Colt SAA 3rd Gen Question

[ZBill]

I know that there is a 3rd Generation Colt SAA, but is there a 4th Generation? I heard that the "4th Gen" began when the serial number changed to the S-----A series. Can anyone provide a manufacture date for Colt SAA S21XXXA and how I can tell if it has the removable cylinder bushing? I 'm new at this so please put up with my ignorance on the bushing question. Thank you, Bill

 

[Wil Terry]

THERE IS NO " FOURTH GENERATION " OF THE COLT SAA SERIES.

That serial number is around five years old, off the top of my head.
It will not have a removable cylinder bushing if the cylinder is the original.

 

[Old Fuff]

Wil is right, and if you take the cylinder out and look at it where the ratchet star is, and where the base pin goes through, you will see there isn't any sign of a bushing. If you're not sure take the cylinder out of your Italian clone and look at the back ... you should be able to see the difference.

 

[Randy63]

Colt reintroduced the removable base pin bushing in March 2003 at serial number S3439Xa so the others posters are right, the gun you're looking at will have the pressed in bushing. These new SAAs with the removable bushing are still considered 3rd generation guns.

Randy

 

[ZBill]

Thanks for the information

I took Old Fuff's suggestion and compared my Uberti cylinder with the Colt. I see what the removable bushing is. Is there a big advantage to the removable bushing? I guess you can replace it if you wear the interior (?) of the cylinder out from a lot of shooting and a little cleaning. But it seems it would add another opportunity for a slight shift in the axis or alignment of the cylinder to barrel? I guess I must shoot both of them a lot to see what happens. Thanks, Bill

 

[Old Fuff]

There were two good reasons the original Colt 1873 Single Action Army had a removeable full-length base pin bushing:

If black powder fouling caused the base pin to stick inside the bushing the cylinder could still rotate until the bushing itself started sticking. The SAA would keep shooting when others without this feature stopped working.

If the cylinder developed end-shake (back & forth movement) a new bushing could be installed and all would be well again. This was much cheaper then replacing the whole cylinder.

 

[ZBill]

Thanks

Thanks for the replys. Old Fuff, is development of end play a result of hot loads, lots of shooting, or improper handiling techniques? Bill

 

[Jim K]

I'm an old fuff, but not Old Fuff, but I will say all of the above.

Jim

 

[Old Fuff]

I agree with Jim Keenan, and would note that in addition if the bushing is improperally fit in the first place you will have a little end-play from git-go. Then as you shoot the bushing will batter at the front and the condition will get worse. Fortunately a relatively inexpensive new bushing will cure it.