Newbie questions about SAA type revolver

LTR

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Well on whim I picked up a Uberti Cattleman, 4.75" bbl in .45 LC. Now I realize I know nothing about it :redface: Anyhow, I checked the Uberti website and it seems they don't really offer customer service for Canada and I could not download a manual either. A few questions before I take it to the range:

1. What's with the two detents on the cylinder pin? It appears that the front detent is some sort of "safe" position and only the rearmost detent would allow the hammer nose to strike the primer. Is this some early form of safety? I am wondering if this gun can be carried safely with 6 rounds in the cylinder on the rearmost detent-- but I doubt it.

2. I bought Winchester "cowboy action" ammunition. Anyone know of restrictions with regard to what should/should not be put through this revolver?

Thanks.
 
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Welcome to the "Wonderful World of Single Action Shooting"! Are you anywhere near a Cowboy Action club? ("Most fun you can have with your clothes on" ... or so they say.)

1. That Uberti "safety" system is actually used to satisfy the U.S. import requirements, and is a modern innovation. Original SAA's had no safety except the unreliable "half ####", or carrying with hammer down on an empty chamber. Matter of fact, loading that way is a hard and fast rule in Cowboy Action Shooting.

2. A Uberti will easily and safely handle factory "cowboy loads", and even standard factory loads for that matter. Don't go shooting any "+P" stuff, however, if you want to keep it in one piece and working properly!
 
In truth, the 'half ####' on a Colt Single Action Army revolver is used for the load/unload function. The 'first ####' is the 'safety' function (though questionable). The 'three quarter ####' is for disassembly (pulling the base pin out to remove the cylinder from the frame). Of course, the 'fourth ####' is to fire the revolver. By the way, a simple trick to 'load 5' is to load one round, skip one, and then load four. Then #### the revolver and let the hammer down (carefully) on an empty chamber. I use this method on my old '3 screw' Ruger 22 Single Six revolver.
 
Thank you. That was great information. I may try cowboy action shooting in the future. For now though, I am glad to know about the safety, loading and ammunition issues. Can't wait to give it a go.
 
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2. I bought Winchester "cowboy action" ammunition. Anyone know of restrictions with regard to what should/should not be put through this revolver?
Don't use hot ".44mag wonnabe" loads in .45 SAA type revolver...regular .45Colt will be fine!
 
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Hot Singles Action

I have a Pietta-made SAA .45LC. Brass frame with oiled finish and walnut grips. Very good piece. I found that Winchester cowboy loads were perfectly fine in it. Probably have put 200+ of those thru it. Don't know what yours is like, but my cylinder lock is just a straight screw, If you grease your cylinder pin too much and don't tighten that screw enough, shooting pushes it forward jamming the cylinder! I could be (nay, am) an idiot, but has anybody else experienced the same problem?
 
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