Received my new USFA 12/22 SAA Revolver today. . .

[Garys4598]

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Well. . . now I know what all the fuss is about regarding these exemplary firearms.  I think my jaw hit the ground when I uncased my new USFA 12/22 for the first time, in my FFL Dealers office.

A picture paints a thousands words so. . . hopefully the below images partially convey the extraordinary craftsmanship and artistry that goes into these handsome six-shooters (uhhh. . . okay; my bad. . . I should have said "12 shooter"  ).













I'm sure my son's jaw is going to drop to the ground as well. . . realizing what a truly heirloom piece this firearm really is.

My sincere thanks goes out to Gary Granger, who made this a reality for me.  A debt of gratitude is also extended to many of you on this forum; because of your strong positive feedback and assessments regarding U.S. Fire Arms Mfg. Co., I decided to pull-out all the stops and throw some of my hard earned coin down to procure this SAA revolver.

~Gary

[Garys4598]

QUESTION:  Is the majority consensus that when storing a SAA revolver, one should have the hammer in the 1st position - Safety Notch?  Or should one simply store the gun with the hammer all the way down; in the Rest position?

 

Forgive me, but this is my very first SAA revolver and perhaps whether the revolver's hammer is stored in the Rest or 1st position is a matter of personal preference.  Then again, I imagine the main spring is under a wee-bit of tension when stored in the 1st position (Safety Notch) so perhaps ideally, one should not store the revolver in that configuration for possibly weeks or months at a time.

Thoughts and experiences would be hugely appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

~Gary

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

Hi Gary,
Beautiful gun!  Let us know how it shoots.
Strain on the spring when in the hammer is in the first, or "safety position," is minimal  and would not be a problem.  However, the first position notch on the hammer is not the strongest and if the gun were to be accidentally dropped, and land on the hammer, or if the hammer were to take a sharp blow, there is a good chance that the little notch on the hammer would break.  I always keep my SAA's with the hammer all the way down on an empty cylinder.
CJF

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

QUESTION:  Is the majority consensus that when storing a SAA revolver, one should have the hammer in the 1st position - Safety Notch?  Or should one simply store the gun with the hammer all the way down; in the Rest position?

 

Forgive me, but this is my very first SAA revolver and perhaps whether the revolver's hammer is stored in the Rest or 1st position is a matter of personal preference.  Then again, I imagine the main spring is under a wee-bit of tension when stored in the 1st position (Safety Notch) so perhaps ideally, one should not store the revolver in that configuration for possibly weeks or months at a time.

Thoughts and experiences would be hugely appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

~Gary

   If your gun is empty, you can store your gun with the hammer down all the way, when I carry the SAA I always have the hammer on the first notch, the main reason for this first notch is to get the firing pin off the bullets primer if the gun was loaded with six cartridges, we all carry our SAA guns with the hammer down on an empty, but that wasn't always the case back then or even now, lets say you shot two shots off and cocked your gun again, but decided to not shoot, the practice is to hold the hammer and release the trigger, then slowly let the hammer down, now its on a live round, if you can't at that time rotate the cylinder to an empty, you would pull the hammer back to the first notch, the first notch is a safety of sorts, but one that can't be totally relied on, if the gun were to be dropped on the hammer it could cause the gun to go off, but in a pinch it does work, I've always set the hammer on the first notch, no matter what, just habit I guess, but I feel better doing it. hope this helped. I've been carrying and shooting the SAA 45 long Colt for fifty years now safely, and never had the slightest mishap, doing this practice.  

               Regards

           tEN wOLVES  

[wileycoyote]

stunning revolver! i am envious... enjoy!

[Garys4598]

   If your gun is empty, you can store your gun with the hammer down all the way, when I carry the SAA I always have the hammer on the first notch, the main reason for this first notch is to get the firing pin off the bullets primer if the gun was loaded with six cartridges, we all carry our SAA guns with the hammer down on an empty, but that wasn't always the case back then or even now, lets say you shot two shots off and cocked your gun again, but decided to not shoot, the practice is to hold the hammer and release the trigger, then slowly let the hammer down, now its on a live round, if you can't at that time rotate the cylinder to an empty, you would pull the hammer back to the first notch, the first notch is a safety of sorts, but one that can't be totally relied on, if the gun were to be dropped on the hammer it could cause the gun to go off, but in a pinch it does work, I've always set the hammer on the first notch, no matter what, just habit I guess, but I feel better doing it. hope this helped. I've been carrying and shooting the SAA 45 long Colt for fifty years now safely, and never had the slightest mishap, doing this practice. 

               Regards

           tEN wOLVES   

Thanks so much Ten Wolves, your detailed response was precisely what I was hoping for; tells me that I should really store the SAA revolver with the hammer all the way down, in the "Rest" position. 

By the way, I took my 12/22 out to the pistol range this morning and put approximately 100 rounds through her (CCI Blazer ammo).  I'm ecstatic to report that her front iron sight is "spot on" and that the revolver functioned and performed flawlessly throughout the entire shoot'n session.  I could not be happier with her!  Well. . . that's not entirely true. . . . . . What I would truly like is to have a USFA birdshead hammer installed in her.  Alas, USFA does not make their birdshead hammer for their rimfire SAA's.  I did learn though that absolutely all the specifications and dimensions of their SAA hammers are identical; the birdshead hammer absolutely would fit perfectly in my New Model 12/22. . . it just wouldn't fire the rimfire cartridge because the firing pin is located and oriented differently of course.

Kinda made me pause and contemplate about locating a machinest or custom gunsmith. . . to either remove the firing pin from a procured USFA birdshead hammer, weld-in the hole the pin seats itself in, and then redrill a new firing pin hole slighly higher up.  Then again, perhaps just grinding and filing down the existing center fire firing pin on one of these birdshead hammers, and then redrilling appropriately for a rimfire firing pin is the way to go.  Hmmm. . .

Yes I know, I'm likely talk'n sacrilege here within the CAS forum. . . (my apologies  ). . . I simply would like to pursue making my New Model 12/22 SAA even more ergonomic to shoot.  I really, really like the ergonomics of the birdshead hammer (otherwise commonly referred to as the Bisley revolver hammer).  Know what I mean?

~Gary

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

Gary,
"Bird's head" typically refers to the shape of the grip.  "Bisley" is the hammer style you refer to.
By the way, welcome to the forum!  I'm right up the road from you in Seattle.
CJF

[Garys4598]

Gary,
"Bird's head" typically refers to the shape of the grip.  "Bisley" is the hammer style you refer to.
By the way, welcome to the forum!  I'm right up the road from you in Seattle.
CJF

Thank you for the warm welcome Capt. John Fitzgerald, and it's nice to learn that the two of us likely travel many of the same paths.   

Yes, I am well aware of the common understanding that the term "birdshead" is appropriately used when referencing the shape of a particular revolver grip, and similarly there is only one "Bisley hammer" shape.  Yet. . . for whatever the reason, U.S. Fire Arms Mfg. Co. labeled their Bisley-style hammer, "the Birdshead hammer."  I know this because I've already spoken twice to a very kind gentleman from USFA's technical support office.  Who am I to argue with them?

 . . . . . .

[Marshal Deadwood]

When you half cock your single action,,,pull it to full cock before you lower the hammer,,,or you will get a cylinder ring. Never let the pressure off and let it down from half cock.
MD

[wileycoyote]

Yes, I am well aware of the common understanding that the term "birdshead" is appropriately used when referencing the shape of a particular revolver grip, and similarly there is only one "Bisley hammer" shape.  Yet. . . for whatever the reason, U.S. Fire Arms Mfg. Co. labeled their Bisley-style hammer, "the Birdshead hammer."  I know this because I've already spoken twice to a very kind gentleman from USFA's technical support office.  Who am I to argue with them?

absolutely correct. gary @ USFA is very specific that their Bisley-style hammer (that is made to fit their standard SA frame) is called "Birdshead". that is to distinguish it from their real "Bisley" hammer that only fits the Bisley-frame revolvers.

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

absolutely correct. gary @ USFA is very specific that their Bisley-style hammer (that is made to fit their standard SA frame) is called "Birdshead". that is to distinguish it from their real "Bisley" hammer that only fits the Bisley-frame revolvers.

Ah-Hah!  That makes sense!  Thanks.
 
 

[Garys4598]

. . What I would truly like is to have a USFA birdshead hammer installed in her.  Alas, USFA does not make their birdshead hammer for their rimfire SAA's.  I did learn though that absolutely all the specifications and dimensions of their SAA hammers are identical; the birdshead hammer absolutely would fit perfectly in my New Model 12/22. . . it just wouldn't fire the rimfire cartridge because the firing pin is located and oriented differently of course.

Kinda made me pause and contemplate about locating a machinest or custom gunsmith. . . to either remove the firing pin from a procured USFA birdshead hammer, weld-in the hole the pin seats itself in, and then redrill a new firing pin hole slighly higher up.  Then again, perhaps just grinding and filing down the existing center fire firing pin on one of these birdshead hammers, and then redrilling appropriately for a rimfire firing pin is the way to go.  Hmmm. . .

Yes I know, I'm likely talk'n sacrilege here within the CAS forum. . . (my apologies  ). . . I simply would like to pursue making my New Model 12/22 SAA even more ergonomic to shoot.  I really, really like the ergonomics of the birdshead hammer (otherwise commonly referred to as the Bisley revolver hammer).  Know what I mean?

~Gary

Well. . . I'm kind of running into a "road block" with my pursuit of a Bisley-style hammer for my 12/22.  Ten-Ring Precision (Mr. Alex Hamilton) offers "drop in" USFA Birdshead hammers for purchase, but after sharing almost half a dozen emails with him, he simply isn't willing to attempt grinding down the existing centerfire pin on one of these Birdshead hammers, and then drill a new firing pin hole appropriately aligned for a rimfire cartridge.   He is of the mindset that if such were to be performed on the USFA Birdshead hammer, the revolver frame's firing pin hole would need to be welded up, and then drilled again to match the firing pin hammer's alignment.  THAT makes absolutely no sense to me. . . but what do I know.   

I still haven't given up though:  I'm waiting on replies from two other custom gunsmiths to learn whether they would be willing to take this little project on.  Granted, as a layman I am aware that the hammer's firing pin placement and alignment must be precise. . . that drilling a new hole into the hammer's face must be exact. . . yet what I am seeking to have performed isn't rocket science, ya know?  I would think that any machinist with an industrial-type drill press that can chuck/lock down the hammer into the proper axis alignment to drill a single hole, could do the job.

Thus, my quest continues.

 ~Gary

 

[mtone]

I think what Alex may be  saying is that if he doesn't get it perfect the first time,  he may have to slightly alter the hole in the frame (weld it and redrill).   Sounds like an expensive project but it would be one of a kind. 

[Garys4598]

I think what Alex may be  saying is that if he doesn't get it perfect the first time,  he may have to slightly alter the hole in the frame (weld it and redrill).   Sounds like an expensive project but it would be one of a kind. 

I imagine that's likely so.

Later this evening, I was successful with contacting a custom gunsmith out in Virginia that is willing to look at the project.  All he wants me to do is ship to him the two hammers (my USFA rimfire 12/22 hammer and the USFA 'Birdshead' hammer) and he will take a hard look at it.  I'm also going to ship him a replacement OEM rimfire firing pin (with the hope that he'll accept the small project).

My thinking is: with the original rimfire hammer in hand for reference, any machinist worth his salt would be able to drill a new hole into the Birdshead hammer with the correct rimfire firing pin axis alignment.  But what do I know (I was only a U.S. Army Combat Engineer for over 21 years).

[mtone]

I believe USFA did a one off Bisley Tgt rimfire about 5 years ago.  It also had, again it's a memory issue, a 10" barrel.  Don't know what the guy paid for it but it was probably alot.

[Garys4598]

I believe USFA did a one off Bisley Tgt rimfire about 5 years ago.  It also had, again it's a memory issue, a 10" barrel.  Don't know what the guy paid for it but it was probably alot.

Dayum. . . I'd LOVE to see a few photos of that!  Sounds like the perfect combination for a rimfire target iron.

 

[Garys4598]

The USFA Birdshead hammer that I ordered from Ten-Ring Precision with case coloring performed by Turnbull Mfg. Co., arrived via UPS today.  Figured some of you might like to see the spur width's difference so. . . below is a close-up of the OEM hammer spur (right) and Birdshead spur (at left) side by side.

[Garys4598]

I received my USFA walnut grips back from Mogollon Drifter of Old West Laser Graphic/Coyote Cap earlier this week. . . and I must confess to being thrilled by what Drifter did to them.  I think his fine laser checkering really added a touch of class to my USFA New Model 12/22.  What do you think?  (too much. . . just right?)  This revolver is to be one of my every-week shooters as well as a mantel display piece.







The only thing remaining to be done, is shipping off both hammers to a guy in Virginia to learn whether he will be willing to take a stab at modifying the USFA Birdshead hammer into a rimfire configuration.

~Gary

[Garys4598]

I shipped the USFA Birdshead hammer and my 12/22's OEM hammer out to Clements Custom Guns in Virginia this morning.  Disassembling the gun to get the OEM hammer out was a nerve-wracking event to say the least!  Luckily, I didn't dork-up the heads of any of the screws.

I'm hoping to hear back from the gunsmith before the end of the month as to whether he is willing to modify/reconfigure the Birdshead hammer into a rimfire via relocating the hammer's firing pin.

 

[Garys4598]

I received great news this afternoon.  David Clements informed me that he will be able to install the rimfire firing pin into the currently configured centerfire Birdshead hammer.  He said I should have the hammer back within two weeks time.  FANTASTIC!

 

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

Gary,
Thanks for keeping us updated on your project.
CJF

[Charlie Bison]

I received great news this afternoon.  David Clements informed me that he will be able to install the rimfire firing pin into the currently configured centerfire Birdshead hammer.  He said I should have the hammer back within two weeks time.  FANTASTIC!

 

How much$$$

[Garys4598]

How much$$$

FWIW, I consider such $$$ questions posed in an open forum as being relatively inappropriate.  If you'd really like to know, then send me a PM or an email.

Point being: my 'open' response would essentially become a matter of record months or longer from now, and David Clements may increase his price point for such custom work after performing the customization on my hammer (or of course, he might perform the work for less).

I contacted several gunsmiths and companies trying to find someone competent and willing to perform this firing pin reconfiguration modification. . . and Mr. Clements was the only one willing to entertain it, and during telephone conversation(s) he definitely left me with the impression that although he had never done this specific task before, he was confident about how to go about attacking it.  The discussion left me with full confidence in his abilities and expertise.

Heck, for all I know after completing the requested work Mr. Clements may never want to perform this modification again; he may decide that it falls within a "too hard to do; not cost effective" category.

 

[Garys4598]

UPDATE:
I received an email from David Clements this afternoon, informing me that he had completed the hammer modification and that "it came out well."  Said he would be shipping it to me in a day or two.  For David to claim that he feels it "came out well". . . speaks bucket-loads. 

Next post from me will contain images of the completed revolver (providing I don't encounter issues with reassembling the revolver once the hammer arrives  ).

~Gary

[argolfer]

That is a beautiful pistol garys.  I have not seen one that is case hardened.  May I ask where you got it from?  I'm actually looking at a 4 1/2 blue one, but really like that CH a lot.

Thanks.