Colt .45 Peace Maker

Big Cedar Idaho

September 05, 2012 08:34

Can anyone tell me if it is safe to use current smokeless ,45 LC ammo in this 1870 model colt??

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  Ray Boone

  September 05, 2012 08:40

  It depends on which smokeless powder you are wanting to use. Blackpowder has a specific burn curve. Get a smokeless powder that matches the burn curve and peak as well as duration pressures and there is very little difference except in the clean-up.

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  nmyers

  September 05, 2012 08:51

  I think it would be best to have your gun inspected by a gunsmith before firing it.
  
  Neal

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  tsr1965

  September 05, 2012 09:34

  If you have a Colt SAA(peace maker), and it dates back to the 1870's, it is most likely worth more, than to make me want to fire anything thru it.
  
  Best

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  Hawk Carse

  September 05, 2012 10:35

  If you give the serial number that can be tied to a year of manufacture, we can give you a better idea.
  
  Colt did not approve their guns for smokeless powder until 1900, around serial number 192000. (Flayderman)
  
  By the way, the Peacemaker was the model of 1873. An 1870 Colt would be a percussion revolver or a conversion from percussion to cartridge.

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  JudgeColt

  September 06, 2012 19:41

  "By the way, the Peacemaker was the model of 1873."
  
  While the Model P Single Action Army was often called the "Peacemaker," Colt never used that term to identify the Single Action Army. The name "Peacemaker" was first and only applied to the steel frame .22 caliber single action revolvers introduced in 1970.

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  Big Cedar Idaho

  September 07, 2012 16:25

  Thanks for the input. I passed it along to the guy and he agrees that the gun is valuable, but he still wants to fire it. So he will use the black powder suggestion. Apologize for the typo on the 1870, it should have been a 3.

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  v35

  September 07, 2012 20:14

  That 1873 Colt could have been made in 1973 or 2012. The serial number would tell us what year it was made and if it is safe to fire modern smokeless loads.
  Whether it is safe to fire at all might be determined by photos and description.

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  Spider7115

  September 08, 2012 04:36

  quote:Originally posted by v35
  That 1873 Colt could have been made in 1973 or 2012. The serial number would tell us what year it was made and if it is safe to fire modern smokeless loads.
  Whether it is safe to fire at all might be determined by photos and description.
  
  Exactly. Maybe 1873 or 1973, who knows? It's like asking "I have a 1968 Chevy. Is it safe to drive?"
  
  Without knowing whether it's blackpowder or smokeless, antique or modern, year of manufacture, original parts or mixed parts and whether they're worn, heavy rust, mechanical condition, clear pictures, etc., I wouldn't recommend firing it at all until it's been checked by a qualified, licensed gunsmith.

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