My new old Colt 38-40

[sfc rick]

I just wanted to share my first Colt SAA purchase. It is a 1905 production that has sat in someone's sock drawer for a few decades. It was really left to rust badly on one side on the outside with the Colt Logo and the same side inside the barrel. However it has a very crisp action and strong hammer fall. The cylinder locks up very tight and the timing is fine. I ran some HSM 180gr ammo through it and was very happy it performed well. I was surprised the 38-40 had such a good kick and even though the barrel looked like a sewer pipe it rang the steel plates just fine at 25 yards.

[Major 2]

I enjoy these back from the edge stories,,,even more when it would be me bringing them back...

Congrats on your find

[LonesomePigeon]

Nice!

[treebeard]

SFC Rick--When I shot my Cimarron Arms 38-40 SAA for the first time i was also surprised so i tried to download a little but it even then it was no wimp to shoot.
I have come to appreciate the 38-40 and shoot it more than my other Winchester dash cartridges. I read somewhere that old time law efforcement liked the
38-40 which is now no surprise to me. I know you will enjoy your original Colt.

[sfc rick]

Yep, I pulled out my reloading manuals and discovered that there is some snappy data that shows some awesome speeds for the 38-40, it isn't .357 fast but it is in excess of 1200fps in some cases. Of course I'll never push this old Colt to that level of performance and risk blown up parts in my face. I intend to just stick with HSM Cowboy Action loads at 930fps and enjoy this SAA often. I shoot this most days now so I can get the hang of the sight picture and ring those little 3 1/2" metal spinners at 25 yds. The trigger pull is a might stronger than I like, but I'm not ready to monkey with that yet. That reminds me I need to stock up on this ammo in the next week, must order a large quantity. I typically keep thousands of rounds for each caliber on hand, so it looks like this new caliber will be a keeper.

[sfc rick]

I have asked my LGS for years to get me a new Colt SAA. Of course he has said it's been years since he got a new Colt in his store. So when he got this old Colt in I was the first he called. Well just yesterday the sales lady sent me a photo of a brand new Colt SAA in .45Colt and a 4 3/4" barrel JUST arrived! She wanted to know if I wanted it. I said YES! So I will be there Monday with a boatload of cash!

[LonesomePigeon]

That's awesome!

[Sagebrush Burns]

Gotta love it when a plan comes together...

[wildman1]

Try firelapping that old Colt you may be surprised how well that bbl will clean up.
wM1

[sfc rick]

Yep, I have cleaned this bore a BUNCH! I have scrubbed, cleaned, oiled, and repeat many times. Nothing will ever fill the pits and corrosion in the bore. However I have put many rounds down range and it seems to not trouble the ability to ring steel yet. I find it very cool to shoot this old revolver and build a new relationship with it. Not going to reblue or destroy the patina at all.

[Tuolumne Lawman]

I had a 1902 38-40 Colt SAA.  It was carried a lot, and used a lot.  The Gutta- Percha grips showed a LOT of wear, almost smooth.  The Bore was not too awful, heavily frosted with some pitting.  It still outshot the EMF Hartford 38-40 I paired it with.  I got it for about $850 in about 2004.   Wish I still had it.