Colt SAA help/advice

[pterrell]

Hey all. So I bought a 1916 Colt SAA (pics shortly) off an action. It's a shooter rather than a true collector, and it appears to have lived it's life that way. The bluing is completely gone except under the case extractor rod and it has some serious surface rust (small and spotty, not sprawling). I also can't half cock it which i believe I should be able to do. So here are my questions...

1 - Should I have it professionally restored. If not...
2 - How do i safely remove all this surface rust? Rust continues to corrode the metal around it. I'd like this old war horse to last as long as possible.
3 - How do I fix it not half cocking? I can feel the hammer catch about where it should half cock but as I ease pressure off the hammer, it slides past that.

[Milsurp Collector]

If it has almost zero original finish then the collector value is already lost and you should feel free to do whatever you want with it.

Before

http://www.turnbullmfg.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/crispy-saa-before-replace.jpg

After

http://www.turnbullmfg.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/crispy-saa-after-replace.jpg

Before

http://www.turnbullmfg.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/14977-colt-saabefore-right.jpg

After

http://www.turnbullmfg.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/14977-colt-saaafter-right.jpg

http://www.turnbullmfg.com/restoration-services/gun-restoration/

[pterrell]

I'd say that the second before/after shot is very representative of how mine is. Anyone have recommendations in San Diego?

Also, what does a full restoration cost?

[supergimp]

If the hammer doesn't stay at half cock (BTW, should have four solid clicks as you draw back the hammer...C...O...L...T) then the half cock notch in the hammer is probably broken or buggered. In it's current condition it is unsafe (maybe that's stating the obvious).

Repairing the hammer would involve either replacing the hammer or welding material and reconstructing the hammer notch(es). Chances are the sear is damaged as well and you would want a qualified gunsmith to ensure that the timing and operation is correct.

It would be a fun project to make a shooter but be aware that it won't be cheap and the resultant value will most likely be less than the restoration investment.

The below animation shows the operation of the hand, trigger/sear and hammer/notches.



I have a few SAA'a and Frontier Six-Shooters of this vintage and older (1st generation) and to me this would be a wall-hanger. I purchased a 3rd Generation Colt SAA as a shooter here on CG to take to the range and my vintage revolvers stay in the safe except for special occasions.

[pterrell]

If the hammer doesn't stay at half cock (BTW, should have four solid clicks as you draw back the hammer...C...O...L...T) then the half cock notch in the hammer is probably broken or buggered. In it's current condition it is unsafe (maybe that's stating the obvious).

Repairing the hammer would involve either replacing the hammer or welding material and reconstructing the hammer notch(es). Chances are the sear is damaged as well and you would want a qualified gunsmith to ensure that the timing and operation is correct.

It would be a fun project to make a shooter but be aware that it won't be cheap and the resultant value will most likely be less than the restoration investment.

The below animation shows the operation of the hand, trigger/sear and hammer/notches.



I have a few SAA'a and Frontier Six-Shooters of this vintage and older (1st generation) and to me this would be a wall-hanger. I purchased a 3rd Generation Colt SAA as a shooter here on CG to take to the range and my vintage revolvers stay in the safe except for special occasions.

This is certainly not something that I'm willing to take on myself. I'm game for a lot of DIY projects but when it comes to something like this... I'll leave it for a professional (and I have no doubt it will cost me). I called a couple shops in San Diego and they all said (without looking at it) that I should either leave it alone (I don't disagree with this, but, this pistol has seen hard use and WILL continue to rust) or send it to the Colt Custom shop. Going that route sounds like the best choice because Colt works on it, returns it to the correct color/blue and refinishes any patinas on it, of which I doubt this one ever had any. Looks like they're backlogged until June though so we'll see.

I did shoot it by the way. As far as the frame and barrel, they're very solid with no fractures (no structural damage) but the trigger pull is non-existent. A light touch drops the hammer. I shoot much straighter because it really does surprise the sh*t out of me, but certainly not in a safe manner by any means. I have no doubt that a mild "bump" would drop the hammer.

[Milsurp Collector]

This is certainly not something that I'm willing to take on myself. I'm game for a lot of DIY projects but when it comes to something like this...

I assume you have a set of gunsmith screwdrivers (every gun owner should have a set). You can take it apart and see what the problem is.



If the notches on the hammer are worn, or the trigger is worn, you can replace them.

http://www.coltparts.com/pt_saa1late.html

[GunnyUSMC]

Chech out this post I just did.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?p=18189584#post18189584

[pterrell]

Chech out this post I just did.
http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...4#post18189584

You made that look easy If it was a Blackhawk and not a 100 year old SAA, I'd probably go do that right now. Given the amount of history in the gun, I think I'm better off leaving this one to the pro's if I get it refinished/rebuilt.

[smle-man]

Fix it but don't refinish it. You'll be surprised how much a refinish reduces the value of a no-finish SAA like yours.

[pterrell]

Fix it but don't refinish it. You'll be surprised how much a refinish reduces the value of a no-finish SAA like yours.

Fair enough but how would you handle the rust?

[psssniper]

Turnbull !!

http://www.turnbullmfg.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Restoration-request-form1.jpg

[Enfield47]

Fair enough but how would you handle the rust?

Kroil and bronze wool will remove the rust and stop further damage to the pistol. There isn't any finish left so you won't hurt it if you have to scrub.

[Sutcliffe]

Is money an object?

At the very least, have it professionally restored to safe operation.
The next step is to have it refurbished interally to factory new without changing the remaining finish.
If you really want to have a family heirloom to pass down then ship it to Turnbull and have it done over the right way.

[pterrell]

At the very least, have it professionally restored to safe operation.
The next step is to have it refurbished interally to factory new without changing the remaining finish.
If you really want to have a family heirloom to pass down then ship it to Turnbull and have it done over the right way.

Why them over the Colt custom shop? Seems like they would be the "correct" group to refinish a Colt.

[TRAP55]

http://www.peacemakerspecialists.com/smithing.html