hammer fit to frame, back strap ears to frame, hammer arc? Photo esay

[Cozmo]

I didn't want to go this far off topic on another OP's thread so I started this one to get into some better detail. These were guns I had at hand in the office this morning for comparison via my phone's camera. Make of it what you will for detailing on the hammer and back strap ears. Some won't care. Others likely don't know what I am looking for. And other yet will be fine with what they see once it is pointed out.

Custom shop 3rd Gen Colts.

what to look for? Hammer fit to frame...hammer does not sit deep enough into frame.



Hammer does not fit frame profile








USFA factory profiles

what to look for? How well they are fit in the areas we are discussing







2nd Gen Colt

Overly large hammer profiles and slightly mis-matched and overly round ears






Uberti

Looks a lot like USFA work...should as it is the same CNC program doing the work. If I could find as 3rd Gen Colt that looked this good in the same area I's be thrilled. To their credit Standard uses a like CNC program as Uberti and USFA before them.






Custom 3rd Gen Colt (not factory)

Trying to make the hammer profile and back strap ears fit better than original...not the best work but better than how the parts started out for fit.

[azshot]

Nice shots. Now can someone explain what I'm looking for/at? For about 10 years a few people bring up the "ears" on SAA. They assess how good, bad, or ugly they are. I've never figured out what they're talking about. It would be nice to have a photo with lines and arrows and dimensions of a "good" back end (of a Colt, I mean...no fun guys).

[Cozmo]

Sure easy enough to do.

Purple? How does the hammer fit the frame...best viewed looking straight down. Is there a gap between hammer and frame? And from straight on the side? Does the hammer profile match the contour of the frame?

Red? Viewed from the side does the arc of the hammer match the arc of the frame?

Blue? Does the hammer profile match the back strap ears? Is there an over laps or under cut? Are the corners square and sharp on the back strap ears and the hammer edges.

Hope that helps.


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For comparison a couple of nice 1st Gen Colts
hammer5.jpg


hammer4.jpg

[Cozmo]

poorly fitted parts circled in red...

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[Cozmo]

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[xitnet]

Cozmo,
Appreciate you posting the photo's and explanations. Very interesting and informative.
Thank you

[azshot]

This does help, you'd make an excellent training developer!

[Cozmo]

"Colt SAA 2nd Generation transition to 3rd Generation revolver, .357 Magnum cal., 5-1/2” barrel, blue and case hardened finish, thick stag grips, #66788SA "

Note the rounding of the edges on the hammer base and the back strap ears inside and out. Top of the hammer blending to the frame looks pretty good but hard to tell from this angle.

colt111.jpg

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[Cozmo]

Here is another 2nd Gen with nice fit on the back strap with the "then new" factory Colt "fast draw" hammer installed. That hammer sure made fitting that frame profile easier

nick2_LI.jpg


nick2.jpg

[Mikebiker]

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