USFA Rodeo & Colt SAA machined the same?

[FrankD]

I have a question maybe some of the "real" Colt guys could answer for me. The picture I'm showing here is my USFA Rodeo. The piece of white paper is stuck into the frame to display the cutout in the frame for the loading gate. I thought I had a problem, but USFA says its normal and all their SAA have it. My question is, do the COLTS have this same hole cut thru the frame.?

http://thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=44210&stc=1&d=1157074686

 

[Jim March]

No see pic? Or is it just me?

 

[Father Knows Best]

No pic. Your link is busted.

 

[FrankD]

I redid the pix. any better.?

 

[Jim March]

Ah. Yeah, perfect...nice pic in fact.

I have no idea whether or not that's deliberate. Sure looks like it might be? The machinework on that gun is VERY clean, downright sweet. It's also a more complex set of shapes in there than a Ruger, which is surprising.

With luck a Colt expert will be along to tell the tale. Worst case if you get no answer here post on the sixgunner.com forums, under "Single Action".

 

[Old Fuff]

For some reason the picture worked for me.

Yes, what you are seeing is the front of the hammer slot. This is not unusual, I have seen it in Colt frames, and it doesn't cause any problems, functional or otherwise. There is a thin section where the pivot for the gate goes. Sometimes the hole is deeper in some frames then it is in others. In any case don't worry about it, although when I come across the condition I check to be sure there aren't any burrs in the slot. If there is a small needle file will quickly remove them.

 

[Old Fuff]

You occasionally see it in Ruger frames too, although they have more "meat" in this area. In any case it doesn't make any difference, and it's nothing to worry about.

 

[FrankD]

My worries were one of quality control in the manufacturing process. If the material in that area is on the thin side, and Colts have it too, I would guess the USFA and Colts are equal in the machining catagory.

 

[Old Fuff]

For all practical purposes Colt and USFA frames are dimensionally the same, although in the case of USFA the frame may be slightly different reflecting the particular era Colt that is being duplicated. Over time, Colt made a number of changes. USFA could change the gate and not have the recess in the frame break into the hammer slot, but then their product wouldn't be faithful to the original.

Interior machining can leave minor burrs, which usually don’t cause any problems. If parts don’t rub against the burrs they are a moot point, and if the do the moving part(s) will soon burnish the burrs anyway. But perfectionists (such as the Old Fuff) still inspect the innards of the frame, and remove any burrs that are found. This may or may not have a practical effect, but it make him feel better.

Colt, Ruger and USFA all use different methods to manufacture a frame, but they all come out well in the end. Put your revolver back together and enjoy it.