antique 1873 colt SAA in 38 special

[the_beege]

Hi, I am fairly new to guns and especially hand guns. I recently bought an antique 1873 colt SAA 38 special to be a shooter. I will have it checked by a competent gunsmith and assuming he says everything is ok with this gun, I just want to know, is it safe to be shooting factory 38 special out of this gun? how strong are they? my understanding is that they are built like tanks.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Coyote3855]

If it checks out at the gunsmith, probably so. Depending on how old the gun actually is, I'd stick with light loads, no +P if it's a first generation. 2nd generation made after WWII, any standard load will be okay. I wouldn't say they are built like tanks, though.

 

[rcmodel]

Need to know a partial serial number with the prefix or suffix letters.

There were never any early Colt SAA's made in .38 Special as the gun came out 25 years before the .38 Spc cartidge did. They only made a few in the early 1900's before changing to the 2nd. Gen gun.

So, it is either a 2nd. Gen smokeless powder gun, or has been converted from whatever black powder cartridge it started out as.

Or, if it is a 1st Gen and orginally chambered in .38 Special, it is worth a fortune to collectors.

rc

 

[skeeziks]

Would it be possible for you to post pictures?

 

[Gordon]

Or the serial # leaving off the last 3 digits ?

 

[Old Fuff]

During the 1950's when "Wild West" shows dominated TV screens and Colt had not yet returned the SAA to production; a considerable number of 1st. Generation revolvers (1873 - 1940) revolvers were converted to .38 Special by installing new barrels and cylinders. If otherwise in sound shape they are safe to shoot with any .38 Special load that is within SAAMI specifications.

Most of the replacement barrels are marked:

COLT'S MFG. CO. HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.

 

[the_beege]

It is an original 1873 that was converted. ive heard from some folks that the early smokeless 45 colt and 44-40 were more powerful than a normal 38 special today so i'm hoping it will be a great shooter. almost no collector value though because it would be considered buchered