Dry Firing Colt SAA
- Thread starter vintage68
- Start date
- Status
The Bushmaster
Member
Vintage68...I own a 43 year old Colt SAA that I bought new in 1966. It has been carried most of that time as a hunting backup or used to hunt with. I have thousands of moderate to hot .357 magnum rounds ran through it. It has been dry fired at least a thousand times. The only wear from dry firing and live firing is the area just below the firing pin hole where the heel of the hammer has been hitting it. Very little wear at all. The firing pin hole is still round. My new Kimber with just a little over 1,000 rounds through it shows more wear.
Dry fire your Colt SAA as you need to profect your trigger pull...
Dry fire your Colt SAA as you need to profect your trigger pull...
vintage68, I use snap caps in both my USFA Rodeos. In fact, the USFA manual specifically states NOT to dry fire their revolvers ... here's what they say in their manual:
"IMPORTANT: Do not snap hammer of revolver on empty chamber. The solid firing pin may fracture and/or you could damage the firing pin hole in the frame itself."
Well, it's your revolver and you have two opposite opinions. Mine isn't based on years of experience, merely the owners manual. Until I know better, I'm following the guidelines in the manual.
P.S. What does the Colt manual have to say on the matter?
"IMPORTANT: Do not snap hammer of revolver on empty chamber. The solid firing pin may fracture and/or you could damage the firing pin hole in the frame itself."
Well, it's your revolver and you have two opposite opinions. Mine isn't based on years of experience, merely the owners manual. Until I know better, I'm following the guidelines in the manual.
P.S. What does the Colt manual have to say on the matter?
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Modern SA revolvers like the Ruger can be dry-fired indefinately without damage.
I can't say the same about any Colt or Colt SAA clone.
I have replaced more then one damaged or broken SAA firing pin over the years. And seen guns with ill-fitted firing pins hog out the hole in the recoil shield.
They didn't get that way firing live ammo!
If it was my Colt SAA, I wouldn't do it, or do it with snap-caps only.
rcmodel
I can't say the same about any Colt or Colt SAA clone.
I have replaced more then one damaged or broken SAA firing pin over the years. And seen guns with ill-fitted firing pins hog out the hole in the recoil shield.
They didn't get that way firing live ammo!
If it was my Colt SAA, I wouldn't do it, or do it with snap-caps only.
rcmodel
Comparing a Ruger revolver to the old Colt SAA is pointless and a bit silly- they are different guns even though there is an outward resemblance.
As USFA says, it is fairly common for SA revolvers made like the Colt to suffer broken firing pins from dry-snapping. They break at the groove where the pin goes through. Replacement is easy enough but the nice smooth finish of the hammer may be marred in doing so.
I do recommend snap caps with Colt-type SA revolvers.
Jim
As USFA says, it is fairly common for SA revolvers made like the Colt to suffer broken firing pins from dry-snapping. They break at the groove where the pin goes through. Replacement is easy enough but the nice smooth finish of the hammer may be marred in doing so.
I do recommend snap caps with Colt-type SA revolvers.
Jim
madcratebuilder
Member
The SAA Colt should not be dry fired. It does not have a transfer bar. Buy some snap caps or make your own by using a hard eraser head cut down to fit in the primer pocket of a spent piece of brass.
An eraser head is not tough enough to provide a worthwhile cushion. I make snap caps using deprimed cases and "primers" cut from some round Nylon I bought years ago. I have two sizes and both require only a little sanding to fit either size primer pocket.
Jim
Jim
I bought 2 sets of A-ZOOM aluminum snap caps in .45 Colt from MidwayUSA ...
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=534209
... they're excellent plus they look good. They're rated for at least 3000 strikes so that's 18,000 dry fires per revolver so that means I can pull the trigger 36,000 times without even firing a shot ... not bad.
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=534209
... they're excellent plus they look good. They're rated for at least 3000 strikes so that's 18,000 dry fires per revolver so that means I can pull the trigger 36,000 times without even firing a shot ... not bad.
madcratebuilder
Member
I respectfully disagree Jim. IMHO nylon offers no cushioning effect at all. I made some from delrin, similar to nylon, and they stop the firing pin dead cold. I think the material you use should allow the firing pin to act like it is hitting a primmer. I use the eraser heads from ink pens, they are much harder than the ones you see on your typical #2 lead pencil. When inserted in the primer pocket they are quite hard.
I use commercial snap caps for most common calibers, but the odd calibers can be very expensive. I like making my own for my auto feeders using the bullets I plan on shooting so I can confirm if I have any feeding issues.
If it works for you, keep doing it.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Them ink pin erasers are chock full of abrasive grit.
Dry-fire on one long enough and you might wear the end plum off your firing pin!
rcmodel
Dry-fire on one long enough and you might wear the end plum off your firing pin!
rcmodel
The Bushmaster
Member
After a "very heated discussion"evil with rcmodel. You know how it is when two "ol' goats" bump heads. It has been decided that unless you are very familiar with your particular SAA, whether Colt or clone, you should not dry fire your weapon...I stand, NOT SO HUMBLY, corrected. But I can still dry fire mine for two reasons. It has been properly fitted so the firing pin does not contact the pin bushing. And for the last 43 years of its existance its been mine and I can do whatever I want with it...
evil with rcmodel. You know how it is when two "ol' goats" bump heads. It has been decided that unless you are very familiar with your particular SAA, whether Colt or clone, you should not dry fire your weapon...I stand, NOT SO HUMBLY, corrected. But I can still dry fire mine for two reasons. It has been properly fitted so the firing pin does not contact the pin bushing. And for the last 43 years of its existance its been mine and I can do whatever I want with it...
Last edited:
nalioth
Member
Can someone explain what this has to do with dry firing?
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Well, I sure can't!
Dry firing can break a transfer bar, just as easly as a transfer bar can break a firing pin.
You can dryfire Rugers with transfer bars, because Ruger designed them to be able to withstand dry-firing.
Your milage may vary with other lessor brands.
rcmodel
Dry firing can break a transfer bar, just as easly as a transfer bar can break a firing pin.
You can dryfire Rugers with transfer bars, because Ruger designed them to be able to withstand dry-firing.
Your milage may vary with other lessor brands.
Folks, it really wasn't heated. Just kinda lukewarm is all.
rcmodel
theotherwaldo
Member
I have been known to put a chunk of nylon cord between the hammer and frame of guns that I'm breaking in by working the actions. Acts as a bumper when you dry-fire. Folded paper works almost as well, though it can pack solid and allow metal-on-metal impact if you don't watch it.
Most snap caps are only reliable for a few dozen strikes. I only use them for function checks, not for practice sessions.
Most snap caps are only reliable for a few dozen strikes. I only use them for function checks, not for practice sessions.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
+1
A strip of leather with a hole punched in it works for Single-actions with hammer-mounted FP's.
rcmodel
A strip of leather with a hole punched in it works for Single-actions with hammer-mounted FP's.
rcmodel
CSA 357
Member
I am not in the habit of dry firing and of my guns, i broke a firing oin years ago, that goes for my colt single action too! i have plenty of brass so i just shoot it, csa
theotherwaldo said:
Well, it seems that A-ZOOM doesn't fall into the "most" category since their snap caps are rated for a minimum of 3000 strikes.
From their web site at http://www.azoomsnapcaps.com/ :
For safety training, function testing or safely decocking without damaging the firing pin, A-Zoom training rounds are much more than conventional snap-caps. They are precision CNC machined from solid aluminum to precise cartridge dimensions, then hard anodized for ultra-smooth functioning and long life.
In addition, each round has A-Zoom's remarkably durable "Dead Cap" proven to withstand over three thousand dry fires while protecting the firing pin. A-Zoom Snap Caps last over 30 times longer than conventional plastic examples and are available in over 120 sizes from .22 Hornet to the .50BMG.
* Selection: Over 120 rifle, shotgun, handgun and rimfire cartridges
* Safety: Teaches safe gun handling
* Durability: Thousands of dry fires without damage
* Precision: Functions just like real ammo - without the noise
* Toughness: Hard coat anodized aluminum construction
* Versatility: Training, storage, testing, practice
w_houle
Member
I was told to pack the inside of my Uberti with a polishing compound and shoot at the bad guys (empty gun) in my favorite movie.
I did just that (The Quick and the Dead); then I took the pistol apart and cleaned all of that stuff out, and didn't think anything of it.
I took it out to shot that weekend: I loaded it with a few bullets, then the cylinder started to drag. I took the bullets out, and noticed drag marks on the base of the bullets. The firing pin hole mushroomed out. A little filing and it was fine, but lesson learned.
I did just that (The Quick and the Dead); then I took the pistol apart and cleaned all of that stuff out, and didn't think anything of it.
I took it out to shot that weekend: I loaded it with a few bullets, then the cylinder started to drag. I took the bullets out, and noticed drag marks on the base of the bullets. The firing pin hole mushroomed out. A little filing and it was fine, but lesson learned.
madcratebuilder
Member
You been sniffin' them nitro fumes again, haven't you?
I'm not sure which bothers me more ... the fact that you almost ruined a perfectly good revolver or the fact that The Quick and the Dead is your favorite movie (western)!! Actually, it's the latter ... how the heck can that be your favorite movie (unless you're 18 years old and you have a thing for Sharon Stone)? Haven't you seen "The Outlaw Josey Wales", "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid", "A Fist Full of Dollars", "A Few Dollars More", "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly", "Unforgiven", "Pale Rider", "Open Range", "Dances With Wolves", "Quigley Down Under", "Two Mules for Sister Sara", "Tombstone" .. I could go on and on! :banghead:
GEEZ!!!
w_houle said:
I'm not sure which bothers me more ... the fact that you almost ruined a perfectly good revolver or the fact that The Quick and the Dead is your favorite movie (western)!! Actually, it's the latter ... how the heck can that be your favorite movie (unless you're 18 years old and you have a thing for Sharon Stone)? Haven't you seen "The Outlaw Josey Wales", "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid", "A Fist Full of Dollars", "A Few Dollars More", "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly", "Unforgiven", "Pale Rider", "Open Range", "Dances With Wolves", "Quigley Down Under", "Two Mules for Sister Sara", "Tombstone" .. I could go on and on! :banghead:
GEEZ!!!
- Status
