SAA parts interchangability?

[tactical870]

Thinking of buying an 1873 Colt SAA. I'm just wondering if newer barrels and cylinders (more caliber choices) will fit on the first generation frames...... Thanks.

 

[41 Colt]

A barrel will need the correct thread of 20 TPI. Modern cylinders do not have full length base pin bushings IIRC, but I don't know if that would prevent it from fitting.

 

[starpuss]

most gen one and two stuff will work. but not gen 3

 

[tactical870]

So no gen 3 cylinders or barrels?

 

[41 Colt]

Barrels no, cyclinders possibly, I'll check through my books later.

 

[tactical870]

Any recommendations on Barrel length? The gun I bought is currently a 7.5" but I'm leaning towards going for a 5.5"..... Advantages or disadvantages?

 

[starpuss]

a 5.5" will spin Real nice on your finger where a 7.5" will not lol..

gen 3 barrels for sure will not work. Also gen 3 cylinders are a bit bigger

 

[tactical870]

The gun is a 7.5" now but a 5.5 sounds like a better balance, however I like a long sight plane.....

 

[Willy Tincup]

I like the 7 1/2" barrels and am leaving mine that length. I recently bought a new cylinder in 44 special with bushing and new centre pin out of the USA for mine. The cyl. fits in fine and cyl to barrel gap is .006" but the hand tries to turn the cyl before the bolt drops out so it jams up and will need some smithing. Works fine with the original cyl though> I've been told that I should get a new hand for it instead of altering the original and ruining that original value.

 

[starpuss]

The gun is a 7.5" now but a 5.5 sounds like a better balance, however I like a long sight plane.....

why not get one of each? start with the 5.5 if you dont like it go back to the 7.5"

 

[jethunter]

You can still buy new 1st generation cylinders and barrels.

Personally i like the 4.75 inch barrels, they look and feel right. 5.5" is a close second.

 

[starpuss]

I like the 7 1/2" barrels and am leaving mine that length. I recently bought a new cylinder in 44 special with bushing and new centre pin out of the USA for mine. The cyl. fits in fine and cyl to barrel gap is .006" but the hand tries to turn the cyl before the bolt drops out so it jams up and will need some smithing. Works fine with the original cyl though> I've been told that I should get a new hand for it instead of altering the original and ruining that original value.

yes each cylinder will need a new hand. there cheap buy a new one and keep your old one with your old cylinder (nice to give the stock parts when you go to sell it)

 

[starpuss]

You can still buy new 1st generation cylinders and barrels.

Personally i like the 4.75 inch barrels, they look and feel right. 5.5" is a close second.

have you seen new 4.75" forsale? all my dealers are sold out of them.

 

[jethunter]

have you seen new 4.75" forsale? all my dealers are sold out of them.

Within every 5.5" there lives a 4.75"... it just costs a bit more to get them shortened.

 

[starpuss]

Within every 5.5" there lives a 4.75"... it just costs a bit more to get them shortened.

i got a 2.5" or 3" colt saa barrel in 45acp. that would be cool!! (aftermarket.) not cut.

 

[41 Colt]

Was just searching on another forum for this myself. New gen cylinders have a flatter rachet which requires a different hand with more of a relief cut between the upper and lower hand surfaces. Some people have reported 3rd gen cylinders working fine as is in a 2nd gen but others need to recut or replace the hand with a 3rd gen.

Here's a photo, 3rd gen on left 1st/2nd on right.