Six, 5 or 6, we gots ta know.

[Old Savage]

Ok Six, we have to know. You love the old Colts but if it was you carrying, a five shot Colt or a six shot Ruger?

[jeepnik]

Just to make things clear, most folks carrying 1873 Colts did carry them with six, not five. Of course, they didn't have quite as many lawyers then as today. Or at least not as many greedy crooked ones.

[JerryB]

When I carried my Colt every day I carried five in the chamber not because of some lawyer, I just did not want a 255grain piece of lead in my leg.

[Sixgun]

OS,
Whether we are hunting, competing, showing off, or just plain blasting away, the gun you use means just as much to the enjoyment of your sport as does the sport itself. I usually handicap myself as the gun I am using is even more important.

For instance, I have used antique Winchesters, Colts, and Smith & Wessons my entire life to hunt, whether it's deer, elk, or squirrels. I use these same guns to compete against guys who use new guns with pristine rifling. My short to medium range guns almost always win out. Those new Sharps, Brownings, whatever rifles are hard to beat for the 400+ meter shots.

If I was living far from civilization where my life depended on my gun, it would be a new model Ruger....hands down......nothing else comes close. A New Model full size Blackhawk would accompany me in the woods and a New Vacaro would be my defense gun. I choose this route because of absolute reliability, not to be able to carry the extra round.

A single action Colt always rides under my arm when hunting...usually a 38-40. About 10 years ago while in the Rockies, the hand spring broke on a 3rd. Gen 38-40........other than a couple of antique Colt cap and ball guns...it's the only time a hand spring has ever broken on dozens of Colts I've owned and shot. I don't need to take that chance if using a revolver for defense.-----6

[gcs]

As an aside, lawyers have always been crooked,

[Old Savage]

Very interesting Six. So you get reliability and an extra round.

[Griff]

I ain't a collector, and will use the guns for more enjoyment than my descendants will gain from some puke that will buy them when I'm done... so... I put Ruger hand springs & plungers in my Colts (3rd Gens) for reliability. Don't need no stinkin' 6 rounds if you hit sumpin' with the first 5!

[JerryB]

AMEN!!!!!, Brother Griff...........

[Malamute]

Just to make things clear, most folks carrying 1873 Colts did carry them with six, not five. Of course, they didn't have quite as many lawyers then as today. Or at least not as many greedy crooked ones.

Curious. Not what Ive understood. Do you have a source you can recommend for that information?

[jeepnik]

Just to make things clear, most folks carrying 1873 Colts did carry them with six, not five. Of course, they didn't have quite as many lawyers then as today. Or at least not as many greedy crooked ones.

Curious. Not what Ive understood. Do you have a source you can recommend for that information?

Family history. Dad's uncle was a lawman in McGill Nevada. Two things about him. He carried with all chambers loaded in his handguns and generally preferred a shotgun.

[J Miller]

When I was in my teens, many eons ago, I frequented a gun shop in Phoenix, AZ that was inhabited by old guys. When I say, old they were my age now, then. I listened to them tell many stories and was taught by these old pharts how to handle and load single action revolvers. This was before the introduction of the horrid New Model Ruger action.

They taught me two very basic single action procedures:

A; Load one, skip one, load four

B; Carry it with an empty chamber under the hammer

This was in the sixties and they were in their late sixties then. They were teaching me how they were taught to use and carry a Colt SAA.

I suppose there was always those that ignored this safety rule and got away with it. But there was also those who didn't get away with it and got hurt or killed.

ETA: I carry all my single actions with an empty chamber under the hammer unless I think I'm going to need to use them for something serious.
I don't own any New Model Rugers, I can't stand them.

Joe

[M. M. Wright]

When an old cowboy upgraded his cap & ball six shooter to a ca'tridge gun he was accustomed to resting the hammer between chambers as Colt intended. I think it was common practice to let the firing pin down between cartridge rims on the '73 Colts. I did it for years. Also, the five shot Smiths and Owl Head break tops should be closed with the firing pin between cartridge rims. It was just common knowledge back when.