New Colt .45 SAA woes :((

[espo28]

Bought my dream gun, a beautiful blued 3rd generation brand spanking new Colt 45 in a 4.75 barrel. Ahhh, the honeymoon must be over because I see two glaring problems:

1) the loading gate is not aligned properly, it sticks out just a tad into the path of the cylinder. The result is that as the cartriges pass over the closed gate it is scratching the loading gate and causing a bit of binding (very small amount but enough to bug me...

2) the cylinder seems to have a little more chatter in an uncocked position than I would have thought. Of course, although I'm a realitive newbie at single actions, (I've heard tails about the legendary "loose" tolerances of Colts) I still thought there would be NO chatter. Maybe I'm being picky...its not like it rattles or anything, but if you pick it up quickly you CAN hear/feel it rumbling a bit. The full cock position is solid, but the uncocked position just bugs me...

So what do you think, can these things be fixed by me? I hate to have to send it back and wait 4-6 weeks for it back, but I will if there is no other way.

Your comments and suggestions are welcome

 

[1911WB]

Colt SAAs

I have been enamored of Colt SAAs for many years and still have several of them. I can't help you with the first issue, but I would think a good gunsmith could easily resolve it. The second situation you are describing (if I understand you correctly) is normal so long as it locks up tight at full cock. Enjoy your new "baby".

 

[Old Fuff]

I have encountered the gate problem you mentioned in another late-production revolver. I was also shocked to see the following in the instruction booklet that came with the gun:

DO NOT SHOOT THIS GUN! IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE A COLLECTABLE AND SHOOTING IT WILL REDUCE ITS VALUE. (or words to this effect).

Frankly, given the MSRP on Colt Single Actions they should be absolutely perfect out-of-the-box. The owner of the gun mentioned above quickly sold it and said he's never, ever buy another Colt product, and he was in a cold fury when he spoke those words. He too thought a "real Colt" would be the six-shooter of his dreams, and mentioned that he had an "Italian clone he'd picked up for around $400. that was better put together.

Personally, I'd call Colt's Customer Service Department and tell them I either wanted the gun fixed or replaced. It's no fun too wait, but it's way past time they were required to put out a quality product that matches the asking price.

 

[Malapai]

1911 and Fuff speak the truth

 

[espo28]

Yep, its going back, I won't even shoot it as I don't feel comfortable with it and want to avoid a hassle from their tech dept.

Thanks for your comments!

 

[bs32]

The colt dream

If you want a quality SSA - go buy a USFA. The colts there putting out now are not what they should (or could) be. I've had a lot of SAAs - sold a lot of 'em and still have a few. I am an amatuer SAA gunsmith and know what the innards are supposed to do, what they're supposed to look like, an how they go together. Colt's originals generally work fine right out of the box, but they are not as good as the USFAs in my opinion in terms of fit and finish. Another (lesser price- but generaly fine gun for the money) is the Great Western II. Not as good as the USFA guns but not the price either. my .02 worth.

bs32