Colt SAA trigger pull too light

[sharkslayer]

I have opportunity to pick up a 1st generation Peacemaker in great shape but its trigger pull is about half a pound.
Is there a quick and simple way to fix it?
It seems to have a brand new replacement trigger.

 

[Jim K]

I don't think a 1/2 pound pull would allow the hammer to stay cocked. If the SA hammer notch has not been messed with, working on or replacing the trigger might be all that is needed. The new trigger, in other words, might be the cause of the problem.

Jim

 

[sharkslayer]

Triggers seem to be pretty cheap, is this simplest route?

 

[Red Cent]

That wonderful revolver can be fixed in a heart beat. The hammer notch angle is easily fixed. Forget the trigger and concentrate on the price. The value is very subjective running from $1000.00 to over $5000.00. May I inquire as to the condition and price?

Don't understand "cheap trigger" or "replacement trigger". Ain't no such animal for a 1st gen Colt SAA.
My Colts run 1.5#s.

 

[CraigC]

Is it really a half pound or does it just feel really light? What kind of triggers are you used to? Most of my single actions are at 1.5 to 2lbs and most folks who handle them, who are used to heavy factory triggers, 'think' they are too light. They're only "too light" if you're expecting an 8lb pull with two inches of creep. They are completely safe. Yours might be too.

 

[JohnBT]

So Wisner's P/SAA triggers won't fit a 1st generation gun?

www.wisnersinc.com/pistols/COLTpistol.html

 

[sharkslayer]

The gun is $600 now and half cock doesn't engage

 

[Red Cent]

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=173947394

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=174547288


http://www.gunsamerica.com/98602489...lt_SAA_2nd_Generation_45_Colt_Ivory_Grips.htm

Unless the pistol is REALLY messed up, you need to buy it.

 

[Ratdog68]

I think you got some pretty good input with the other thread about it...

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=527397

 

[Red Cent]

John BT, I didn't say that very well. All 1st, 2nd, 3rd, gen triggers are the same unless it is a Bisley or Colt Cowboy.

 

[Red Cent]

Does the revolver look like this?

 

[Red Cent]

or this?

 

[Red Cent]

Peacemaker

 

[sharkslayer]

its a peacemaker not a thunderer
$600 is pretty low but the action is pretty messed up.
Also could a person even find 41 colt ammo or reloading components?

 

[Old Fuff]

The SAA revolver has three notches on the hammer face. (quarter cock, half cock, and full cock). What has happened on two many occasions is that some would-be gunslinger pulls the hammer back, misses the full cock notch and lets the hammer free-fall, and the trigger falls into either the 1/2 cock or quarter cock notch. The result is ruined/chipped notches and a broken trigger.

All of this can be repaired, but the work is not inexpensive. It is also quite possible the the brain-dead individual responsible for all this has also peened out the notches in the cylinder and ruined that too.

You can get .41 Colt loading dies, bullets and cases, but all are difficult to find, and expensive when you do.

If you are looking for a shooter I would pass on this one. If you have a collectable in mind budget something like $200 to $400 to get it fixed, with the understanding that it could come to more. If I was you I'd let the "slinger" keep what was a valuable piece before he got his hands on it.

 

[Jim K]

A first generation Colt SAA for $600 in any kind of decent shape would certainly be worth a trigger job. But if the hammer is messed up, a replacement hammer would hurt the collector value.

I would strongly disagree with Red Cent that "that wonderful revolver can be fixed in a heart beat. The hammer notch angle is easily fixed." Maybe, if one has the right tools and the ability to case harden the notch when it is recut. And if the half-cock and safety notches are not torn out, as Fuff mentions.

Jim

 

[Red Cent]

With 3rd gen bch Colts going for over a thousand bucks, $600.00 for this Colt would be cheap. Overall collector value would be screwed just a little anyway if someone welded up the hammer and renotched it. Hardening steel ain't difficult.
You can purchase refabbed 1st gen triggers, hammers, hands, or about anything else.
We are assuming that the delicate hands of the store owner has broken the half cock and full cock ledge. Or it may be simply the sear/trigger. If it is the trigger, all the better.

 

[Old Fuff]

But if his fanning and what-all has messsed up the cylinder notches, finding a correct .41 Colt replacement could add considerably to the expense. Unless a gunsmith who is experienced in SAA work was able to disassemble and examine this particular piece I would recommend that the potential buyer pass on it.

And especially so if he wants a shooter.

 

[Hawk]

It seems a little pricey for a unique fixer upper opportunity, that's all.

Without pictures I'd only be guessing if "great shape" translated into "90% original finish" or "99% after latest polish and reblue". Similarly, as Fuff notes, the trigger might just be a little flag being waved in front of a dog's dinner of action issues. Or not.

A Peacemaker derives value from its status as a collectible, as a shooter and from a picture of a horse. Of these the picture of the horse, all by itself, has limited mojo.

A .41 may or may not be the OP's first choice of chambering but it wouldn't loom large with most shooters.

Value to a collector is unknown but nothing about the horse is shield from being molested such as to lose all but a trace of collectible value.

The last mechanically challenged, refinished first gen I saw on a dealer's shelf was marked at 75.00 and, while it did sell, it didn't exactly fly from the shelf. This was only two years ago.

I'll be one of the voices of dissent: that 600.00 might be 500.00 too high.