Colt Fiasco Update

[Kansas Ed]

Ok...just to keep things honest. I received my SAA back from Colt AGAIN today. As you recall this new revolver was sent back two times for quality issues...this last time they finally replaced a bad receiver.

The handgun I received today was very nice. Action timed well...new receiver allows the hammer to be straight IE hammer doesn't drag now. Finish is excellent this time. Cylinder throats spec well. Grips fit nicely. And they sent the correct caliber cylinder this time for the gun.

I'm actually torn now. Tulsa is this week...do I trade it off on something else before I try and shoot it, or do I take a chance and fire a couple boxes of ammo through it and take a chance on the nickel flaking off again?

Opinions on what I should do welcome....no encouraged...give me some feedback...

Ed

[Hobie]

Well, do you want a NICKEL gun or just an SAA? I've never liked nickel because of the flaking but I do have a nickeled S&W 34. I think it will eventually flake. Personally, I'd trade/sell it off and get a CC and blued gun.

[Kansas Ed]

Well, do you want a NICKEL gun or just an SAA? I've never liked nickel because of the flaking but I do have a nickeled S&W 34. I think it will eventually flake. Personally, I'd trade/sell it off and get a CC and blued gun.

I have a CC and Blued gun...the whole reason I ordered this one was a lifelong dream to have the revolver below...I know..he lost this battle and for once was the bad guy..

Ed

[olyinaz]

...the whole reason I ordered this one was a lifelong dream to have the revolver below...

Sorta answers your question no?

Oly

[TedH]

...the whole reason I ordered this one was a lifelong dream to have the revolver below...

Sorta answers your question no?

Oly

+1

[jd45]

With the way Bronson's angled his barrel, you'd expect his bullet to go over Henry's head. But that's Hollywood for ya. I remember the last shot Alan Ladd took in "Shane"........he fired before his barrel got anywhere NEAR the angle it would've taken to hit the guy above him. I've never understood why the director didn't make him do it over until he got it right. But then, he was probably a flaming Liberal & didn't know the first thing about how guns work anyway. End of rant, jd45

[gak]

After a lot of hassle, you finally got it right and to your satisfaction. Keep it and enjoy!

[Kansas Ed]

With the way Bronson's angled his barrel, you'd expect his bullet to go over Henry's head. But that's Hollywood for ya. I remember the last shot Alan Ladd took in "Shane"........he fired before his barrel got anywhere NEAR the angle it would've taken to hit the guy above him. I've never understood why the director didn't make him do it over until he got it right. But then, he was probably a flaming Liberal & didn't know the first thing about how guns work anyway. End of rant, jd45

That still was a few seconds after the shot.......Fonda had been spun around after the hit, and was just standing there. Love that movie...in the beginning when Fonda shoots the red headed child..I knew it wasn't going to follow the rules of the sterotypical average western. And Jason Robards was tops in it.

But maybe most of you are right....I just expect the nickle to all flake off after 100 rounds..then the nightmare starts all over again

Ed

[Beaker]

Get a stainless steel Ruger

[Sixgun]

Thats a decision where your gut will tell you what to do. If you really like the SA, keep it. Big deal, so it flakes--maybe, maybe not. If its a "keeper", no one but you is gonna know and when you take the ride to the last shootin' range in the sky, who cares if your heirs get $800 or $1200 for it.

You will be the one with the smile. --------Sixgun

[jd45]

Kansas Ed, thanx for the correction, it's been so long since I've seen the movie, I didn't remember. I guess it's about time I watch it again. jd45. BTW, how long did those nickel-plated Colts of the first generation last for their owners, I wonder. jd45

[rjohns94]

shoot it. there will be other opportunities to sell it.

[Mescalero]

Great still!

[rodeo kid]

Keep it for sure. I have a 3rd gen SAA nickel in .44-40. I only have about 100 rds through it and have only had it about 9 months but it looks like new. I also have a nickel Colt Cobra I bought in 1972. It has maybe 500 rds through it. I carried it as an of duty firearm for 24yrs. While the nickel has faded a little, it has zero flaking. God Bless.

[mran1126]

That " Shane " shot always bothered me too. I never understood why they didn't redo that shot either.

[Rusty]

You've worked hard enough for it you deserve to be able to keep it and enjoy it.

[Mutt]

I worked on my nickle Colt SAA and was able to test it yesterday. I must have done some good, the dang thing actually shot like it should. I've owned it for several years ,about 12 or so, but hardly ever shot it thinking it would screw up the finish. Then I thought , @ this age who gives a popsicle . Had a very good time. And my lovely young wife got to break in her new Henry .22 . Sweet lever action. If we try to save them for some one else , they didn't earn it , and I did. Gonna' , and do shoot all when I can.,,,,,,,,,,,,Have Fun . ...........Mutt

[M. M. Wright]

Just be sure NOT to use smokeless solvents (Hoppe's No. 9, Bullseye etc.) on any nickel gun. They will all make the nickel come off. They were formulated to dissolve jacket material from the barrel and the nickel usually has a thin copper plate under it. The first gen Colts were shot with black powder. It was all they had and it had to be cleaned up with water! The army back then cleaned with water and then applied "sweet oil" (you can read that olive oil).

I got a 5.5" full nickel SAA in 44-40 back in '58. It was made in 1881 and had the one piece wooden grips. Cost me a '58 Remington and $45! I shot everything in that gun but knew to not use the Hoppe's on it so the nickel stayed. I remember shooting in on the salt beach at the Great Salt Lake and being able to see the bullet hit about 200 yards downrange. My second ex-wife managed to get it stolen out of the car at the Oklahoma City Zoo. I regret losing the gun.

M. M.

[Hobie]

...the whole reason I ordered this one was a lifelong dream to have the revolver below...

Sorta answers your question no?

Oly

+1 more

[bdhold]

he made a great bad guy.
I always liked Glenn Ford as the good guy.

[kimwcook]

Keep it, shoot it and take care of it right. The finish will probably be just fine. I like how Mutt put it....Why try and save it for someone else. They didn't earn it, I did.

[J Miller]

Hoppe's #9 and nickle plating;
Many years ago in the late 70s I carried a nickled S&W Mdl 15 while driving armored trucks. I shot it a LOT. Always used Hoppe's #9 to clean it. Once cleaned I'd wipe it dry then oil it.
When it went down the trade route for something else the plating was still intact. Just showed the wear from use.
I think the problem starts when you soak the gun in Hoppe's for a prolonged period of time. Routine cleaning and care shouldn't be a problem.
Just my experience with this.

Joe

[Sixgun]

Hoppe's #9 and nickle plating;
Many years ago in the late 70s I carried a nickled S&W Mdl 15 while driving armored trucks. I shot it a LOT. Always used Hoppe's #9 to clean it. Once cleaned I'd wipe it dry then oil it.
When it went down the trade route for something else the plating was still intact. Just showed the wear from use.
I think the problem starts when you soak the gun in Hoppe's for a prolonged period of time. Routine cleaning and care shouldn't be a problem.
Just my experience with this.

Joe

Me too. Been shooting a nickel 29, Python and a detective special all since the mid seventies with a combined total of probably close to 10K rounds. The nickels all there.----------Sixgun

[firefuzz]

Hoppe's #9 and nickle plating;
Many years ago in the late 70s I carried a nickled S&W Mdl 15 while driving armored trucks. I shot it a LOT. Always used Hoppe's #9 to clean it. Once cleaned I'd wipe it dry then oil it.
When it went down the trade route for something else the plating was still intact. Just showed the wear from use.
I think the problem starts when you soak the gun in Hoppe's for a prolonged period of time. Routine cleaning and care shouldn't be a problem.
Just my experience with this.

Joe

Me too. Been shooting a nickel 29, Python and a detective special all since the mid seventies with a combined total of probably close to 10K rounds. The nickels all there.----------Sixgun

They used to put a warning on the large Hoppe's bottles about soaking nickel parts, not a good thing. Having said that I've got a couple of nickel Smith's that have had thousands of rounds thru them and been cleaned, then wiped dry, with Hoppe's since I bought them. No flaking or peeling yet.

Rob

[rangerider7]

flaking on a nickle gun is common. Shoot it and enjoy. The flaking gives it character.