What SAA clone for slipgun?

[russlate]

Ever since reading Elmer Keith's Sixguns I've wanted a slipgun, but couldn't stand the thought of hacking up a Colt to do it with.

Can anyone tell me of a good clone to use to make one? Spare parts availability would be high on the list.

If you haven't heard of a slipgun before, it's an SAA with it's hammer cut and rewelded back on and recontoured so it's hammer spur just about touches the backstrap at full cock. The trigger mechanism is removed and the gun fires by the hammer "slipping" out from the web of the hand used to cock it.

Yes, it is dangerous if handled improperly. No, you won't shoot yourself if you obey the laws of safe gun handling. And yes, it can be shot accurately with practise.

Back in the old days, folks gave guys carrying slipguns a wide berth. That's because even if you got the first shot off, the guy with the slipgun would release the hammer and the gun would fire in his death throes. Plus the guy knew how to use it and practised a lot, and if he lost he planned to take you with him when he went. Or both. The guys carrying were kinda like rattlesnakes who'd been caught and their rattles cut off and released. They had attitudes.

So which clones would lend themseves to such modifications?

 

[Old Fuff]

If you can stand to wait, I'd get one of the new mid-frame Ruger Vaquaro's that have just been introduced. It is a very rugged revolver, and the same size as a Colt. The lockwork will stand up better, but you'll have to hold the trigger back when you slip-shoot.

 

[russlate]

I appreciate the thought, but I don't buy S&W's with internal locks; I consider rubber grips an abomination; and I won't buy a gun with an integral lock that can't be removed. Springfield's mainspring housing lock is one I can live with long enough to take it home and replace it.

The new Ruger has a built in lock that I suppose I could get rid of by replacing the grip frame. But the the Ruger also uses a transfer bar system which would not work with a missing trigger.

 

[Old Fuff]

Ruger's new lock is on the gripframe under the grips. It can't be reached or seen unless a hole is drilled through the grip - something that isn't done at the factory. If you should happen to remove it nothing will show it was ever there ...

Yes, you would have to hold the trigger back while you slipped the hammer, but this didn't cause any problems for me. If you have a Colt (or Colt clone) without the trigger, loading can be a bit tricky because there is nothing to hold the hammer in a half-cock position while you rotate the cylinder.

If (when) you make a hammer, cut off the old spur and replace it with a peg that's mounted lower. Trim the peg to release at the right point for your particular hold and thumb. Otherwise it won't work very well.

 

[russlate]

Thanks, Old Fuff: I'm aware of the problem.

And I know that the new hammer spur should be shaped like the business end of an "awl". I've considered a gun with a double notched base pin safety if they still import them, or creating one specially to enable safe loading.

 

[Old Fuff]

Regardless of which make of single action revolver you pick, another problem is that if the hammer is not stopped by contacting the backstrap when it is cocked the hand will jam the bolt against the side of the cylinder notch and peen it out in short order. There are a number of ways to prevent this, but one I prefer (on Colt or Colt clones) is to install a screw in the trigger guard located under the tip of the mainspring. It takes the blow of the suddenly blocked hammer and does not transmit the shock to the hand and then the cylinder’s ratchet and the cylinder bolt. Also replace the stock trigger & bolt spring with one made from music wire. Last but not least make the hammer spur too long and then shorten it to work with your hand and the way you hold the gun.

If you want a basepin that’s long enough to hold the hammer back enough to depress the cylinder bolt where it will release the cylinder you’ll have to make one. The ones used in Italian clones only block the hammer at the quarter-cock position.

 

[TABING]

I got me a United States Fire Arms Rodeo, which is considered by folks who know "ole timey" guns to be better made than a Colt at half the price. You might want to look into one those. BTW it's made in the USA at Colts old factory building.