First of all let me say that I have searched this forum and other's for a definitive answer to my query with limited success. Instead I've found myself reading volumes of re-loading advice that is for the most part Greek to me. In searching and reading I have also cast many doubt's in my mind about my new toy, such as whether the frame is steel or iron, whether the cylinder has been upgraded to smokeless and whether I should even shoot it at all, to name but a few.
Anyways, here is my situation. I have recently purchased an antique SAA chambered in 45 Colt. I am currently waiting on CFO approval so I can take possession of it, so unfortunately I do not have all the gun info at hand. What I can tell you is that it is definitely a first generation, black-powder frame (5 digit serial # below 15000) and there is evidence, such as inspection stamps, that the gun has been re-worked . The gentleman that I am purchasing it off paid Colt's archive department for a letter stating the history of the gun, and while there is no early history records available there is indeed record of it coming back to Colt to be refurbished. IIRC that was in the late 1800's or early 1900's then subsequently it was shipped to the Spingfield Armory (I think)? When I finally get the gun and have letter I can quantify those details if it makes a difference. So keeping that limited amount of info in mind are there any factory loaded cartridges available in Canada that would be safe to shoot in this revolver? Of course that is assuming the gun is in good, safe working order. I'm not talking about putting 100's of rounds down the pipe either, but rather the occasional trip to the range.
Anyways, here is my situation. I have recently purchased an antique SAA chambered in 45 Colt. I am currently waiting on CFO approval so I can take possession of it, so unfortunately I do not have all the gun info at hand. What I can tell you is that it is definitely a first generation, black-powder frame (5 digit serial # below 15000) and there is evidence, such as inspection stamps, that the gun has been re-worked . The gentleman that I am purchasing it off paid Colt's archive department for a letter stating the history of the gun, and while there is no early history records available there is indeed record of it coming back to Colt to be refurbished. IIRC that was in the late 1800's or early 1900's then subsequently it was shipped to the Spingfield Armory (I think)? When I finally get the gun and have letter I can quantify those details if it makes a difference. So keeping that limited amount of info in mind are there any factory loaded cartridges available in Canada that would be safe to shoot in this revolver? Of course that is assuming the gun is in good, safe working order. I'm not talking about putting 100's of rounds down the pipe either, but rather the occasional trip to the range.
That just creates more questions than answers for me, but I do plan on getting into re-loading eventually. My buddy shoots a lot of 9mm and re-loads for that, so he could help me get set-up at least. Are you re-loading with smokeless, BP or a BP substitute?
