Jager Italy Dakota

[Gordon]

I could not resist the apparently unfired OLD nickel 7.5" .45 Colt "Jager Italy 1873 model" on top of barrel and "Dakota 11.55 mm" plus Italian proofs on side of barrel SAA. No weird safeties, walnut grips unfinished and much handled since the old boy bought it in early 70s. Nickel is perfect and mirrored, locks up good and tight BUT trigger is too light at 1/2 a pound
Old boy "played" with gun alot but never shot it ! , I paid $200 of the money I sold an Arisaka and bayonet for and still have enough for a couple boxes of .45 LC. I ordered a spring kit from Bob's of Ark, but wonder how would be the best way to safen up the sear engagement? I have hard arkansaw slips I could deepen engagement or should I file down a new Colt Saa sear?

 

[rcmodel]

If the hammer notch is worn off round from "playing" or fanning?
You would have to re-cut it, and probably also modify the half-cock and safety notches to clear the trigger tip. And also re-cut or replace the trigger.
And then reharden the hammer & trigger.

There really is no "sear" in a SAA, as the tip of the trigger is the sear.

It is doubtful if a new Colt trigger is going to fit, or fix the problem if it did.

It could be the "old boy" purposely bent or ground down the flat spring that controls the trigger & bolt. Maybe also put a leather washer under it and/or the hammer spring to reduce tension.
That was an "old timers" pet DIY gunsmith trick for SAA's!

If that is all that is wrong, a new trigger/bolt spring & tossing the leather washers should fix it.

rc

 

[Gordon]

Thanks RC, I can afford a trigger from Bobs but the hammer is $90 so I'll be cutting maybe.