Armi San Marco

[Sharp Marble]

Hey Folks -- new member here. Been following some of the discussions here for a while through a friend, and it seems there is no question that THR can't answer!
So -- I just bought an Armi San Marco replica of a Colt Dakota (SA revolver) in .357, but I can find little or no info on the manufacturer. Does anyone know anything about the company, the quality of the pistol, or any idiosyncrasies that a shooter should know before firing? I live in the gun owner's favorite state (CA :banghead, and so still have about two weeks before I can actually shoot the gun.... its a good thing I have learned patience in my older age!
thanks in advance
SM

 

[The Bushmaster]

Yeh...I just escaped from there. You won't know the good feeling it is to be trusted to carry concealed. And not be a criminal if you own a gun...Can't help ya on that firearm, but someone will be along soon I'm sure.

By The Way...Don't tell anyone, but there is a hole in the fence just east of Needles on I-40 where I escaped through...

 

[DPris]

No idea what a Colt Dakota might be.
ASM had a spotty record for quality control before AWA closed them down, you may have a good one, you may not.
Good luck.
Denis

 

[Sharp Marble]

Thanks gentlemen --
guess we will find out how the quality is. I paid little enough that I am not sure it entirely matters (unless it blows up in my hand!).
Once I get the gun I'll let ya'll know how it shoots!
Cheers
SM

 

[XavierBreath]

In my experience the ASM guns have less durable finishes, and less durable small parts. The fittment seems to be of lesser workmanship as well.

My basis of comparison is a couple of Cimarrons.

 

[dstorm1911]

ASM Quality....... the lowest of all the replicas

Colt Dakota never existed, what you have is a Replica (a loose interpretation) of a Colt 1873 SAA named "Colt Dakota" by ASM for marketing

The hands are prone to accelerated wear resulting in the guns going out of time if cycled to fast, the Cyl lock is very soft and the gun will generally go out of time very soon after the first 100-150 rounds are fired again if cocked and fired to fast, the hammer over travels when cocked this is what leads to very rapid hand spring failure as well as contributing to the accelerated wear of the hand and the cyl stop which results in the aforementioned condition where the gun ends up out of time, the cyl base pins are very soft and should be replaced if possible...

I won't even work on any of the ASM replicas anymore regardless of SAA Copy or Cap and ball, the quality of the clockwork is such that its just not worth it for me to start on one as the customer generally starts changing facial color as soon as he see's the list of needed replacement parts before even factoring in the labor to hand fit those parts etc...

DO NOT FIRE FULL POWER .357 LOADS IN THIS GUN!!! stay away from self deffense loadings and light bullet loading like the plague as they will tear it apart in very short order. using .38 specials will be much better for this particular clone


then again you may have got lucky...... it does happen from time to time one thing that will greatly extend its useful life is to be sure the hammer does not get cocked fast drawing it all the way back to hard, as mentioned the hammer over travels quite a bit this places undo stress on the hand (as it rotates the cyl.) and the cyl. stop as they are cammed further than they are intended to travel, if your careful to only cock it till it catches then the gun will stay in time much longer

 

[bannockburn]

Sharp Marble

I still have one, an EMF Hartford model, finished as the U.S. cavalry model 1873. While the finish on mine has been excellent, with the bluing and color case hardening holding up very well; the mechanicals leave something to be desired. The cylinder still seems very sluggish taking it through a full revolution, and the cylinder stop seems to be prone to excessive wear. Kind of like a semi functional copy of a gun that I would never be able to afford in it's original form.

 

[bannockburn]

Some might say that this what the Armi San Marco SA revolvers are best suited for: a photo shoot.
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[Sharp Marble]

oh well

Well, thanks for the feedback, esp. the bit about the full power loads. I guess the deal I got was not as good as I hopedbut, i can always practice my draw, twirl, and holstering!

SM