Colt DA .45 1878

Started by Grapeshot, November 08, 2006, 03:50:45 PM

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Grapeshot

I have an opportunity to acquire an 1878 DA .45.  I need to know a little about this pistol.  I have Mike Ventorino's book on Sixshooters of the Old West, but that only scratches the surface.

What I need to know is if there are any gunsmiths out there who are familiar with this model enough to give it a safety inspection and, IF, and this is a big if, it needs to have the barrel changed out due to excessive pitting ond wear, can a Colt Clone barrel be fitted or would I do better having the barrel bored out and lined?

Any help will be appeciated as I plan to shoot this gun if it passes muster.

I also posted in the darksiders, but want to give the subject some attention.
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Tuolumne Lawman

Howdy

I had a pard that had one, and if I remember right, he sent it off to have his barrel replace with a 1st gen SAA barrel.  You my contact Eddie Janis of peacemaker specialties.  I think he advertises in the Cowboy Chronicle
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St. George

I've owned a few - but never kept any of them for any length of time.

These were fairly robust weapons - so a good cleaning and judicious lube on bearing surfaces is about all you'll need - unless a spring breaks - then - you're on your own.

First/Second Generation 'real' Colt barrels and cylinders will fit - clones will not, as they're metric.

You might try a 'good' going-over with 'J-B Cleaning Compound' before you begin your search for a barrel - you might be pleasantly surprised.

Before I'd change out the barrel - I'd reline the original.

Vaya,

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The Canadian Army used 1878's from the second Riel rebellion, 1885, up to the Boer War, 1901, when they transitioned to the Colt New Army, (as did the NWMP, but they never used the 1878)  I'd love to learn more about them, and maybe get one.
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