Show us your Guns!

[Cornshucker77]

View attachment 179130 Finally, a 4 1/2 inch Colt New Service in 38-40 with Stags (1923), Old Geo Lawrence belt (1910-1940s), Heiser tooled holster (1919-1955) with Remington model 14 1/2 pump carbine (1915) also in 38-40 and various accoutrements including pre-mid 1930s Stetson, pocket watch and fob, and old Tower Bean's patent handcuffs (haven't been able to date them exactly yet).

I have not seen one those rifles before. Thanks for posting. When I first looked at it I thought it was a shotgun and I thought why do you need a tang site on a shotgun. Very cool.

 

[Levallois]

The Remington 14 1/2 carbines are quite rare. By far the rarest of the Model 14 family. I lucked into this one at a price that I could afford several years ago. Haven't seen one since. Some estimate less than a 1000 were produced in 38-40 and 44-40 calibers only. They are very slick to run and I prefer it to a (gasp!) Winchester lever action. The 14 1/2 rifles with a 22-inch barrel in the same calibers are more common. The most common are the model 14s in .25, .30, .32 and .35 Remington calibers. Although the carbines in these calibers can be hard to find too.

 

[Yahoody]

We have that discussion on the Colt forum about once a week. Usually with folks that have one or the other seldom shooting both. Truth is a 3rd Gen Colt and a USA made USFA gun are very different guns in several notable ways. It really becomes an apple and orange comparison if you know the subject matter. I like the USFA guns (only the ones that are all USA made) because they generally shoot very well. Most 1st Gen Colt's did as well. 2nd Gen guns also generally shoot pretty good. The 3rd Gen Colts are sold by Colt as "collector guns" for the most part...never intended to be shot. And that shows. Hard to beat a really good Colt. Problem is it can be very difficult to find a really good Colt. USFA guns were more consistent for build quality than any of the 3rd Gens. Frankly and every one hates this "opinion" based on reality and shooting them all, the current Uberti and Pietta guns are the best values ever on the SAA market.

The photo below shows three Uberti 44 Specials I was shooting last week. Nothing special about them when you are looking at a new Uberti these days. Typical shooter grade 1st Gen Colt will run $2000 +/-. NIB USFA these days $2500 +/-. A Uberti? $550 out the door should cover it.

It is embarrassing to tell anyone just how many SAA style guns I shoot on a regular basis. But I shoot Colt's, USFA guns, Ubertis and Piettas. I still consistently buy and sell Colt's and USFA guns. My pick of the bunch to keep shooting? Uberti.





and a pair of Custom Shop factory engraved 3rd Gen Colts I shoot....

 

[Cornshucker77]

The Remington 14 1/2 carbines are quite rare. By far the rarest of the Model 14 family. I lucked into this one at a price that I could afford several years ago. Haven't seen one since. Some estimate less than a 1000 were produced in 38-40 and 44-40 calibers only. They are very slick to run and I prefer it to a (gasp!) Winchester lever action. The 14 1/2 rifles with a 22-inch barrel in the same calibers are more common. The most common are the model 14s in .25, .30, .32 and .35 Remington calibers. Although the carbines in these calibers can be hard to find too.

What a great rifle.

 

[Cornshucker77]

We have that discussion on the Colt forum about once a week. Usually with folks that have one or the other seldom shooting both. Truth is a 3rd Gen Colt and a USA made USFA gun are very different guns in several notable ways. It really becomes an apple and orange comparison if you know the subject matter. I like the USFA guns (only the ones that are all USA made) because they generally shoot very well. Most 1st Gen Colt's did as well. 2nd Gen guns also generally shoot pretty good. The 3rd Gen Colts are sold by Colt as "collector guns" for the most part...never intended to be shot. And that shows. Hard to beat a really good Colt. Problem is it can be very difficult to find a really good Colt. USFA guns were more consistent for build quality than any of the 3rd Gens. Frankly and every one hates this "opinion" based on reality and shooting them all, the current Uberti and Pietta guns are the best values ever on the SAA market.

The photo below shows three Uberti 44 Specials I was shooting last week. Nothing special about them when you are looking at a new Uberti these days. Typical shooter grade 1st Gen Colt will run $2000 +/-. NIB USFA these days $2500 +/-. A Uberti? $550 out the door should cover it.

It is embarrassing to tell anyone just how many SAA style guns I shoot on a regular basis. But I shoot Colt's, USFA guns, Ubertis and Piettas. I still consistently buy and sell Colt's and USFA guns. My pick of the bunch to keep shooting? Uberti.





and a pair of Custom Shop factory engraved 3rd Gen Colts I shoot....

Glad to hear that. I respect your opinion cause I know what you have done with firearms. Fact is this will probably be the only Colt SAA that I own. They're just too pricey for me. I kind of stumbled on to this 38-40 that I just bought and never really thought about ever being able to get one. But I do like the Uberti revolvers so I'm glad to hear they are top notch. Glad to hear your positive thoughts on Piettas as well. I hope to get a couple more Ubertis or Piettas sometime. And those are some beautiful guns you have there.

 

[Yahoody]

You're a lucky man Scott. That is a very nice Colt! I hope you enjoy it If it ever needs a new home be sure to let me know

 

[DeaconKC]

On the subject of "shooter" guns, do you have a preference or opinion regarding the Piettas/Ubertis vs the Ruger "old" Vaqueros?

 

[Cornshucker77]

You're a lucky man Scott. That is a very nice Colt! I hope you enjoy it If it ever needs a new home be sure to let me know

Will do.

 

[Cornshucker77]

You're a lucky man Scott. That is a very nice Colt! I hope you enjoy it If it ever needs a new home be sure to let me know

Oh and by the way those were some damn fine groups!!

 

[Cornshucker77]

On the subject of "shooter" guns, do you have a preference or opinion regarding the Piettas/Ubertis vs the Ruger "old" Vaqueros?

I'd be interested as well. I've never shot a Vaquero. I understand they have typical Ruger durability.

 

[Yahoody]

On the subject of "shooter" guns, do you have a preference or opinion regarding the Piettas/Ubertis vs the Ruger "old" Vaqueros?

Good question. The Pietta and Uberti guns are copies of 1873 technology. For what they are fun guns. The Ruger is 1970's technology...so a hundred years newer technology. Totally different guns internally. The Rugers will out shoot, and out last any Colt or Colt replica many times over. The Ruger is much, much easier to shoot well than a Colt or Colt replica. Colt is a nice piece of history. The Ruger no matter what it looks like is a fully modern firearm. So why shoot a Colt or a Colt clone? I shoot them because they are exceptionally difficult guns to shoot well compared to say a 1911 or a more modern semi auto. I like the challenge of shooting them and keeping the 1870s technology running right. If I want to shoot a gun that looks like 1873 technology then it is gonna be something that mimics that technology. Ruger doesn't, it is a much better gun. But if I want a better gun I have a few of those around without using a Ruger revolver Nothing wrong with a Ruger, I have a few of them I shoot as well. Kinda silly really, like wearing a fedora or a big felt hat, some think out dated but there ya go.

 

[Cornshucker77]

Good question. The Pietta and Uberti guns are copies of 1873 technology. For what they are fun guns. The Ruger is 1970's technology...so a hundred years newer technology. Totally different guns internally. The Rugers will out shoot, and out last any Colt or Colt replica many times over. The Ruger is much, much easier to shoot well than a Colt or Colt replica. Colt is a nice piece of history. The Ruger no matter what it looks like is a fully modern firearm. So why shoot a Colt or a Colt clone? I shoot them because they are exceptionally difficult guns to shoot well compared to say a 1911 or a more modern semi auto. I like the challenge of shooting them and keeping the 1870s technology running right. If I want to shoot a gun that looks like 1873 technology then it is gonna be something that mimics that technology. Ruger doesn't, it is a much better gun. But if I want a better gun I have a few of those around without using a Ruger revolver Nothing wrong with a Ruger, I have a few of them I shoot as well. Kinda silly really, like wearing a fedora or a big felt hat, some think out dated but there ya go.

Thanks Yahoody. I love to hear your opinions on firearms.

 

[Willybob]

Yahoody. Do you re spring the Colts and 1873 platform pistols you shoot? I've read they are so over sprung that they starts beating themselves to death from the first shot. Any experience with that?

 

[Yahoody]

Most of the guns Colt/Pietta/Uberti/USFA are over sprung. Original (OEM) spec springs but over sprung for our softer primers. So yes I do a trigger job and change some of the springs or modify the springs to my liking on every SAA style gun I shoot. Then I make sure the timing is correct, if not I fix that as well.

Beating themselves to death? Ya, that is nonsense which comes from guns simply not timed correctly. I like, "keeping the 1870s technology running right" which takes some effort, a good supply of spare parts and (for me) some hard earned skill.

For better or worse the Single Action Army style guns, no matter who makes them will run just fine terribly out of time and often enough even with broken parts. Either will not be good for the gun long tern but to its credit it is hard to stop a SAA from at the very least firing 5 rounds.

I like a standard sear/bolt spring and a some what reduced main spring. I don't like the lwt wire bolt springs. Many times they will actually make a gun unsafe to fire all the while being unknow to the owner.

 

[Willybob]

I like the wire bolt spring but not lite. I've ha a couple leaf springs snap on me. The trick is getting that bolt out of the way until its at the lead in. That always a fun challenge. I really enjoy tuning them.

 

[DeaconKC]

Thanks Yahoody, I am just starting CAS and have a couple of Vaqueros and hoping they are the right choice. I would probably need the Uberti replica with the larger grips for my oversized mitts.

 

[Yahoody]

I like the smaller grips on the original guns. Just because they are original. I also have to wrap my little finger under the grip to shoot them. Have to shoot that way with my right hand. If the grip is shaved down enough I can sorta get my left hand on the grip but it is really tight.

 

[Yahoody]

I like the wire bolt spring but not lite. I've ha a couple leaf springs snap on me. The trick is getting that bolt out of the way until its at the lead in. That always a fun challenge. I really enjoy tuning them.

Depends on what I am doing with the gun how I like the springs set up. Shooting gun fighter in SASS I might use a wire bolt spring and a reduced main....but I prefer a flat springs tuned to be lighter. And a positive bolt lock up. I've broken plenty of flat springs, main and bolt. Wire springs don't generally break. But a weak wire bolt spring can allow the gun to fire out of battery. When they do, you can say bye bye to your gun. Lots of ways to set of a SAA for timing and springs/spring weights. Jim Martin sets up a gun totally different than the way Bob Munden did while he was alive. I've had both guys rebuild guns for me. And a long list of others, Jim @ Nutmeg before he died, Eddie Janis, Bob James, and the Colt custom shop several times over among others. Everyone has a preference on how they think it should be done. If you are happy with how your gun runs, I am happy for you. FWIW I am still shooting a untouched Jim Martin gun...Munden's guns were rebuilt a long time ago.

 

[Levallois]

Last one, American Railway Express Company (1917-1929-ish) scenario - Colt Police Positive was sent to them in 1923. Badge is the real deal for Special Officer. I am assuming these persons guard valuable cargo but that is just a WAG on my part. I haven't been able to find anything about that job yet.

 

[Yahoody]

Levallois those are the coolest posts ever. Keep'um up!