Colt 3rd Generation Single Action Army SAA P1840 4 3/4″ .45 Revolver, 2006
SOLD FOR: $2,975
LSB#: 230829BV003
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, 3rd Generation
Serial Number: S42973A
Year of Manufacture: 2006 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .45 Colt
Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Barrel Length: 4 3/4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a quarter round blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a square groove in the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black hard rubber with rampant colt in oval at their tops and American Eagle at the bottom. The left panel has a nick at the bottom edge near the rear. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The checkering is well defined and there is good detail in the eagles and colts. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine-Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blue Barrel, Cylinder and Grip Frame, Case Color Frame
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 99% of its metal finish. There is no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly and smoothly. This revolver’s cylinder has a removable bushing. The lockup produces barely perceptible play on all six chambers. The trigger is crisp. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes in a two-piece blue cardboard Colt box with a white cardboard sleeve with serial-matching label, and an assortment of factory paperwork including manual.
Our Assessment: In 1974, Colt quietly discontinued production the single Action Army; this would be the second time they discontinued production of this glorious revolver. Luckily, the loyal fans of the SAA would not need to wait long as colt would bring back the SAA in 1976 as the “3rd Generation”. Changes were made but the basic SAA was the same, i.e. three standard barrel lengths of 4 ¾”, 5 ½” and 7 ½”, finishes of full nickel or blue, with color case hardened frame, and grips of hard rubber.
Some changes were incorporated in an effort by Colt to keep prices down. One new change was a pressed-in cylinder pin bushing instead of the removable ones used in 1st and 2nd Generation cylinders. Also, the ratchet at the rear of the cylinders was re-shaped, which also necessitated a different shape on the rotating hand. And for some unknown reason, the pitch of the barrel’s threads was changed from the 20 threads per inch (TPI) as used on 1st and 2nd Generation SAAs to 24 TPI for these new ones. Toward the end of 2nd Generation production Colt had begun using some investment cast parts, but the frames continued to be forged. The introductory caliber for 3rd Generation SAAs was .45 Colt, but .357 Magnum came along by the end of 1976.
Everyone should have a Colt Single Action Army, and this would be a beauty to add to any collection. Manufactured in 2006, this revolver was made after the reintroduction of the removable bushing. Chambered for the classic .45 Colt cartridge, the revolver is in Excellent condition, with little to indicate that it has spent much time outside its included box. This revolver is more than suitable for addition to a collection, but it would also make an attractive revolver for recreational target shooting or could be used in Cowboy Action Shooting competitions. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
