It irks me!

[yahoody]

Some where along the line some folk (who should have known better)  forgot what these big irons were made for.   Time was a gun left the factory actually able to hit a target where it was aimed.   Always been some guns better than others (always will be) when it comes to shooting straight but those folk that could actually shoot straight and it was important to them (seems it was one and the same most times)  took note and asked when they could for the "best" shooters.

Which is why Colt has so many orders that specified "bigger front sights", "light on the trigger" ect., during the last two centuries.

Time progressed.  The SAA was not often the gunman's tool of choice as time went by.   Along comes SASS, COWS and USFA to remind us all what a Colt use to do and be capable of.  The "best" guns often as not, were identified and passed along to other gunmen.  Many times they were embellished right at the factory.  One thing generally in common though.  The guns shot where they were aimed, or made to do so, or just as quickly discarded as wall hangers.  Firearms, especially handguns have always been expensive.  Fancy hand guns even more so.  BITD (as in "back in the day")  even the smallest village generally has a "smith" or hardware store that could keep a six gun up and running if required.  Or maybe even sight one in if needed.  If not they got sent back to Colt (via rail and/or the Post Office) and fixed in short order.  A few things just were not tolerated for long, bad guns, like bad men two of  them.

So today if you shoot a six gun (we aint talking Rugers here btw) much or buy many it is always a hope and a pray when you head to the range for the 1st time.  Don't matter if it is a Colt or a USFA you have to wonder just how well it will shoot and where.  Mind you the newest Colts are pretty good.  And every USFA gun I have fired (dozens now) have been really good.  Both of them creeping up on the best of the 1st Generation Colts I have shot.  Some may be even better that bench mark.  The others out there..at least in my experience....not always so good as shooting where you point them.

So you pony up the cash and buy yourself a nice blaster.  If you have a clue you're gonna be nervous on that first few rounds and hope for the best.

I was lucky with this one.  Why lucky?  Because the "maker" (gun came from Colt in the white) doesn't make any effort to sight in his handiwork, unless requested.   Where I come from it is a matter of pride and policy.  Guns get a damn good trigger, not lip service, and either shoot where they are pointed or they get fixed before ever leaving the shop.

It aint 1890 or 1914, but it damn well should be when it comes to hitting what we aim at.  Today was a good day.



15 rds on target @ 20 yards POA, Card was @ 7.

7 gr. Unique and a 255gr LSWC

2014 3rd gen Colt SAA, .45 Colt, 4 3/4".  
   

[Fingers McGee]

Amen.

Good lookin handgun there & a really good group.  Thanks for posting.

[GunClick Rick]

Engraving always helps!  Takes just enough metal off to balance just right...

[Tsalagidave]

There are many irksome elements in this hobby but your superb shooting ain't one of them. Thanks for sharing images of such a beautiful Colt and  thanks for letting us be a part of your great day at the range. I'm inspired to go today thanks to you.

-Dave

[Fox Creek Kid]

I've seen 1st Gen. Colts that shot way off with a factory duplicate BP load. The 'good ol' days' were never quite as good as we like to think sometimes. 

[yahoody]

I've seen 1st Gen. Colts that shot way off with a factory duplicate BP load. The 'good ol' days' were never quite as good as we like to think sometimes. 

We'll have to agree to disagree on your statement.  At least from my experience shooting many 1st gen guns over the years more actually shoot POA than don't.  That by a comparison to a late 2nd or most 3rds.  The 1st gen guns have been way, way better as far as doing what they were intended to do.

I suspect that is because 1st gen guns were considered tools.  Tools that didn't work back in the day, as in actually shoot where they were aimed, were either fixed or abandoned.  Handguns have never been cheap.  Few were ever abandoned intentionally.

That and the fact that most in the Colt factory at turn of the last Century actually shot a Colt product and knew what they were suppose to do.  Then took some pride in making them the best tools possible.
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