel plating off of a brand new EMF 1890 Police a few years ago, I decide to do some research on these guns, just for kicks.
After contacting AWA several times, and providing the serial numbers of the guns, I get the vague response that some of the guns nickeled in Italy had problems, but those nickeled here in the US have no problems.
Back to the gun shop...
After I first shoot my new Model P, and put it in the shop for the barrel turning, I look at the AWAs once again. I'll be damned if payday wasn't the day before! I decide I want one, and the owner will take $600 for one. I pick the best and put a down payment on it, with the idea that I like it so much, I will be okay with never firing it!
A few days later I contact AWA one more time, and they tell me that August of 2001 was when they started doing their nickeling in the US. Some research at the gun shop turns up that the one I bought was ordered in June of 2001, (Not from AWA, but from another wholesaler) so it was most likely plated in Italy, but the gun shop owner seems to recall that it *might* have been done here in the US on a special order, when he ordered it for a customer.
Now to the big question: Has anyone here owned any early (pre 2002) AWA Peacekeepers with nickel plating? Have you fired it, and what was the result?
I apologize for the long ramble.
Regards,
Dave
