What would you do with a new Colt SAA

[neilbedwell]

A couple years ago I purchased a brand new Blue/CCH .357 Colt SAA with 4 3/4 inch barrel. To the horror of all my friends, I have loaded for, shot and enjoyed that revolver immensely. I buy all my guns to carry and shoot. I don't buy them to look at. I own several other revolvers (Colt SAAs, Ruger Vaqueros, S&Ws, etc.) but I like this little 357 a lot and it has become my weekend carry gun when riding ATVs or bush hogging on the tractor. I am still working on a particular load that is just perfect for that little gun, but I've got one or two that it seems to like just fine and are accurate enough.

Now, that said, I keep reading about what you folks do with customizing your guns and the thought keeps popping into my head - should I send this gun off and have it "worked on"? While I like it just fine like it is, are there any benefits to having, say, an action job done or having some internals polished, etc? Is there anything that can be done to make it last longer? I know it probably isn't as tough as some of my Ruger's, but it's quite a bit lighter than those bricks (don't get me wrong, I love my Ruger bricks, LOL) and the Colt seems to be the one I grab.

So, what would you guys do?

Please accept my sincerest "Thank You" in advance!

Neil

[avidreader]

If it suits you as it is I'd leave it alone and shoot heck out of it, if you dress it up you won't be as quick to grab it for the road.

[CraigC]

Colt's almost always benefit from an action job and when massaged by a Colt specialist, it will last longer. The action will also be unbelievably slick and you will enjoy shooting it more. You might also consider a dovetail front sight. Not only will it be windage adjustable but offer a much improved sight picture with a serrated, matte blued blade. It can also be installed without refinishing. I would also consider case coloring the hammer. Then continue shooting and enjoying the hell out of it.

[jamesjames]

CraigC,
(not to hijack the thread, but....) I'm interested in the dovetail frontsight for a Colt-ish project gun. I have seen them from the Colt Custom shop, Hamilton Bowen, and Turnbull. Is the actual dovetail front sight available anywhere, or do these guys mill up their own? I've searched for them on the internet with no luck.

[Hobie]

Shoot it.

[Aggie01]

If I purchased a Colt SAA, I would send it to Alan Harton with a note saying "make it like it oughtta be" and pay whatever bill he came back with.

[weagle99]

The barrel is 4 3/4" long, not 4 5/8".

[CraigC]

Apr 2, 2011 13:19:01 GMT -5 jamesjames said:

CraigC,
(not to hijack the thread, but....) I'm interested in the dovetail frontsight for a Colt-ish project gun. I have seen them from the Colt Custom shop, Hamilton Bowen, and Turnbull. Is the actual dovetail front sight available anywhere, or do these guys mill up their own? I've searched for them on the internet with no luck.

I found a Browning 1885 front sight that looked very similar. Got sidetracked, never pursued it and sold the sixgun I was planning to install it on. I also thought about milling one out of brass barstock.

[dmize]

It was YOUR money that bought it,USE IT!!!!!

[tas6691]

I just bought a 4 3/4" 44WCF for the purpose of carrying in the woods, working around the home place, and just generally shooting the crap out of. So far I have done just that and am enjoying it like no other gun I have bought in a long time. I think I will look into some custome wood grips, and proceed to wear the finish off of it.

[neilbedwell]

Apr 2, 2011 17:42:40 GMT -5 weagle99 said:

The barrel is 4 3/4" long, not 4 5/8".

OOPS, I fixed it. Thanks.

[RABULL]

Shoot it, that was up it was made for..... I have a Colt .SAA 45 Colt and I shoot it all of the time......

[cadillo]

I have a 3rd generation in .45 with a 4 3/4 inch barrel. Nice gun and a good shooter. I took it to the range yesteray along with a Ruger and a Sig. I shot 100 rounds out of the Colt. I will not have a functioning firearms that I would not shoot.

[J Miller]

Apr 2, 2011 11:05:03 GMT -5 neilbedwell said:

A couple years ago I purchased a brand new Blue/CCH .357 Colt SAA with 4 3/4 inch barrel. To the horror of all my friends, I have loaded for, shot and enjoyed that revolver immensely. I buy all my guns to carry and shoot. I don't buy them to look at. I own several other revolvers (Colt SAAs, Ruger Vaqueros, S&Ws, etc.) but I like this little 357 a lot and it has become my weekend carry gun when riding ATVs or bush hogging on the tractor. I am still working on a particular load that is just perfect for that little gun, but I've got one or two that it seems to like just fine and are accurate enough.

Now, that said, I keep reading about what you folks do with customizing your guns and the thought keeps popping into my head - should I send this gun off and have it "worked on"? While I like it just fine like it is, are there any benefits to having, say, an action job done or having some internals polished, etc? Is there anything that can be done to make it last longer? I know it probably isn't as tough as some of my Ruger's, but it's quite a bit lighter than those bricks (don't get me wrong, I love my Ruger bricks, LOL) and the Colt seems to be the one I grab.

So, what would you guys do?

Please accept my sincerest "Thank You" in advance!

Neil

Neil,

Owning a blue / cc 4 3/4" Colt SAA in .45 Colt is the top of my Holy Grail list. When I get it I will make sure, or have made sure that it is properly timed up so it doesn't wear prematurely, then I will carry it and shoot it till the day I take the dirt nap.
The only customizing I think a Colt SAA needs is a set of ivory grips.

Joe

[jgt]

To answer your question about what can be done to make it last longer. Check out Bob Munden's web site. He can rework the internals and springs of your gun to hold up to hard use and still keep it's timing. His trigger jobs are legendary and you will fall in love with the gun even more after he is done. Just read the things John Taffin had to say after having some of his guns worked on by this master craftsman.