H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted March 12 Posted March 12 With tongue firmly inserted in cheek... The other day, I again heard the term, "4th Generation," and I wanted to scream. There are only 3 generations. But, people don't wanna accept that. They want to insist that there are 4. Okay, let's pretend. But here's the problem, where does the fourth generation begin? MOST people will tell you it started when Colt switched back to the removable bushing in the cylinders that the early thirds did not have. But this is not a universal definition. The earliest recollection I have of the term "4th Generation" was in an issue of Guns & Ammo a very long time ago. Now, once upon a time, the 3rd Gen Colt was only available as a custom shop offering. But then one day, Colt decide to make it a general production gun again. The article was about how this was happening, and it ended with a reference to these new regular production guns as "4th Generation" guns. And yes, "4th Generation" was in quotation marks. I don't remember who wrote the article, but that was the first time I heard the term. And, that was about the only time I recall it being used in that context. But now, let's assume that the fourth generation exists, just for fun. Let's assume that the dividing line is indeed the cylinder bushing. I would submit that this change, while perhaps indicative of a generation change, CAN'T be the difference between 3rd and 4th. To that end, I now offer the follow new definition of Colt SAA Generations. 1st Generation: The "Black Powder Frame" guns made from 1873 to whenever they switched to the "Smokeless Frame." 2nd Generation: The "Smokeless Frame" guns made from whenever they started to the end of production at the start of WWII. 3rd Generation: What under the old system were "2nd Generatation" guns. 4th Generation: The "early 3rd Generation" guns under the old numbering system with the solid bushing that was a part of the cylinder. 5th Generation: Starts with when Colt went back to the removable bushing to the present day. I do hereby propose that this is how we "should" think of the SAA "Generations." Unless of course there is some sort of a dichotomy in the old system 2nd Generation that I am not aware of. I also have some oceanfront property in Arizona for sale real cheap. Please don't take this seriously. It's meant as a joke. 3 Quote
Griff Posted March 13 Posted March 13 1 hour ago, H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 said: Please don't take this seriously. It's meant as a joke. Oh Pleeeze! How dare you let the cat outta bag so early... You've just spoilt the joy for those that gotta argue for the sake of arguin'! 2 Quote
Abilene, SASS # 27489 Posted March 13 Posted March 13 (edited) Don't forget that after being bought by CZ it becomes a 6th generation! edit: taking bets on how long before this gets moved to the saloon? Edited March 13 by Abilene, SASS # 27489 4 Quote
watab kid Posted March 13 Posted March 13 thanks for that education . , i have a few colts , im not gonna argue with anyone but colts are the elate of our guns but not the best choice for our game , JMHO Quote
H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted March 13 Author Posted March 13 (edited) 10 hours ago, Abilene, SASS # 27489 said: Don't forget that after being bought by CZ it becomes a 6th generation! You know, that makes sense, in a weird sort of way. If CZ moves Colt out of Connecticut, then it would, perhaps, be a legitimate generational change in real life... AND it makes me realize there is yet another 3rd to 4th generation possible switch time under the old system. In 1994, Colt left the original Colt plant in Hartford to move to East Hartford. Adding it to the mix on the new system, this would mean we are in 6th generation, with the CZ ownership possibly being the 7th. See, this is fun! Edited March 13 by H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Quote
Eyesa Horg Posted March 13 Posted March 13 42 minutes ago, H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 said: 1994, Colt left the original Colt plant in Hartford to move to East Hartford. Didn't they move to West Hartford? Off New Park Ave. Quote
Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 Posted March 13 Posted March 13 My 6th generation is just ahead of its time. Quote
H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted March 13 Author Posted March 13 2 hours ago, Eyesa Horg said: Didn't they move to West Hartford? Off New Park Ave. Uhm... I'm not sure... Lemme check the Colt Website... Ugh! They don't list their address. How irritating. Let's check Wiki... Yeah. West Hartford. Good catch. All I know for sure is that you get off I-84 exit 45. (Ironic, isn't it?) 1 Quote
Forty Rod SASS 3935 Posted March 13 Posted March 13 I have a 1959 vintage (Gen. 2 ?) 5 1/2" .45 Colt that my parents got me for my high school graduation in 1960. It was brand new gun at that time. Over the years it has been refinished once and has had a lot of internals replaced. I bought a Tyler "one piece" Ivorex grips kit for it in 1975, and custom holster made in the style of El Paso Saddlery's original Ranger, but cut lower like their Ranger fast draw style. It hangs on a El Paso money belt with some added silver conchos. I pretty much retired the gun in the '80s and got a pair of AWAs with matching holsters), but I'll keep "Old Sam" until I die. It's in a safety deposit box at my bank, but I visit it every few months. Quote
H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted March 13 Author Posted March 13 5 hours ago, Forty Rod SASS 3935 said: I have a 1959 vintage (Gen. 2 ?) 5 1/2" .45 Colt that my parents got me for my high school graduation in 1960. It was brand new gun at that time. Over the years it has been refinished once and has had a lot of internals replaced. I bought a Tyler "one piece" Ivorex grips kit for it in 1975, and custom holster made in the style of El Paso Saddlery's original Ranger, but cut lower like their Ranger fast draw style. It hangs on a El Paso money belt with some added silver conchos. I pretty much retired the gun in the '80s and got a pair of AWAs with matching holsters), but I'll keep "Old Sam" until I die. It's in a safety deposit box at my bank, but I visit it every few months. Picture needed! Quote
Forty Rod SASS 3935 Posted March 14 Posted March 14 14 hours ago, H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 said: Picture needed! Some day I'll learn how to do that. Quote
Rye Miles #13621 Posted March 14 Posted March 14 I have a 2nd generation made in 1967, the other 3 I have are all 3rd generations , varying from 1980’s to the newest one that was made in 1998. Quote
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