Looking for gunsmith recommendations for the Colt SAA, SAA clones and Ruger Single Actions. I'm looking for reputable gunsmiths that truly understand how the SAA works and how to tune and or repair it if needed, not just someone that will throw some light springs in and or file away at parts without any real understanding of how the gun is supposed to work and call it an action job or "fixed". Looking for essentially the same thing for Ruger single actions. It's pretty easy to find reputable single action smiths in the US, but that isn't necessarily the case in Canada. I appreciate any help that can be offered.
Looking for gunsmith recommendations for SAA/single action revolvers
- Thread starter the judge
- Start date
You don't list a location in your user profile so I'll just suggest that you find out who the local cowboy action folks use. But if you end up needing to ship the guns anyway then I can also recommend Rusty Wood Trading. I've tried some of the guns tuned up by Peter and they are sure nice. In particular he does a sweet job on the Rugers. Tuned for Cowboy use the triggers won't be super light. But they'll break nice and clean with no felt creep. For action shooting you really don't need or want a hair trigger. But if you want them tuned for strictly target shooting with a very light trigger then specify that.
I've shot a couple of SAA guns which do have a super light trigger and frankly the tendency is too high to touch them off before you're ready. Particularly while cocking and getting your grip back for aiming. It's too easy to lightly brush against the trigger by accident and send the round off. So I tend to prefer about a 4 to 5 lb pull but with no discernible creep.
I've shot a couple of SAA guns which do have a super light trigger and frankly the tendency is too high to touch them off before you're ready. Particularly while cocking and getting your grip back for aiming. It's too easy to lightly brush against the trigger by accident and send the round off. So I tend to prefer about a 4 to 5 lb pull but with no discernible creep.
Thanks for the replies to date. I'm ok with shipping if that ends up being the case so location isn't an issue. Rusty Wood and Murray were already my top choices. I may want to use my single actions for Cowboy at some point. I'm not concerned about having a light or hair trigger. Proper timing, lock up and proper ignition IS important.
I've handled a number of Colt clones that were reportedly worked on over the years that while obviously had slicked actions or just lighter springs installed they had obvious timing issues. A heavy ring around the cylinder and worn notches on an otherwise lightly used Colt SA or clone is evidence of poor timing, outside mishandling like lowering the hammer from half ####. I want to avoid this. Rugers from understanding, even when properly timed will have a turn ring. Anyway finding a gunsmith that understands how Colt's and Rugers are built to work and can tune them accordingly is important. Thanks for the feedback to date.
I've handled a number of Colt clones that were reportedly worked on over the years that while obviously had slicked actions or just lighter springs installed they had obvious timing issues. A heavy ring around the cylinder and worn notches on an otherwise lightly used Colt SA or clone is evidence of poor timing, outside mishandling like lowering the hammer from half ####. I want to avoid this. Rugers from understanding, even when properly timed will have a turn ring. Anyway finding a gunsmith that understands how Colt's and Rugers are built to work and can tune them accordingly is important. Thanks for the feedback to date.
okcorral1881
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- East of Toronto
+1 for Peter, Rusty Wood!
