Are guys with redone Colt SAA revolvers from the 1880s shooting smokeless in them? My buddy is eyeing a Colt SAA and he is wondering about the steel in older guns. A few weeks ago a nice Colt SAA came up in .44spl but it was from 1874 or so. That steel just seems so early to me, though I have fired BP reloads in revolvers from 1874 & 1875. Obviously a "smokeless" frame Colt SAA would be ideal but they are harder to find.
Colt SAA - 1880s vs 1890s steel and smokeless ammunition
- Thread starter 41 Colt
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I dont think theres a big diffrence in the 1870s and 1880s stuff but by the 1890s there were lots of improvements in steels the late 1890s anyway. Everyone i sold a SAA colt to is shooting smokeless loads in them all but most are reloading and being carefull some shoot factory ammos to smokeless stuff. Im sure some guys over do it but so far everyone seems to be ok still got all there fingers and eyeballs. 
Dont forget theses guns have modern steel cylinders.
The SAA colt cross bolt frames are supose to be better steel in my opion i dont think it matters up here in Canada that much as the cylinders are all pretty much newer modern made cylinders and they do take most of the presure.
As to and original 41 Lc made in 1874 or 1897 i dont think it maters either because your loads wont be that diffrent id shoot smokeless in either gun to specs for that cartridge.
If you get into wildcat cartridges then it might mater but not the original old calibers.
I have a S&WDA in 22 K hornet thats and old 1890s frame made in 1897 and a original cylinder relinded with modern steel inserts and the barrel relined with modern steel liner im gona be playing with in the next few weeks. its alot of fun and this S&W DA has had lotsa 22 K hornet put thru it with no ill effects shes a good tight gun shooting rifle cartridges out to 100 Yds and accurate to for a handgun.
Wildcats are fun but you have to watch the presures and what the steel qualitys are.
I will be posting or starting a thred on the 22 hornet wildcat antique in a month or so as i have a WG target in regular 22 Hornet with its 8 inch target barrel in the works to.
i might get it set up in 22 K hornet as well as its really a better pistoil cartridge.
I want to add i hope this thred dont get way off topic and turn into another mud slinger thred about the ills of smokeless in antiques most reloaders know as long as you are carefull use common sence and reload with some understanding of balistics you wont blow all your fingers off.
Dont forget theses guns have modern steel cylinders.The SAA colt cross bolt frames are supose to be better steel in my opion i dont think it matters up here in Canada that much as the cylinders are all pretty much newer modern made cylinders and they do take most of the presure.
As to and original 41 Lc made in 1874 or 1897 i dont think it maters either because your loads wont be that diffrent id shoot smokeless in either gun to specs for that cartridge.
If you get into wildcat cartridges then it might mater but not the original old calibers.
I have a S&WDA in 22 K hornet thats and old 1890s frame made in 1897 and a original cylinder relinded with modern steel inserts and the barrel relined with modern steel liner im gona be playing with in the next few weeks. its alot of fun and this S&W DA has had lotsa 22 K hornet put thru it with no ill effects shes a good tight gun shooting rifle cartridges out to 100 Yds and accurate to for a handgun.
Wildcats are fun but you have to watch the presures and what the steel qualitys are.
I will be posting or starting a thred on the 22 hornet wildcat antique in a month or so as i have a WG target in regular 22 Hornet with its 8 inch target barrel in the works to.
i might get it set up in 22 K hornet as well as its really a better pistoil cartridge.
I want to add i hope this thred dont get way off topic and turn into another mud slinger thred about the ills of smokeless in antiques most reloaders know as long as you are carefull use common sence and reload with some understanding of balistics you wont blow all your fingers off.
Well its a strait sided case (almost) the 22 K hornet so better in revolvers.
You fire form 22 Hornet cases in a 22 K hornet chamber.
The K hornet case has hardly any taper in it.
Really im just learning about it myself to be honest as i got this S&W DA gun Pro converted in 22 K hornet which is supose to be a much better pistol cartridge than the long tappered 22 Hornet.
The WG is going to be 22 hornet and i have access to a 22 K hornet reamer so if 22 hornet dont work good in the WG im gona get the chambers reamed to 22 K hornet and stick with shooting that.
Hey its not likely to ever end up on any cartridge no list
Thankyou for the response Dingus. I should maybe rephrase the question to be more what my friend asked me. He is interested in a Colt SAA but only wants to spend that kind of money once, so is it better to hold off and wait for a "smokeless" frame or go for any 1880s+ that comes up? I have always personally thought the late 1890s was better steel and is what I would go for.
I dont think the true smokeless framed SAA colts came out till later than 1897 tho theres no way to be sure , it depends which book you read some say 165000 and up are better steel some say 185000 and up .
I like both guns and have never noticed any diffrence in strength between BP or Cross bolt frames as long as newer cylinder is used.
I like both guns and have never noticed any diffrence in strength between BP or Cross bolt frames as long as newer cylinder is used.
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Mike Venturino in "Shooting Sixguns of the Old West" states that until 1900 and at serial number 192000 did Colt warrant any SAA for smokeless powder.
Apparently .44 special did not appear before 1907 or 1908.
Apparently .44 special did not appear before 1907 or 1908.
Although I can't attest to strength of material, it is my understanding that the early Colts had malleable iron frames until the early 1880s, then low carbon steel until around 1900 when they moved to a medium carbon steel. I have Colt SAAs from 1874 (11###), 1894 and 1897. I shoot reduced power smokeless .38 loads exclusively in the 1897 without issue.... I haven't gotten around to shooting the other older two, but I plan on doing the same.
