Colt Single Action Army

[Keeperfaith]

My buddy has two old Colt SAA revolvers, he believes one is not functioning properly. When he pulls the hammer back on the "working" one, it has four "clicks" when pulled all the way back. The "non working one" only has two "clicks" when cocked back.

Is there something wrong with the one that has only two clicks? If so, what is the issue? Is it a bad spring, hammer, combination or something else entirely?

I appreciate the help in advance.
Thanks
Steve

 

[rcmodel]

1st Click = Trigger dropping into safety notch.
2nd. Click = Trigger dropping into 1/2 cock notch.
3rd. Click = Bolt dropping into place against cylinder.
4th. Click = bolt seating in cylinder notch + Trigger dropping into full cock notch.

One click on way back down is the bolt spring arm slipping off the hammer cam.

Most likely is a broken trigger sear / bolt flat spring.

http://www.gunsprings.com/Revolvers/COLT/SINGLE ACTION ARMY - COWBOY ACTIONS/cID3/mID1/dID96#403

rc

 

[BobWright]

(Make sure gun is not loaded befor trying this test)


Don't just listen for the clicks, try the hammer in each position. Pull back to first notch and see if hammer can be pushed forward. Try to pull trigger. If it does not fall, pull back further to second notch. See if hammer can be pushed forward. Also check to see if cylinder rotates freely. If O.K. fully cock hammer. Push to see if hammer falls under finger pressure. Check to see if cylinder rotates with hammer cocked. If still O.K. lightly hold hammer back and pull trigger, easing it forward while holding trigger back. Hammer should go fully forward.

The gun should not "fire" when the trigger is pulled in any position except the full cock position.

If the gun passes this test everything's O.K.


Bob Wright

 

[45 Dragoon]

First of the two clicks on the way down is the hand droping over the next ratchet cut, the last one is the bolt arm snapping back over the cam.

2 clicks? Could be a few things. Will it stay cocked? Is the safety even working?
Not enough information.

Mike
www.goonsgunworks.com

 

[MartinS]

Safety?

 

[CraigC]

The first hammer notch is the safety notch.

 

[royal barnes]

But not much of one. lol

 

[Frank V]

It could also be a broken/worn full cock notch on the hammer.
I'd have a competent gun smith look at it, Colts are very much worth fixing & are really nice six-guns for the hills.
I like them very much.
Good luck with this gun. A person who is one of the best is Eddie Janis www.peacemakerspecialists.com Eddie only works on Colts & is a great guy. You might give him a call & see what he says.
Good luck, let us know what you find.

 

[Armybrat]

Two clicks?

Maybe it's really a Ruger Vaquero.

 

[rondog]

Any chance you could get some photos of those lil' darlins? Can't get more 'Merican than good ol' Colt SAA's!

 

[Jim K]

Broken triggers and broken out hammer notches are among the most common problems of the SAA. It is often possible to recognize the problem just by looking at the position of the trigger; if it is too far forward, the top (sear) is broken. If it is too far back, the trigger spring is broken.

Jim

 

[Armybrat]

Only have one Colt SAA, and it's never gonna get fired by me. So am looking for a new production either in .45 Colt or .357 for a shooter.

 

[Jim K]

Colt still makes the SAA in both those calibers, and used ones can be found on the internet sites as well as almost any gun show. In addition, at lower cost, are clones by Uberti and others, as well as modern single actions by Ruger.

Jim

 

[PRM]

Only have one Colt SAA, and it's never gonna get fired by me. - Armybrat

Nice collectible, but since I can't take my guns with me, I'm gonna shoot em while I got em.

A lot of folks treasure things their whole life just to see the person they leave them too, sell them off for a fraction of their worth and blow the money. I'd say shoot it, and then shoot it some more. If it's the collectible "hold back?" Sell it, buy the one you'll shoot and spend the extra on bullets.

 

[Armybrat]

Naw, my two sons who are gonna inherit the rest of my collection are gunnuts, and won't be selling any of them. When I shuffle off, they both can shoot them all to their hearts content.
The .45 Colt Texas Sesquicentennial will remain unfired by me - don't have any ammo for it and don't want to start having to buy a supply of a new caliber if I can help it. However, I would change my mind if a good deal on a new Colt SAA in .45 can be found.

I recently bought a Ruger New Vaquero in .357 - and it's pretty sweet. Made me jones for a Colt to shoot.