Dovetailing Colt SAA clone?

[snakeman]

If one had a colt saa clone with fixed sight could the top strap be dovetailed for an adjustable rear sight safely? I have always wanted a saa clone but the fact that the sights are fixed makes me apprehensive especially since I don't have much money :banghead:. I love the sights on my pre-transfer bar single six and would like a saa in 45 or 357 with windage and elevation adjustable sights without paying for a special run flattop or going to a heavy blackhawk that the cylinder doesn't properly line up with the loading gate on .

 

[highlander 5]

Not a gunsmith but a dove tail wouldn't work as all the adjustable sights that I know of have screws that attach them to the frame. Now if you are talking just for windage might work but there are easier and cheaper ways to adjust windage on a SAA.

 

[snakeman]

fair enough I'm just a stickler for all my guns to be dead on. I prefer a sight in range of 30 yards or so because out here on the ranch we don't shoot any closer than that.

 

[Old Fuff]

You can cut a small shallow dovetail and mount a windage-adjustable-only rear sight, but that weakens the topstrap, which is not the best thing to do. Any fully adjustable rear sight will require a new, higher front one, and at this point things are getting involved (and expensive).

Your best bet is to shop around for a used .357 or .45 Blackhawk that is in solid shape (as most are) but has some finish wear that brings the price down. A perfect finish is nice, but it doesn't make the gun shoot any better.

 

[snakeman]

I don't like the blackhawk at all though.

 

[rcmodel]

without paying for a special run flattop or going to a heavy blackhawk that the cylinder doesn't properly line up with the loading gate on

I don't like the blackhawk at all though.

Take another look.

The new flattop .357 & .44 Spl is built on a smaller Colt SAA size frame, and has a free spin pawl so the loading issues are gone.

rc

 

[snakeman]

Well then, I guess I'll just have to take a look at the new blackhawk. So here's the question can you get a blackhawk with a good light trigger and case hardened frame? Because that would be just the ticket.

 

[Jim Watson]

Even the 19th century Colt Single Action and Bisley Flattop target models had topstraps beefed up to accept the small windage only target sight of the day.

There was a fixed "service target" sight put on some S&Ws at one time.

It has been done to put a S&W rear sight on a SAA which calls for a lengthwise cut that just squares up the "hog wallow" and a small step at the rear of the frame.
Clements puts them on, probably Bowen and Gallagher, too. Not cheap.
http://www.clementscustomguns.com/sights.html

A Blackhawk can be GIVEN a good light trigger.
The only (imitation) color case hardened Rugers I have seen were Vaqueros.

 

[Old Fuff]

You can get anything and everything....

If you are willing to spend enough money...

Besides the Ruger, I believe that Uberti in Italy makes (or made?) a conventional Single Action with a flat topstrap and an adjustable rear sight. It looks much like the Blackhawk, but the insides are pure Colt SAA. Cost is probably around $500 or less. You might also check out the used gun market.

Also Colt is again making the New Frontier (A Blackhawk-like single action) but it's priced over $1,200 bucks. High, but likely cheaper then making over a Ruger.

Within reason, trigger pulls are not an issue, regardless of what you get. If it doesn't have what you want out-of-the-box it can be changed.

There are some who will color caseharden Ruger frames (the real kind) but again this treatment costs big time.

I wish you luck.

PS: Sometimes 1st issue .357 Blackhawks with nothing more then some finish and holster wear can be found in the $400+ ballpark. This revolver is far from rare.

 

[snakeman]

phew that IS costly nevermind! I'll just get a regular saa and learn how to shoot it

 

[CraigC]

Uberti does indeed produce a flat-top target model. It is 7½" only and .44-40 or .45Colt. I've handled them at Dixie Gun Works and they are nice. Would've brought one home but already had a 7½" New Frontier. A new New Frontier will cost about $1200 street price, once they become readily available. Which, quite honestly, looks no different from a Ruger flat-top.

A Colt SAA can be fitted with a S&W pre-war style rear sight and a new front sight for about $250 but I know of no gunsmiths who will do this on a replica that is not a USFA. I had this done to a Bisley Vaquero and the result is very elegant. Strength is not an issue as very little material is removed. The sight pictured was designed strictly for this purpose.




If you do just get a standard SAA replica, I would strongly suggest one with the nice and square 2nd generation style sights. Rather than the blackpowder era pinched frame. Which make the sixgun difficult to shoot accurately.

 

[Hammerdown77]

Uberti does indeed produce a flat-top target model. It is 7½" only and .44-40 or .45Colt. I've handled them at Dixie Gun Works and they are nice. Would've brought one home but already had a 7½" New Frontier. A new New Frontier will cost about $1200 street price, once they become readily available. Which, quite honestly, looks no different from a Ruger flat-top.

A Colt SAA can be fitted with a S&W pre-war style rear sight and a new front sight for about $250 but I know of no gunsmiths who will do this on a replica that is not a USFA. I had this done to a Bisley Vaquero and the result is very elegant. Strength is not an issue as very little material is removed. The sight pictured was designed strictly for this purpose.




If you do just get a standard SAA replica, I would strongly suggest one with the nice and square 2nd generation style sights. Rather than the blackpowder era pinched frame. Which make the sixgun difficult to shoot accurately.

Now that right there is the ticket! I need to get that done on a Vaquero of mine.

 

[snakeman]

That's freakin sweet! I want one!