[AZ Jeff]

How tolerant of dry firing are the SAA clones?

I know the Rugers, with their floating firing pin and transfer bar, are tolerant of plenty of dry firing, but what about the more traditional clones with the firing pin as part of the hammer?

I know that S&W double action revolvers, with the firing pin attached to the hammer, are totally tolerant of drying firing, but something makes me think the SAA design won't be so forgiving.

Opinions from long time SAA owners/users are appreciated.

[Old Fuff]

Suposedly modern Colts and Colt clones are designed so that the hammer comes to rest without the firing pin hitting anything inside the frame. I'm not sure this is always the case, and therefore recommend that you dry-fire with the chambers loaded with snap-caps or fired cases.

[hksw]

I use a piece of thick rubber cut to the dimensions of the hammer recess of the frame with a hole cut for the firing pin of my FA single actions. The rubber is thick enough to prevent the hammer from hitting the pin. Actually got the info to do it from someone who allowed me to shoot their FA before I got mine. The rubber is maybe 1/8" thick.

[Jim K]

I don't know about the very recent Colt firing pins, but I have replaced quite a few of the older ones that broke at the center where the pin is.

I have not had many problems with frame firing pins, though the springs can fail and the heads batter after a while.

I am not positive snap caps will totally prevent these problems, but they are worth a try.