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Question about Transitional Colt SAA .45 1906

GunsForBreakfast
I've been looking around for a colt revolver and stumbled on one made in the transition from first gen to second gen.

since i like too shoot my guns i was wondering if this old colt can be shot...maybe 200 rounds a month or so.

i have heard that shooting these older guns is not such a good idea. not so much because of diminished collector value but physically the gun cant take it. so i was wondering how true that was.

and also..... its a shorter barrel than i want so i was thinking that if i bought it i would take off the barrel it came with and put it away...then get a longer 7.5 inch barrel.

i like this piece and if i buy it.... i plan on keeping it.
provided i can swap out the barrel and shoot it despite its old age.

so? what do ya think?
thanks for your input.
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • rufe-snow
    There is a bunch of 45 LC ammo on the market made specifically for the SASS shooters. It low velocity/low pressure stuff. If your SAA was made in 1906 and still in good physical condition, this stuff wouldn't hurt it.

    There are a number of gunsmiths who specialize in the SAA for the cowboy shooters. I wouldn't let anybody else do the work you want on yours. You want to keep it in as original possible condition, if you ever want to put the original barrel back on and sell it.
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  • GunsForBreakfast
    thats what i was thinking ...that i would keep the barrel in case i wanted to sell it. i know a guy that works on these older guns and if i was gonna shoot it.... it would be 180 -200 grain ammo

    it looks to be in very good condition but.... i do want to shoot it if i buy it. i just wasnt sure about the age and how it would respond to even the lower grained ammo.

    thanks for your comment
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  • Hawk Carse
    1906 or 1956?

    Second generation is usually taken to mean the post WW II resumption of manufacture in 1956. A 1906 gun would be an early smokeless model.
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  • perry shooter
    Hello We need to agree on what the term TRANSITIONAL is ALL first Generation colts were made before WW II or shortly after that and made up of parts left over Second generation colts had the letters SA as the last two digits of serial number unless other letters denoting special run. Any colt SAA with serial number after 192001 made 1900 and later is warranted by colt for smokeless powder earlier then 192001 are so called Black Powder guns. Yes you can change barrels BUT this will decrease the Value The short barrel with a 2 line address on top of barrel bring the most money . It is your pistol and you can do what you want with it however any first Generation pistol is worth the money to get a factory letter . this will tell you what barrel grips ETC the pistol came with and to whom it was shipped. It may have been shipped to someone famous and You could by replacing the barrel go from a BIG BUCKS original SAA to a Shooter. Get the letter first you might have a pistol that is worth what a pair of Second Gen in the box would trade for. I for one along with many others are always on the look-out for original first Gen colts. to trade or buy.
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  • Mike D.
    I can't tell you how many thousands of rounds has been run through my 1902 and 1903 Colt FSS SAs. Neither have ever broken and have never seen a gunsmith. The one on the left has beautifully engraved initials on the backstrap. No "safe queens" these, they are almost daily carried and used guns.ColtFSS-1.jpg
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  • GunsForBreakfast
    Hey there Perry!
    i am aware that the value would diminish... thats i want to save the original barrel? i dont believe this was a famous gun because the guy who has it is a collector and he would know that.

    all i am interested in is if the gun can be a regualar shooter with the right ammo. i love the look of it and i also like a 7.5 inch barrel. if i swap out the barrel i would hang on to the original one for sure.

    thanks for your comments.


    Mike D.! LOVE YOUR OLD GUNS!
    thanks for telling me about them....i'm sure they must be fun.
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  • tsr1965
    quote:Originally posted by GunsForBreakfast
    Hey there Perry!
    i am aware that the value would diminish... thats i want to save the original barrel? i dont believe this was a famous gun because the guy who has it is a collector and he would know that.

    all i am interested in is if the gun can be a regualar shooter with the right ammo. i love the look of it and i also like a 7.5 inch barrel. if i swap out the barrel i would hang on to the original one for sure.

    thanks for your comments.


    Mike D.! LOVE YOUR OLD GUNS!
    thanks for telling me about them....i'm sure they must be fun.


    I do believe that if it is made in 1906, it is safe for most standard smokless powder loads. There are some from ammo makers like Garret, and Buffalo Bore that are +P and should not be used an your Colt. Just for your info, I have a made in 1897 SAA in 41 Colt, that I shoot regularly with the Ultramax Cowboy ammo. It does just fine. You should see the look on the face of people when I tell them that this is a 112 year old gun I am dancing tin cans around with. I have a made in 1895 model 1892 Winchester that I do the same with.

    I do believe you would be making a mistake by swapping barrels. There is just too much that a true hard nose collector can tell that the barrel has been swapped back and forth. That is just my opinion.

    Best
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  • GunsForBreakfast
    Hey tsr ! thanks for your comment. i have been thinking about it and i went to look at the gun again today.
    i dont think it would be an easy swap of the barrel so i better just let it alone and find one thats already got the long barrel on it.

    its a REAL nice peace though.... it has those bigger grips and it sure feels good in the hand...just wish it had the longer barrel.

    i may just get it and leave it as is. its cool that you shoot such old guns... i will definitely keep that in mind as i look around at others for sale.
    thanks
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  • tsr1965
    quote:Originally posted by GunsForBreakfast
    Hey tsr ! thanks for your comment. i have been thinking about it and i went to look at the gun again today.
    i dont think it would be an easy swap of the barrel so i better just let it alone and find one thats already got the long barrel on it.

    its a REAL nice peace though.... it has those bigger grips and it sure feels good in the hand...just wish it had the longer barrel.

    i may just get it and leave it as is. its cool that you shoot such old guns... i will definitely keep that in mind as i look around at others for sale.
    thanks




    Even though several women might not think so, the shorter barrels are a lot more handier to get into use. And not nescessarily less accurate or potent....hehehehe[:0][:0][:0]
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  • He Dog
    tsr should we start calling you "stubby" around here?[}:)]
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