Three Foot Johnson Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 It has to be a 7 1/2" barreled .45 Colt, but the longer tube isn't real popular in our game for some reason - how come? OK, I know the distances are close and the shorter barrels are quicker to get into play, but the majority of us aren't exactly fast shooters. I go more for authenticity, and really like these long barreled hawg legs, but just how popular were they in the early days? On not much more than a gut feeling, I think the 7 1/2" was most popular, followed by the 4 3/4". Are there any stats on this? Say what Colt sold the most of for the first five or ten years of production?
Rafe Conager SASS #56958 Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 not as quick to pull or re holster, I have nothing but 7 1/2" to me more traditional and just cool! as far as old days I would say 7 1/2 most popular, with military contracts lots of soldiers would "loose" their pistols. I'd say for the pistolero the shorter barrel was popular but the everyday cowboy the longer would be more popular. Rafe
Doc Windshadow Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Before I came into SASS I had My grandfathers hog leg. He bought it from Bannermans before the first world war and it is US marked gun that was sold to the army in Aug of 1876 and the had it's barrel bobbed to 5 1/2 " I Took it to my first shoot with a Rodgers and spencer replica with a Cartridge conversion as they were my only single actions and had fun shooting black powder in them. It was politely pointed out to me that I might not want to risk this army converted SAA (normally called Artillery conversions and I have the paper work showing this is one of those done in the 1890s) and after he told me what it was worth I agreed with him! So after taking advice here on the wire I called Long Hunter and after talking over my options and budget decided on a pair of NMVs in 5 1/2" as that was/is the SAA I had experience with. The Army I figured must have had a good reason to shorten these guns (and I think shortened it must be as it has the old fashioned BP narrow land rifling in it still) is there documentation of their reason? Cheers Windy
Three Foot Johnson Posted January 21, 2011 Author Posted January 21, 2011 I've got a 7 1/2" Colt myself that dates to October of 1876.
Driftwood Johnson, SASS #38283 Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Howdy The first SAAs had 7 1/2" barrels. These were the ones that were built under Army contract. Most of these were issued to cavalry units so they were unofficially called the Cavalry Model. By the 1890s these guns were mostly in sad shape so they were sent back to either to Colt or US armories to be refurbished. Many of these had their barrels shortened to 5 1/2". Many of these guns were subsequently issued to Artillery units, so they became unofficially known as the Artillery Model. I read someplace that the most poplar barrel length for the SAA was 5 1/2" More sold in that length than any other length. Personally, I find the 5 1/2" length to be boring. I prefer either a 7 1/2" barrel or a 4 3/4" barrel myself.
Griff Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 I seem to recall reading that like today, that pre-1900 civilian sales showed the 5-½ " was the most popular among the 1st gen Colt Peacemakers, while 7-½" took 2nd place and 4-¾" taking 3rd place honors. Then again, I could have that all screwed up! It's certainly a good compromise. I believe that the Army's reasoning on the 5-½" for the Artillery was that it's not a primary weapon... and as such, probably cost had as much a factor as any accuracy loss from the 2" shorter barrel. I think there's something in Randy Steffan's book on Martial history for the period on that subject... But, I don't have my copy to verify that... maybe someone else can correct me? Edit: Thank you Driftwood, I was going to say I hoped you'd chime in with what you knew. Was composing a PM to ya, and then posted my finished product by mistake...
Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770 Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 lots of soldiers would "loose" their pistols. . Rafe What do you mean, "loose" their pistols?
Griff Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 What do you mean, "loose" their pistols? You know... pull them up, partially outta their holster so they'd be easier to get to. . . . . . Psst... drop an "o", should be clearer... or not. . Seriously... spellin' and grammer is commonly overloooked so's to not embearass the righter, or is that reader? Since joining this forum I've become larned in intrepretive (derivative of "intrepid") reading skills... Even Madd Mike presents little challenge to me any more! The only thing that seems sancrosanct is arithmetic... or is that math... some folks just can't seem to grasp the concept of Rank Points... and just like Alegbra, much prefer the simplistic arithmetic of Total Time. Whoa... how was that for turnin' the topic!?? Griff... who should step back from the bottle... Maker's Mark it ain't! I swear it was the cheap rotgut stuff they were sellin' in Deadwood in 1877! But, hey, anything named "Yellowstone" should be ok, right?
PaleWolf Brunelle, #2495L Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 You know... pull them up, partially outta their holster so they'd be easier to get to ... Psst... drop an "o", should be clearer... or not. . Seriously... spellin' and grammer is commonly overloooked so's to not embearass the righter, or is that reader? Since joining ... Howdy Griff, By "righter" do you mean the person who pointed out the misspelling or the perpetrator of same?? FWIW - I've got Colts and "clones" in four barrel lengths and a number of calibers...whatever feels "right" when I'm packin' up gear to go to a match is what gets loaded in the truck. (& I don't find the 5½"ers "boring") (attemptin' to steer this'un back on course) PWB
Griff Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Howdy Griff,By "righter" do you mean the person who pointed out the misspelling or the perpetrator of same?? PWB However you wish to take it, Sir! Isn't that the purpose of "interpretive reading!"
Oddnews SASS# 24779 Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 I don't know what was popular in the 1800s. To me, I've always liked the appearance of the 5 1/2 inch barrel, on regular SAA's. Oddly, I prefer the 7 1/2 on the Bisley model. Yes, I know this makes no sense -- did I say it made sense?<grin>
Rafe Conager SASS #56958 Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Sorry did not know this was a spelling contest! By "Lose" the soldiers would sell their pistols or trade them for whiskey, Then report they had lost them and have the money taken out of their pay, often times doubling or tripling the amount taken out by the pay master. Rafe (the bad speller)
Driftwood Johnson, SASS #38283 Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Howdy The making mistakes when typing lose and loose is very common. I do it myself all the time. lose and loose
Widder, SASS #59054 Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 You fellers are gona make me louz my mind. ..........Widder
Utah Bob #35998 Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Most collections I've seen of 1873-1900 Colt SAAs seem to have a lot more 5 1/2" examples than any other model. Seems to me that length barrel is more comfortable to wear on horseback and would be more popular with cowboys. The balance is also slightly better when you're using it to hammer fence staples.
Driftwood Johnson, SASS #38283 Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Fences?! I thought we was all Open Range cowpokes here! Besides, I prefer the balance of a 7 1/2" barrel when using it to nail up wanted posters.
Cypress Sam, SASS #10915 Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Even though the 7-1/2" .45 Colt was the first of the SAA's, I would argue that the quintessential cowboy gun is the 5-1/2" .44-40. That was the caliber that was paired up (in 1878 I believe) with the Winchester Model '73 and others and advertized for cartridge interchangability. As far as CAS is concerned, this is a game where REHOLSTERIMG skills are more important than a quick draw. Short barreled guns are easier and quicker to reholster so the 4-3/4" length seems to have become the most popular. In real gunfight situations reholstering speed is probably the last thing one would train for. Even then you would reholster only after you had reloaded and made sure that there were no more threats. But CAS is not real gunfighting and our game is different even from the Hollywood movies!
Blackwater 53393 Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Widder!!! You kaint louz whut yew never had!! We're walkin' in a Widder Wunderland!!
Charlie Whiskers Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Paladin had a 7½". That was cool (but he pointed it at the screen with his knuckle on the trigger). Yeah,and he didn't like horses either.He was ;from what I've heard; afraid of them.I guess for the right amount of money to do a series fear can go away for a few hours a day.
Driftwood Johnson, SASS #38283 Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Paladin had a 7½". That was cool (but he pointed it at the screen with his knuckle on the trigger). Yeah, the show also claimed his trigger pull was something ridiculous like 1 ounce or something. Hollywood.
SGT. QUINCANNON, SASS #32999 Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 The 5 1/2" length was good enough for Hondo Lane, Bret Maverick, Marshal Dan Troop, Festus Haggen and Hopalong Cassidy, so I guess it's good enough for me!!! Yep.
Goldfield Cody Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 The 5 1/2" length was good enough for Hondo Lane, Bret Maverick, Marshal Dan Troop, Festus Haggen and Hopalong Cassidy, so I guess it's good enough for me!!! Yep. Sure miss some of those shows. I use 4 5/8, 5 1/2, and 6 1/2 on my various Rugers without any problems. The only one I really notice the length on is the old Flattop .44 in 6 1/2 where I shoot 44 specials. But then I never did worry too much about speed....just having a good time.
Wire Paladin # 5954 L Regulator Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 Pards, My original SASS pistol is a 7 1/2" Ruger Vaquero. The holster I had made for it, complete with knight, was made for one pistol because when I started CAS we only needed, required just one. We reloaded on the clock if more were needed to shoot the stage. I now shoot 4 1/2" pistols. Wire Paladin #5954 Life-Regulator
Four-Eyed Buck,SASS #14795 Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 My first one was a 7 1/2", the next was a 5 1/2". Next two were a 5 1/2' and a 4 1/2"(thanks EAA), last two I got were 4 3/4". Found drawing the 7 1/2" was too hard on my old rusty gate shoulder. I'm leaning towards the 4 3/4"'s as my favorites, but the 5 1/2's are right behind them
Cpt Dan Blodgett, SASS #75655 Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 The orignal being 7.5 and the 5.5 being called the "Artillery" model, I have to assume the 7.5 would not have gone to the Cav alone but also the Infantry. That is a good enough reason for me to go with the 7.5 - hopefully I have not offended any "Cannon Cockers" out there
Jabez Cowboy,SASS # 50129 Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 An Opentop with 7 1/2 inch barrel ..... Jabez Cowboy
Marshal Harpoluke SASS #60019 Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 9" Walkers, Kirst 45 converters. 38grs Goex Cowboy/255gr Big Lube bullets. GET OFF'S DA LAWN!
Blastmaster Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 7 1/2" barrel gives the powder (black powder in the good ol days) more time to burn, generate more pressure, thus propel the bullet at a higher velocity which I would think would be good for the purposes in those days. Longer sight radius is an advantages too. Speed of shooting, holstering/drawing I wouldn't think was all that important or needed. So, if the shooter was a ground pounder or had the pommel holsters then why not sport the longer barreled guns. Now if the shooter spent time in the saddle or sitting, then the longer holster to accomadate the 7 1/2 barrels would be more cumbersome than shorter holsters. Like today, there are both extremes and so, people compromise and go for the middle, thus 5 1/2 barrels. Before SASS, I preferred the long barreled revolvers. I shoot 4 5/8" now. Does that make cents? Just my opinion and based on nothing histerical. Blastmaster
Utah Bob #35998 Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 The orignal being 7.5 and the 5.5 being called the "Artillery" model, I have to assume the 7.5 would not have gone to the Cav alone but also the Infantry. That is a good enough reason for me to go with the 7.5 - hopefully I have not offended any "Cannon Cockers" out there The 7.5" was standard issue to all cavalry troops, and Infantry and Staff Officers.
Yellowhouse Sam # 25171 Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 Somewhere I read that the shorter barrels, as in 4 5/8, became more popular in later periods. Easier to hide out and most large ranches in the 1880's forbade the carrying of sidearms anyway. To me the best balance comes in the 5.5 version.
High_Mesa_Drifter_SASS_22692 Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 I prefer the 9" barrel (if it's attached to a Walker)
Fairshake Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 They also had people like Bat Materson, Doc Holiday and others who ordered from Colt the 3 1/2 inch bbl guns so that they could be hidden only to draw fast from a sitting position at the card table.I have heard that John Wesly Hardin also carried this type of revolver from time to time.I myself have owned and shot the 4 3/4 and 5 1/2 models and must say that the 5 1/2 seem to carry and shoot the best for me. YMMV
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