Want to do an action job on my US FA....Sources to learn?

[Virginia Gentleman]

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I eventually would like to try to do an action job on my USFA SAA and would like to learn how to do it myself.  Are there any DVDs, websites or books you would recommend?

[CW Price Texas Ranger]

After learning how to do it on my 1911's from Brownells Tech Tips, I purchased Kuhnhausen's book on the SAA Colts and read it many times with the pistol apart looking at each peice until I understood how each part fit and worked.  Cut the trigger and the hammer travel will be reduced and the bolt will not drop into the notch at the correct time.  Now you need to learn how to properly time the bolt drop, cock notch and cylinder rotation.  You must understand what will also be affected by what you do.  I have the Brownells supplied trigger fixture for SAA's so I could cut the trigger square.  Other than looking at the drawings and understand how all the parts mate together and operate, I did not need more, but then again I run lathes, mills, weld and repair my 15 ford so machinery and how parts fit together and work is not something that baffles me.  Did I worry before I cut the trigger?  You bet I did, but it all worked out and now the trigger went from a heavy creep to light and crisp.   

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

VG,
I would start out with the following items from Brownells.

Colt SAA Screwdriver set - part #080-000-021  $16.70

Wolff reduced power mainspring (hammer) part # 969-322-800  $15.00

Heinie wire trigger/bolt spring - part # 394-630-000  $6.75

Single Action Stoning Kit - part #080-904-000  $59.79

You probably already have a set of good screwdrivers but if not, get them before you do anything.
My USFA's haven't needed anything more than the two springs that I listed above.  Maybe I have just been lucky but none of mine have needed any trigger or bolt timing work.
The stoning kit is pretty handy.  The stones are designed to reach up inside the SAA frame to get those hard to reach spots like the hand channel.  The kit was designed for Brownells by Eddie Janus of Peacemaker Specialists.  Comes with a sheet of instructions written by Janus that is quite informative.
Another good book to look for is Gunsmithing Guns of the Old West by David R. Chicoine.  Retail price is $27.95 but you might be able to find a good, used copy for less on one of the book dealer web sites like www.abebooks.com.
Good Luck,
CJF   

[Johnny McCrae]

I just installed the Wolf #969-322-000 Mainspring and the Heinie #394-630-000 Trigger/Bolt spring on my USFA. Big difference for $22.11 in parts and ten minutes worth of labor. I'm not an authority by any means but the gun sure feels better to me.

[Marshal Deadwood]

Have any of you guys bought a original Rodeo,,and if so,,,do they need full treatment action job ? Hows the timming on a new Rodeo ?

Considering one IF, I can pull the dollars together.

MD

[Blackpowder Burn]

Marshall, buy one from Jim Finch (Long Hunter).  For the factory list price, you get a fantastic action job included - along wiith upgraded springs, 11 degree forcing cone, etc.  Can't beat the value.

[RRio]

I eventually would like to try to do an action job on my USFA SAA and would like to learn how to do it myself.  Are there any DVDs, websites or books you would recommend?

"The Colt Single Action Revolvers - A Shop Manual, Vols. 1 & 2" by Jerry Kuhnhaussen   - the absolute best!

 Study it well before starting in, especially the section on timing and adjusting the back tines on the bolt for timing. I've been tuning SAAs since 1979 and I even picked up a couple tips from this book. It's worth every penny!

Marshall, buy one from Jim Finch (Long Hunter).  For the factory list price, you get a fantastic action job included - along wiith upgraded springs, 11 degree forcing cone, etc.  Can't beat the value.

I could not agree more!

[Grogan]

VG,
I would start out with the following items from Brownells.

Colt SAA Screwdriver set - part #080-000-021  $16.70

Wolff reduced power mainspring (hammer) part # 969-322-800  $15.00

Heinie wire trigger/bolt spring - part # 394-630-000  $6.75

Single Action Stoning Kit - part #080-904-000  $59.79

You probably already have a set of good screwdrivers but if not, get them before you do anything.
My USFA's haven't needed anything more than the two springs that I listed above.  Maybe I have just been lucky but none of mine have needed any trigger or bolt timing work.
The stoning kit is pretty handy.  The stones are designed to reach up inside the SAA frame to get those hard to reach spots like the hand channel.  The kit was designed for Brownells by Eddie Janus of Peacemaker Specialists.  Comes with a sheet of instructions written by Janus that is quite informative.
Another good book to look for is Gunsmithing Guns of the Old West by David R. Chicoine.  Retail price is $27.95 but you might be able to find a good, used copy for less on one of the book dealer web sites like www.abebooks.com.
Good Luck,
CJF   

I'd do all of the above.

(I HAVE Done all the above on 2 of my USFAs)

Except, next time I'd use the same parts that Longhunter uses in his reworks, which are the Lee's (similar parts, similar time involved, ~10 min.) except Longhunter claims these are better (and he could use whatever he wanted to).

You can find those here...

http://cowboyshooters.com/

The next SAA I rework, I'll use those.

You'd be AMAZED at what just changing out the springs will do!

[Johnny McCrae]

You'd be AMAZED at what just changing out the springs will do!

Amen!