Colt SAA replacement hand/pawl

[Tight_Wad]

A friend of mine has a Colt SAA (.45 Colt) with a broken hand spring. I was all set to order him a replacement hand from Brownells (#160210000), but the Colt hand they stock says it’s for a 3rd Generation Colt. I queried whether it would fit a 2nd Generation Colt and Brownells replied it would not - it seems they don’t stock another suitable Colt hand for the latter.
I assumed, wrongly it appears, the same hand would fit any generation of Colt SAA.
Does anyone know if Brownells are correct?
Thank you for reading.
Bob H

 

[AlexanderA]

Could you replace just the spring by itself? It's staked into a slot in the hand. It seems like that could be easily done, after removing the stub of the broken spring.

 

[Mk VII]

When the 3rd-Gen came in at #80000SA there were significant changes to the hand and the cyl. ratchet, presumably in the direction of cheaper manufacture. The removable cyl. bushing also disappeared.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

The handspring is the part that breaks the most often on the Single Action Army. When the spring breaks it is usually preferable to simply replace the spring, instead of replacing the entire hand assembly. This is because a new hand may have to be fitted for the gun to time properly..

Replacing the hand spring is easy. As stated, it is staked in place in a slot in the hand.Take a block of metal or a block of hardwood. Don't use pine. Drill a hole through the block just large enough that the remaining piece of the spring is unsupported while the rest of the hand is supported. Lay the hand flat on the block, with the pivot pin up. Make sure the hand is completely supported, especially near the bottom. Take the new spring and lay it in place over the broken piece of spring. Use a light hammer to gently drive the broken piece of spring out while you drive the new spring in. Once the broken piece falls free through the hole, reposition the hand away from the hole so it is completely supported. Then drive the new spring in all the way. You may need a small diameter punch to shove the new spring in all the way.

If you can't buy a new Colt hand spring from Brownells, Give VTI Gunparts a call.


http://www.vtigunparts.com/store/

Tell them the situation. I'm guessing an Uberti handspring will probably work. In a pinch, a new handspring can be fashioned from a bobby pin.

Buy two while you're at it.

 

[DPris]

Peacemaker Specialists has parts for all gens, you'll pay for it, but it'll fit & the quality is fine.
Denis