Hi guys! I picked this 3rd-gen Single Action Army (circa 2006) up recently. So much for my "no additional calibers" discipline.
Now I'm thinking about sending it off to get that loading gate gap adjusted. Any recommendations for a good SAA smith?, or should I just send it back to Colt?
Also open to suggestions on reliable plinking ammo. Thanks!
February 01, 2026, 09:39 AM
ScreamingCockatoo
45LC?
I shoot cowboy loads in it. I load my own. 200gr or 250gr over 7gr of Bullseye. Sometimes Red Dot. (4gr)
He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster.
February 01, 2026, 09:47 AM
r0gue
Yeah, it’s .45 LC.
Sorry guys, I thought I put this in the pistols section but I must’ve had a brain fade.
February 01, 2026, 10:05 AM
ScreamingCockatoo
That gate, will be more of a fit issue. Colt may have to fix that. Check your local cowboy action shooting club for who they use.
How is the gate alignment with cartridges in the cylinder? Have any empties?
He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster.
February 01, 2026, 10:53 AM
Sacramento Johnson
If Peacemaker Specialists is still in business (they still have a website that looks up to date), they might be worth a phone call to see if they can fix that loading gate.
February 01, 2026, 10:55 AM
CPD SIG
Damn Rogue, I am an absolute sucker for case hardened! That is a beautiful piece!
______________________________________________________________________ "When its time to shoot, shoot. Dont talk!"
“What the government is good at is collecting taxes, taking away your freedoms and killing people. It’s not good at much else.” —Author Tom Clancy
Well regarded! But, retired...This message has been edited. Last edited by: 4MUL8R,
------- Trying to simplify my life...
February 01, 2026, 12:06 PM
mesabi
I don't think Bowen is accepting any work. Quite frankly, your revolver is probably fine, unless there's any interference with cylinder rotation when rounds are chambered.
February 01, 2026, 01:05 PM
oddball
A long wait, maybe 45 day turnaround, Joe Perkins at Classic Single Action in Tucson AZ. I bought a Cimarron Frontier (Pietta)in .38 Special from him and he performed some action work on it as well. Very knowledgable on SAs of all kinds, Colt, Italians makes, Ruger, USFA, etc.
"I’m not going to read Time Magazine, I’m not going to read Newsweek, I’m not going to read any of these magazines; I mean, because they have too much to lose by printing the truth"- Bob Dylan, 1965
February 01, 2026, 07:24 PM
1KPerDay
That thing is gorgeous. Congrats! I load my own using MBC 255 grain LFP over about 8ish grains of Unique. No slouch.
Factory I had good luck with Black Hills cowboy stuff and Federal stuff and Magtech stuff. I'd avoid HSM personally. I found it very inconsistent.
--------------------------- My hovercraft is full of eels.
February 01, 2026, 07:41 PM
captain127
Have you taken the cylinder out and checked if just the screw that holds the gate on needs a turn or two with a screwdriver?
Regarding ammo, 45 colt is stupid expensive about 45 bucks or more per box for factory. I reload it, and my reloads run about 8 bucks a box. Super quick amortization of the cost of reloading gear if you don’t already reload
February 02, 2026, 05:25 AM
r0gue
quote:
Originally posted by captain127: Have you taken the cylinder out and checked if just the screw that holds the gate on needs a turn or two with a screwdriver?
I've not tried to adjust as it is my understanding that the screws are inside the frame, not accessible through the cylinder.
February 02, 2026, 05:33 AM
r0gue
I just loaded some snap caps last night. The gun cannot function with the gate in this misaligned state.
February 02, 2026, 05:42 AM
badguybuster
Dave Dove in WV is really good with SAA's.
"Dyin ain't much of a livin...boy"
February 02, 2026, 07:40 AM
captain127
quote:
Originally posted by r0gue:
quote:
Originally posted by captain127: Have you taken the cylinder out and checked if just the screw that holds the gate on needs a turn or two with a screwdriver?
I've not tried to adjust as it is my understanding that the screws are inside the frame, not accessible through the cylinder.
My memory was off. Yes the gate screw is under the trigger guard. Simple enough to remove and check. What few parts a SAA has are well secured. No fear of damage or anything falling out by cracking it open and having a look. It may be as simple as taking it apart, cleaning the recesses and parts and putting it back together. Just use a proper hollow ground screwdriver of proper dimensions
February 02, 2026, 07:42 AM
captain127
quote:
Originally posted by captain127:
quote:
Originally posted by r0gue:
quote:
Originally posted by captain127: Have you taken the cylinder out and checked if just the screw that holds the gate on needs a turn or two with a screwdriver?
I've not tried to adjust as it is my understanding that the screws are inside the frame, not accessible through the cylinder.
My memory was off. Yes the gate screw is under the trigger guard. Simple enough to remove and check. What few parts a SAA has are well secured. No fear of damage or anything falling out by cracking it open and having a look. It may be as simple as taking it apart, cleaning the recesses and parts and putting it back together. Just use a proper hollow ground screwdriver of proper dimensions
Oh and it is a beauty! I have owned about a dozen SAA’s over the years, from all generations. All have been 71/2 or 51/2. Have always wanted a 43/4
Thanks for this. His website is really informative (printed out many pages for continued re-reading) and will definitely be sending an older model Vaquero in for inspection, tuning, and some grips.
February 03, 2026, 07:01 PM
Ironworker
He has done several Colts for me. He did something another well known Colt SAA guy told me could not be done. I recommend him. I have complete confidence in him.
February 03, 2026, 08:25 PM
marksman41
Spoke with Joe (Classic Single Action) this morning and will be sending the Vaquero to him this week for action work and anything he recommends after he gets a chance to look it over.
Really wanted a set of grips as well but Joe is so stacked with grip requests that he's closed down orders until he works through the backlog - estimated to be sometime in 2028.
February 04, 2026, 06:52 AM
ElToro
Eddie Janis- peacemaker specialists passed away 5 years ago. His website does seem current tho you’d think his wife or someone would update it to say we are still in business and our gunsmith is x?
